Becky Garrison: Gaslighting for God

Becky Garrison: Gaslighting for God

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Check out the Endorsements for Gaslighting for God!

Dec 31, 2025
Cross-posted by Becky Garrison: Gaslighting for God
"So pleased for the support of these amazing others, two of them with NYT Bestsellers!"
- LakeDriveBooks

See what religious scholars along with #churchtoo survivors and advocates are saying about Gaslighting for God: A Satirical Guide to Save Yourself From Spiritual Narcissists (LakeDriveBooks, January 27, 2026).

“Gaslighting for God is laugh-out-loud funny, which is great for those of us who’ve survived religious trauma and need to laugh it out sometimes, so we’re not always crying. But don’t let Garrison’s clever wit fool you-this book is also a deep and sharply insightful commentary on narcissistic leadership, including valuable and practical ways to spot a predator in pastoral clothing.”—Tia Levings, author of the NYT Bestselling A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy and I Belong to Me: A Survivor’s Guide to Recovery and Hope after Religious Trauma

Becky Garrison: Gaslighting for God is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

“Becky Garrison’s Gaslighting for God is not only deeply researched, it’s also deeply felt, a wise and knowing exposé of religious narcissists in what she calls the Christian Industrial Complex—and beyond. Her taxonomy of narcissists manages to be both funny and frightening, but the real treasure of this book lies in its promise of hope and healing, courage found in the context of community.”—Randall Balmer, author of Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right

“Becky is, among other things, a historian who has kept close watch over what has happened through different church movements over the last few decades. She is duly qualified to comment, sometimes with sarcasm, about the patriarchy and gaslighting that help keep their followers in line. If we are ever going to move forward out of evangelical Christianity, we need fair criticism of the current situation and the methods used by those who rule and manipulate. This book will accomplish that!”— Karl Forehand, author of Evolving from Religious Trauma and host of The Desert Sanctuary

“While we may not align with all of the author’s claims, Gaslighting for God is a needed voice in a time when self-anointed gurus sell salvation like merch. Becky Garrison cuts through the fog with a sly grin and a sharp pen. She exposes how narcissists, whether in pulpits, on stages, or leading ‘sacred’ movements and retreats, twist faith into fuel for their own empires. With honesty and humor, she documents the red flags and provides a way out, pointing us toward spaces where spirituality heals instead of harms. It’s part exposé, part survival guide—a much-needed invitation to reclaim our own sacred path.”—David Hayward a.k.a the NakedPastor, cartoonist and author

“Ever wonder why the church seems to focus more on the minister than the mission? Gaslighting for God by Becky Garrison will help you understand why so many churches focus on glitz rather than God and elevate people’s egos over religious purpose. Garrison uses in-depth research and witty satire to expose religious narcissism in this engaging volume.”—Warren Throckmorton, author of The Christian Past That Wasn’t: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History

“Gaslighting for God offers a clear and incisive examination of the narcissistic dynamics that shape harmful religious environments. Becky Garrison names what so many experience but rarely have language for. As a nursing scholar and researcher of adverse religious experiences, I see this book as an important contribution to our understanding of spiritual trauma and the pathways to recovery.”—Beth K. Schwartz, PhD, RN, PHN, MAT

“Countless resources shine light on dark details of malignant individuals and institutions. But BeckyGarrison uniquely equips us with her master class in surgical satire. Essential reading to understand and defend against spiritual narcissism!”—Brad Sargent, abuse survivor blogger at“futuristguy”

“Gaslighting for God is the best study on narcissism that I’ve read.”— Frank Schaeffer, author of Crazy for God

Becky Garrison: Gaslighting for God is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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