Gospel of Lies

“In Gospel of Lies, Promise traces her journey from unquestioning devotion to unapologetic atheism with her unique blend of compassion and honesty. She exposes the cracks in doctrine that sermons never acknowledge and gives voice to the doubts believers are trained to suppress. Because she knows the language, the fear, and the cost of leaving, her story will resonate deeply with those still trapped inside faith–and those who have already escaped. As Promise writes, she may have lost her faith, but she gained so much more in return. Once you read this book, so will you.”―Hemant Mehta, editor of FriendlyAtheist.com“Promise Backlund’s Gospel of Lies is a touching and personal memoir of the author’s navigation out of the social and ideological ties of extreme evangelicalism that offers a trail of breadcrumbs for those who are trying to overcome their own entanglements with evangelical indoctrination and social pressure. In addition to telling her own heartfelt story of overcoming the dogmas and misinformation with which she was raised, Promise in each chapter collects under a thematic heading a variety of arguments that one is likely to hear when voice doubts or concerns. Promise offers careful and incisive responses to those arguments and shares additional context that can help folks struggling with doubt and pressure to think more clearly and make better informed decisions about their own lives. Gospel of Lies will no doubt be an essential tool for evangelicals deconstructing amidst unsympathetic or hostile relationships.”―Dan McClellan, Bible scholar and NYT bestselling author of The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture’s Most Controversial Issues

“Promise has this unique ability to say things clearly and concisely whilst being humble and provocative at the same time. As a queer survivor of Evangelicalism, it was validating to read her stories and how she eloquently confronts the harm of Evangelical beliefs. The grip of indoctrination from a young age is coercive and formidable. Something as personal as faith should be permitted, not enforced. For all of the people I worked with in ministry who were closeted atheists, this book is an answer to their godless prayers. From an array of personal experiences to practical frameworks and insight, Gospel of Lies is bolstering and bridge-building for anyone impacted by the conversation around God.”―Mike Maeshiro, founder of Numa and host of the Confessions of a Reformer podcast

“Gospel of Lies is the book I wish I had when I started deconstructing, even though I grew up in a garden-variety Catholic home. Experiencing a fraction of Promise’s upbringing shed a lot of light on why she is so passionate about speaking out against religious dogma. This book also demonstrates the real, dangerous ideologies that fester deep inside the typical American Evangelical home. I took notes and highlighted pages to ensure I didn’t miss anything and would be able to take her wisdom into real-life conversations with our callers on The Line. Reading this felt like being supported by your brilliant big sister - it’s powerful, informative, and inspiring.”―Alyssa Ljub, co-host on The Line

“Promise Backlund puts words to what so many of us feel while deconstructing an evangelical belief system. She names why so many of us carry shame, fear, and guilt for simply existing in our bodies, and she holds the system accountable while giving the reader permission to do the same. You feel seen, not judged…and finally understood.”―Crystal Dawn, @crystaldawnalchemy4

“Gospel of Lies is a courageous and methodical confrontation of the arguments, impacts, and traumatic manifestations of modern evangelical Christianity. Promise Backlund exposes the circular logic of a rigged system and replaces it with a process of reclamation grounded in reality. This generous and powerful book is for anyone confused by Christian Nationalism and the cognitive dissonance we witness as a fruit of evangelical faith.”―Tia Levings, author of NYT Bestseller 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

“Promise inspires me. Those who have never deconstructed a high-control religion may not realize just how much courage it takes to acknowledge nagging doubts, to challenge the sacred, and to defy scriptures which command the faithful, ‘Do not trust in your own understanding.’ The road out of fundamentalism is often jarring long before it becomes liberating, and I’m convinced that Promise’s candid personal story will help to make the deconstruction journey easier and better for a great many people.―Seth Andrews, exvangelical / podcaster / secular activist

“If you want to understand why so many young people are walking away from Christianity and the Church, this is the book for you. Promise Backlund’s bold, unflinching honesty sheds more light than heat on the topics of faith and doubt. The result is a book that explains why sometimes it’s better to walk away from a faith that no longer works than it is to stay and deny our common sense.”―Keith Giles, author of Sola Mysterium: Celebrating the Beautiful Uncertainty of Everything

Promise Backlund

Promise Backlund is a former Evangelical Christian who now identifies as agnostic atheist after leaving her faith in 2017. She has developed a large, devoted following since separating from her evangelical Christian family and the Christian Charismatic Church. She is now a major ex-evangelical influencer, with a vibrant social media following. She is also a featured host for The Line, a popular skeptic-based YouTube network and podcast.

Matt Dillahunty

Matt Dillahunty is an American internet personality and public speaker. He is a frequent guest on The Line podcast and from 2005 to 2022, hosted The Atheist Experience, a webcast and cable-access television show. He is perhaps best-known for his compelling formal debates. He speaks to diverse groups around the world, from churches and universities to secular organizations, about religion, skepticism, atheism, humanism and philosophy.