Customer Reviews

Jesus Doesn't Live Here Anymore: From Fundamentalist to Freedom Writer

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2 star:		(1)
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This is a down-to-earth book describing Mr. Porteous' journey into Christian fundamentalism; but more importantly his journey out of the clutches of fundamentalism. It is a refreshing look out how one can still provide a valuable service to society in spite of an indoctrination of superstition and intolerance. Unlike some books on journeys out of faith, Porteous effectively uses humor and experience to remind the reader of the humanity behind the tragedy that is fundamentalism.

I read the book in two sittings. It is interesting and easy to read. Porteous describes how he came to be a fundamentalist minister, what his ministry was like, and how he "left the fold". To me, the most interesting (and frightening) parts of the book are where he describes the fake healings and "exorcisms" and his radio conversations with fundamentalists. Also frightening is the amount of hate shown him by the "Godly" religious right after he deconverts. Most interesting also are his conversations with fundamentalists in which the fundamentalists rely on slippery linguistic manipulations to try to discredit Porteous. The main weakness of the book is that it does not give enough detail about his "deconversion." He doesn't tell enough about the process of losing his faith. It sounds like he just woke up one day and lost his faith. The end of the book details his current work with Walk Away and the Freedom Writer, and he does a good job of exposing the agenda of some of the more political (and unhinged) of the ultrafundamentalists.

Thank You Mr. Porteous for writing this book and, along with Austin Miles, exposing the downright cultic behavior found with a sizable portion of the Charismatic and Pentecostal movement. DO not pass this one by!

After reading Jesus Doesn't Live Here Anymore I'm glad I never got involved in Christian fundamentalism. Skipp isn't preachy about it, he just tells his story like it happened. I can hardly wait to read his newest book, Acts of the Apostles, under his pseudonym Guy Manchester. Even though it's fiction, I'll bet it's based on the experience he relates in Jesus Doesn't Live Here Anymore. It's probably as funny, too.

Skipp Porteous has had quite a life and has lived to tell about it. I;m looking forward to his "Acts of the Apostles," under his pen name Guy Manchester. Although it's "fiction," I've heard that it's powerful.

I have read this book twice, and feel that the author offers a sincere, fact-based perspective on what fundamentalism does to individuals and families. This is a helpful book for anyone who wonders why Christianity is not working in their life. After reading this book along with several companion pieces by Dan Barker, Austin Miles, Stephen Arterburn and others, I have come to realize that what Porteous describes here is unique to fundamentalism and its dogma. However, it does not address the other components of Christianity, such as neo-orthodoxy or postmodern Christianity. I don't regard that as a weakness of the book, because unfortunately, it seems that fundamentalism is the only sect of Christianity Mr. Porteous experienced and therefore, can write about. The only weakness in the book is that in his matter of fact manner, he didn't disclose much of the emotional aspect of his "detox" from the group. Still, the facts are enought to invoke great feelings in the readers. Much respect to Porteous for his departure from the spiritual and mental abuse of fundamentalism. My best to you, Skipp!

I have read this book twice, and feel that the author offers a sincere, fact-based perspective on what fundamentalism does to individuals and families. This is a helpful book for anyone who wonders why Christianity is not working in their life. After reading this book along with several companion pieces by Dan Barker, Austin Miles, and others, I have come to realize that what Porteous describes here is unique to fundamentalism and its dogma. However, it does not address the other components of Christianity, such as neo-orthodoxy or postmodern Christianity. I don't regard that as a weakness of the book, because unfortunately, it seems that fundamentalism is the only sect of Christianity Mr. Porteous experienced and therefore, can write about. The only weakness in the book is that in his matter of fact manner, he didn't disclose much of the emotional aspect of his "detox" from the group. Still, the facts are enought to invoke great feelings in the readers. Much respect to Porteous for his departure from the spiritual and mental abuse of fundamentalism. My best to you, Skipp!

I write this review as a fundamentalist Christian studying to be an Assemblies of God pastor. I'm reading all I can concerning Fundamentalism and Pentecostalism, both pro and con. I found this book, as well as Austin Miles' two books, informative and oddly enough even encouraging. Porteous writes of his time as a believer so well and with so much enthusiasm at times I almost forgot he would be leaving the fold by book's end. He provides great counsel to aspiring ministers and I will learn from both his mistakes and from his successes. I would have given five stars had the book simply ended with his decision to leave the faith and why. It was such compelling reading through that point, sad as it was to see this man of God forsake his calling and ministry. But instead of closing Porteous fills out the final third of his book with a disorganized mixed bag: his stint working as a narc, a rather mean-spirited transcript of a radio show and other chest-beating accounts from his quixotic war against Christianity. I'm not opposed to this material appearing in the book, but it should have been as appendices, not a part of the narrative. I'd recommend the book to fellow believers, especially those given to charismania excess. Porteous is right about the dangers of running with every new fad, be it slaying in the spirit or today's holy laughter or hundredfold return heresy. Truly regenerated believers will not have their faith rocked by the story of Porteous' apostasy, the less-than-shocking revelation that we do not possess the original autographs of the Scriptures, or the less-than-credible findings of the Jesus Seminar. What I'd be curious to read is the story of Richard and Renee Durfield, committed Christians who worked alongside Porteous for most of his years in ministry. As for Porteous, I have hope that he, like Austin Miles (see Richard Lee's review of Don't Call Me Brother), will allow the Lord once again to take up residence in his heart. We will welcome you back with love, Skipp!

Just because Skipp Porteous had a bad experiance with the God based church doesnt mean that all God based church's are bad. I had a bad experiance with a Satanic cult and no one gives a hoot. Give it up and forgive God he's already forgiven you. Eternity is a long time do we want to spend it in Hell?

Mr. Porteous has misread and misquoted the Bible from beginning to end. There are no inconsistencies in the Bible. If the author had truly been a born again Christian, he could not have made the comments written in his book. Mr. Porteous needs to get his facts straight and get right with Jesus if, indeed, he ever knew him in the first place. I recommend the book for Christian apologists who wish to refute and rebut what the author has written. It will be good practice for them, although probably too easy. The book is blasphemous and should never be read by those not washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. Mr. Porteous is one of the false prophets spoken of in the Bible and he will someday find himself in eternal hell.