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Letting Go of God

Julia Sweeney Format: Audio CD

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Julia Sweeney says she was a "happy Catholic girl" when, one day, she walked into church and signed up for a Bible-study course. "What an eye opener that was!" she says. "Next thing you know, I was on a quest for something I could really believe in. I traveled to places like Bhutan, Ecuador, and my local Starbucks looking for answers. Would I embrace Buddhism? New Age pseudo-science? Was I a freak for feeling the way I did, or were there other people out there just like me? I was grappling with serious questions. But, somehow, a lot of the things that were happening to me seemed, well, funny." Equally comedic and insightful, Letting Go of God is Sweeney's brilliant one-woman show about her struggle with her faith. Grappling with the seeming contradictions in Adam and Eve, Noah, the Ten Commandments, and even the teachings of Jesus - and trying to understand the Bible's messages about morality, family values, and human suffering while faced with door-knocking Mormons and wise-cracking priests - Sweeney takes listeners on her very personal journey from God to "not-God". This performance was recorded on November 19, 2005, at the Ars Nova Theatre in New York City.

Review

"Searing and bracingly funny... "Letting Go of God" is refreshingly unrancorous, lucid and, yes, inspirational. Ms. Sweeney may not believe her audience has spirits to be moved, but that's certainly how it feels." --New York Times

"Julia Sweeney's brave, hilarious, moving new show "Letting Go of God" is a gale-force breath of fresh of fresh air into the mostly politic dialogue about religion in our time." --Los Angeles Times

"An excerpt of this show is the single most popular story we've ever put on our show in over ten years on the air. Somehow, against all common sense, Julia is making something funny that has no business being funny. So buy this CD, if you dare." --Ira Glass, This American Life

Product details

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.55 x 4.97 x 0.54 inches; 2.72 Ounces
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Indefatigable Inc.
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ January 15, 2007
Label ‏ : ‎ Indefatigable Inc.
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000MM107I
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2

Customer Reviews:
81 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		76%
4 star		16%
3 star		3%
2 star		3%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Northof100

Truly Made Her a Star!

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2013

Verified Purchase

I bought this book back in 2005 and have to say it remains one of my all time favorites. I think I read it all in one sitting (3-4 hours if I remember correctly. She was so clearly excited to share her experiences and do so with her dry sense of satirical humor that i instantly became a fan of hers for life. So many of the events are transferable to our own lives that it is hard not to feel you know already knew her. It is not an intense book that dissects the Bible or examines complex theological questions. It takes a broad paint brush and composes one person's internal struggles with something she was told was the "gospel" since she could walk.
I think anyone looking to be entertained and see how someone can go from being devout to skeptical (and free from religious shackles!) should by this book.
Thank you Julia for a great little treasure!!!
P.S. I tried listening to the accompanying CD, but felt her voice to be somewhat grating to be a distraction. Great for SNL skits, but cumbersome for the ear. Sorry Julia :-(

One person found this helpful

Helpful

A Brilliant and Funny Observant!

Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2009

Verified Purchase

Julia Sweeney is something to behold. Her work in Letting Go of God proves it. It might not appeal to all segments but her views are entertaining and at times right on the money. How do I know this? Because I have pondered for years on some of the same issues and I found that Julia Sweeney take on the subject was highly illuminating from a modern woman living in this modern world. Sure, it is something you will listen one or two times but those times will be causing most people to laugh, either at themselves or at the preconceived notions they instilled on most of us in the early years of life. She is no different than those authors that believe the opposite she believes. She is articulate, incisive and the subject is very funny in a sad kind of way. Smart, witty, studious, revealing and painfully honest. What more can we ask from an artist. I gladly rate it 4.5 Stars for it is daring and compassionate, rebellious and pungent criticism of a subject very few dare tangle with.

8 people found this helpful

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Reamo

Thoughful point of view

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

Wish I knew about this when it was originally released. All atheists I have read and heard have always been men; this is fine but this subject needs so much more. It is incredibly refreshing to hear a woman’s point of view. The balance of humor, critical thinking and personal journey was enjoyable. Thanks Ms. Sweeney.

2 people found this helpful

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Gene

Funny, clever and thought prevoking.

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2013

Verified Purchase

Julia Sweeney is very funny and charming. While Sweeney is an atheist, this monologue is not intended to destroy religion, it is her personal journey to understanding, which ultimately led her to reject the idea of there being a god. Letting Go of God will have you laughing at parts and crying at others, and above all, will get you to question your belief structure, whatever it is. I have listened to this dozens of times, and I have enjoyed it immensely every time.

Helpful

MaryN

Thought provoking and heart felt

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2013

Verified Purchase

Julia Sweeney is so much more than "Pat". I loved her "God Said Ha" from years ago. Recently saw this cd offered. I was able to relate to so much she shared in her quest to consider who and what God is and what God has to do with her life. She is so intelligent, funny and full of truth and heart. I have watched this many times and find it to be a thought provoking, sincere experience. In truth, I ordered this cd by accident, thinking it was the dvd. Came back on and ordered the dvd...amazon kindly allowed me to keep the cd also at no charge. Thanks, Amazon!

Helpful

Evelyn M. Jensen

Don't Let this one Go!

Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2008

Verified Purchase

This CD is fantastic. It's a vivid account of a story that anyone who's launched an honest search for truth will both marvel at and relate to in a way that feels incredibly personal. Truly, it's a story I WISH I could claim as mine, but I wasn't nearly as thorough, or as amusing. You'll laugh out loud at things you never thought could be funny. I downloaded it to my iPod and listened at the gym. I had to really fight not to look like the resident crazy. I bought copies for several friends for Xmas and my popularity is at an all time high. Buy this and enjoy!!

8 people found this helpful

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Kitsune

Julia Sweeney is Inspirational

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2013

Verified Purchase

When I was letting go of my religious beliefs, I needed something to connect all the dots together.
Her story could be one that I might tell with some small changes

You take off the "God glasses" for just a moment and look "What would life be like without God"
Things suddenly make more sense not less. Couldn't take them back off again

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Great to Listen to Over and Over

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2011

Verified Purchase

I have listened to this many, many times and continue to enjoy it, probably as an antidote to how free people feel to beat us over the head with their religion. I think of Sweeney as a thoughtful, kind, and funny friend who shares some good stories that overlap with some I like to tell (not as well, of course). I would love to get my religious friends to listen to it, but I don't believe I have the right to impose my beliefs on anyone. I will just continue to enjoy it from time-to-time.

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