Letting Go of God

By: Julia Sweeney

Narrated by: Julia Sweeney

Length: 2 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Julia Sweeney was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1989-94, and is best known for the mysteriously androgynous character, "It's Pat!". She has also served as a consulting producer on Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives. Letting Go of God is her third monologue. She performed her first, God Said, "Ha!", in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and on Broadway, as well as in a film produced by Quentin Tarantino. The CD version was nominated for a Grammy.

There's lots more Julia Sweeney available at Audible®! Just click here to download In the Family Way, her appearances on This American Life, her Un-Cabaret performances, and other great programs.

©2006 Julia Sweeney (P)2006 Julia Sweeney

Critic reviews

"Searing and bracingly funny....Letting Go of God is refreshingly unrancorous, lucid and, yes, inspirational." (The New York Times)
"Letting Go of God is a gale-force breath of fresh air into the mostly political dialogue about religion in our time." (Los Angeles Times)

Smart and Funny

A refreshing, smartly comedic commentary on daring to take a realistic look at inherited belief systems. Two thumbs way up!

Brilliant story of one person's spiritual journey

I don't agree with Sweeney's conclusions but that didn't stop me from absolutely enjoying every minute of the story of her evolving relationship with religion, spirituality, and God.

Very Funny and insightful.

This is one of my favorite audible "books". I love Julia Sweeney's delivery! I have listened to this and her other books several times and they are always entertaining.

Food for Thought

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

We don't all "struggle" with this subject. In fact, much like Julia, many of us find the mere thought of considering these thoughts out of the question. I would recommend this to someone who is questioning. I would never want to try and change someone's perception of God, but for someone who has questions for themselves, I would definitely recommend this because she leads the reader/listener through a very thoughtful, intelligent journey.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Julia IS the character in this book. I love her because she is so completely honest about her journey, her struggles, the fact that she often made course corrections. This was NOT a book about any new discovery. It was a book about one person's journey to discovering a truth that was right for her, but not after leaving no stone un turned.

Which scene was your favorite?

Every time Julia came to what she felt like was a final discovery and then considered another way of thinking of things.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Mysterious Ways

Funny and thought-provoking

I love Julia Sweeney and her comedic style. She takes the very serious subject of a spiritual quest and manages to make you laugh with anecdotes while giving you something to ponder. It isn't all laughs, because it is a very serious subject, and it may offend some people. But if you listen with an open mind, it will make you think about faith, religion, and even the wonder of your own existence.

This is educated humor of importance

Comedic, witty and educational, believe it or not. What a great realization path she leads one through and it's not without educating herself on all the probable scenarios along the way. This isn't preachy but a story of her deep search to find the meaning of God ... who really wasn't there.

Great Listen

Not as hard core as Dawkins, a nice fun listen for anyone who would enjoy a heartfelt, emotional speech from a woman who decideds to let go of her faith in God.

Funny and poignant

This live recording was very well done.
Julia finds the humor in what many of us are facing today; leaving our religion and belief in god behind. She shares her experiences from her Catholic upbringing, personal challenges and her departure from faith.
I would suggest her book to anyone, but especially to those who have discovered they simply no longer believe.
Listening to Julia tell her story in such a delightfully lighthearted way made me feel better about my own journey away from a set of beliefs imposed on me literally from birth.

Funny and Smart

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud a bunch of times listening to this book. Also, it made me think. And, Julia Sweeney is great company. This is already one of my favourites and I could see listening to it again.

Funny and entertaining!

I just loved how Julia narrates this! Very funny and very personable. I have listened to this over again many times now and share it with others.