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)

Brilliant

Julia Sweeney was a happy Catholic who went on a spiritual quest as an adult, and wound up a non-believer. She recounts her journey here with great insight and humor.

I've read or listened to all of the "New Atheists", (Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris), and for my money, Sweeney tops them all. They're all great, in their own way, but they are sooooo serious. Julie covers the same ground, but does it in such a humorous way that it's impossible not to love her, unless you're some sort of fundamentalist believer. In that case, the humor, brilliant as it is, is bound to fly right over your head. God does not believe in humor or tolerate questioning, at least these people's world.

For people who can listen to a person veering off of the path of belief, or making jokes about religion, while treating belief with affection, this recording is for you. I love it, and refer to it often. I've given it to many Christian friends, but only those with a sense of humor. Hard-core believers will not be amused. Modern religious or secular thinkers, on the other hand, will be delighted.

Funny and not so funny

This is a funny book on a serious matter. You can see why so many are still in the closet. It's good to see some humor on the subject.

Funy to the last!

Would you listen to Letting Go of God again? Why?

Absolutely, a hilarious comedy routine, but also deeply personal and touching.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it's great!

Any additional comments?

Most of the best stuff has been widely seen online.

Great content, stellar narration.

Julia Sweeney tackles a deep subject without being "heavy." Enjoyed performance and content immensely. Would definitely recommend to anyone, no matter what their world view, to take a frequently hilarious yet incredibly thought provoking and straightforward look at Christian beliefs and the dark side of the Bible that is so often and necessarily glossed over by it's believers to justify their beliefs. Julia Sweeney is brilliant and takes an understanding stance regarding people that still believe, while not mincing words about the truly terrible side of the Bible and her path to reason and critical thinking.

A smart and touching performance

Any additional comments?

Letting go of God is more like a live one woman show than a traditional audio book. Julia Sweeney tells the story of giving up religion in a sad, funny and heartbreaking manner. I have listened to it twice, and will probably do it again. She is like the opposite of atheists like Richard Dawkins: She knows what it means to have faith, and to willingly give the faith up for uncertainty.

I’m not being hyperbolic: This recording changed my life

This is a brilliant piece of theatre. It’s well-researched and sincere and made me question everything. I went to see her perform this live, and I listen to it about once a year. It’s a perfect piece. And I love it.

Hilarious!

I found this very entertaining and enjoyable. A Theist may have issues with this, but I liked it.

Sweeney is a National Treasure

June 2023 re-listen:

I stated in 2016 I would listen again and I did. It was just as good the second time. Again, I could really relate to his being a former indoctrinated-since-birth Catholic and gradually losing faith over time through education such as she did. Definitely a great listen for former believers, especially former Catholics.

Original 2016 review:

I thought this was fantastic! Julia Sweeney's journey from religion to non-belief mirrored mine in many ways. She was brought up in a strict Catholic family and gradually began questioning the supernatural content of Bible and the "mysterious ways" of god as she became more educated. I could relate to everything she talked about.

I only knew her as a former SNL cast member before she showed up as the host at the Rochester, MN stop of Richard Dawkins' tour in 2015. I admit that I don't remember much what she said that night, I was there to hear Dawkins and frankly didn't want to hear from anyone else. At the time I didn't know that she was active in the secular arena and was a board member of the Secular Coalition for America.

The book is narrated by Julia in a live setting, and is full of funny anecdotes and witty comments. I found myself laughing often. She knows how to tell a story and use her voice to bring it to life. I will listen to it again.

Extremeley funny and insightful

This is a real gem. Julia Sweeney manages to be extremeley funny while talking about her own journey of spiritual and religious discovery. She conveys more insights and fundamental truths in just over two hours than most of the other "popular" atheist/agnostic tomes out there that are many times longer. Unlike many of those other books, she is able to do it without being depressing, disrespectful, or taking herself too seriously. I have listened to it twice already and will likely listen again.
If the subject matter and approach of this book looks interesting to you, then I encourage you to get it. You will not be disappointed!

Touching, Compelling

I highly recommend this presentation. It'll make you cry and it will make you laugh. Very touching.