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)

Very clever and thought-provoking

Ms Sweeney is a masterful, thought-provoking, clever storyteller. And her monologue is very entertaining.

It was so moving. I was there with her every step

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

Yes, Julia tells a wonderfull story of a happy little girl growing up and beginning to ask questions as why we believe these things were taught. The deep and harder she looked at these gems the prevalent the flaws became.

What did you like best about this story?

She managed to make a sound argument without being disrespectfull to others who cherish thier faith.

What about Julia Sweeney’s performance did you like?

You could easily sense how dificult this journey was her to make. Each corner a new dispointment.

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

I laughed, at the banter with her priest. I cried at the realazation that those we love are just gone that all we keep with us is the memmories.

Any additional comments?

Such a prize to have found this ,

Finding Spirituality

This was entertaining and easy to listen to. It it made me laugh and question. I was intrigued by her catholic upbringing and wonder how much of the catholic teachings led her to Let Go. I hope she continues on her spiritual quest and finds we don not have to believe in a judgmental god, but to look within ourselves first. I would recommend this audio book to anyone exercising their spiritual muscle and attempting to awaken to the spiritual magnificence within us all.

Funny, sad, and deeply moving

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I applaud Julia for seeking meaning to her family and personal tragedies. Questions are hard to ask, and the answers usually take us in an unexpected direction.

I found this book sometimes wrenching to listen to because of the emotions expressed through Julia's performance.

Would you recommend Letting Go of God to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend this book to a friend who was not emotionally fragile.

I just loved it made me laugh so much!

It felt as if she was reading my life! helped me get to a conclusion! loved it.

this is great fun

I couldn't put this out of your book down. enjoy the honesty and humor oh, there is much that I could relate to. Although I don't come to the same conclusion as the Sweeney, I do enjoy hearing about her journey

A Humorous, Gentle Story of Letting Go

If you could sum up Letting Go of God in three words, what would they be?

Funny, Insightful, Relatable

What was one of the most memorable moments of Letting Go of God?

I loved the irony of the Mormon boys initiating Julia's search for deeper spiritual meaning, only to lead her to atheism.

What about Julia Sweeney’s performance did you like?

She's a fabulous comedian and actress and it really shows in her audio performance.

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

Absolutely. I found myself circling the block several times because I wasn't quite ready to put it away.

Any additional comments?

This is a wonderful, lighthearted look at one person's very personal journey towards letting go of god. It's appropriate for teens and adults, whether you're questioning your own beliefs or just looking for something less serious in the atheistic literature. I love that Julia isn't hateful or resentful of her religious upbringing; she just found that her skeptic nature couldn't reconcile with the supernatural. She is a delightful performer and I will be checking out her other works!

Thought provoking.

Very funny and thought provoking. Made me think and evaluate my own beliefs and why I belive. Great listen.

Brilliant Storytelling

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

Yes. It's a great title to just 'throw on' anytime.

Any additional comments?

Julia Sweeney's performance is amazing, and her personal stories of discovery as something many people should able to relate to. With a comic twist, Sweeney is able to eloquently communicate her path to non-belief.

I really like it....

Where does Letting Go of God rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

#1 so far..

Who was your favorite character and why?

Julia is my favorite just because she's so darn relatable. I grew up somewhat Catholic as she did.I think I loved it so much because she was so honest.

Which character – as performed by Julia Sweeney – was your favorite?

Julia again.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Towards the end...I don't want to give it away

Any additional comments?

Were our parents really that naive/ stupid? I'm not necessarily a "Catholic" anymore. I guess I still call myself one because I was baptized against my will (not that I had much of an opinion at 1 week old) :D