You Are Your Own: A Reckoning with the Religious Trauma of Evangelical Christianity Paperback – June 20, 2019

Holy sh…… I truly have no other opening words. What do you say about something that changes your life forever in a matter of two hours?I suffer from religious-trauma syndrome. My therapist once asked me to write down what I believed, and having left the church a few years prior, I realized I didn’t know WHAT I believed. So in addition to my short list of what I believed, I wrote what I didn’t believe and what I was taught to believe. By the end of this assignment, I realized how brainwashed I was from christianity for my first 25+ years of life, and my journey through religious-trauma syndrome began.I started looking for resources as I began to lose my sense of self. I wanted to find out if anyone else could understand what I was experiencing and help me through this journey because they had been through it themselves. I needed someone “in my head”.I came upon this book. The title instantly grabbed me. I had no sense of what I believed, and here was Jamie telling me that I was my own. I instantly clicked on it, not sure if I was about to be brainwashed by another cult or if I would truly find an understanding soul. I was so thankful to find it was the latter.I purchased this book and started reading it as soon as it arrived. I didn’t put it down until I finished. I AM NOT AN AVID READER, folks, and have a lot of focus issues. This was a huge deal for me to read it instantly, and in one sitting. The two hours it took to read this (seriously, who doesn’t have two hours to change their life?) were filled with tears, enlightenment, self-reflection, acceptance, open-mindedness, and the strength to come out saying “YOU ARE YOUR OWN”. I’ve never looked back. I no longer run to my child’s room to see if she’s been “raptured up” when I hear a noise, because I “know I’d be left behind due to my sinful life”. I don’t look at the world as sinful any longer. I allow myself to have my own opinions instead of letting the men in my life dictate every single decision and thought for me like they’ve always done. IN A MATTER OF TWO HOURS, I FELT UNDERSTOOD! I felt I had the freedom to be my own person for the first time in my life.I purchased this book at the beginning of the year. It has changed my life 180°. I have been able to step back and look at everything (religion, politics, world issues, my appearance) from my own perspective for the first time in my life. I am an entirely knew person after finding this book. I’ve waited to write my review so not to be perceived like I was on a “high” from reading another “life-journey” book. This isn’t a self-help book. This is a “you aren’t effed up, let’s get through this together” book.-If you are searching for answers and have nowhere to turn when leaving your religion, BUY THIS BOOK.-If you are questioning your faith and want to know what to do, BUY THIS BOOK.-If you are a female raised in religion, BUY THIS BOOK.-If you are a male raising your family in religion, BUY THIS BOOK.-If you are the parent of a child you forced to be raised in a religious home, BUY THIS GD BOOK to know what you did to us!Let Jamie take you on an immersion through her own experiences to realize you aren’t alone in what you are feeling. There is hope on the other side; just give up two hours of your life. That’s the same length as a church service, after all. Skip the indoctrination and get validated. YOU ARE YOUR OWN!

It's not every day you stumble upon a book like "You Are Your Own: A Reckoning with the Religious Trauma of Evangelical Christianity" that confronts you and your perceptions, yet lovingly helps you reconcile with them. Jamie Lee Finch's research, reflections, and discussions left me feeling incredibly seen, heard, and most importantly, validated.I am astonished by Finch's scholarly insight into the roots of Evangelicalism, delineating how its often harmful implications have inflicted psychological distress. Not many authors are bold enough to navigate such territories. It is quite commendable that Finch paints a clear and distinct picture of the destructive elements without launching a full-scale attack on religion as a whole.One of the strongest assets of this book is the successful bridge that Finch creates for readers grappling with their faith and the harm it may have inadvertently caused. She clearly outlines the process of deconstructing their faith, unpacking each aspect with the meticulous precision of a coach and the compassion of a fellow survivor. It felt like Finch was extending her hand throughout my journey of discovery and healing.Jamie excels in describing the manifestations of religious trauma on an individual level - physical, psychological, emotional, and behavioral, all underpinned by scientific evidence. This rich blend of personal anecdote and research provides a profound understanding of a reality many have endured silently. This awareness helps demystify trauma and steers readers towards recovery.I could barely put down the book. Every page felt enlightening and raw, which compelled me to underline and highlight vast sections. If you've felt spiritually abandoned or suffocated by the dogmas of Evangelical Christianity, this book will feel like a friend extending solace. It offers tools to reflect, reconcile and regain yourself. This is not just a book; it's a profound reckoning. If you're ready to delve deep into your traumas and emerge stronger, this book is for you. Jamie Lee Finch has indeed sparked a movement that redefines the idea of religious healing and personal salvation.Would I recommend You Are Your Own? Undoubtedly. And more importantly, I believe this is a book many need, even if they aren't aware of it yet.

A good read for those dealing with evangelical backgrounds.

Excellent book for deconstructing. Information backed by sources combined with personal stories of the author. Side note: the print is bold & large. Good for my old eyes.