Gaslighting for God

"A deep and sharply insightful commentary on narcissistic leadership, including valuable and practical ways to spot a predator in pastoral clothing." -Tia Levings, author of the NYT Bestselling A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy In a world full of uncertainty, self-styled spiritual saviors are out hawking salvation like it's the latest TikTok trend. Enter Gaslighting for God, Becky Garrison's razor-sharp unmasking of the unfortunate narcissism underneath so much American spirituality. With a court jester's wit, Garrison reveals the tactics of gurus who weaponize faith to build empires, whether it's playing out in a megachurch, a progressive space, or a supposedly transformational wellness community. Drawing on decades of reporting, insightful commentary, and offering entertaining lists and images, Garrison arms readers with the mindset to spot the spiritual con, whether from self-promoters basking in the spotlight or those quietly operating under the radar. She details the narcissistic personality traits, the narrative rewriting, the power imbalances, and the divine exceptionalism that are the classic markers of subtle spiritual manipulation. But this isn't just a takedown. With humor and grounded hope, Garrison charts a path for disentangling from toxic dynamics and finding healthier spiritual spaces. Equal parts exposé and survival manual, Gaslighting for God trains readers to trust their instincts, sidestep the snake oil, and reclaim a faith, or nonfaith, built on authenticity rather than charisma.