Shameless Self Promotion: The Early Buzz

I've received some nice early praise for my memoir, "Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America -- and Found Unexpected Peace." Here are some of the highlights:

"This is the most intellectually honest and emotionally courageous book I have ever read, and it's a page turner from cover to cover. The new atheist community will embrace it, of course, but I think all Christians owe it to themselves to read the spiritual journey of this once devout evangelical born-again Christian whose penetrating insights into the soul of that religion--and all religions--will test the faith of even the most faithful, not because of cogent counter arguments to Christian apologetics, but because Lobdell is willing to go where few religious believers can. To find out where that place is you must read this book."

--Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine, monthly columnist for Scientific American, author of "How We Believe," "Why Darwin Matters," and "The Mind of the Market"

“William Lobdell has written a heart/mind/soul-wrenching spiritual autobiography. He has been inspired by followers of Jesus who have served their Lord with integrity. But he has also been devastated by observing, up-close, the ugly, sinful underbelly of a critical, self-serving, institutional and individual religion. This is a must-read filled with warnings and wake-up calls to those of us in leadership positions. I respect Bill for his honest reporting of his odyssey to this point and pray that someday there may be a future book, just as honest, with a grace-filled conclusion.”

The Rev. John Huffman, chairman of the board, Christianity Today

“William Lobdell really and truly wanted to believe. When he came to realize that wanting and believing are two sides of the same coin, he decided to take the risk of basing morality on the modesty of human reason and solidarity instead of on the self-defeating arrogance of faith. Now he feels much better, and so will you when you read this honest and decent account of his – forgive the expression – evolution.”

Christopher Hitchens, author of "God is Not Great"

“As the senior astor of a church for the last 12 years, I wholeheartedly believe that every Christian who wants to equip themselves to do the Great Commission, and not just talk about the Great Commission, better think through the passionate and detailed account of William Lobdell’s de-conversion. The book did not harm my faith in the Lord Jesus, it just demonstrated that the emperor has no clothes--and that I am one of the emperors.”

Barry Minkow, senior pastor of Community Bible Church in San Diego