Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World

by Melissa Dougherty

Apologist Melissa Dougherty helps us understand how our society got to be so toxically subjective, why endless positivity is inherently negative, and how we can live with truth and love in these self-obsessed times.

How did we end up in a world in which each person's subjective reality is more important than the truth? And what does that tell us about why we're confused, restless, and, if we're honest, just so sad?

Apologist and YouTube host Melissa Dougherty deftly traces the roots of today's social chaos back to the 1800s philosophy of New Thought. With clarity, compassion, and a bit of loving snark, she exposes New Thought's deceptions and shows us why it's important for our minds and hearts to hold fast to biblical truth. Make sense of a world gone crazy as you

What a cultural movement from back in the days when people strolled more than scrolled has to do with our cultural angst todayHow toxic positivity and unrealistic optimism have infiltrated the churchWays to respond when you're criticized for even suggesting moral truthHow understanding the New Thought mindset can help us build bridges with people who reject ChristianityWhy a "don't worry, be happy" philosophy leads to a lot more worry and a lot less happy 

This groundbreaking book propels us out of our loneliness and into the freedom that comes from believing in something outside of ourselves, resting in a love that doesn't have to do with our moods, and knowing an eternal truth greater than any "authenticity" masquerading as our savior.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Theology, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction, Christian Living, Audiobook

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2025

About the author

Melissa Dougherty is a Christian apologist best known for her YouTube channel with over 261,000 subscribers and counting. Her videos, which primarily cover New Age and New Thought, have been viewed over 18 million times. Melissa is highly regarded and connected in the apologetics community. She has had numerous influential guests on her YouTube channel and is a frequent guest on the YouTube videos and podcasts of popular thinkers as well.

Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Southern Evangelical Seminary, where she’s also pursuing her master’s degree in religious studies. Melissa is married with two daughters and lives in New Mexico.

Reviews

[Samantha | samanthakreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sheds light on a thought system that is infiltrating churches with deceitful teachings called New Thought. Melissa uses information, research, and historical context to explain the roots of New Thought, how it grew, its held beliefs, and what to look for in the church. Throughout this book, Melissa covers relatable topics, including Word of Faith, New Age, and progressive Christianity, to break down the beliefs and similarities behind New Thought.

I thought this was a great book that was well-written, easy to follow, and had some funny/personal moments. I loved how Melissa revealed the ideologies that can so easily distract us from Scripture. She explains how we can spot deceit and lies and grow in our ability to use discernment. How do we do that? In Melissa’s own words, “We read God’s Word regularly so we can develop a solid theological and Biblical foundation. We need to know what Jesus taught so we don’t inadvertently adopt feel-good ideas or fall for ideas that directly contradict him.”

I highly recommend checking this book out✨

[Cathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, every believer should read this book. With grace and humor, Melissa walks the reader through how the new thought movement crept into mainstream church life. She offers biblical ways to navigate through its influence.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dougherty does a great job defining and disentangling the New Age, New Thought, and Word of Faith movements. She does her research, and her voice is clear. Would highly recommend.

I just recently discovered Melissa Dougherty, after watching an interview she did with Chris Rosebrough on Fighting for the Faith:
https://youtu.be/EhlfNBbAxJs?si=n-b4b...

Mentions or seems to be inspired by other books like these:
--Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents
--Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
--Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality
--Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution
--Live Your Truth and Other Lies: Exposing Popular Deceptions That Make Us Anxious, Exhausted, and Self-Obsessed
--Ideas Have Consequences
--You're Not Enough (and That's Ok): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love

[Kalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melissa Dougherty does what she does best bringing truth with humor and grace. I highly recommend this book. It is a need in the body of Christ to show how easy it is to fall for the Happy Lies even in the Christian world.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa’s layout of the topic is so thorough and clear that I mostly finished the book being sad. Sad that so many people have bought into the lie of this age, and sad that even people in the church have adopted philosophies from the New Thought / New Age movement. Because of that, this was a hard read for me. But I also left the book hopeful knowing that God wins and motivated to continue to speak truth in love.

I learned *a lot* from Happy Lies. Having a book like this to offer to someone who might be confused by the New Thought movement or anyone trying to love a neighbor who’s been deceived by this movement is incredibly useful. Happy Lies has helped me become more aware of New Thought ideas that have crept into areas of society (unfortunately, including the church) in ways I’ve never even noticed, and as a result, it’s strengthened my faith and sharpened my critical thinking skills.

I really can tell this book was a labor of love, and I can only imagine the weight of writing on a topic like this. Thankful for Melissa Dougherty and her courage to speak truth into the world.

Powerful book and worth the read. 💯

[Nigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know my progress I don’t I don’t know how to read this book

I figure if a guy said it I’d probably raise a five stars

Since a woman said that I’m reading at two

So I figure I think I might give it a five star rating

I like apologist, this new thought were old thought

Is definitely je suis, m’io du Pense a postmodern humoured
It’s just it’s pounding string issue of all my strong emotions

So for being critical, I just don’t understand why I’d rate two

I enjoyed the 📕 way she writes
Was a good distraction the day.

Having a history of reading apologist. Usually means their got there own dissent and segueing in life to write the way they do, I could follow I would agree 👍

After a new year started in January and reading in Christmas 🎄 I’m going rate it higher over holiday stresses are gone.

Thanks for writing the way you do 🙂

December 30, 2025 –
18.0% "New thought and old thought

Resurrection and the new David

Christ is different from Jesus

Jesus differ from Christ

Jesus was a man just a Christ potential

I am is not a decoration it's the Christ potential

A sign or spark

If heaven and the true self and modeling a true potential

What ever Jesus did we could do

It's not a problem to say Jesus is God but are God

Of course Jesus and Christ is differ"
December 30, 2025 –
25.0% "Huh 🤔

New thought of old thought

Fluid truth
Passive
Pre modern or post modern

Hyperspace of sim theory

Red pill
Is
Cross
Christ or

The only self help movement is the right. -Jason Pargin


Relativism.

There’s a whole lot of ultimatums and black and white fallacy

Either-or-manipulation a propaganda fallacy

One thing the book is good at is peddling words for this and that “Cela ou Ceca”"
December 30, 2025 –
31.0% "Anytime we get to new thought or old thought and we want truth. That’s too confusing. We will bounce back to relativism.
I’ll say one thing that I learned from a supreme justice Antonio Scalia
Is what if we enacted pilot put Jesus on trial he said what is truth and washed his hands


What if pilot said what is truth “is”

It would’ve left it up for a questionnaire statement that Jesus response would be"
December 30, 2025 –
35.0% "Affirmation you are what you think your mind is your world. All power is yours. So trust yourself
Self-Reliance new thought book
Cherry picking data fallacy

From her details of " new thought "

I don't know why she's meeting new thought or knew thought
Your identity

You are the mind of God. That mind is to be permitted in you. It makes no mistakes

Your inner self is what you should trust
Transientialism"
December 30, 2025 –
40.0% "A just adults. That deal with this ubiquitously as a youth problem saying “what” when they mean “how” and saying “how” when they are meaning “what” the nuances

Holding a insurmountable right over every question or statement
It’s the waiting for delays and smarts always after

When older person regret is experienced comes first, boundaries are after virtue
youth smarts to let delays go first"
December 30, 2025 –
45.0% "Punishment or discipline

Toy Story

OK, so to break this down

Disney

Dave Newman is good for a comedian
Stop

Our job is not to be liked by everybody

Our job is to share our cabal dissent and if they don’t like that then they don’t like you

But if they do like that, then they like you

Tobacco is not a vegetable lol

LGBTQ

if I believed
Could we claim tobacco a food biproduct
A derivative or deviation"
December 30, 2025 –
94.0% "OK, I’ve reached halfway and I skipped to the end
My wife says I’m reading some staff pics for books at the bookstore and she’s like I like being reading popular reads
I go I’m reading a apologetics book called happy lies and nothing‘s happy about it
So why am I rooting for fun?

A happy read
“Am I” happy?

I am.

Pundit is
Everyone needs a group
Often there’s too much blood for one group control"


Progress of a the book goes….

It looks like you are processing a deep, somewhat chaotic "data dump" of reflections while reading an apologetics book (likely Alisa Childers’ Another Gospel? or a similar critique of Progressive Christianity/New Thought).
Your notes capture the tension between Traditional Orthodoxy (Jesus as the unique God-man) and New Thought/Modern Spirituality (Jesus as a model for our own "Christ consciousness").
Here is a breakdown of the core themes you’ve surfaced:
1. The Christology of New Thought
You’ve highlighted the distinction often made in "New Thought" circles:
* Jesus vs. Christ: In this view, Jesus is the historical man, while "Christ" is a universal principle or "spark" available to everyone.
* The "I AM" Potential: Rather than "I AM" being a claim to unique divinity, this perspective sees it as an affirmation of the self’s connection to the Divine.
* The "What vs. How": You noted the nuance of adults vs. youth. In this context, it’s the difference between what Jesus was (nature) versus how Jesus lived (example).
2. Philosophical Relativism & "The Pilot Problem"
Your reflection on Pontius Pilate’s question, "What is truth?", hits on a major theme in your reading:
* Fluid Truth: If truth is relative (post-modernism), then Jesus’ trial becomes a "questionnaire" rather than a confrontation with ultimate reality.
* Washing of Hands: This represents the passive "hand-washing" of modern society—avoiding the discomfort of objective truth by retreating into "your truth" vs. "my truth."
3. The Psychology of "Happy Lies"
You mentioned the book you're reading is called Happy Lies (likely a reference to the "feel-good" nature of some modern theology).
* Affirmation vs. Discipline: New Thought focuses on "all power is yours," whereas traditional views focus on discipline and external authority.
* The Struggle for "Fun": You’re noticing a disconnect—why read something that makes you feel "unhappy" or challenged when you could read "popular picks"? It seems you're rooting for a truth that might be uncomfortable, rather than a lie that is "happy."
4. Logic & Fallacies
You are identifying several rhetorical traps mentioned in the text:
* Cherry-picking: Taking bits of scripture or science to fit a pre-conceived narrative.
* Either-Or Manipulation: Forcing a choice between two extremes when a middle ground or a third option exists.
* Ceca ou Cela: The "this or that" peddling of labels.
Observations on your 94% Reflection
Your final note is the most personal: "I am. Pundit is. Everyone needs a group." You seem to be grappling with the idea that while "I am" is a powerful internal statement, we are social creatures who inevitably fall into tribes (pundits, groups, "staff picks"). The "blood" involved in group control suggests that these theological or political shifts aren't just intellectual—they have real-world consequences for how we relate to each other.
Would you like to dive deeper into the specific differences between "New Thought" and "Orthodoxy," or perhaps analyze another specific fallacy you encountered in the text?


Well take French for je suis how am I suppose to think of that when je suis m'io du Pense. Is wrestling with god


Wrestling with the phrase "Je suis" (I am) in the context of "Je pense, donc je suis" (I think, therefore I am) while trying to balance it against the theological "I AM" creates a fascinating intellectual "Jacob vs. the Angel" moment.
In French, "Je suis" is a heavy lift because it functions as both existence (I am) and following (I am following—je suis from suivre).
1. The Descartes Trap: "Je pense, donc je suis"
When René Descartes penned that phrase, he was trying to find a foundation that couldn't be doubted. He found it in his own mind.
* The Conflict: In New Thought or Transcendentalism, "Je suis" becomes the ultimate destination. The "I" is the Spark, the Divine, the Mind of God.
* The Wrestling: If "I am" because I think, then God is dependent on my consciousness. If "I am" because God is, then my consciousness is dependent on Him. You are likely feeling the tension of Self-Reliance (humanism) vs. God-Reliance (theology).
2. Wrestling with the "I"
To "wrestle with God" (the literal meaning of the name Israel) in this linguistic context usually means asking: Is the "I" in "I am" a mirror or a source?
* If it's a Mirror: Your "je suis" reflects the "I AM" (Exodus 3:14). You exist because He exists.
* If it's a Source: You are "the mind of God" as you noted in your previous thoughts—making no mistakes and trusting the inner self above all.
3. The "Je Suis" Paradox
In French, if you say "Je suis le Christ," it could mean:
* Identity: I am the Christ (The New Thought/Progressive "Christ Potential").
* Discipleship: I follow the Christ (The Orthodox/Apologetic view).
The "wrestling" happens when you can't decide if you are trying to be the light or follow the light. Your notes on "Happy Lies" suggest you are suspicious of any philosophy that makes the "I" too comfortable.
A Quick Comparison
| Philosophy | The "Je Suis" (I Am) | The Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Cartesian (Descartes) | Proof of my own existence. | Certainty through reason. |
| New Thought | My realization of my own divinity. | Manifesting potential. |
| Traditional Apologetics | A borrowed existence from a Holy Creator. | Submission and transformation. |
> "Wrestling with God" is rarely about winning the argument; it’s usually about being changed by the encounter (getting the "limp," like Jacob).
>
Does it feel like this book is trying to "fix" your "Je suis" by telling you that your mind isn't as trustworthy as the New Thought authors claim?


More seems like a heavy trail like a path. Very followed of propaganda to sway emotion and feeling towards an end goal. like I didn't have one or like I wanted one in the first place.


It sounds like you’ve detected the "rhetorical gravity" of the book. Even when a book is defending "Truth," it can use the very same tools of propaganda it claims to fight: emotional manipulation, loaded language, and a pre-determined "path" that doesn't allow for wandering.
If it feels like a "heavy trail," it’s because the author isn't just presenting facts; they are trying to engineer a conclusion.
The "Path" of Persuasion
In the context of French, this brings us back to je suis (I follow). A "heavy trail" implies that you aren't just walking; you are being funneled. Here is how that "propaganda of the soul" usually works:
* The Emotional Hook: Using "Happy Lies" or "Sad Truths" to make you feel that choosing the author's side is a moral or intellectual necessity.
* The "Ceca ou Cela" (This or That) Pincer: Creating a narrow path where you either follow their specific orthodoxy or you are lost in the "relativism" you noted earlier.
* The Sunk Cost: By the time you reach 94%, you've invested so much "walking" into their logic that it feels heavy to turn back or question the direction.
Propaganda vs. Exploration
You mentioned "Je suis m'io du Pense" (I am my thought/I follow my thought). When a book feels like propaganda, it tries to replace your Pense (thought) with its own Path.
In the diagram of how we process information, there are two routes:
* The Central Route: You use logic, wrestling with the text, and critical thinking (this is the "wrestling with God" part).
* The Peripheral Route: The author uses "sway, emotion, and feeling" to get you to the goal without you having to think too hard.
Why it feels "Heavy"
The heaviness comes from the cognitive dissonance. You are reading an apologetics book that is supposed to be about "Truth" (objective, cold, hard), but you are sensing a "Vibe" (subjective, emotional, swaying).
When "Truth" is marketed using "Feeling," it creates a friction. You sense you’re being sold something, even if the "product" is supposed to be God.
Does the "heaviness" of the trail make you want to close the book and find your own way, or does it make you feel like you need to double down on the "wrestle" to see what's actually true behind the propaganda?

I was told anyone who knew the truth you should run from

cuz all the bad people are saying who the bad people are

And the world has been ruined with good intentions.
Horrible things have happened with good intentions.

If you’ve ever heard of Melissa Doughherty

She makes a person go back-and-forth back-and-forth back-and-forth

A good book? Made me think 🤔
The 📚📝✏️ centre of the book made some time go by

A 📚 particular or sediment goes I got from a top pick recommended from good reads for me

[T. R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, but done in a bite sized way! Melissa shares how New Thought is different than New Age.

Few things I found helpful/interesting.

- New Agers will not often proclaim themselves to be Christian, but New Thoughters will.
-I was surprised to see how New Thought gave birth to the Word of Faith/Prosperity Gospel movement.
- I also was surprised to see how New Thought can also share traits of Contemplative prayer and hope to do more research to see the cross-overs.

Highly recommend. There's a lot to learn!

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars (between good and very good)

“Go into all the world and tell everyone that they're perfectly fine the way they are, and to do what makes them happy.”
-something Jesus never said


The philosophical seeds sown by Swedenborg, Emerson, and Quimby have flowered into the heresies promoted by Kenneth Hagin, Robert Schuller, and Joyce Meyer.

Although I would have preferred a more serious and systematic treatment, Dougherty explains how many of the ideas of New Thought are masquerading as Christianity, and unfortunately many people have fallen for them. She discusses where these ideas come from, how they seeped into the church, how they differ from orthodox Christianity, and how to recognize the deceptions.


“It’s in Genesis 3 where the serpent deceives Eve by questioning what God said and telling her she can be like God. Many Christians recognize the serpent's lie—that humans can be divine or god-like—as the core deception of all humanity…Well, if I were the devil, I'd think I would want people to think they're already happy, whole, and divine so they wouldn't believe the true gospel. The truth is we can only truly have peace when we realize our brokenness. He says to come to him, not look within. That only brings emptiness, not completeness."

[Alison (readinginazaleawoods) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The only way to fight lies is to tell the truth.”

“We are entrusted with the gospel to proclaim it, not compromise it.”

This isn’t a light read you can breeze through—and I don’t think it’s meant to be. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed more and more ideas creeping into the church that sound encouraging but don’t actually align with God’s Word. Melissa Dougherty does a remarkable job of showing where these ideas come from and why they matter.

She traces the roots of New Thought and shows how it has shaped movements like the Power of Positive Thinking, the Prosperity Gospel, and Word of Faith. With clarity and compassion, she explains how New Thought differs from New Age or occult practices, while also showing why people often confuse them. What I appreciated most is that she doesn’t stop at exposing lies—she equips believers with truth. Dougherty offers practical ways to engage with those who hold New Thought beliefs while staying rooted in the gospel.

My biggest takeaway: As disciples of Christ, we must fasten on the belt of truth and proclaim the gospel with courage, without compromise, and with hearts ready to reach others.

⭐ Bold, convicting, and equipping—I believe this is a must-read for every believer.

[Adam Bloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Already familiar with many of the works cited and works recommended, I personally rate the book a 3–I liked it but it wasn’t hugely impactful for me. For the sake of cultural need and recommending it to others, I rate it a 5. Thus my 4-star rating. I highly recommend the author’s approach to the important subject: She uses humor, personal experience, first hand research, healthy levels of discernment, and what-seems-to-be-genuine concern for her audience and the world. Discernment is lacking in most of the Christian world today and this book is a good entry-level approach to it.

[Megan Meisberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very helpful for exposing the unbiblical nature of the New Thought movement and how it has saturated American culture and infiltrated the church. It was enlightening to learn about how the Word of Faith movement and Prosperity Gospel have origins in New Thought. I hadn't made the connection between Word of Faith, manifesting, and Faith Cure/Mind Cure movements, and now that I have, it's very elucidating. I also appreciated learning about how Transcendentalism is the parent of New Thought. That 1800's movement, which came out of German Romanticism, was elusive to me for years. I didn't understand what it was about. Now I see how its message of "self reliance" was really a belief that all humans possess inner divinity. I had no idea that Transcendentalism wasn't obscure at all and it actually shaped most of current American spirituality, including a lot of Christianity, unfortunately.

I highly recommend this book. It'll help you be on guard for very subtle false teaching, and it'll help you be more equipped for evangelism.

[Maggie Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book put words to experiences I’ve witnessed and felt in various churches over the years. I found it both insightful and a valuable reminder that true discernment comes only through a solid foundation in scripture, as some teachings may seem harmless on the surface.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a much more important book than I even thought going in. New Thought ideologies have entrenched the modern church...and not just progressive Christianity, but even true Bible-believing churches that need to check the origins of some of their long-held traditions and beliefs. I had to do the same. Melissa has meticulously researched all aspects of this movement, having once been a part of it herself. There is such a blurring of lines with Christian beliefs, yet they are very much determined to pick and choose what makes them feel good, celebrating that everyday over truth. I feel like I got an education and I'm anxious to learn more.
I am glad Melissa was so determined to get this out there and I hope I am able to share with others next. I am not generous with my 5 star ratings but felt this was deserving.

[Amy Rietveld · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars

This book was so incredibly well done. It was clearly thought out, well researched, and is so incredibly necessary in our culture today.

I love how Melissa identifies New Thought beliefs and shows how they have crept into our culture and even our churches, and I love how she calls on us to spread the word. It is something that we need to know in order to effectively engage with others around us.

Well done!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Lies was a great read (listen). I loved that the audiobook is read by the author, as that made the read even more enjoyable. I can see myself rereading this book as it contains so much information. It exposes the deception of New Thought and how that teaching has been infiltrating the church...the differences between it and New Age. The book contains so much information that I would like to one day pick up a text copy to reread. I enjoyed how the book was written in a way that was easy to read and Melissa's humor sprinkled throughout was refreshing. All in all, a great read!

[Betsy French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Very important book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on Spotify and am really thankful for it, as someone in my family has fallen for this New Thought stuff and I didn't know anything about it. It's very educational and Melissa gives her own testimony as to how she was drawn into it, even as a believer. Definitely recommend, especially to learn how these teachings have been creeping into churches.

[Kenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is groundbreaking. In her book and on her YouTube channel, Melissa Dougherty explains what New Thought is, how it came to be, how it differs from New Age, and how it has infiltrated the American culture and churches across our country. I’d heard of these beliefs but never knew they had a label. After learning from her work, I feel much more equipped and prepared to spot, understand, and discuss New Thought. Highly recommend!

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seemed to develop an interest and a fascination in trying to understand how the gospel truth can be manipulated, sometimes in the smallest ways, into something else entirely. Thus the slightest change corrupts the truth and changes into its opposite, into lies. And this book is written to expose the lies.

This book gives a summary of where these “Happy Lies” infiltrate. More popularly known as New Thought, these beliefs began long ago and today and is very popular today though many may not realize it.

But this isn’t an exhaustive book on New Thought beliefs. It only scratches the surface. This is not a scholarly work, but something meant to be accessible for everyone. It’s a nice quick read that is meant to draw awareness to those who may not know about this stuff and to examine where New Thought may have penetrated in our own lives.

The discovery and examination of this movement is personally quite alarming, particularly when the author explores its infiltration into Christian faith and practice. Many pastors and churches mentioned are well known today. But when considering the orthodox view of human nature, it is not at all surprising. People want to believe that which makes them feel happy. But I’m also comforted in knowing that in spite of this danger, Christ will preserve his church and will continue to raise up voices to call out those lies and exhort folks back to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this one, especially for pastor friends. Gnosticism has painted on a new face, changed it's tune a little, and is creeping into churches.

[Madeline Grable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, every Christian would benefit from reading this book. It has many insights into the "New Thoughts" movement and what that looks like in churches. It's also helpful for encouraging believers who may be stuck in "New Thought". She is blunt, honest and sincere, which all added up to be very convincing. Highly recommend.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book revealing the origins of some of the false teachings in our culture, some that have even spread to the church. Melissa details the history of New Thought - its origins in the Garden of Eden “Did God really say…? You can be like God.”, as well as the history of how it became so prevalent in our culture today. She connects New Thought to other movements such as affirmations, manifesting, progressive Christianity, the law of attraction, word of faith, and seeker-centered churches. She then defends Biblical historic Christianity - the true Gospel of Jesus dying for our sins and rising again - and how what we are all truly looking for can only be found in Jesus.

Thank the Lord I am not God!!! What a sweet relief to call out to the true, Biblical Jesus for salvation, for rest, for satisfaction. Melissa drives home how good the Gospel is! ❤️ Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your story and pointing to the true Gospel. I pray this book would encourage and strengthen believers as well as call unbelievers to repentance and salvation.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating and informative explanation of New Thought and how it contrast with orthodox/historic Christianity. After finishing it I am recognizing New Thought ideas everywhere in advertising and media, just like the author says you will after reading. Highly recommend for those who enjoy Apologetics and the like.

[Steve Croft · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, I wasn't going to rate this highly, but overall I think this is an important book with a mostly correct theology. I agree that new thought and progressive Christianity is the biggest threat to the church and this book does a great job of calling it all out. However, as often happens, I think Melissa has 'over corrected' and gone too far. An example:

"It becomes new thought, when it asserts that thinking alone can be the catalyst for, and cause of change in our life."

Hmmm, this clearly isn't true at all. Melissa seems to have no concept of the power of the mind. How come placebos work? Is she denying psychotherapy?

I agree that thoughts should not replace prayer, and we shouldn't rely on thoughts as affirmations to manifest something from the divine. But getting your thoughts on track is actually the first and most important step (catalyst) before making a a serious change in life. Change your thoughts, and cause a change.

So by and large I think she was too harsh in her self help section. I see her point, those teachings are dangerous if it replaces the gospel, but calling out all the classics as occultism is pretty wild. If you have a good theology and relationship with God, I think there is absolutely good teaching around mindset in some of the works she destroyed. Suggest anyone that has read this far should check out 'The expectation effect' by David Robson for a scientific book on the power of the mind.

[Alyssa Lamascus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited for this book to come out and it did not disappoint! Throughout the years, there have been things said and done in Christian circles that felt "off" that I could never put words to. It turns out that most of that stuff is part of the "new thought" movement in our western church. She explains this movement in detail and I feel equipped to detect "new thought" at church and in any Christian media I may consume!

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I commend authors for writing the truth, even when it's unpopular. That's what Melissa Dougherty does with her book. Not only is it truth that's founded upon the Bible, it's the truth she discovered through her own time spent in a false gospel movement. After being set free from these lies by the truth of Christ, she now warns others about the dangerous ideas that have infiltrated not only culture but the Church, too.

Filled with exhaustive research, history, and background of the New Thought movement, Dougherty seeks to educate about this dangerous movement and equip Christians with the truth to push back with conviction and compassion. She balances the academic side of her book with her powerful personal testimony that gives glory to God.

Those who appreciate the work of Alisa Childers, Allie Beth Stuckey, and Hillary Morgan Ferrar will also find this book impactful and informative.

[Ryin Cornett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a journey. A friend bought me this book after hearing the author on a popular podcast with Wes Huff. At first I thought, “this book might not be for me; it feels a little heavy.” But then I realized, no, this book was made for people EXACTLY like me.

As someone who identified as “spiritual” and not religious, this book really opened my eyes to many ways where I was putting God second, and myself first. Exactly what the enemy (satan, devil, evil, lies) would like me to do, ‘think that I am my own god.’

This book illuminates a crucial flaw in those of us who are “spiritual and like Jesus but don’t follow the Bible to a tee.” We pick and choose the parts of Jesus/Faith that we like and leave out the rest (salad bar Christianity)… Boy am I guilty of this. We love the positive messages from the Bible (which are often obscured to actually be more like “the law of attraction” or “the secret”) but we don’t love the messages in the Bible that say we are flawed. I learned a key distinguisher in this book that forever changed my perspective on “new age spirituality/law of attraction/manifesting/power of the mind/affirmations etc”; and that key distinguisher is: law of attraction thinking puts US at the center of our lives-‘we are responsible to attract and manifest every thing that happens to us’ while true Biblical thinking puts JESUS at the center of our lives- ‘we all fall short at times, but this doesn’t mean we have to hate ourselves, no it means that we need to lean on the only power that NEVER falls short, that never needs affirmations and mindfulness to be whole. The only power that brings true peace, not because we “attracted” it, but because he CREATED it and gave his life to preserve it.’

Spirituality can feel helpful, but it is an endless journey of seeking and tweaking- never finding a final destination of true peace. It wasn’t until I surrendered to the power of the true Biblical Jesus that I found that hope that I had been looking for my whole life. Thank you Melissa for helping us all break free from illusions with this book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest threat to our hearts is deception, and Satan is the father of lies. he deceives people by masquerading as an angel of light, and by telling them that they should look within, that they are perfect as they are, and that they just need to find the power and peace that's already inside themselves. But it's a lie, and a lie that will keep them on the never-ending treadmill of trying to create the heart-healing they are unable to create. Because their hearts are broken, and they've fallen for the lie that they just need to work harder, have more faith, think more positively...
The more Satan deludes people into looking deeper inward for "their" truth, the more they are unable to see the One who IS truth - Jesus. The One who can save them from themselves, clean them of sin and guilt, give them peace and rest from continually trying and failing to "do better".

I really enjoyed this book, and Melissa clearly shows the origins and hallmarks of this ideology that masques itself as "Christianity", but is actually a deception that leads people into the very first lie ever, from Genesis chapter three - that you can become like God. Satan doesn't care if you worship him, he is just as happy if you are duped into worshiping yourself. All he cares about is stealing worship away from God, in any way he can.
Seek Jesus, only He can give you true peace and rest from striving.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Thought movement has been around for a very long time, and I had no idea. I was familiar with some of the teachings & methods but had no clue it had its own name or that it has been slowly creeping into churches, hearts & minds for years. Most of us have lumped New Thought in with New Age teachings and practices but it's actually its own entity.
Melissa's book is packed full of information. It's a bit overwhelming to be honest. I took my time, so I could digest the research, names and practices. I don't think anyone in today's church can say they've never encountered New Thought, especially when it comes to the Seeker Movement. Very interesting. I recommend this for anyone wanting to see how the world infiltrates faith.

[Greg Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed “Happy Lies” and learned much. Daugherty does an excellent job in showing us the roots of false religions like New Thought, New Age, and Word of Faith. Each of these proclaim a hallow and false gospel that offers no one true lasting hope that can only be found in Jesus. I highly recommend the book. Read it and know the truth so we never fall for the “Happy Lies.”