What's Wrong with Religion?: 9 Things No One Told You about Faith

by Skye Jethani

"If you're disillusioned about religion you must read this book!" Bob Goff, author of Love Does

Figuring Out Faith?
1- Everyone is Religion
2- How Religion Ruins the World
3- Getting Rid of Religion Doesn't Help
4- God Doesn't Exist to Be Used
5- ...& Neither Do You
6- THE SOLUTION: Living WITH God
7- The "Radical" Life Isn't What You Think
8- The World Is A Perfectly Safe Place (Really)
9- All You Need Is Love

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology, Faith, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity

105 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2017

About the author

SKYE JETHANI is an author, speaker, consultant and ordained pastor. He also serves as the co-host of the popular Phil Vischer Podcast, a weekly show that blends astute cultural and theological insights with comical conversation. He has been a sought after consultant for groups facing challenges at the intersection of faith and culture like The Lausanne Movement, The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and the Interfaith Youth Core. Skye has authored three books, The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity, WITH: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God, and Futureville. Skye and his wife Amanda have three children: Zoe, Isaac, and Lucy and reside in Wheaton, IL.

Reviews

[Haley Fisher · Rating 2 out of 5]

We read this book at the retreat I went on this weekend. Not gonna lie, I really zoned out while I was reading it. It was a quick and easy read to get the point across that religion without Jesus is pointless!!

[Chris Whitler · Rating 5 out of 5]

So simple and so good

This book is exactly what I needed at this moment of my life. I could have used it 30 years ago too but you take what you can get. Read it. It is wonderful.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and understand. I enjoyed the whimsical diagrams and artwork done by the author.

[Aaron White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a FANTASTIC book. Skye pulls out all the reasons that I love his works. If you are familiar with Jethani, than there is not a whole lot that will actually be new in this book. He pulls ideas from his previous works (specifically Divine Commodity and With) and repackages them in a slimmer, quick to read format; with an emphasis on those who, inculcated with the current thought, are questioning religion in general. Jethani does an amazing job pulling those things that we kind of know, in the periphery of our understanding of God, bringing them to the fore and laying them out in an easy to understand format. These truths, thus presented, sound a new call to a deeper life with Christ; an understanding that suddenly makes such wonderful sense. Even being very familiar with the author through his other books and his wonderful podcast with Phil Vischer, reading through this book was a great reminder of certain things in my own life. THE PERFECT gift for a graduating senior.

[Joe Terrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, beautifully illustrated book, What's Wrong with Religion? is a book that quotes atheist Christopher Hitchens alongside Dutch theologian Henri Nouwen - with equal weight and merit. It's a sharped, barbed, and creative jab at the heart of consumeristic culture and intellectual dishonesty that has infested the modern institutionalize church.

Author Skye Jethani is an ordained pastor, but there's no evangelizing going on here. He's uses his "insider" knowledge to explain the rhetorical tricks that religions (specifically Americanized Christianity) use to manipulate and overburden their congregations.

Jethani is a Christian, but he's not here to "sell" Jesus to his audience. Rather, he shows how Jesus was far more controversial in his teachings than we are led to believe. And what was once controversial 2,000 years ago, is just as provocative and powerful today.

What's Wrong with Religion? is filled with Jethani's own pen-and-ink sketches that are used to masterful effect. You can read this little book in a couple of hours, and it's already one I've loaned out to several friends (who are passing it along to other friends). I may not get it back.

[Jason Logue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book this profound and insightful should not be this much fun to read. Skye's writing is sharp and incisive and at the same time written with an eye-roll or tongue-in-cheek at the same time. While this starts out as a rebuke against religion and the religious life in our modern world, it evolves into a call to intimacy with God in a rather unique way. Similar to the concepts he hammered home in his other brilliant book, With, Skye is simply reminding all of us what Jesus really said. He asks to be with us. Reading Skye's books and his devotions is often like a peeling away of the scales from my eyes, and while I often think I am pretty self-aware, I am amazed that I continue to have these "a-ha" moments while reading his words. Do yourself a favor - read this book. Pass it onto your friends, especially those burned out with organized religion.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This simple little book, a quick read but worth reading again and again, has a wonderful, positive and uplifting message. It speaks to both those who are curious about being a Christ follower and those who, like me, have spent years trying to be "a better Christian." It tells me something I so often forget... the essence of being a Christ follower is to realize I am loved passionately with an "everlasting love... that was there before you were born and will be there after you die." And to share that love with others. We cannot share that love until we ourselves are filled with it.

[Luke Tappen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super small book. I’m a slow reader but I would think many could read this in an hour or so. But that doesn’t take away from the value I got out of its pages. I think the illustrations are great too.

This would be a good gift for a student that is working through questions of their faith.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about how fear rules us, and a knowledge of Jesus with us can free us from our fear. Heard about this on Karl & June in the Morning on Moody Radio in Chicago. I feel as if someone confirmed a lot of what I have always felt. Cannot recommend enough.

[Nicolette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is small but packs in a lot to think about. For someone who grew up in the church, it's a call to go back to the roots of Christianity, which is relationship with God. I will need to process this book more to get the full impact of it.

[Ron Coulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straightforward and accessible.

[P · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Skye really has a knack for identifying specific strains of confusion & subtle, often overlooked misconceptions about who God is & what it means to be a Christian.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small package, but big punch. Skye condenses his best writing into an easily accessible format (with pictures!), that is great for anyone to read. I highly recomend.

[Jerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed. Super impressed by daily devotions by the author but totally unimpressed by this particular book...a little too light, "funny", not sure how to describe.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should buy this book for a high school Senior they know! Great prep for university and worldview thinking.

[Brian Mercer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, quick little book. Definitely something I would share with friends as it is simple and easy to read.

[Rebecca Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book. It reminded me of some things that I needed reminding of, and I could stand to go back and reread this book periodically.

[Valarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and excellent book about Christianity, and how difficult it can be to understand, and how simple it really is.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to know what separates true Christianity from every religion? This book is for you.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve read “with,” there is not much more to read here. Nonetheless, something easy to pick up and read chapter by chapter.

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Loved it so much. My review is basically: read it.

[Claire Norsworthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, did not always agree on his views, but think he had some great insight on modern religious flaws.

[Barbara Olpinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening. Clarifying. Healing.

[Brandy Lazzaretit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This book is great it is short but gets right to the point. It is easy to understand and easy to read with drawings that bring it all together

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read that is deeply convicting and a great encouragement. Highly suggested!

[Josh Tuttle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever and simple read for anyone who is looking to rescue their faith from the maw of bitter religious experience.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligent and clear

Short but deep presentation of his arguments. Lots to think about. The author also says reasonable and insightful and funny things in his podcast with Veggie Tales creator Phil Vischer (The Holy Post).

[Aaron Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book for anyone disillusioned by the Christian faith or someone drawn to Jesus, but not to some of his followers. Religion is bad; Skye talks about this. If religion is bad, what does Skye suggest the alternative is? For the answer, I suggest you read this short book.

I plan on buying a box of these books to give to people trying to figure things out.

(I just reread this as we are planning a sermon series based on the book. It is still a great book, and one worth handing out to people disillusioned by religion.

[Jessica (JT) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: My brother did work on this book so I'm probably biased.

This is a really interesting and quick read that covers many aspects of religion. It's easy to understand but still delves into some tough topics. It uses some really fun art that helps explain some of the points and keeps the tone light. This would make a great graduation gift!

[Elisha Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this a second time with a group of young believers. Great book for newer Christians trying to build up a passion for reading- Jethani is power-packed with great stories and deep truths expressed simply. This book is basically the same as With just much shorter version. Same message of Life With God being at the center of spirituality.