Stefan Ulstein

Essentially it's Studs Terkel for ex-fundamentalists. It certainly presents an "in their own words" picture of why authoritarianism is a problem, and the sort of stunted, abusive, and inhumane behavior it leads to.

The interviewer's style is one of empathy and kindness and it shows. As an atheist reader I found the Christianisms somewhat grating. For instance, I had a laugh-or-it'll-hurt-too-much reaction to the poor man who found his fundamentalist church unhelpful in dealing with his sinful tendencies towards same-sex attraction. An ex-cop; I had fun imagining a Tom of Finland-type character. More of the same sort of thing about the children of unaccountably-still-Christian interviewees living in adultery, and evangelicalisms about testimony and personal relationships with Jesus are peppered within.

Still, I would count the author as an ally. Anyone who can escape authoritarianism to something kinder, more questioning and less dogmatic must show real strength of character, and plenty of that is to be found.
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