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Happy Lies

How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World

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Happy Lies

By: Melissa Dougherty
Narrated by: Melissa Dougherty
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About this listen

Read by the author.

In this groundbreaking book, popular apologist Melissa Dougherty helps us understand how our society got to be so toxically subjective, why endless positivity is inherently destructive, and how we can live with faithful truth and genuine love in these self-obsessed times.

Melissa Dougherty skillfully diagnoses the issue and provides the cure: the authentic and life-giving truth of the Christian worldview. - Wesley Huff

Have you ever wondered how we ended up in a world where personal feelings could become the authority for reality? Or why so many of us are on a relentless pursuit for happiness yet somehow feel more exhausted and sadder than ever? You're not alone.

Melissa deftly traces the roots of today's social chaos back to a little-known (but very influential) 1800s philosophy known as New Thought. A former follower of its teachings, Melissa provides clarity and compassion mixed with a dash of loving snark as she exposes New Thought's deceptions and its many concerning tendrils within the church and our "self-help" culture.

You'll be shocked, grieved, and encouraged as you learn:

  • How you can experience true freedom, hope, and peace instead of the world's counterfeits
  • How an anti-God ideology so easily hijacked Christian-sounding ideas
  • Why thinking positively is entirely different from the unbiblical and burdensome "positive thought" movement
  • Why fake "authenticity" short-circuits real redemption
  • How understanding the New Thought mindset can help us share our faith more effectively

Uncover a dangerous ideology that nearly everyone has met, yet few of us can name, in order to better understand our culture and joyfully live faithful to the gospel that is so much better than our world's Happy Lies.

A diagram can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Melissa Dougherty (P)2025 Zondervan
Apologetics Christian Living Christianity Religious Studies Spiritual Growth Theology
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Thorough Research • Eye-opening Insights • Clear Narration • Accessible Explanations • Thoughtful Analysis
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What stood out to me the most was how New Thought concepts are woven throughout the greater American culture, the church, and society. Mrs. Daughtry makes an excellent case for her position using reasons that can be plainly seen, and connects them with common themes that have taken the culture by storm. It's connection to postmodernism and our anti-truth world are compelling! Although the effects of the New Thoughy ideology are influential and widespread, God has remained faithful and has brought people to the truth who can now point out these lies. Praise the Lord!
This is a personal note inspired by the book: Jesus is truth, and those who reject truth reject Him; therefore, those who assert their own truth make themselves to be their own gods by asserting their own precepts.
I greatly enjoyed this work! Mrs. Daughtry made it easy for me to follow in 3 days while dealing with a cold, so that's a win for my sick-boggled brain and a huge credit to Melissa and God's hand on her. :>🫶
I look forward to any works Mrs. Daughtry decides to make in the future, if any!! Have a lovely day, and may Jesus Christ bless you with knowledge of the truth and your relationship deepen!

It's all connected, but it's no conspiracy haha

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Very well written and narrated. It is thought provoking and well researched. To have discernment with compassion is a rare gift that this author clearly has. I will be handing this book out like candy to my mom friends.

This is a must read for Christian women.

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I loved this book! It was witty and funny, but also serious to the fact of how dangerous new thought is. She points out what New Thought is, how to spot it, and who the main people that promote it. Worth the time to listen or read this book, definitely an eye opener, highly recommended!

So important to see how dangerous New Thought is!

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I’m getting this for everyone I know. Incredible. I’ve been looking for this for a long time as I’ve noticed so many current spiritual, cult, and occult practices as well as feelings based Christian denominations reach the same point and share the same language once you get past the veneer.

Extremely timely

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This is probably one of the most important reads of our time, Melissa uncovers how our culture has clung to a teaching that probably nobody know of called new thought. I was raised in Christian Sciece which is a form of new thought, the author does an amazing job at disentangling truth from lie and how we came to believe it. The lies are everywhere and have effected everyone, those following a religion and those not. Consider reading this book if you want to uncover how culture and religion is lying to you, identify the lies and how to apply truth in its place.

The most important read of our time

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The author takes her time explaining to detail what most in the church should research and expose. Many of this practices have made their way into our churchs, unchecked, under the blanked of innovation. Melissa goes deep to uncover the roots and hidden agendas of this deceitful movement. 100% recommend this book to ministry leaders and everyone alike.

Thoughtful warning to the church!

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An eye opening look at a movement that is probably in your church right now. A must read for anyone who truly wants to follow the real Jesus.

A timely book

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loved this book! Melissa does an amazing job tracking the origins and impact of New Thought ideologies on Christianity. She is gracious, yet firm in rooting out the wickedness of these ideas and presents her case in a thoughtful, yet accessible way.

Large Scope...Detailed Analysis

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The book is well researched and gives and honest explanation of the false teachings of New Thought and its infiltration into the church and culture. At the same time Melissa delivers the bad news in a very kind caring way. She also did an excellent job of reading it. it is well worth your time. It was for me.

Honest and Kind

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A must read for any Christian, or someone looking to leave the new age/new thought or Word of Faith. Always a good reminder to be aware of the topics Melissa touches on.

Excellent!

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