Happy Lies

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

By: Melissa Dougherty

Narrated by: Melissa Dougherty

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

The most important read of our time

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.

Wow, so timely!!

Melissa has put words and research to a topic I’ve been wrestling for some time now. Her heart, facts and pursuit of truth to glorify the one true King was spot on. Then her ability to deliver it with empathy, compassion and humor made this hard to put down and a joy to read(listen) to. I have to believe this is one a first edition as this challenge is not finished. May we all die to self and seek the one true God.

Excellent!

Very well researched and insightful. I expected to know quite a bit of the content already, but Melissa Dougherty really makes some connections I hadn't noticed and presents a lot of information that really helped me understand this topic better. Oh, and great narration!

Genuine and truly a unique perspective

Melissa completely rocked this book, both as author and narrator. My Audible library has over 500 books, so I’ve heard a few narrators, she knocked it out of the park with a sparkle in her voice and a smile behind the phrases.

Every chapter seemed to spark another mind-blowing insight as she articulates the spirit of the age… New Thought…

In my late teens I stumbled upon Ralph Waldo Emerson in a bookstore and thought I discovered the most wonderful writing ever. I even memorized full paragraphs of the essay on Self Reliance. Wow, Melissa seemed to have tracked my philosophical and spiritual journey to a T, including Think and Grow Rich. Especially powerful is her handling of the fact that NEW THOUGHT PRACTICES WORK!! But the price is hidden and deceptive.

I’m 61 years old now and though I’ve rejected those philosophies and cling deeply to God‘s Holy word, her uncovering and labeling of the New Thought movement is a powerful weapon to dismantle the deceitful philosophies of the enemy. Thanks Melissa for following the prompting of the Holy Spirit to write this book. 🙌

God doesn’t change our hearts, He gives us a new heart

Awesome listen about the truth of God’s Word and how people have twisted it and used it for their own purposes rather than allow Jesus and God’s Word to penetrate into our hearts and minds for His purposes.

Eye Opening

This book was eye opening and made a lot of sense. We are easily deceived to believe lies masked as truths! The realization that the fall in the garden to current world temptation is the same. We are very easily and sadly deceived. Once you know I pray there is no unknowing! A true gift to every Christian who is not afraid to hear truth and entertain they may be misguided in their faith journey.

Amazing book on a subject the church needs to know about

This book was a great introduction into new thought, having followed the author on her YouTube channel for many years I was glad to hear that she we tackling the subject head on with a book now. A great listen! Full of information, interviews, and what we as the church need to do as we love those in new thought.

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

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!

This is a must read for Christian women.

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.

very informative

I liked that she presented in details New thought and also mentioned ideologies or movements that derived from it or are related to it.