Asian American Apostate

Asian American Apostate is an invitation for society at large to grapple with the assertions on citizenry as dictated by systems and structures of power. Thank you, R. Scott Okamoto, for being the professor we all desperately need and desire. traci kato-kiriyama, author of Navigating With(out) Instruments With irreverent humor and biting criticism, Scott takes us deep into the world of evangelical academics. His sharp writing style plies us with laughter as he takes direct aim at the entrenched prejudices of these closed spaces. Keiko Agena, actress from Gilmore Girls and Prodigal Son As a Muslim American woman, I could relate to how a select few extremists in faith can manipulate people away from the critical thinking that all faith deserves. Tanzila Ahmed, political strategist, storyteller, and artist Scott Okamoto offers an unblinking look into some of the seamier aspects of evangelical higher education with special attention to the implicit and overt forms of bias; and his account explains why so many younger people are rejecting the so-called faith of their parents. Craig A. Boyd, PhD, St. Louis University R. Scott Okamoto lost his evangelical faith, but he found his voice. Incisive, wry, and compassionate, Asian American Apostate speaks to the unspoken racial and social tensions that exist under the surface on White evangelical Christian campuses-not just for students, but for faculty and staff as well. A must read. Blake Chastain, host of the Exvangelical podcast A deeply resonant chronicle of cultural shifts and personal awakenings, of losing faith and finding your place in the world-brave, brilliant, breathtaking. Sarah Kuhn, author of the Heroine Complex series Scott Okamoto's harrowing and darkly funny account of the Christian evangelical sausage machine is an indictment of turning faith into political power rather than spiritual transformation. Okamoto's voice is necessary for times like these. Naomi Hirahara, former editor with The Rafu Shimpo newspaper and Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning mystery author of Clark and Division Scott Okamoto's book is a triumph for those of us who fought for an education at a religious university. Josephine Jael Jimenez, host of the Speaking in Church podcast Okamoto's memoir is funny, punchy, and touches on a topic that Asian America typically does not cover-our relationship to evangelical Christianity. However, Okamoto's book is more than just a memoir about race, religion, and higher education, it is a story of ultimately staying true to one's convictions. Naomi Ko, filmmaker, writer, actor Scott gifts us not only with his story, but also with the experience of an Asian American man in the US. With perspicuous vulnerability, and considerate humor he shares with us an account we all need to uncomfortably sit with. Jo Luehmann, host of The Living Room and author of Predatory God (2024) As an exvangelical, I am deeply appreciative of Asian American Apostate's take-no-prisoners approach to exposing the toxic nature of American evangelicalism. Chrissy Stroop, Senior Correspondent, Religion Dispatches and co-editor of Empty the Pews: Stories of Leaving the Church Scott's vulnerable and laugh-out-loud stories give us an insider's peek at the ironies and absurdities of American evangelical culture. Jenny Yang, comedian and actor in The Brothers Sun