Life After Christian Fundamentalism

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Comment by Brittany Evanovich on February 7, 2010 at 2:59am

Joined because I was raised Methodist, was switched to Baptist by my cousin, spent 12 years in a very fundamentalist church/vacation bible school/bible camp/youth group/puppet ministry/county fair ministry environment before being transfered to three years of VERY fundamentalist Christian school where I heard tales during field trips to other churches and Baptist conventions of "Christian soldiers" wanting to "do something" about abortion clinics (I think you get the idea as to what that something was) so I left. Well, that reason and the fact that they were pushing creation science down my evolution-clinging brain. I spent two years going to their "science" fairs only to be disappointed that no one would listen to me that they might be wrong. I am now 13 years church free, I still live in West Virginia in a very Christian Bible Belt area, but it's with my atheist fiance and his wonderful atheist friends and cousin that I spend most of my time. I am now an antitheist and I proudly even deconverted my mom. If any younger people need help or support in this group just let me know. I'm only 24 and it's still pretty hard for me to get over some superstitions or thoughts of hell in my mind even though I'm more rational and know they don't exist...

Comment by Chris Highland on November 15, 2009 at 3:46pm

For non-theist support, celebrating life cycles, counseling, inspiration, creative music. . .maybe we ought to explore the Online Congregation model? This is from Current TV.

Comment by Timo Ostrander on November 14, 2009 at 10:13pm

Just joined. Raised as a Pentecostal in the UPC. Extricated myself at the age of 17. Still deprogramming. Hardest part for me is dealing with loved ones who've been clinging to it for so long.

Comment by Chris Highland on November 13, 2009 at 10:21pm

Thanks Glen (and in reply to Julia). As you've seen, Life After Faith is published online and I continue to add and edit. I've sent the book or proposal to several publishers and looked into more self-publishing, but so far nothing. My first four books were published by a local publisher and I self-published two more through Amazon's Booksurge. I know of others, but just wondering if anyone had a suggestion of a path I hadn't thought of. Prometheus wasn't interested, and another guy said he would publish and then disappeared. To Robert--it may always be painful to exit, and seems to take many years. Yet, what's the alternative? Hang in there.

Comment by Glen Barton on October 29, 2009 at 7:55pm

oh... i should have read further - to the post 4 down where Chris Highland talks about his book - Life After Faith. Sorry Chris!

I think what were thinking about is quite different - more peoples personal stories, but I'd be very interested to read your book as well - the synopsis looks great.

Comment by Glen Barton on October 29, 2009 at 7:53pm

Hi Richard, this is a great group. Both myself and my partner were raised in fundo homes and had different yet similar experiences of coming to realisations that what we'd always been taught was unquestionable truth was, in fact, as Penn and Teller would say, Bull shit.

Many of our friends are still in the church to various degrees, some in the philosophical position we were both in a decade ago, and a couple who are actually practicing clergy who really can't swallow the nonsense they need to teach others in order to keep their career and their family - it's a difficult struggle for them.

What we were thinking is that there are lots of Christian books on peoples "testimonies of conversion" - but we thought that to support those who were raised in a fundo faith, but are struggling both with the philosophical issues of letting go of what you had considered the truth your life was built on, as well as struggling with the condemnation, alienation and ongoing mindless nonsense from family and friends, it would be fantastic to put together a book of peoples stories of how they made the journey out of faith, what it meant to them, how they coped, and the freeing effects of embracing reason.

My partner is a writer and editor, and would love to start a project like this - do you know if such a book has been produced, or would anyone in this group be willing or interested in contributing to the project? It's only at the "we think it'd be a good idea" stage at the moment, but if there was some interest, maybe we could all collaborate and start thinking about it?

peace

glen

Comment by Robert Madewell on October 25, 2009 at 11:08am

Chris Highland said,

It includes some material on how a person can exit their faith.

Is there an easy, non-painful way to do it? Because, it sure was a bitch when I left "the faith". I lost all my friends and my family talks to me like I'm on my death bed. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had a rough experience de-converting.

Comment by Chris Highland on October 24, 2009 at 1:07pm

A few short videos from a former evangelical and protestant minister: "Religious Addiction" and "Life After Faith." Anyone have a suggestion for publishing my "Life After Faith" book? It includes some material on how a person can exit their faith.

Comment by Fred Rock on October 12, 2009 at 9:36pm

Correction on my post of July 18 (I skipped back 10 years in my recollections; fallout from the '60's, or just getting old, you decide) - it was 2007 (not 1997) when I picked up "The God Delusion" in Dublin - but yes, I did find it in an independent book store there.

Comment by Laura on October 12, 2009 at 9:08pm

hey, Robert, fancy meeting you here. :)

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