Deconversion

A collection of 77 posts

Deconversion

A journey through chronic illness to freethought

Take yourself back to the mid-nineties, if you’re able to. We’re in a British Christian evangelical youth meeting, in a long white canvas tent on an agricultural showground a few miles North of the historic Cathedral city of Lincoln in the East of England. It smells of trampled

Deconversion

The core reason homosexuality and Christian belief are incompatible

In 2021, an Ipsos poll of participants from 27 countries found that 80% of people recorded themselves as heterosexual, with 3% gay, 4% bisexual, 1% asexual, 1% other (non-binary, trans, fluid etc.), and 11% didn't know or wouldn't say. In the whole scheme of things, that&

Caleb Lack

When therapists push religion

Leaving religion can be a very challenging undertaking, particularly in the US, and especially in communities outside of large urban centers, where unbelief is rarely the norm. Given the often daunting psychological challenges that can accompany the task of deconverting, psychiatric help can be very important. But despite what one

Beyond an Absence of Faith

Beyond an Absence of Faith

This review has just come in from Dr DJ Nicholls, who recently provided his own deconversion account to my growing series. The book he reviewed, in line with that account, is an anthology of deconversion accounts (Beyond an Absence of Faith [UK]) that I think you should all rush out

Beyond an Absence of Faith

Real Deconversion #20 - Kirk M.

Here is another account in my series of real-life deconversion stories. They are often painful, psychological affairs, as you can see from the various accounts. Thank you to Kirk M. here who has provided this very personal and difficult account. Please consider contributing your own, if you so desire. Please

Deconversion

Real Deconversion Story #19 - David N.

Here is another account in my series of real-life deconversion stories. They are often painful, psychological affairs, as you can see from the various accounts. Thank you to David Nicholls here who has provided this personal account. Please consider contributing your own, if you so desire. Please also check out

agnosticism

From Committed Pastor to Academia to Atheism to Agnosticism

Dr Joshua Bowen is a fascinating guy. He's awesome for a bunch of reasons. First, he has agreed to write the foreword to my forthcoming book (with archaeologist Rebecca Bradley) on the Exodus. Second, he is just a really nice guy. Third, with his wife Megan Lewis, he

atheism

Jeremy Beahan on Deconversion

A few years back, I and Tristan Vick collected a number of deconversion accounts from around the world into an anthology of stories called Beyond An Absence of Faith: Stories About the Loss of Faith and the Discovery of Self [UK]. I am presently sorting out distribution to a number

Deconversion

What Impact Do We Have?

I have recently been conversing with Dan Barker by email, as he is a wonderful guy and has kindly endorsed my forthcoming book on the Resurrection. Amongst a number other things, we talked about impact. I have brought this up before: Why do I do what I do? The blogging,

apostasy

First global study of apostates’ experiences reveals hidden abuse victims

This is from Humanists UK: The first study into the worldwide experiences of apostates – individuals who leave coercive or high-control religious groups or cults – within religious households has revealed a widespread culture of abuse hidden within the home, including intra-familial violence, domestic abuse, and honour-based shunning. The study was published

Beyond an Absence of Faith

Christian Rocker Steingard Loses His Faith; What of His Friends?

Friendly Atheist, fellow Patheoser, recently posted the details of Christian rocker (from band Hawk Nelson) Jon Steingard's loss of faith as announced in a 2,200 word Instagram post. His preamble stated: I’ve been terrified to post this for a while - but it feels like it’

atheism

Study: Turkish Students Increasingly Resistant to Religion

In other news: The president has trebled the number of religious İmam Hatip high schools in the country, steadily increased funding for Turkey’s religious affairs directorate and increased the powers of local muktars, or community leaders, who are usually pious men. Yet a study by Sakarya university and the

Deconversion

Ingersoll's Pivot Point

My friend sent me this by email. I like the term "pivot point". What was yours?: I did not go seeking this. I found it during a second reading of Ingersoll’s grandaughter’s (Eva Ingersoll Wakefield) “The Letters of Robert Ingersoll” published in 1951. The first 68

atheism

After the Interlude: The Story of an Ex-Muslim

Some years back, I compiled and edited a collection of deconversion accounts with Tristan Vick called Beyond an Absence of Faith: Stories About the Loss of Faith and the Discovery of Self (UK) that covered a range of different deconverions from around the world. I thought I would share with

Deconversion

Millennials Are Leaving Religion And Not Coming Back

The ever-interesting FiveThirtyEight ave produced a piece on the deconversion of millennials that is worth a read. Some 40% of millennials (aged between 23 and 38) now state they are religiously unaffiliated. Is it a short-term decision or more of a permanent change, though? Statistics are now coming in. As

AHA

Nations Criminalizing Blasphemy Blasted in NEW Report

This is from the American Humanist Association: A report on the human rights of nonreligious people warns “the world is divided” on blasphemy and apostasy laws, “with many states still enforcing these laws, and several states tightening or introducing new blasphemy legislation in the past few years.” The Freedom of

AHA

Trump’s Religious Freedom Remarks Draw Response from Humanist in Attendance

From the American Humanist Association: At the United Nations Global Call to Protect Religious Freedom event today, President Donald Trump announced the formation of a coalition of U.S. business leaders meant to “encourage the private sector to protect people of all faiths in the workplace.” The American Humanist Association’

atheism

Ex-Muslims Debut #AwesomeWithoutAllah Billboards

This is from the American Humanist Association: Today, Ex-Muslims of North America (EXMNA) launched billboards to support former Muslims in Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston. Sporting the message “Godless, Fearless, Ex-Muslim”, the billboards highlight the astounding growth of atheists from Muslim backgrounds. After several rounds of rejections, changes, and even one

atheism

Lebanon's Nonreligious

I recently posted excerpts from a BBC article detailing the deconversion of many people in Turkey. Now the BBC has produced a similarly-themed video concerning the deconversion of those in Lebanon. Good luck to these brave people. If any of them see this, I would love them to contribute a

Church

Real Deconversion Story #18 - Manfred

Here is another account in my series of real-life deconversion stories. They are often painful, psychological affairs, as you can see from the various accounts. This one is different. it is not a deconversion to atheism, but one from right-wing Christian Republicanism to a vastly different form of Christianity and

atheism

Young Turks Losing Their Religion

Recently, I posted about how Turkey is facing a move away from religion ("Is Turkey, under Erdogan, Becoming More Atheistic?") even given the increasing politically enforced religionism in the country. From it, DW reported: According to a recent survey by the pollster Konda, a growing number of Turks

Church

ATP Interviews Jonathan Burrello on Comedy, Cartoons, Religion and Politics. And Pentecostalism!

Another cracking interview here with multi-skilled contributor to Patheos Nonreligious, Jonathan Burrello. He recently contributed to the excellent PNR anthology Atheism in the 21st Century [UK - on super paperback offer now.] Stay in touch! Like A Tippling Philosopher on Facebook: A Tippling Philosopher

atheists

Religious "Nones" Are now a Force to Be Reckoned with

Unless you have been hiding in a hole today, you will have heard the news that "nones", those who are religiously unaffiliated, now comprise the biggest religious group in America today. The latest figures show that this group just about eclipse Catholics and evangelicals to the top spot.

catholicism

More Catholics Considering Abandoning the Church

These excerpts come from the Wall Street Journal, which is behind a pay wall, but the headline stats are interesting. See what you think: More Catholics Considering Abandoning the Church By Ian Lovett – The Wall Street Journal March 13, 2019 4:00 a.m. ET . . . according to new research conducted

atheism

Real Deconversion Story #17 - ephemerol

Here is another account in my series of real-life deconversion stories. They are often painful, psychological affairs, as you can see from the various accounts. Mine isn't, though. Please check out my book of deconversion accounts, edited with Tristan Vick, which can be bought from here, or by