Voices of Deconversion

This is a mini-episode without an interview, but I have some important things to talk about related to the podcast. I discuss diversity, your feedback, connecting and what's new for Voices of Deconversion! Thanks for listening, I appreciate you! Say hello on Twitter: @vodpodcast, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vodpodcast/ or email: steve@vodpodcast.com

Helps on Skid Row. Meets a Retired Rabbi who isn't going to hell. Bill's daughter questions the Trinity and begins asking who is going to heaven and who is going to hell. He questions his church's plan to spend money they don't have. Their response to Bill causes a huge change in his life. Wine is good, so is travel!

Bill discusses the difficult experience of his parents' divorce. As a child, he had no warning the day his mom decided to pack up their stuff and move out. Boy Scouts was a stabilizing force in his junior high and high school yrs, as he became the de facto mediator between his parents. He moved to Colorado for college and earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies. Bill & his wife served as Officers in the Salvation Army for over 12 yrs. They now attend a Unitarian church and Bill considers himself a Humanist.

Krista has an inspiring story to tell.  Following a traumatic experience in a relationship, she spent years not feeling like herself. It was like a switch being flipped. When it began to impact her son, the switch flipped back. Her resilience and determination when she describes that moment were really inspiring to me. Late in the interview she describes how she is "drawn to joy". I love the way she explained this! Learn more about Krista and her work at: https://kristacox.me

Ryan Bell shares his compelling story of deconversion. Ryan also talks about what he's been up to since joining the Secular Student Alliance as National Organizer Manager. I've been looking forward to meeting Ryan for a while, so it was wonderful to finally speak with him. Although I'm familiar with Ryan's story, I learned some fascinating new details during our conversation.

Religion Hijacks Curiosity & Stops Inquiry. Searching for Meaning While Becoming Atheist. Making the World a Better Place. Embracing Humanism.

Ariel describes how spiritism, reincarnation and out-of-body experiences are a normal part of Christianity in Brazil. He sought an Out-of-Body experience, but began asking too many questions. Now he's a Humanist and Chair of the Americas Working Group at International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization.

Vennie left off in part 1 when her family had just been banished from the cult in Alaska. As she adjusted to normal life, she began to exude independence. As she grows into young-adulthood she discovers a variety of beliefs and tries out several of them. We also discuss raising freethinking kids, which is always interesting for Ex-Christians.  Vennie devouts a lot of her time to raising awareness about modern-day cults.

Vennie is an author, artist and podcaster. Through her podcast "Survivor Voices" and other work, she stands beside fellow cult and abuse survivors, encouraging them that they're not alone. Vennie endured some of the most difficult experiences a child could go through. She survived mental, physical and sexual abuse in the cult.

In talking with Forest, it struck me how much he endured. He gets kicked out of the mission trip group he was with and sent home from Ireland. He was battling mental health issues and subsequently would lose his faith. His ability to continue in college depended on his parents, who were paying for it. Forest makes the brave decision to tell his parents that he's no longer Christian.  His dad gives him an ultimatum. Forest's life opens up. He's enriched and becomes his true self.

Childhood Prophecy, a Cult-like Pastor & the Murder of a Family Friend. He Chooses Intellectual Dishonesty and Endures Mental Health Issues. He was such an articulate and reflective person. Forest shares his incredibly difficult personal experiences.

David shares the moment he realized he was no longer a Christian. He also shares the painstaking process of telling his wife (who is still a Christian today) that he was no longer a Christian.  David discusses finding comfort in the history of doubt and secular thinking throughout history. He also explains his thoughts on the basis of morality as an atheist.

Jesus tells David's mother to stop drinking. Her struggles with addiction ended when she dramatically converted to Christianity. This had a major influence on David's faith. David eventually enters the ministry, before burning out and distancing himself from church.  After 20 years of Christianity his faith broke down in 2015.  David want's to discover and communicate the subtleties of why some believe, some do not and some change their minds.

Dr. Haralabatos is an atheist and a secular humanist. Her mom was Lutheran and her dad was Greek Orthodox. Growing up she attended a Methodist church every Sunday. She was very rational from a young age, questioning stories like Noah's Ark. One day, as a young girl she was searching for some chocolate. What she ended up discovering would unravel some big mysteries. Dr. Haralabatos had some great advice on how to respond and relate to Christians when they ask us to pray for them.

In part 2 of my interview with Gerardo, he tells his parents he's agnostic. He was not expecting their surprising response.  I absolutely love his quote (which I used at the beginning of the episode) where he talks about something he experiences now, that he would not have as a catholic. His answer is the experience of raising his kid. Awaking his child's mind. Love that! He's got a great personality and was a lively and entertaining guest. I had a great time interviewing him.