Today we’re chatting with Craig! In today’s episode, Craig shares his memories of his time in Christadelphia over forty years ago. Craig joined his local ecclesia as an adolescent and enjoyed the community, the studious environment, and spending time with Christadelphian families. He quickly became baptized, started preaching at his ecclesia, and traveling to other ecclesias in Australia. But over time, he noticed more and more issues that didn’t sit right with him. Things escalated when a “Brother” Craig had confided in after a difficult Bible class betrayed his confidence and gossiped about his private feelings with his Christadelphian family. After this betrayal, Craig made the difficult decision to submit his resignation and finally start to think clearly for himself now that he took some space from the Christadelphian community. Craig shares a lot of fascinating stories and tidbits of Christadelphian history in this episode and touches on the Christadelphian’s opposition to the LGBTQ+ community in Australia, doctrinal debates causing splits, and even plagiarism in the Christadelphian community. Please join us for yet another episode of fellowship among the heathens!  

Listener discretion advised.

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here

References:

Titanic (1997 Movie)

The Poseidon Adventure (1972 Movie)

The Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy by Henry Sulley (Full Book)

Harry Whittaker

Iridology

Racism in the Christadelphians and “The Black Pope” Theory

Ellicot’s Commentary on Revelation

The Protestors by Alan Eyre

The Good Life with Felicity Kendal

Visions of Glory: A History and a Memory of Jehovah's Witnesses by Barbara Grizzuti Harrison

Leaving the Fold by Marlene Winell

When Religion Hurts You by Laura Anderson

Please note, there are some concerns about Laura Anderson’s behavior which you can read more about here: Licensing Agency find Religious Trauma Coach in Violation of Code of Ethics

Or listen to this podcast

Podcasts Bart Ehrman and Dan McClellan

Ex-christadelphians.com

Gospel of John a Commentary by Craig Fairweather

Olton History

Current Value of 21 St Bernards Rd in Olton

21 St Bernards Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B92 7BB

In today’s episode, Keturah and Bec return to the podcast for Part TWO of our GAYEST episode yet to discuss and challenge how Christadelphians justify bigotry against LGBTQ people. In part two, we focus on the cultural issues that the rampant homophobia causes in the Christadelphian community, the reality of LGBTQ members' lived experiences, and discuss the data that was gathered in 2023 in an LGBTQ Survey of Christadelphians & ex-Christadelphians. In this episode, we highlight the documented maltreatment of LGBTQ members which includes celibacy requirements, slurs and bullying, hushed disfellowshipping of queer members, and multiple suicides being swept under the rug while shaming the victims- even after their deaths! We reflect on whether these behaviors reflect the character of Christ or if they are simply another way that the Christadelphians display the cult-like characteristic of demanding conformity and controlling the sexual behavior of their members. This episode is a bit more sobering than most as we also ask, can the Christadelphian community truly change to be inclusive of LGBTQ members? Will their system- which is built on a gender hierarchy, is obsessed with sex, and refuses to change or evolve- resist change even when it could save their member’s lives and keep them in the community? 

Please join us for another conversation on LGBTQ issues in Christadelphia by queer ex-Christadelphians!

TW: This episode mentions suicidal ideation and suicide 

Listener discretion advised.

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here

References:

2023 LGBTQ Survey Website

Full Survey Report (70 pages)

Bible verses quoted in the report: Luke 15:1-2, Matthew 18:6,Galatians 6:2, Galatians 3:26 -29, Luke 6:27-36, Proverbs 18:13, 2 Timothy 2: 23-26, James 1:19, 1 Peter 3:8

Gay Christadelphians website

Gay Christadelphians on the “Anti-LGBTQ’ bible verses

Press On Journal: Gay Christadelphians (Transcript) 

Press On Journal: Love without Fine Print 

Christadelphian View on Homosexuality “God's Word Condemns Homosexuality” (Youtube) 

And Part Two

Trevor Project Statistics on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health

ABC News on LGBTQ Youth

The Tidings stance on LGBTQ Issues as just a form of dangerous “change”

The Tidings: Book Review: Same Sex Attraction and the Church: The Surprising Plausibility of the Celibate Life

What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?

Warning about LGBTQ Issues 

The Life of John Thomas (1985) pg.19

“The Doctor belongs to the public and was not much of a woman’s man.” -Ellen Thomas

The Trevor Project: Religiosity and Suicidality Among LGBTQ Youth

Medium: Dear Church, Are All Your Kids Safe?

HARMONY, DISSONANCE, OR HARM? THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL PROMISES AND PERILS OF GAY CHRISTIAN CELIBACY 

The Seven Genders in the Talmud

Lesbianism in Jewish History

In today’s episode, Keturah and Bec return to the podcast for our GAYEST episode yet to discuss and challenge how Christadelphians justify bigotry against LGBTQ people. As queer ex-Christadelphians ourselves, we share our stories and re-examine the bible verses that featured prominently during our lives in lectures given by the “Brothers” who claimed that they knew that God hates gay people. One by one, we revisit the problematic verses they used, offer outside perspectives to the standard Christadelphian views, and challenge Christadelphians to preach the true meaning of the “clobber verses” instead of using them to attack queer people. We also offer rebuttals to a particular brother who is spreading his message of hate internationally online with the support of the Christadelphian community. But it may surprise him to discover the kind of person that God considers a “Sodomite”... In this episode, we (literally) pull out a Bible and amplify the voices of queer people raised and harmed by the Christadelphian community’s rampant bigotry against queer people. So please join us for some laughs as queer women tell you the side of the story that Christadelphian “Brothers” never wanted you to know about…

*Please note, I sought to be as inclusive as possible for this episode. Unfortunately the gay man who agreed to join us was unable to record with us and no transgender ex-CDs offered to join us for this episode. 

TW: This episode mentions suicidal ideation and suicide 

Listener discretion advised.

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here

References:

The Life After Leaving Podcast: Biblical Studies 101 (Episode 31)

Gay Christadelphians website

Gay Christadelphians on the “Anti-LGBTQ’ bible verses

Press On Journal: Gay Christadelphians (Transcript) 

Press On Journal: Love without Fine Print 

Christadelphian View on Homosexuality “God's Word Condemns Homosexuality” (Youtube) 

And Part Two

"1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture." Movie Website

1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture (Wiki)

The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships

LGBTQ-Affirming Scripture

Christadelphian FB Post

Romans and Sexuality Video

Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist’s Wife by Irene Spencer

Comfort Women

Mattiemaemotl 

Jbrix_art  

Jbrix on Deuteronomy 22

Jbrix on Romans 1

Jbrix on 1 Corinthians 6:9

Jbrix on 1 Corinthians 6:9 (2)

Jbrix on 1 Corinthians 6:9 (3)

Gay Animals

Gay Animals Facts

Gay Birds

Clobber Verses:

Genesis 19

Leviticus 18 and 20

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

1 Timothy 1:10

Romans 1

In today’s episode, Chloe joins me as we examine the Christadelphian doctrine of the Kingdom of God on Earth! We start by reviewing the different phases of this apocalyptic doctrine and discussing what it was like to be raised as children to believe that we were in the “end times” where our parents might be taken away by angels at any moment. We also explore what makes the “kingdom” doctrine so unique, what it would be like to visit Ezekiel’s Temple, and what kind of people are going to be in “The Millennium” after the first Judgment day. We also discuss the negative aspects or gaps in logic, and even things we never thought about but one Christadelphian author certainly did! 

This episode will be our most philosophical so far as we ask… will free will exist in the kingdom? If we are going to be changed, then what does it mean to be human? What would life be like as an immortal who is “like the angels”? And can I resurrect my dog to spend eternity with me? Naturally, we discuss other supernatural creatures like werewolves, shapeshifters, and vampires as we try to fathom this supernatural world under Christ’s rule. We also ask the questions we never dared ask aloud at Bible School. Why doesn’t the bible have compelling descriptive chapters or even entire books about the kingdom? Why should we want to be non-human creatures subject to eternal servitude? And is this whole plan of global control by Christ just an authoritarian nightmare? 

Please join us for this second episode in a two-part series exploring the Christadelphian belief in the “Kingdom of God” and the end times! 

Listener discretion advised.

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here

References:

Chloe’s Substack

Heretic Ecclesia Podcast

Peter Pan 2: Return to Never Land

The Christadelphians (wiki)

The Millennial Harbinger 1837

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Peter Pettigrew in Harry Potter

Maple Syrup Adapting to Climate Change 

Apple growing face increasing climate risks

Hunger Games 

Climate Change and Coffee

Climate Change and Bananas

We Only Use 10% of Our Brains Myth

The Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy by Henry Sulley (Full Book)

The Kingdom of God on Earth by Stephen Hughes (Full Book)

Ezekiel's Temple visualized by Christadelphians

The Kingdom of God (booklet)

Armageddon- should we be afraid? “Real Answers, Real Hope”

The Way of Life, Chapter 45 “The Kingdom of God”

Heaven is a place for sociopaths (YouTube)

Biblically Accurate Angels

Biblically Accurate Angels (2)

Today we’re chatting with Steve to explore what the Bible actually says about the future “Kingdom of God”! Join us for heathen “Sunday School” as we explore the evolution of some of the ideas in the Bible that are necessary to believe in an eternal “future kingdom” including- the messiah, the resurrection, and the idea of a kingdom itself. In this episode, we also look to answer whether the Christadelphians assertion that the “kingdom of God” doctrine was present throughout the Bible is true and we examine the places where this doctrine conspicuously seems to be missing. Steves shares cultural and historical context throughout the episode to understand why the monarchy was not re-established in Israel, where some of these beliefs actually originated, and what the evolution of these ideas tells us about what people believed during different time periods. Steve also shares the story behind Christadelphians bizarre obsession with a biblically inaccurate portrayal of Ezekiel’s Temple and explains John Thomas’ Bible Math “rules” which Thomas inconsistently used for interpreting the book of Revelation. We also laugh about Samuel and his nepo babies, sweaty Jesus, and discuss *even more* failed prophecies. 

Please join us for this first episode in a two-part series exploring the Christadelphian belief in the “Kingdom of God” and the end times! 

TW: There is one reference to a Christadelphian who is excited to act out violence against queer people during “the end times”.

Listener discretion advised.

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here

References:

Life After Leaving Podcast: Episodes 16, 21, and 31

The Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy by Henry Sulley (Full Book)

Eureka by John Thomas (Wiki)

Eureka by John Thomas, Vol 1 (Full PDF)

Youtube series on Ezekiel's Temple:

An Accurate visual of Ezekiel's Temple Ch 40

An Accurate Visual of Ezekiel’s Temple, Ch 41

An Accurate Visual of Ezekiel’s Temple, Ch 42 & 43

Hymnary.com Who is this come from Edom?

The Kingdom of God on Earth by Stephen Hughes (Full Book)

Today we’re chatting with Andy! In today’s episode, Andy shares his experience of growing up as a Christadelphian in the UK. Ever since he was a young boy performing in Sunday School, Andy was uncomfortable in the spotlight. He shares his memories of anxiety around traditional Christadelphian expectations for men including being baptized in front of large crowds and being asked to do the readings from the platform. Andy also speaks up about what it felt like to grow up in the Christadelphian community as a child experiencing sexual abuse. He shares his thoughts about how being in a community that doesn’t value sexual education or personal autonomy made it harder to ask for help and how their belief that sex before marriage is a sin perpetuates further harm against child sexual abuse survivors by creating feelings of shame. We also talk about authoritarian parenting, post-baptism lows, and motorcycle gangs! Please join us for yet another episode of fellowship among the heathens!  

TW: Child sexual abuse

Listener discretion advised.

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

Resources:

Proposed law in Japan  “Other acts that will constitute neglect include… blocking their interaction with friends due to a difference in religious beliefs and thereby undermining their social skills.”

Christmas apocalypse has been cancelled, says Ghana 'prophet', buys Mercedes with donations Dec 2025

Déjà rêvé

Today we’re finishing our investigation of the medical qualifications of “Doctor” John Thomas, the founder of the Christadelphians. In this history episode, we’ll follow John Thomas’ career during his time in the United States from the 1830’s into the 1850’s. We once again debunk persistent myths that have been repeated by Christadelphians for generations. Instead of accepting these myths, we critically examine them and speculate on the real reasons behind Thomas’ career choices. We also question John Thomas’ motives for his marriage, his reasons for moving frequently, and the credibility of the school that issued his M.D. degree in 1848. Zinnia also shares numerous new historical resources to do a deep dive into claims of extortion against John Thomas by the Richmond Campbellites and into the strange and questionable school, the “Scientific and Eclectic Institute” of Petersburg, Virginia, where John Thomas claimed to have earned his degree. Throughout this episode, we also reflect on what these stories indicate about John Thomas’ personality, his motivations, and why his persistent claim to have “the truth” isn’t actually something for Christadelphians to be proud of.

Please join us for another exciting history episode as John Thomas’ lies and criminal activity get exposed by Zinnia, a harbinger of destruction. 

Listener discretion advised

Resources and References:

Thank you to the ex-Christadelphians for sharing information about these Lancet articles!

⁠The Lancet 1829-1830 ⁠ 

See: Oct 10, 1829; Jan 16, 1830; Jan 30th, 1830

⁠John Thomas: His Friend and His Faith” ⁠

⁠Dr. Thomas: His Life & Work ⁠

⁠Monty Python and the Holy Grail ⁠

⁠Professor James Staughton⁠

⁠The Millennial Harbinger, 1835⁠

⁠“The New England Botanic Medical and Surgical Journal” Vol 2, No 8, Page 122, April 16, 1848⁠

⁠Population of Cincinnati in 1830 and 1840⁠

⁠Physicians in Ohio 1819-1850⁠ (used 1831 Directory)

⁠University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine⁠

⁠Population of Cincinnati⁠ (1830: 24,831)

⁠Cincinnati population in the 1800s⁠

America’s current population (2025): 333.3 million

Current number of American physicians (2025): 1,044,734

⁠Population of Philadelphia 1830 ⁠

⁠Desilver’s Philadelphia Directory (1831)⁠

⁠Doctors in Philadelphia ⁠

⁠The Millennial Harbinger (Feb 1835)⁠

⁠Demon Of Unrest by Erik Larson⁠

⁠James H Hammond⁠

Philadelphia & Virginia

⁠The Millennial Harbinger, 1834 ⁠

“A Review of the Defence of Dr. John Thomas" (Email ⁠[email protected]⁠ for a digital copy)

⁠The Apostalic Advocate, May 1837⁠ pg 18-19

Dr. Thomas: His Family and the Background of His Times’ by Charles Blore

⁠Inflation Calculator⁠

⁠Payment of Doctors⁠

⁠Doctor Fee Bills⁠

⁠Millennial Harbinger, Feb 1838 ⁠

⁠Take Back Your Life by Janja Lalich and Madeline Tobias⁠

⁠John Thomas M.D. Newspaper⁠

The Christadelphian Magazine, April 1886

⁠A Muppet Christmas Carol⁠

LAL Podcast: S1 Ep 6: Christadelphian True Crime 

⁠Rush Medical College⁠

The Christadelphian Magazine, April 1886 “Dr. Thomas’s Professional Status”

⁠Formation of the AMA⁠

⁠Incorporation of the S&E College March 1st 1847⁠ 

⁠1847 “J Thomas M.D.” ⁠

⁠1846 Oct Classes⁠

⁠The New England Botanic and Medical Journal, 1848⁠ “Biography of John Thomas M.D.”

⁠Nov 1847 “Virginia Institute" ⁠

⁠Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati⁠

⁠Philadelphia Diploma Mill ⁠

 ⁠Degree Mills by Allen Ezell and John Bea⁠r

⁠Dr. John Buchanan⁠

⁠The Rise and Fall of Dr John Buchanan⁠

⁠Alexander Campbell on the S&E School⁠

⁠Worcester, MA school⁠

⁠S&E College to Send Diplomas to MA⁠

⁠The History of Medicine by Alexander Wilder⁠

⁠Eclectic Medical Journal 1844-1848⁠

⁠Eclectic Medical Journal 1849-1850⁠

⁠August 1848 Ad⁠

⁠THOMSONIANISM IN VIRGINIA by JAMES O. BREEDEN ⁠

*email ⁠[email protected]⁠

⁠“Medical Training in the United States Prior to the Civil War”⁠

⁠Harbinger, 1853 “Dr of Opinions”⁠

⁠Harbinger 1854 “not D.D. or M.D.”⁠

⁠Impeachment & John Thomas’ Farewell⁠

⁠Eclectic Schools⁠ 

⁠Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati ⁠

⁠The Early Development of Medical Licensing Laws in the US ⁠

⁠Herald 1851, p 279⁠

Today we’re chatting with Katie! Katie’s story is an eye-opening account of the harms and pressure of sexism in Christadelphian culture on young girls. As a child, Katie was pulled out of the public school system in order to spend her time primarily caring for her brothers and taking care of the household tasks. As she grew older, was pressured to find a husband and begin to follow a “timeline” which would lead to staying home and having children while being told that she shouldn’t get an education at university. Despite the lack of encouragement and guidance, Katie escaped the Christadelphians, explored life as an independent woman, and attended university. In this episode, Katie also shares what it was like to join the Christadelphians as a child with her family, about Christadelphian dating culture, and about the poor behavior of the “brothers” in her former ecclesia that ultimately lead to her leaving Christadelphia once and for all. Please join us for yet another episode of fellowship among the heathens!  

Listener discretion advised.

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at ⁠[email protected]⁠

⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠ or⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠!

References:

Corinthians 11:8-9 "For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man made for woman, but woman for man"

⁠Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell⁠

Meghantschanz on IG ⁠“The Role of a Godly Husband (if women butchered the Bible the way men have)”⁠

Clarabelltoks on IG 

⁠Flipping Vacation Bible School⁠

⁠If we spoke to men the way we speak to women⁠

⁠If we spoke to boys the way we speak to girls⁠

⁠If we spoke to boys the way we speak to girls (2)⁠

⁠If we spoke to boys the way we speak to girls (3)⁠

⁠Flipping misogyny and homophobia in the church⁠

⁠Flipping misogyny in the church⁠

Today we’re chatting with Bec! In this episode, Bec shares her experience growing up as a “Logos” Christadelphian in Australia and trying to follow the ‘straight and narrow’ path until she made the difficult decision to leave her marriage and embrace her identity as a lesbian! Bec shares some vulnerable stories of life inside the ecclesia. From trying to be a good daughter and getting baptized as her mom was dying, to learning about her mother’s hidden heartbreak which had become fodder for gossip at their ecclesia, and to growing up and meeting Christadelphian men who wanted to marry her… if they could control her. Despite some heavy topics, we also enjoyed a few laughs as we asked, what did Solomon’s wives really do together while he was busy? If Christadelphian brothers see rainbows and assume it’s a queer symbol then have they voluntarily given “God’s symbol” to the gay community? And does sage really work to get rid of ghosts in your house??

Please join us for yet another episode of fellowship among the heathens!  

TW: Domestic violence, coercive rape, postpartum depression, suicidal ideation

Listener discretion advised.

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

References:

⁠Underworld with Kate Beckinsale (2003)⁠

Proverbs 3:15 “She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Forced Adoptions in Australia:

⁠SBS News: “I was told my baby had died. Decades later, I learned that was a lie”⁠

⁠“Social worker tells of forced adoptions”⁠

⁠“Catholic Hospitals Apologize for Forced Adoptions” ⁠

⁠From God to Gay Podcast⁠ 

⁠Will I ever be good enough by Dr. Karyl McBride⁠

⁠Joyce Meyer (Author)⁠

⁠Lee-Ann Cipri (Medium)⁠

Today we’re learning about the history of hands-on energy healing in the early Christadelphian community! In this episode, Zinnia discusses the founding of an ecclesia in Edinburgh, Scotland that quickly became interested in practicing hands-on energy healing. These new believers were radical free thinkers who offered sassy -but scriptural- retorts to the demands of Robert Roberts and John Thomas around the validity of baptisms. They also hosted lectures and classes for anyone interested in learning the art of “curative mesmerism”. The Edinburgh ecclesia not only became practitioners of “curative mesmerism” themselves, but also became involved in creating and supporting a local mesmerism organization and promoted the practice as part of the “doctrine of health” to other ecclesias while attributing their healing abilities to God. We also discuss the attitudes that attracted these early believers to Mesmerism and the various theories around what may have contributed to the decline of the practice of mesmerism in this ecclesia. We also learn about Robert Roberts “irresistible” experience with another man, the reason why Robert’s wife was re-baptized after their marriage, and hear about Zinnia’s experiences with hands-on energy healing in the modern day. Please join us for another fun blast to the past learning more forgotten history about the Christadelphians! 

Listener discretion advised.

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

References:

The Early History of the Kingdom of God in Britain" by William Norrie 

Part one

Pg. 128 “The Edinburgh Church of Baptised Believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God”

Pg 167 Sassy Rebuttals

Pg 178 Edinburgh Church

Page 202 Curative Mesmerism

Pg 245 On Jane Norrie’s rebaptism

The Life after Leaving Podcast Episodes:

S1 Ep 8 Robert Roberts and the Fandom of John Thomas

S1 Ep 10. The Bearded Wisdom of the Christadelphians

S1 Ep. 13 Hypnosis, Telepathy, and Ghosts

S1. Ep 4 Fellowship with Rob

S2. Ep 16. Fellowship with Steve

S3. Ep 32 Fellowship with Ben

‘John Thomas: His Friends and His Faith’ by Peter Hemingray 

P 131-132 Declaration of Beliefs in 1847

P 127-129 John Thomas’ Rebaptism

P 192-194 The Marturion Magazine

My Days and My Ways by Robert Roberts 

Mesmerism story pages 78-79

“Dr. John Thomas: His Life and Work” by Robert Roberts

Mesmer (1994) 

Alan Rickman

The Brief and Strange History of Mesmerism and Surgery

The phony health craze that inspired hypnotism (Youtube)

The Mesmerist by Wendy Moore 

Drake-Kendrick Lamar Feud

Referenced by William Norrie: “Messenger of the Churches” issued in July 1858 No. 2

Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come by John Thomas, May 1858

The Zoist: A Journal of Cerebral Physiology & Mesmerism and Their Applications to Human Welfare Volume 12 Christadelphians named as members of the Scottish Curative Mesmeric Association

Reiki

Prana 

Qi 

The Astrological Roots of Mesmerism

Mesmerising Science: The Franklin Commission and the Modern Clinical Trial

Royal Commission on Animal Magnetism

Mesmerism (History of Hypnosis Documentary Series - Episode 02)

The History of Bad Ideas: Mesmerism (Podcast)