The Life After Leaving Podcast: An Ex-Christadelphian Podcast

Today we’re chatting with Rebecca! In this episode, we hear from a former Christadelphian who had no intention of leaving the community until the day she walked out the door. Rebecca shares how she was raised in a small ecclesia in a rural area with the expectation that she would get baptized, become a wife and mother, and play piano for the Sunday memorial services. Despite asking a lot of questions during her childhood, she generally conformed to the traditional Christadelphian path for a woman, married a Christadelphian “brother”, and even raised her children to be Christadelphians. But as her children reached adolescence and began to grow into their identities, she was faced with a choice between accepting her children or allowing them to be harmed by the community she loved and served. Unlike most of our guests, Rebecca hadn’t been preparing to leave mentally or emotionally. But motivated by her love for her family, she navigated the unexpected turbulence of leaving the Christadelphian community and shares both the positives and negatives of life outside the group. We also talk about the guilt of recognizing the harms of authoritarian parenting, raising sensitive children in an environment focused on doomsday theology, and about deconstructing Christadelphian views on the LGBTQ community.

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:

Shippensburg/ Mid-Atlantic Christadelphian Bible School

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone- Mailbox Scene (Youtube)

Today we’re chatting with Kate! In this episode, Kate begins by discussing her childhood in religious education where she grew up attending a Seventh Day Adventist School before later commuting over an hour to a Christadelphian Heritage College in Australia. We also discuss her family’s religious split over a relatives’ divorce and about the high expectations for “appropriate dress” for a “sister in Christ”- even outside the meeting. We discuss questions like, how much hair does a head covering need to cover in order to be an acceptable head covering? Do hoodies count as a head covering? And how can we style floor length denim skirts without a head covering or hat now that we’ve left?? We also chat about religious opinions on the Harry Potter series, the perils of Christadelphian relationships, and the name of a touch rugby team that was right on the [bottle]nose- the “Crystal Dolphins”!

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:

Seventh Day Adventists

Life After Leaving Podcast, Episode 21

(The Millerites split and many became Seventh Day Adventists while a small number became Christadelphians)

Christadelphian Heritage Colleges

Charlie Chaplin

“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto

The Christian Dolphin’s website is no longer available to view

The Religious Trauma Collective

God to Gay podcast

Today we’re chatting with Ben! In this episode, we explore how Ben went from a youth role model as the son of a renowned conservative Christadelphian preacher to pushing the limits of even the most liberal Christadelphians before leaving. Raised in a conservative branch of Christadelphia, Ben was told that some of their family had “left the faith” but was surprised to discover that there were actually just attending other, less conservative, Christadelphian ecclesias nearby! Even at Ben’s baptism, which surprisingly morphed into a roast, Ben defied convention by asking a member of the “Shield” group to baptism them  at a “Logos” hall as Ben began to resist the labels and expectations they had been raised with. Throughout the episode, Ben and I also discuss Christadelphian music. From singing our favorite songs from “Fruit of Our Lips” to discussing what instruments and songs were allowed to be played to learning about their incredibly popular music nights at SCYP, we dive into what was a pivotal moment in Christadelphian music as Ben and their contemporaries created new music that pushed the limits and was even met with walk-outs and bullying. As a singer-songwriter, Ben left a lasting legacy on Christadelphian music as their songs continue to be popular in the present day. However, most Christadelphians probably don’t know that one of their favorite songs was written by a gay man and a non-binary person who both left the faith! We also talk about puppet plays, the Portland frog, and their experience helping create a LGBTQ affirming evangelical church in New York City.

Listener discretion advised.

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

Resources and References:

Left handedness and sexual orientation

Fruit of our Lips CD (2002)

El Shaddai (Youtube)

As the Deer (unable to find CD Version)

A New Commandment (Youtube) 

Shout

Living Moving Being

Wonder

Every day

Songs in a strange land

Endless

Sydney Christadelphian Young People

Flamy Grant 

Bible Belt Baby (Spotify)

Drag Queen Album Tops Christian Music Charts

Hymnary.org

School of Rock

Christadelphian Art Trust

Yahweh's Youth from Living Moving Being (Youtube)

Purple Worship Book

Worship Books Audio

With All My Heart by Ben Grace, Worship Vol 1 Track 88

Rob Bell and the Mars Hill Church

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

David Crowder

Hurricane/ Superstorm Sandy

The Liturgists Podcast

Secular Humanism

What is Christian Nationalism

The Danger of Christian Nationalism

Christian Nationalism is neither Christian nor Patriotic

Experts Discuss Christian Nationalism 

The Portland Frog : 

ICE Protest Frogs Have a Long History 

Frogs For Peace: How the Portland Frog Became a Symbol of Resistance and Hope

It’s a Wonderful Life Movie (1946)

It’s a Wonderful Life and World War II

Sean Feucht

Jane Goodall's Final Message to the World

Audrey Hepburn: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”

Heathen Happy Hour Podcast

Story and Tune 

Purity Culture Trauma

Purity Culture Support

“Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver

Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor

Ben Grace Music

Ben Grace Music (IG) 

As if Words Could Heal the Wounds

Ex Mormon Bookclub Podcast

Ben Grace: Naked and Unashamed Podcast Episode 

As if Words Could Heal the Wounds Podcast

Today we’re chatting with Steve about one of his favorite topics, Biblical Studies! In this episode, we learn about the Bible from a former Christadelphian brother who left behind Christadelphian dogma for an open-minded scholarly approach to the Bible. In this episode, Dr. Steve reframes and explores many topics that we thought we knew about to see how context, translation, and history play a part in truly understanding the Bible. We learn that the Dead Sea Scrolls do *not* prove that the Bible hasn’t changed (like some of us were told), that the Bible underwent editing, redaction, and other changes throughout history (rather than being the perfect, unchangeable word of God), and that numerous passages in the Bible actually quote texts that are not found in the KJV Bible we read at all (and we never noticed?!) Steve’s expertise also brings about interesting discussion about the evolution of the doctrine of resurrection, the idea of atonement, whether God forbids homosexuality in Leviticus, and whether “Paul” actually wrote that women should be silent in the ecclesia. We also had fun exploring “sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll” in the Bible, reading “Solomon’s top ten pick-up lines”, and listening to Steve’s memory of a satirical prayer given at a Christadelphian ecclesia. Be warned, you’ll need to leave your Strongs Concordance at home for this episode, otherwise you’ll fail this class!   

Listener discretion advised. 

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

Resources and References:

Reading the Bible Again For the First Time by Marcus Borg

Grimms’ Fairy Tales

The Documentary Hypothesis

Who wrote the Bible? By Richard Elliot Friedman

Redaction Criticism 

National Treasure

Pseudopigrapha

Catholic Bible

Orthodox Bible

Coptic Bible

Ethiopic Bible

Testament of Moses

Testament of the 12 patriarchs

The Wisdom of Solomon

Solomon's Top Ten Pick-Up Lines

3 books of Isaiah

Wisdom of Sirach/ Ben Sira

The Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith

Hapax legomenon (a word that occurs in only one place)

Apocryphon of Jannes and Jambres

Testament of Job 

Strong’s concordance

The Book of Judith

Judith beheading Holofernes (Caravaggio)

Judith Slaying Holofernes (Artemisia Gentileschi)

The Talmud

Cult Bride: How I was Brainwashed- and How I Broke Free by Liz Cameron

Book of Enoch

Instagram video on pseudepigrapha 

The Ancient Greeks and Quotation Marks

The Bible: Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, James 5:11, Ezekiel 18:20,  2 Tim 3:16, Song of Solomon 1:9, Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2, 1 Timothy 2:11-12, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

In today’s episode, Zinnia and Pete discuss six more historical examples of criminality among the Christadelphians that were not covered in our first true crime episode- from investigations into meat pies and hate speech, to missing charitable funds, and even murder! Let’s get into the spirit of spooky season as we discuss childhood medical neglect and speculate on why religious communities are so skeptical of modern medicine and vaccines, the passivity of believers who follow a “Jesus take the wheel” approach to their life, and about how the “punishment” for embezzlement looks a lot like a reward, or even condoning theft of charitable funds! We also look at how criminal investigations were handled during the early days of Christadelphia under Robert Roberts compared to the present day (hint: there were no secret meetings or letters). And we also have a few laughs as we learn about the Christadelphian view on sex toys, contrast modern medicine with biblical medicine, and discover (while recording!) that the thisisyourbible.com website was apparently hacked years ago and no one noticed! 

Also, please don’t send me your opinions on vaccines. However, feel free to send me your favorite “biblical loopholes” or additional information relating to any of these stories to [email protected]! Thanks in advance! 

Listener discretion advised.

TW: Childhood Medical Neglect, Manslaughter Charges, Domestic Violence, Violent Murder

Resources and References:

Spooky Intro Music Inspired by The Addams Family Theme Song

Thank you to the ex-CD who snapped with me for this!

John Thomas, honorary mention:

The Life After Leaving Podcast: Episode 6 True Crime with Keturah

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz

The Life After Leaving Podcast: Episode 26 Liar, Liar

The Case of the Bad Meat:

“The History of the Christadelphians 1864-1885” by Andrew Wilson

The Christadelphian Magazine: November 1881, December 1881, and January 1882

The Christadelphian Ecclesial Guide by Robert Roberts (1883)

Mid-Atlantic Christadelphian Bible School History Skit Performance 

Naegleria fowleri  

Sweeney Todd

East Kilbride Scandal:

National Secular Society: NSS refers Christian charity to regulator for anti-vax memes

Daily Record in February 2022 

Another Daily Record Article in February 2022

Daily Record in June 2022

East Kilbride Christadelphians Facebook

Medicine in the Bible

The Satanic Temple

Satanists Unveil Lucifer Statue Design for Oklahoma Capitol (2014)

One Christadelphian on the East Kilbride Christadelphians

Does the rainbow “belong only to God”? (IG)

Can Christadelphians Use Sex Toys?

Charity or Hate Group?

2019 Article investigating hate group claims/ This Is Your Bible 

 NSS Dossier on Christadelphian Charities

ThisIsYourBible.com on Human Rights

United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Cambridge University: Autistic Individuals More Likely to be LGBTQ+

Cambridge University: Autistic Individuals have increased risk of Physical Health Conditions

Autism Unemployment Rate

TIME Magazine: Asperger’s Syndrome, the Nazi Regime, and the Dangerous Power of Labeling People

Autism and Disability in Nazi Vienna

Describing neurotypicals like they describe autistic people (FB)

“Neurotypical Spectrum Disorder” (Reddit)

Anti-Defamation League Definition of a Hate Group

Christadelphian Care Homes Report

This is Your Bible Website shares bizarre (broken?) link under “Human Rights”

Wayback Machine: The Christadelphian Daily Journal on Human Rights

“[1] In passing, we remark that God has not given anyone demandable rights of any sort.” 

Report of Charity Commissions Investigation and Compliance Case Work: 2012-2013

The Paradox of Tolerance 

Michael Ashton Embezzlement:

Birmingham Christian charity faces probe over alleged disappearance of hundreds of thousands of pounds Feb 2012

Christadelphian Research Web Archive June 2015

The Christadelphian Magazine, January 2012, April 2016, July 2022

Ex-Christadelphians.com Michael Ashton Books

Ex-Christadelphians.com Forgiving Your Brother

Ecclesial Guide by Robert Roberts

The Danger of Cults by Michael Ashton

Medical Neglect and Death of a Child:

“Girl Dies on Water Diet” November 1975

The Lancet ‘A Case of Imperforate Anus’ by John Thomas

Joe Dispenza, chiropractor

2023 study of the Followers of Christ church

The Guardian article on Religious Medical Neglect

1998 Study on Medical Neglect Deaths

2011 Study on Faith Healing Deaths

Dr. Alec Burton- HealthScience.org

Fasting For Health and Recovery (Video) by Alec Burton

Alec Burton Obituary

Thank you God- Tim Minchin (Youtube)

Brother Brian Murder, Murder Plots, and Attempted Prison Escape:

BBC News Jealous Man Gets Life For Murder

BBC News: Isle of Wight Prison Helicopter Escape Foiled

HeraldNet UK murderers outlandish jail escape plot foiled

Helicopter Prison Escapes

Murderers Isle of Wight Escape Plot Foiled

BBC News Isle of Wight Prison Security Lapse Let Drugs In 

The Guardian ‘Blindsided wife of Long Island serial killer suspect files for divorce’

The Telegraph ‘Teacher So Jealous He Tried to Kill All His Rivals’

The Telegraph ‘Jealous ex-teacher convicted of murder’

Berkshire Live ‘Obsessed Teacher Guilty of Murder’

BBC News ‘Jealous ex killed lover’s friend’

The Guardian ‘Murderer’s Isle of Wight escape plot foiled’

BBC News ‘Isle of Wight Prison Helicopter Escape Foiled’

Herald Net ‘Murderer’s Outlandish Prison Escape Plot Foiled’

Isle of Wight prison security lapse ‘let drugs in’

Today we’re chatting with Tim! In today’s episode, we hear from a survivor of the movement of a small group of Christadelphians who traveled to Israel because of an article in a Christadelphian magazine in order to meet Jesus, who they believed had returned but was living “in cognito” as an Israeli politician. Tim tells us about when his family prayed to a literal burning bush they believed was a sign from God, about his sister becoming a shepherdess in the Promised Land, and about the repeated abuse, attempted murders, and other traumatic experiences that marked his childhood in Israel. This episode is a doozy… we discuss “bullets for Jesus”, severe PTSD, and the difficulty Tim experienced trying to escape the nightmare that his family's beliefs in Christadelphian doctrines had led him and his siblings into… 

Listener Discretion Advised.

TW: Emotional, Physical, Psychological and Sexual Child Abuse, Kidnapping, Physical Assault, Murder-Suicide Attempts, Gun Violence, PTSD

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

Resources and References:

“Who is this…?” by Charles J. Hall of Boise, Idaho in Testimony Magazine. Email [email protected] to request a PDF

Lod Airport Massacre

The Branch Davidians at Waco and David Koresh

The Jonestown Massacre and Jim Jones

Moshe Dayan 

Sylvia Plath

"A Child Called 'It' " by David Pelzer

The Ecclesial Guide (1883)

Branhamites

Poseidon Adventure (1972 Movie)

"High Demand Group Recovery Group."  Hosted by Mary Moore via Zoom. Email [email protected] for Mary’s email address.

Today we’re chatting with Peter! In this episode, we hear from a former brother about the difficulties of growing up in a family perpetually changing ecclesias, of struggling to build friendships within the Christadelphian community, and of trying to meet the complicated standards for public prayers and bible readings. Peter shares how he had felt so mentally immobilized by fear that he had never questioned any of the doctrines until he met a Christadelphian who did, setting Peter on a path of asking questions, fact checking Christadelphian teachings, and eventually realizing that some Christadelphians share incorrect information (sometimes knowingly!) Peter also speaks up against the harmful views he was taught about “marital rights”, the intense schedule of attendance that was expected of Christadelphians every week in England, and of his struggles to create his own identity, beliefs, and community as an ex-Christadelphian adult. 

Listener discretion advised.

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

Resources and References:

Wiki mentioning Central Name Change based on location 

“Birmingham Temperance Hall ecclesia (so known after the location of their rented rooms)... In 1952 the majority of the Berean Christadelphian Fellowship rejoined the "Birmingham Central" body of Christadelphians ("Temperance Hall" was now known as the "Central Fellowship", since Birmingham Central had ceased renting rooms at Temperance Hall in 1932”

Thou, Thee, and Archaic Grammar

Thou Grammer Wikipedia

Who wrote the Bible by Richard Elliot Friedman

Genie the feral child article

Israeli Gas Find (Testimony Magazine Archive)

Mount Tabor and the Jezreel Valley

Daily Mail- Pope sacks astronomer over evolution debate

Update: Christian Century:  Vatican astronomer’s backing of evolution no factor in his exit

Cosmic Skeptic with Alex O’Connor on Youtube

Holy Koolaid on Youtube

Good Omens (TV Show)

Chimp Paradox: How Our Impulses and Emotions Can Determine Success and Happiness and How We Can Control Them by Steve Peters

Complex PTSD books

Your logical fallacy is website

Your bias is website

Today we’re chatting with Sarah! In this episode, Sarah answers all of my questions about the subgroup of Christadelphians called the “Bereans”, shares her experience of growing up in a small ecclesia as a victim of child m*lestation by Christadelphian brothers, and the story of how the Berean Christadelphian community discovered and responded to the abuse (Surprise! NOT WELL!) We also learn about Sarah’s second baptism, the revelations that shocked her as she learned more about the outside world, and discuss the harmful consequences of some of the Berean-specific Christadelphian beliefs for victims of child abuse. Sarah also shares the positives in her life now that she left the Christadelphian community, the lessons she’s learned about trying to heal, and about the joy and freedom she has in her adult life.

Listener discretion advised.

TW: child sexual abuse, pedophilia, depression, attempted suicide

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

Resources and References:

Wikipedia on Berean Christadelphians

Berean Christadelphian Website

Church law and tax website: “Minimizing the Risks of Child Molestation in Churches”

American Mandatory Reporting Laws

“KidFlix” platform busted news article

Wrested Scriptures by Ron Abel (Book- PDF Link)

Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber (Book)

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle

Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans

The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels 

Jim Palmer Substack “Deconstructionology”

The End of Faith by Sam Harris

Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches About the Unseen World and Why it Matters by Dr. Michael Heiser

On The Origin of Time by Stephen Hawking 

Donald Hoffman (Author)

Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind by Annaka Harris

Frederico Faggin on Consciousness

Dr. Tara Swart

Dr. Gabor Mate

Dawn Smith: TedX “Why I Left an Evangelical Cult”

Today we’re investigating the medical qualifications of “Doctor” John Thomas, the founder of the Christadelphians. In this episode, we’ll debunk some questionable claims allegedly recorded in mysterious letters, examine damning evidence hidden in plain sight regarding Thomas’ medical education, and explore the shocking reason why John Thomas really left England to pursue a medical career in the United States. We also deep dive into John Thomas’ background in “male midwifery”, his forgotten role as a teacher for the Royal Western Hospital School, and his published treatment plan for cholera. Zinnia also uncovered a new biography of John Thomas’ medical background while researching this episode and unveils brand new information and insights about his medical background for this episode! Please join us for another exciting history episode as John Thomas’ lies and criminal activity get exposed by Zinnia, namely, a woman.

Many thanks to Dr. Craig Fairweather of Sydney, Australia, to the other ex-Christadelphians who have reached out to share resources, and to the amazing archivists and librarians who helped me uncover an amazing new resource for this episode!

Please stay tuned for Part Two!

Listener discretion advised.

Resources and References:

*Please email me at [email protected] if interested in seeing a resource that isn't readily available that is listed here.

Dr. Thomas: His Family and the Background of His Times’ by Charles Blore (1982)

John Thomas: His Friend and His Faith” by Peter Hemingray

The Life After Leaving Podcast, Episode 6

The Life After Leaving Podcast, Episode 2

The Life of Dr. Thomas

Archives: Royal College of Surgeons of England, Hackney Archives, & Southwark Archives

The Christadelphian Magazine, April 1886 edition

Dr. Thomas: His Life & Work By Robert Roberts 1873

“Dr. John Thomas - the man and his work” by S. M. Algar from 'The Dawn Ecclesial Magazine' September 1969, from the Hackney, London Archives

The Lancet articles by John Thomas:

Anatomy Act of 1832

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

British Newspaper Archive: Evidence for the Existence of the Royal Western Hospital in 1830

Thomas Leigh Blundell Source 1 and Source 2

Body Snatching in the UK

The Real Mr Frankenstein - Sir Anthony Carlisle, Medical Murders, and the Social Genesis of Frankenstein by Donald Shelton (2020)

Physician, Apothecary, or Surgeon?

Why are male surgeons still addressed as Mr? - PMC

Catholic Controversy by John Thomas in the Millennial Harbinger

Apostalic Advocate Vol 1 1834

Apostalic Advocate in 1836 M.D. Not D.D.

October 1850 edition of New England Botanic Medical and Surgical Journal

John Thomas M.D. in the St Charles Patriot Newspaper

Jimmy Neutron Brain Blast

“The History of Medicine” by Alexander Wilder (1901)

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

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

The Independents

Oliver Cromwell

Trail of Tears

Cholera Statistics

Cholera in England

American Heritage- Doctors of the Frontier

Alanis Morissette- Ironic

Calomel

Tidings Devotional by Alan Eyre (2005)(Why Dr. Thomas Really Left England)

British Health and Medicine

Historically Speaking: Victorian-era doctors lacked tools to help patients

Hackney, London - Wikipedia

Today we’re chatting with (another) Vanessa! In this episode, we interview our first ex-Christadelphian raised in the “Old Paths” sub-group of the Christadelphian sect. Vanessa shares some stories from their community such as their caravan tent version of Bible School, the strict rules baptized members were required to agree to such as never going to the movies, and about how her family refused to fellowship with “Central” Christadelphians while visiting. However, Vanessa was always excited to learn and even startled her Sunday School teacher with the surprising facts she shared from reading Malcolm X. Despite her then-husband’s disapproval as a young woman, she continued to read and study outside of traditional domestic fields, eventually getting her PhD (and divorcing her Christadelphian husband). We also chat about wine so watered down that even thieves returned it, people pleasing and abusive relationships after being raised in high control religion, and the therapeutic creative project she undertook after leaving. Also, this episode is dedicated to our new podcast patron saint Keanu Reeves. 

Please join us for 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]

Resources and References:

Speed (1994 Film):

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111257/

Keanu Reeves:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keanu_Reeves

Goodreads- Cult Memoirs:

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/cult-memoirs

Vanessa’s first book ‘Holy Bible:

https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Bible-Vanessa-Russell-ebook/dp/B085DLDJWF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12PM33O8KXBTM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.P2UQqnx3tzVC00lQZU8J1A.UwnyG3mR0ZIKtTEP206TUR3FytgSL6LAFRXG5D6N6jg&dib_tag=se&keywords=vanessa+russell+holy+bible&qid=1746401165&s=books&sprefix=vanessa+russell+holy+bible%2Cstripbooks%2C87&sr=1-1

Vanessa's second book ‘The World is Not Big Enough’

https://www.amazon.com/World-Is-Not-Big-Enough/dp/1743796838

Netflix: American Murder: Gabby Petito (2025)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35590630/

Netflix: American Murder: Laci Peterson (2024)

Gary Schaefer (1951-2023), Christadelphian Serial Killer:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Schaefer

EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): 

https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing