The Life After Leaving Podcast: An Ex-Christadelphian Podcast

Today we’re chatting with Mako! In this episode, Mako shares his experience traveling the world as a (white, male) Christadelphian before spending the years following his baptism serving in Jamaica as a missionary. After marrying his (Jamaican) wife and settling in America, his eyes were opened to racism & sexism among the Christadelphians when it became directed towards his family and as Christadelphians grappled with the Black Lives Matter movement. Mako also shares the story of how his small ecclesia split, how white Christadelphians online refused to even acknowledge racism in the Christadelphian community, and how he struggled to get distance from the Christadelphian community when they held the memorial service in his house every week! We also learn about his epic baptism, that time a Sunday School teacher crushed his dreams, and about his enduring love for the beach and ocean. Towards the end of the episode we also get philosophical as we speculate about ghosts, the Kingdom of God, and on the impact on society if everyone simply decided to “let God fix it”.

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

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

Listener discretion advised.

White Savior Complex:

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

https://www.health.com/mind-body/health-diversity-inclusion/white-savior-complex

Microaggressions:

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

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/872371063/microaggressions-are-a-big-deal-how-to-talk-them-out-and-when-to-walk-away

Black Lives Matter Movement:

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

https://library.law.howard.edu/civilrightshistory/BLM

https://blacklivesmatter.com/

Pascal’s wager

Barbie Movie (2023)

Mako’s exhortation on Love: 

Available on our Facebook Page (too long for the show notes!)

Today we’re chatting with Chloe! In this episode, Chloe shares her experience being raised to be homeschooled by Christadelphians and sent to a Canadian Christadelphian Heritage College before being discouraged from pursuing higher education and having to learn how to navigate the “outside world” once she hit adulthood. We also discuss mental health issues she experienced while she was a Christadelphian, how the Arranging Brothers refused to accept her resignation, and her method of using note taking to lure in a godly man. Chloe also shares her childhood ghost stories, discusses the anxious thoughts she had about the “Kingdom of God”, and opens up about the peer pressure around her baptism. We also ask, why would we ever want to be like the angels? Why is it so hard to develop close relationships as a Christadelphian? And how can we get the best roast dinner recipes now that we’ve left? 

Please join us for another episode of fellowship among the Heathens!

*Please note that we had a technical difficulty about 58 minutes in which interrupted the conversation, whoops!

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:

Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

Thought Terminating Cliches: 

https://psychology.org.au/about-us/news-and-media/aps-in-the-media/2024/explaining-thought-terminating-cliches-and-why-we

Cult Signs- Keeping Members Busy and Exhausted:

“#11 Time Domination- Members are kept constantly busy to prevent independent thinking”

https://blog.earkick.com/25-signs-youre-in-a-cult-how-cult-leaders-keep-you-hooked/

“If you experience pressure to take part in any (or all) services, rites or rituals, and feel it would be socially costly not to take part (i.e. you might be excluded from other things, disapproved of or left out of friendship groups), you should be concerned.”

https://secularliturgies.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/the-25-signs-youre-in-a-high-control-group-or-cult-by-anastasia-somerville-wong/

Neville Goddard

Harry Potter and Apparating:

History episode mentioning ‘being like the angels’: Episode 13: Hypnosis, Telepathy and Ghosts

Ex-Christadelphian website:

Ear Biscuits Podcast: Rhett’s Spiritual Deconstruction (2020):

Ear Biscuits Playlist on Spiritual Deconstruction:

Today we’re chatting with Sylvia! In this episode, Sylvia tells us about growing up in a family that read (and debated) the Bible together every day as ‘a little hippie kid’. She discusses her ‘radical’ experience as a Christadelphian starting in the 1960’s and ‘70’s in Canada where she helped found a new ecclesia, create a new bible school, and push for women to teach. She also turned heads in her meeting when her parents approved her underage marriage to an unbaptized First Nations “outsider”. Zinnia and Sylvia also discuss how her ideas were plagiarized for exhortations, the beliefs of First Nations people, and how David is definitely the sexiest Bible character! We also speculate about what we would want to see at an Ex-Christadelphian event. Come join us for another fellowship among the heathens and to hear about the ecclesia that was created to be “just a lot more fun”!

Listener discretion is 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:

Sylvia’s Website

Sylvia’s Blog

Sylvia’s Blog Post on being “The Zealot’s Daughter”

Christadelphian “Truth Corps” via the Christadelphian Bible Mission of the Americas and Canada

Wrested Scriptures by Ron Abel (1990)

Christendom Astray by Robert Roberts

Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

In today’s episode, Zinnia does a deep dive on the history of Christadelphian “prophecies” and apocalyptic predictions! She starts with the origins of the “prophetic arithmetic” methods by a rather infamous American in the 1840’s, follows the early prophecies by John Thomas and Robert Roberts, and leads into conversations around prophecies, high control groups, and cognitive dissonance in the modern era. Ready to learn some Christadelphian history? Let's get into it!

Listener Discretion Advised.

Resources and References: ⁠Toy Story (1995) “The Claw”⁠

⁠William Miller and the Great Disappointment⁠

⁠The Great Disappointment of William Miller⁠

⁠Millerism⁠

⁠The Seekers⁠

⁠The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance and the book “When Prophecy Fails”⁠

⁠Wikipedia: History of the Seventh-day Adventists Church⁠

More Millerite History:

⁠https://st.network/analysis/top/the-second-coming-files-a-2000-year-investigation-part-vii-adventism-after-the-great-disappointment-adventist.html⁠

⁠https://lineagejourney.com/read/the-advent-movement-beyond-the-great-disappointment/⁠

⁠The Disappointed: Millerite Adventists and Their “New World”⁠

⁠The Advent Movement Beyond the Great Disappointment⁠

⁠The Christadelphian Magazine/ The Ambassador of the Coming Age⁠:

January 1866, October 1893, May 1893, October 1897 

⁠John Thomas: His Friends & His Faith by Peter Hemingray⁠

⁠Joseph Marsh⁠

Eureka: An Exposition of the Apocalypse by John Thomas

⁠https://www.antipas.org/pdf_files/eureka_vol_1_lg.pdf⁠

⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka:_An_Exposition_of_the_Apocalypse⁠

⁠Elpis Israel, 7th edition 1897⁠

⁠Elpis Israel with Publishers Comments (2000)⁠

⁠“My Days and My Ways” by Robert Roberts⁠

⁠“Robert Roberts: A Study of Life and Character” by Islip Collyer⁠

⁠Whose line is it anyways⁠ “The show where everything’s made up and the points don’t matter”

⁠Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett⁠

⁠Christendom Astray by Robert Roberts⁠ (including Chapter 16 and the prophecy on page 271)

⁠Wikipedia: ‘Christendom Astray from the Bible”⁠

“In the 1951 edition published by ⁠The Christadelphian⁠ Office, chapter 16 entitled 'Evidence that the End is Near' was deleted because the start of the millennium age did not start as predicted by 1910.”

⁠“What They Said Would Happen: A Review of Christadelphians Predictions”⁠ by John Hutchinson, January 2000 

⁠Emperor Nicholas I⁠

⁠The Crimean War⁠

⁠A Timeline of the Crimean War⁠

⁠The Life of John Thomas (1985)⁠

The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, September 1861. Quote recorded in “The Life of John Thomas”

⁠The Princess Bride (1987)⁠ “Have fun storming the castle!”

⁠World War I Timeline⁠

⁠Scooby Doo⁠

⁠Godzilla⁠

⁠Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey (Netflix)⁠

⁠Clifford the Big Red Dog⁠

The Bible, Matthew 24:34: 

"Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled"

⁠Willy Wonka Golden Ticket⁠

⁠Finding Nemo (2003)⁠

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ1KDf3O-qU⁠

⁠Dictionary.com definition of a Christadelphian⁠: a member of a Christian millenarian sect founded in the US about 1848, holding that only the just will enter eternal life, that the wicked will be annihilated, and that the ignorant, the unconverted, and infants will not be raised from the dead

⁠Millenarianism⁠: “Millenarianism is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming fundamental transformation of society, after which "all things will be changed"

⁠Apocalypticism⁠: “Apocalypticism is the religious belief that the end of the world is imminent, even within one's own lifetime”

⁠Doomsday Cult⁠: “A doomsday cult is a cult that believes in apocalypticism and millenarianism”

⁠Instagram: video by abbiesr⁠

Today we’re chatting about Bible Prophecy! In this episode I’m joined by Rob, a Professor of Statistics & Statistical Forecasting, and Steve, a Professor of Biblical Studies to explore the prophecies they learned (and even taught!) from their time as Christadelphians. Now as ex-Christadelphians, we discuss what they’ve learned about history, statistics, and biblical literature to explore non-Christadelphian perspectives on some common prophecies related to the Bible and Christadelphian culture. We explore prophecies that were supported by a selective view of history, unfulfilled prophecies, and even prophecies that were wrong in the Bible! In this episode we also learn about Rob’s attempt to have his fortune told in India, Steve’s thoughts on satire in the Bible, and learn about the relationship between the Bible and Tarot Cards! 

Please enjoy another week of fellowship among the heathens!

Listener discretion is advised. 

Resources and References:

Unbelievable: A Journey from Faith Via Evidence. Why A University Professor Gave up Religion and Became an Unbeliever by Rob Hyndman

Excerpt from Rob’s Book: Chapter 8- The biblical crystal ball

Eureka by John Thomas

Eurkea PDF

Revelation: A Biblical Approach by Harry Whittaker 1976

The first book of Enoch

Fourth Book of Esdra/ 4 Ezra

The Second Book of Baruch

The Bible, Ezekiel 26 A Prophecy Against Tyre

The Anchor Bible Series

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary

The Anchor Bible Commentary

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Today we’re chatting with Brian about religious trauma! After hearing so many guests discuss traumatizing events that they experienced within the Christadelphian community, we decided to bring in a licensed religious trauma therapist to explore what religious trauma is and what we can do about it. We started with discussing some key definitions and concepts to understand, exploring what modalities Brian uses with clients, and talking about some things to consider when trying to find a therapist to work with, including knowing the difference between searching for a therapist with a specialty in “spirituality” compared to “religious trauma”. We also ask some thought provoking questions such as, is pressuring minors to be baptized truly consensual? Why doesn’t the group have an exit plan for members and why is that important to have? And is holding Christadelphian beliefs a cure for mental health struggles? Let’s talk about it!

Please enjoy another week of fellowship among the heathens! If you enjoy this episode and would like us to have another episode on religious trauma, please submit your comments and questions to [email protected]

Listener discretion is advised. 

Resources and References:

Marlene Winell's website who coined "Religious Trauma Syndrome"

Reclamation Collective (religious trauma directory/support groups/trainings) - 

Spiritual Power Inventory Tool

Secular Therapy Project (directory)

Religious Trauma Institute (research/trainings, mostly for therapists) 

Religious Trauma Providers in Australia

IFS Institute (Internal Family Systems directory)

"No Bad Parts" by Richard Schwarz (Client-friendly intro book to IFS) 

Terror, Love, and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems by Alexandra Stein

Alexandra Stein Talking About Cults

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents 

Ex-christian subreddit (discussion, support, and tons of extra resources) 

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) Test

ACE Aware

EFT Tapping

“How to Start Deconstructing your Christian Faith” with Kristi Burke 

“When a Relationship with God Turns Unhealthy” with Kristi Burke

Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Janja Lalich

What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing From Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo

Escaping Twin Flames, Netflix

The 25 Signs you’re in a High-Control Group or Cult by Anastasia Somerville-Wong

What is a High Control Group?

How to Recognize a High-Control Church

Today we’re chatting with Kelli! In this episode, Kelli shares her experience preparing for what she thought would be the hardest test in her life (the baptismal exam!), learning that playing hymns on guitars would qualify as “stumbling blocks” for some sisters in Christ, and sharing her experience as a woman who was able to have more of a role when growing up associated with the COGAF group. She also shares some funny stories of sleeping in a pool floaty at a Bible weekend, an unexpected insect encounter during a church service, and shares the joke that ended her involvement in her church newsletter! Zinnia and Kelli also reminisce on long denim skirts, reading Harry Potter as religious children (scandalous!), and on how gross the term “seed” is! (Bleh!)

Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!

Listener discretion is 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: 

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

The Joke That Got Taylor Tomlinson Fired From a Church Comedy Gig (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Reading the Bible Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg

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

Deconversion Therapy podcast (last episode aired 7/2024)

Misquoting Jesus by Bart Ehrman

The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels

The United Nations: Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 18: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts

Today we’re chatting with Vanessa! Vanessa shares her experience of growing up feeling supported as a neurodivergent child in the Christadelphian community with her family. Over time though, she had a feminist awakening and found that her views on women's roles within the ecclesia didn’t quite fit. Eventually she began studying psychology and realized that she was in a high control religion! After pressure to bring her children in for instruction and hearing explicitly that they wanted to brainwash the children, she decided she wanted better for her family and left the group. Since leaving, Vanessa’s found a sense of purpose that she hadn’t experienced as a Christadelphian and she has finally embraced her authentic self. 

Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!  

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

What So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins

Religious Harm Recovery Newsletter

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

Podcast: It’s A Little Bit Culty Podcast with Sarah and Nippy

Podcast: Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation hosted by Lola and Meagan

Clementine Morrigan on Instagram and host of the Fucking Cancelled Podcast

The Little Book of Attachment: Theory to Practice in Child Mental Health with Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy by Daniel Hughes and Ben Gurney-Smith

Raising a Secure Child: How Circle of Security Parenting Can Help You Nurture Your Child's Attachment, Emotional Resilience, and Freedom to Explore by Kent Hoffman, Glenn Cooper, and Bert Powell

Today we’re chatting with Steve! Steve’s story takes us from his childhood reading the works of Dr. Thomas and Robert Roberts through his slow departure from the Christadelphians and finally into his current position teaching Biblical Studies! Steve shares the important lessons his father taught him about character and standing up for your beliefs (even if that includes refusing to hide the Christmas tree), the punitive response of his former ecclesia when he asked questions about Revelation and ultimately joined another ecclesia, and his ultimate realization that some members of the Christadelphians “were prepared to lie in defense of The Truth”. Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!   

Listener discretion advised.

TW: Child abuse and suicide in last 10 minutes of episode

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

Resources and References:

Steve’s Biblical Studies Blog, Mikra

Biblical Humor on Steve’s Blog

Revelation: A Biblical Approach by Harry Whittaker

Life From Scratch: A memoir of Food, Family, and Forgiveness by Sasha Martin

Today we’re chatting with Brian! Brian is our first guest to come on the podcast from the Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith (COGAF). While they technically have a different name than Christadelphians, the groups were founded by former associates at about the same time. Members of COGAF hold the same beliefs as Christadelphians, fellowship with them, and even attend Christadelphian activities, camps, and bible schools! In today’s episode, we hear about Brian’s former ecclesia using pancakes to convince people to attend services, about that time he was brought to Jamaica for a school project to learn about the life of Christadelphian missionaries as a teenager, and about the “wave theory” of doubt and faith that eventually washed him ashore to solid ground without faith in God. We also chat about surprise ambushes by Christadelphians who create confrontations about faith and church attendance in the most unexpected times and places. Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!  

If you have any questions that you would like addressed in the upcoming episode on religious trauma, please email ⁠[email protected]⁠

Listener discretion advised.

Resources and References:

Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith (COGAF)/Church of the Blessed Hope

Church of the Blessed Hope Beliefs

John Thomas: His Friends and His Faith by Peter Hemingray

“Chapter 21: Dr. Thomas, Marsh, and Wilson- Founders of COGAF”

Netflix: Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey

Terror, Love, and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems by Alexandra Stein

⁠