Voices of Deconversion

James is an American TV network news producer who grew up Southern Baptist in the heart of Evangelical Christian country in Texas. His dad was heavily into End Times theology and anticipated Jesus' imminent return.  When his mom re-married, he endured an alcoholic and extremely abusive step-father until his step-father was finally taken to jail. Shockingly, the church rallied around his step-father.

From a young age, James never stopped asking all the right questions. His questions led him to exciting discoveries in science. He also gained a wonderful and diverse group of friends. He is now a Secular Humanist.

http://skepticsannotatedbible.com

http://krauss.faculty.asu.edu/books/a-universe-from-nothing/

https://richarddawkins.net

https://www.amazon.com/God-Delusion-Richard-Dawkins/dp/0618918248

Christopher Hitchens https://www.amazon.com/God-Not-Great-Religion-Everything/dp/0446697966/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SDK1XBK6G1A4FYY0K2RV

Sam Harris https://www.amazon.com/Letter-Christian-Nation-Sam-Harris/dp/0307278778/ref=pd_sim_14_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0307278778&pd_rd_r=ENMBZBGDVT7HBWJZFKRB&pd_rd_w=F8JUr&pd_rd_wg=meCPY&psc=1&refRID=ENMBZBGDVT7HBWJZFKRB

http://www.whywontgodhealamputees.com

The Thinking Atheist-Seth Andrews http://www.thethinkingatheist.com

The Friendly Atheist-Hemant Mehta http://friendlyatheistpodcast.com

The Internet!

As a young girl, Vix witnessed deadly fighting between Christians and Muslims in northern Nigeria. Her family also experienced a significant personal tragedy. Vix was raised in a Nigerian Christian culture with belief in witches and demons. Her parents are devout Christians. Vix began her journey away from Christianity after moving away from her devout Christian parents to go to college in the the United States. She now co-runs the Nigerian Atheist and Agnostic Movement's Facebook Page! She previously co-ran one of the largest Flying Spaghetti Monster pages on Facebook.

The Nigerian Atheist and Agnostic Movement Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/OurMumuDo/

Marty grew up the oldest of 9 boys in a very devout Catholic family. Marty became agnostic in 1996 and as of 2011 considers himself an atheist. He is one of the friendliest, most helpful people you'll meet. I often notice him encouraging other atheists & agnostics on social media (some of them newly deconverted). Marty offers fascinating specifics about his Catholic upbringing. Just like so many deconverts, Marty took his faith very seriously. Trusting God to provide following a significant injury was a major turning point. He married at 19 years old and has been married 29 years now! His wife is a graphic designer, he is an IT developer. He likes hiking, the Seattle Seahawks, plays a little guitar and is a science enthusiast. He is also a board member with Sunday Assembly in Olympia, Washington. His daughter graduated from college in 2016 and his son is a Junior in college.

Marty's Blog:  https://nohell4u.wordpress.com [email protected]

Richard Rubenstein https://www.amazon.com/When-Jesus-Became-God-Christianity/dp/0156013150

John Shelby Spong https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_19?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=rescuing+the+bible+from+fundamentalism+by+john+shelby+spong&sprefix=rescuing+the+bible+%2Cstripbooks%2C198&crid=1YUJMOE861ZGS

Marlene Winell http://marlenewinell.net

Ryan Bell & Life After God http://www.lifeaftergod.org https://www.facebook.com/ourlifeaftergod/

Wendy was raised in a fundamentalist evangelical home in Canada. She married and raised her children in Brazil while working as a missionary. Her marriage of 20 years ended and during that time Wendy was becoming an atheist. Wendy has become so much happier outside the church and has even reconnected with her high school sweetheart! They have a blended family of 5 children.

Wendy hosts the Women Beyond Belief Podcast-a podcast aimed at giving women who've left religion a voice and a place to tell their story.

Women Beyond Belief http://womenbeyondbelief.com

@WBBPodcast https://www.facebook.com/WomenBeyondBelief/

https://www.instagram.com/womenbeyondbelief/

https://www.pinterest.com/wbbpodcast/women-beyond-belief-podcast/

The God Virus by Darrel Ray http://www.thegodvirus.net

Seth Andrews http://www.thethinkingatheist.com

Christopher Hitchens  https://www.amazon.com/God-Not-Great-Religion-Everything/dp/0446697966

Richard Dawkins https://richarddawkins.net

Luciano's doubts came to a turning point in college. He attended Winter Jam (a Christian concert tour) and heard the Newsboys promoting the movie God's Not Dead. Luciano and his girlfriend went to see it. The movie had an impact on Luciano, which he describes in this episode.   Luciano is a Puerto Rican atheist raised in Panama, Colombia, Honduras, Georgia and North Carolina. His blog is Sin/God at Patheos.com. He is a Board Member for HAFREE (Hispanic American Freethinkers). He also is an administrator at the Secular Latino Alliance. You can find him on Twitter or on his Facebook Page as The Hispanic Atheist.

Audrey was born into a very strict Jehovah's Witness family. Meetings were held at her church 7 days a week! A week in the life of a Jehovah's Witness consisted of continual preparations for church meetings/activities. This only left time for church.  Audrey eventually left the church at age 21, but this came at a significant cost for her closest relationships.

Sam Harris https://www.youtube.com/user/samharrisorg Richard Dawkins https://www.youtube.com/user/richarddawkinsdotnet Dale McGowan https://www.amazon.com/Dale-McGowan/e/B001JS5YU8

[email protected][email protected]

This enjoyable conversation was quick, humorous and sometimes serious with one of my best friends from childhood. Gary is an awesome guy and a great friend. He was raised with belief in God, but now considers himself agnostic. His belief system changed significantly when his mom, a very dear friend of my family and one of my very favorite people (also my mother's best friend) was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Gary does have a belief in something, but it differs from the norm. In addition, he definitely believes in the Seattle Mariners and his son believes in the Detroit Tigers. The Book of Mormon http://bookofmormonbroadway.com/tickets South Park http://southpark.cc.com The Simpsons http://www.fox.com/the-simpsons/full-episodes Humor in General :)

Andrea was raised in the Catholic church, but for her it just never took. She loves all things dance! She is a writer, editor and content creator. She lives near Detroit, Michigan. 

The Book of Mormon Musical 
http://bookofmormonbroadway.com/tour

George Carlin
When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops
http://www.audible.com/pd/Comedy/When-Will-Jesus-Bring-the-Pork-Chops-Audiobook/B002V5BVXW

Bill Maher
Religilous
http://reasoncinema.com/religulous/
Real Time Podcast
http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/hbo/real-time-with-bill-maher-49758

Dogma
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120655/fullcredits/

Dr. Pinn had some very encouraging words for deconverts. He also shared some really unique insights into the problem with theism and Christianity in particular.  Our interview was shortened due to some scheduling issues, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity to meet and interview Dr. Pinn. He is such an intelligent and just all around great person. Although the episode is a bit shorter than usual, it is jam packed with some wonderful conversation. Enjoy...and remember, "we are legion"!

Show Notes: Susan Jacoby http://www.susanjacoby.co

Dr. Anthony Pinn http://www.anthonypinn.com

@anthony_pinn

This episode deviates from our typical weekly interview, so I'm posting it on the weekend as special bonus episode!  Professor Nagle identifies with the catholic tradition. The first half of our discussion is his religious journey away from catholicism to agnosticism and back again.  It's important to note that Professor Nagle uses the term deconversion in a broader sense than I do. For this podcast I define deconversion in the sense of a person leaving Christianity altogether and becoming atheist or agnostic. Professor Nagle uses the term deconversion to define various religious transitions in life.

The second half of the interview he discusses current research on deconversion and the focus of his particular research, including how religious teaching changes in response to our cultural climate?  He is currently working on his doctorate at Fordham University in New York.

Show Notes:

Versions of Deconversion: Autobiography and the Loss of Faith by John Barber https://www.amazon.com/Versions-Deconversion-Autobiography-Studies-Religion/dp/0813915465 @jamesMnagle