Voices of Deconversion

April grew up under a lot of parental pressure and expectations. Purity culture had a strong influence on her. 

*Trigger Warning*: We discuss an abusive relationship, mental health & suicide in the episode.

When an abusive relationship ends, April begins to question how this is handled within a Christian context. April poses the questions: What happens when your autonomy is taken from you?  She says, "This happens to a lot of people, what do we do then"?

Eventually April takes an Astronomy class in college and has an epiphany.  April shares about her mental health and how suicidal thoughts were intrusive from childhood. 

April feels like she's in a much better place mentally now that she's created distance between herself and people/places that were not healthy for her.

It's a wonderful conversation.

If you'd like to get in touch with April:  [email protected]

Today I tell the story of coming out as an atheist to my devout Christian mother. This happened 13 years ago and I wrote about it 3 years ago. My opinion about that conversation changed a little over time. I explain my current perspective and how I feel about all of this now.

Pastor & Musician who leads worship at his church. This father and husband has only come out as agnostic to a few people. He is using a fake name in today's interview. 

He's a great guy and has a touching story about the costs we have to consider when leaving a Christian career.

Tiffany has so many great insights regarding the impact of Christianity on mental health. I really enjoyed my chat with her!

Learn more about Tiffany:

http://www.tiffanicappello.com/

 

 

I need a break from podcasting.

You can stay in touch via email, Twitter or Facebook.

[email protected]

@vodpodcast on Twitter

Steve Hilliker or the Voices of Deconversion pages on Facebook.

Today I speak with Ronna Russell, author of "The Uncomfortable Confessions of a Preacher's Kid".

Ronna describes her story as "a childhood controlled by the brutal hand of a narcissistic, closeted homosexual. I believed I could leave my upbringing behind and walk away unscathed. I married a closeted homosexual man, in hopes he could keep me safe. As our sex life and bank account dwindled to nothing, fear kept me silent. In the meantime, my father died of AIDs. The pain of his death fractured my biological family, and I clung to my husband and children, creating a cocoon that became a prison. Eventually, I was forced to see my husband’s homosexuality and refusal to work, realizations that brought me to the breaking point. I found the courage to be alone, to take care of my children no matter the cost, and the joy of my own sexual freedom. In the process, I fell in love with my own life".

I left my soul-sucking job!!!

This is a brief update about what I'm doing now and when you can expect the next episode. I'm really excited to jump back into it! 

Stay safe and healthy with the COVID-19/Coronavirus going around. For those who are sick, get well soon. For the rest of us, also stuck (mostly) at home, hang in there. 

Talk to you soon!

Episodes will be out intermittently for the coming weeks and months (I'm still aiming for bi-weekly).

That was all I was trying to say and ended up talking about the impact deconversion had on my sense of purpose and fulfillment in life, LOL.

If all you need to know is to check your podcast app every once in a while, then it's all good and I'll talk to you soon :)

However, if you're interested in hearing about one of the most significant impacts deconversion had in my life (something that's impacted many of you too), then I'd feel grateful for your time and appreciate you letting me share my experience with you. 

I share how realizing I wasn't Christian, put me in a tailspin and led to serious depression and loss of meaning and purpose in my life. I'm still feeling the repercussions of deconversion 15 years later.

Let me emphasize that I'm incredibly hopeful, motivated and excited for this next chapter of my life! 

I didn't thank Krissy enough in this episode, so I'll do it here. She's been with me and seen me through this entire insane journey. She is one of the most empathetic and compassionate people I've ever known. She has been so understanding and sympathetic in every way. Her love and friendship have truly meant the world to me. 

Let me know if you've experienced something similar in your life and how you responded. I'd love to hear it!

Send me a message on Twitter @vodpodcast, Facebook or [email protected]

Today is a very special episode about an ex-Muslim's deconversion to atheism, while living in Iran. His story is so important to share!

He grew up in Iran in a Shia Muslim family. He was a devout Muslim until he got curious about Salman Rushdie's book, The Satanic Verses. His curiosity leads him to banned anti-islam websites. He reads articles and books, eventually realizing he's an atheist.

Muhammad began to spread anti-islam materials on websites and social media. After 3 years, he is caught and aggressively arrested on the street. He spends time in prison and solitary confinement. His parents put their house up for bail and he is forced to repent and make a false confession, which airs on Youtube and Islamic Republic television.

While on bail, he is eventually called back for the trial and an inevitable 15 years in prison.

He decides he must escape Iran. 

Jordan grew up going to church every Sunday with his family. He went to Bible studies and lived a typical Christian life. When he was junior high age, his family stopped attending church regularly.

As Jordan grew older, he struggled balancing his church friendships along with his non-church friendships. He didn't want to live a double life.

His faith becomes more serious and he discovers Calvinist theology. At first, he embraces it. Later, he begins to question more than just Calvinism. 

The difficult process of deconstructing his faith leads to agnosticism.