053 Stars from Streetlights: Musicians Austrian & Steve Discuss Deconversion & Their New Song "Heathen"
Release Date: 11/29/2018
085 Tom Boulton: Loved Ones Going to Hell Brings Anxiety. Faith is All Consuming. His Definition of Christian Evolves. After Deconversion Invites Christians Out for a Pint
Voices of Deconversion
Today I speak with Tom Boulton from the U.K. Tom's Christian faith grew in his teenage years amongst friends. His dad thought Tom was in a cult. Tom experienced intense anxiety at the thought of friends and family going to hell. His faith is all-consuming. He said that 18 year old Christian Tom wouldn't recognize 23 year old Christian Tom. His understanding and definition of Christianity changed. Tom mentors a 16 year old boy from church who comes out to Tom as gay. Tom doesn't respond so well the first time, but gets a chance to follow-up with the boy later and make it...
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083 Ryan Penney: Former Homeschooled evangelical from Texas. Enjoyed life and understanding the world so much that he outgrew his Christianity. He's now secular (atheist/agnostic) w/a buddhist-like philosophy.
Voices of Deconversion
Ryan is a former evangelical homeschooler who enjoyed life and understanding the world so much that he eventually outgrew the religion of his upbringing. He now works in the tech manufacturing field in Austin TX and enjoys group meditation, talking about philosophy and history, and playing both sports and music. Today, Ryan calls himself atheist or agnostic but prefers the simple term “secular”, with a philosophy most closely aligning with Buddhism. We have a great conversation. It was so fun chatting with him and getting to know him. I love the Marcus Aurelius quote too! Ryan's...
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082 Bella: Aware They're Non-Binary at 6. Catholicism Ruins Childhood. Bullied, Abused and Suicidal. Reads Bible. Realizes it's (Dark) Fiction.
Voices of Deconversion
Catholicism ruined their childhood. They became aware they were non-binary at 6 yrs. old. Despite a loving home environment, this didn't prevent isolation and self-hatred. They were bullied, abused & suicidal. Somehow they remained a strong Christian.
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081 Christa Elane: Toronto Blessing Shapes Early Faith. Sheltered and Homeschooled. Later Sent to Christian School. A Vision Leads to a Cult. She Now Leans Atheist.
Voices of Deconversion
* Trigger Warning: Discussions of abuse and rape*
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080 Eric: At Army ROTC Discovers the Real World, Fundamentalist Upbringing, Forced to hide Music He Liked. Served in Afghanistan. He was an Atheist in a Foxhole.
Voices of Deconversion
He knew no other perspective, but the one he was told. His family didn't attend events outside of church. He spent preschool-12th grade at the same school and church. Friendships were controlled, "crushes" prohibited. Every potential influence was censored. No privacy. He wasn't allowed his own opinions. He was forced to hide thoughts, friendships & music that didn't conform. His worldview was dictated. In Army ROTC he discovered the real world. He's now atheist, married with 2 kids & lives in the South.
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079 Amanda Roe: Ex-Catholic Atheist. Used to Attend Daily Mass. Unwittingly Joins a Cult at University. Propaganda in U.S. Elections Catches Her Attention. The Bible says "You'll Know Them by Their Fruits". That's the Last Straw. She Lets it All Go!
Voices of Deconversion
Amanda was a devout Catholic. She used to attend mass daily. She and her husband didn't use birth control, in accordance with church teaching. She accidentally joins a cult at university. The U.S. elections get her thinking about propaganda. She wonders what propaganda she believes. She hears a Bible verse that says, "You will know them by their fruits". That's the last straw. It gave her the final push to leave Christianity. She became an atheist in November 2020.
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078 Chelsy Albertson: Lesbian Ex-Christian Who's Agnostic/Atheist. Former Campus Crusade for Christ Member. A Mission Trip to India Leads to Epiphany.
Voices of Deconversion
Chelsy's been instructing English as a Second Language for 20 years. She's been a full time lecturer at Purdue University since 2014. Currently she's working on her 2nd Master's degree about the experiences of lesbian ex-members of Campus Crusade for Christ. Raised Christian, an experience after her Freshman year in college begins a series of big life changes. Her parents don't respond well. A mission trip to India leads to epiphany. Chelsy and her wife recently got married just a few weeks ago! Congrats!!
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077 Abigail Sandoval: Adopted from South Korea by American Christian Parents. Abuse, Neglect & Purity Culture Cause Harm. Now She's an Atheist Mom Who Became the Kind of Parent She Always Needed.
Voices of Deconversion
Abby was adopted from South Korea by Christian American Parents. Her early life was marked by abuse and neglect. Demons and hell cause her nightmares as a child. Later she makes big life decisions based on her faith. As an adult, she becomes an atheist and tells her family and it doesn't go over well with everyone. Now Abby is determined to be the kind of parent to her sons that she needed when she was a child. Her story and courage are so inspirational. I'm grateful she shared it with us today.
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076 April: Bible Belt Raised & Homeschooled. An Abusive Relationship Ends, Questions Begin. Astronomy Class Brings Epiphany.
Voices of Deconversion
April grew up under a lot of pressure and expectations. *Trigger Warning: We discuss an abusive relationship, mental health & suicide. When abuse ends, April begins to question. What happens when your autonomy is taken from you? This happens to a lot of people, what do we do then? She shares about mental health & intrusive suicidal thoughts. When she takes an Astronomy class she has an epiphany. Thankfully, she's in a much better place mentally today.
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074 Vaughn: Agnostic Pastor & Musician Who Leads Worship at His Church
Voices of Deconversion
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.
info_outlineToday we hear from Austrian Graf and Steve Birss of Lethbridge, Alberta. They discuss their new song "Heathen" and share their diverse journeys out of charismatic Christianity.
Each was raised by a single mom. However, their mothers influenced them in very unique ways.
We talk about the Jesus movement, leg lengthening, calvinism and Christian tattoos. We hear about the impact of drug dealing and jail, overcoming an eating disorder and healing from trauma.
A wonderful and positive takeaway-learning that we have the power within ourselves to overcome life's difficulties. Another great takeaway- learning to repurpose and redefine our experience. Last but not least-being gracious to ourselves.
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