Podcasts about The Clergy Project

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2022 49:26

After hearing the good news (and a little not-so-good-news) after the November election, we listen to the freethinking Irving Berlin song “Pack Up Your Sins (And Go To The Devil in Hades)” 100 years after its 1922 debut on Broadway. Then we speak with playwright Marin Gazzaniga and qualitative researcher Linda LaScola, producers of the new off-Broadway play “The Unbelieving,” about clergy who no longer believe in God.

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E106: On Death, Dying and Disbelief w/ Candace Gorham, LCMHCS

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Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2021 79:24

Everyone grieves in their own way and according to their own timeframe, the accepted wisdom tells us. But those in mourning rarely find comfort in knowing this and those looking to support someone in mourning can do little with this advice, leaving them with a sense of helplessness. As a mental health professional and someone who has dealt with her own share of personal grief, Candace R. M. Gorham understands well the quest for relief. The truth of the matter, she says, is there is no one way to grieve, but there are things that are important to pay attention to while mourning. While much of the advice she shares is universal, she pays particular attention to the struggle those who do not believe in a god or afterlife face with the loss of a loved one—and offers practical, life-affirming steps for them to remember and heal. Candace R. M. Gorham MA, LPCS is a licensed professional mental health counselor. She is a former ordained minister turned atheist-humanist activist, researcher, and writer on issues related to race and religion. She is a member of the Black Humanist Alliance advisory board, The Secular Therapist Project, and The Clergy Project. Candace is also the author of "The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women Are Walking Out on Religion—and Others Should Too." For RfRx comments, inquiries & topical questions, email us at RfRx@recoveringfromreligion.org. Any time you are struggling with religious doubts or fears you can connect with a trained RfR Helpline agent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To chat online go to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org. To talk over the phone, dial: (844) 368-2848 in the US & Canada +3 4505 2402 in Australia +20 3856 8791 in the UK +27 11 043 5323 in South Africa Peer support is also available through local support groups. These groups offer monthly in-person meetings as a place to express doubts, fears, emotions & concerns about religion you wouldn't normally feel comfortable expressing in a religious community. Find your nearest support group at https://www.meetup.com/pro/recovering-from-religion If you are in need of professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at http://www.seculartherapy.org. RfR has an immense collection of well-curated resources available as you go through your journey, including resources for mental and physical crises, working with relationships, issues stemming from specific religions, coming out stories, and much more. Head to https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/resources for these helpful resources. Subscribe to the RfR Blog: https://medium.com/excommunications --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/recovering-from-religion/message

E99: The Clergy Project w/ Charles Hill | RfRx Foundation Spotlight

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2021 98:15

Professional clergy” such as pastors, priests, ministers, rabbis, and imams, face some unique challenges when transitioning out of religion. Their livelihood relies on leading their flock, but when their faith is gone, they may be “stuck in the pulpit” usually without the skills or connections to simply walk away. Charles, Hill, former minister and current Communications Director for The Clergy Project, will discuss the unique challenges faced by these professional clergy who no longer believe what they're preaching and how The Clergy Project provides a safe, supportive landing space for them to share and discuss their loss of faith, family, career livelihoods, divorce, mental health and even suicide. Charles Hill was raised in an Evangelical Christian home. After a 4 year career with the Columbus, OH Police Dept, he had an experience which led him to leave that career behind to enter full-time ministry. Charles and his wife started several successful churches, preached multiple times every weekend to locations around the world, and were well-known Christian conference speakers just before their theological world came crashing down. Following their deconversion they lost income, family, friends and community. He has been an RfR support group leader since 2014, as well as being the Communications Director and a Board Member for The Clergy Project. Charles and his wife, Tiffany, have been married for 25 years and have 3 amazing children. Towards the end of the show, former nun and current Clergy Project screener, Maureen Hart joined in on the discussion. Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Helen Greene, RfR Support Group Leader and Ambassador Recorded on August 9, 2021 For RfRx comments, inquiries & topical questions, email us at RfRx@recoveringfromreligion.org. Any time you are struggling with religious doubts or fears you can connect with a trained RfR Helpline agent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To chat online go to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org. To talk over the phone, dial: (844) 368-2848 in the US & Canada +3 4505 2402 in Australia +20 3856 8791 in the UK +27 11 043 5323 in South Africa Peer support is also available through local support groups. These groups offer monthly in-person meetings as a place to express doubts, fears, emotions & concerns about religion you wouldn't normally feel comfortable expressing in a religious community. Find your nearest support group at https://www.meetup.com/pro/recovering-from-religion If you are in need of professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at http://www.seculartherapy.org. RfR has an immense collection of well-curated resources available as you go through your journey, including resources for mental and physical crises, working with relationships, issues stemming from specific religions, coming out stories, and much more. Head to https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/resources for these helpful resources. Subscribe to the RfR Blog: https://medium.com/excommunications --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/recovering-from-religion/message

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E78: Children and Mental Health: Implications when Raising Freethinkers w/ Candace Gorham LPCS

The Postmodern Polymaths Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2021 93:26

Premiered Jan 23, 2021 Children are not just little adults and their mental health concerns cannot be viewed and treated the same way we would address adult mental health. Add on a layer of nonbelief and you are truly facing a different set of circumstances, especially when it comes to seeking treatment. In this talk, I will explore how and why mental health problems require a different approach with children and how freethinking parents can position themselves to provide the best support possible. Candace R. M. Gorham MA, LPCS is a licensed professional mental health counselor. She is a former ordained minister turned atheist-humanist activist, researcher, and writer on issues related to race and religion. She is a member of the Black Humanist Alliance advisory board, The Secular Therapist Project, and The Clergy Project. Candace is also the author of "The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women Are Walking Out on Religion—and Others Should Too." Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director. Learn more of Candace Gorham - The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women are Walking out on Religion and Others Should, too - Women v. Religion: The Case Against Faith--and for Freedom The primary focus of Recovering from Religion (RfR) is to offer hope, healing, and support to those struggling with issues of doubt and non-belief. This transitional period is an ongoing process that can result in a range of emotions, as well as a ripple effect of consequences throughout an individual's life. We are here to help each other through this journey. For RfRx comments, inquiries & topical questions, email us at RfRx@recoveringfromreligion.org. Any time you are struggling with religious doubts or fears you can connect with a trained RfR Helpline agent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To chat online go to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org. To talk over the phone, dial: (844) 368-2848 in the US & Canada +3 4505 2402 in Australia +20 3856 8791 in the UK +27 11 043 5323 in South Africa --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/recovering-from-religion/message

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TPPP Episode 136 :Of Death, Dying, and Disbelief

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 65:03

This week Zach and I have on Candace Gorham. We talk about her new book 'On Death, Dying, and Disbelief'. We also talk about her journey to atheism, her work as a licensed mental health professional, her other book, and her love of hiking! Candace is a licensed professional mental health counselor. She is a former ordained minister turned atheist-humanist activist, researcher, and writer on issues related to race, religion, and mental health. She is a member of the Black Humanist Alliance advisory board, The Secular Therapist Project, and The Clergy Project. Candace is also the author of "The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women Are Walking Out on Religion—and Others Should Too."

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E50: How Racism & Injustice Affects Our Mental Health w/ Mandisa Thomas & Candace Gorham, LPC

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2021 96:41

The future of our society rests in many ways on how the ongoing challenge of racial injustice in the country is addressed. We also may not understand how racism affects the mental health and overall perspectives of people leaving religion. Yet, atheists/humanists remain divided over what, if anything, should guide humanist thought and actions toward matters of racial and other societal injustices. It is important that the secular community knows that critical thinking, education, and recovery includes addressing, understanding and undoing other societal problems as well. Mandisa Thomas is the Founder and President of Black Nonbelievers. She currently serves on the Boards for American Atheists and the American Humanist Association, and facilitates the Morrow, GA chapter of Recovering from Religion. In 2019, Mandisa was named the Freedom From Religion Foundation's Freethought Heroine, and was the recipient of the Secular Student Alliance's Backbone Award. Candace R. M. Gorham MA, LPCS is a licensed professional mental health counselor. She is a former ordained minister turned atheist-humanist activist, researcher, and writer on issues related to race and religion. She is a member of the Black Humanist Alliance advisory board, The Secular Therapist Project, and The Clergy Project. Candace is also the author of "The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women Are Walking Out on Religion—and Others Should Too." For RfRx comments, inquiries & topical questions, email us at RfRx@recoveringfromreligion.org. Any time you are struggling with religious doubts or fears you can connect with a trained RfR Helpline agent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To chat online go to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org. To talk over the phone, dial: (844) 368-2848 in the US & Canada If you are in need of professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at http://www.seculartherapy.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok. Volunteer: http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/volunteer Donate: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donate --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/recovering-from-religion/message

Imam No More

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Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2021 49:26

We are still fighting religious resistance to vaccinations. FFRF attorney Liz Cavell tells us about FFRF's new "Prayer Walk Report" describing how some public schools are unconstitutionally inviting or allowing "prayer warriors" to invade the campus. Then former African imam Mohamed Cisse tells us why he left Islam and is now a board member of the secular Clergy Project.

Episode 10: Dan Barker - A Preacher's Journey From Religion

Keep Talking

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2021 78:09

Dan Barker is a former evangelical Christian preacher, current co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and co-founder of The Clergy Project. During our conversation, Dan talks about his two decades as a public Christian figure, what caused him to leave his religion, the purpose of FFRF, how the perspective of atheists and agnostics can be more beautiful and meaningful than the religious outlook, and The Clergy Project, an organization that provides assistance and support to active members of the clergy who have lost their faith.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow Keep Talking on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(01:17) Dan talks about the circumstances that led him to become a believer and an evangelical Christian preacher(06:20) Dan's Christian musical background(13:06) On beliefs and religion(22:45) Understanding Christianity and evolution more deeply(27:48) About the Adam and Eve story(30:15) Dan speaks further about the evolution of his beliefs(38:17) What was the intention behind the creation of the Freedom From Religion Foundation?(47:03) Dan talks about the different services that The Clergy Project offers(48:37) What are the resources available to members of the clergy who no longer believe?(53:50) How Dan faced the truth of his beliefs(01:03:10) Dan's beliefs about religion in America today(01:10:14) The most persuasive observations and arguments from members of The Clergy Project that changed that caused a perspective shift in people

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Episode 18: The Secret Clergy Bible, with Thomas Lawson

Beyond Atheism

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 58:36

In this episode, we are joined by Thomas Lawson, a writer, eulogist, and crematory operator, to talk about his new book, The Secret Clergy Bible. The book reveals some surprising doubts among clergy members in the nineteenth century about the Bible, Jesus, hell, miracles, and religion itself. After discussing the book, we turn toward Tom's work as a cremationist and the connections he has made delivering eulogies at funerals. Tom explains how his personalized eulogies create meaning for grieving families by drawing on the freethought tradition. Plus, more answers to what “true” atheists can and cannot do!The Secret Clergy Bible: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HH1JSTS(All proceeds go to the Clergy Project)For more on the Clergy Project: https://clergyproject.org/Letters from an Atheist Nation Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/atheistletters/Grief Beyond Belief Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/faithfreegriefsupport/Digitized issues of the Blue-Grass Blade: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86069867/issues/Follow Tom on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tojolawFollow Nathan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NathGAlexanderNathan's website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/If you find the podcast valuable and want to support it, go to https://anchor.fm/beyond-atheism and click the “Support” button. We are grateful for every contribution.

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The Clergy Project

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Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2021 49:26

We discuss the Christian nationalism behind the Jan. 6 insurrection and call for increased vaccination. After reporting state/church news and hearing the song "Just Say NO To Religion," we speak with Lon Ostrander, a former Wesleyan minister who is now president of The Clergy Project, which helps ministers and priests who no longer believe to leave the pulpit.

Dennis Augustine - Living an integrated life

Free 2 Think

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2021 90:32

Dennis Augustine a former evangelical minister who now identifies as an atheist and a humanist. His journey out of faith was a slow and somewhat painful realignment, unravelling and reintegration that took more than a decade. Today he's a tech entrepreneur three times over and a board member of the Clergy Project, a private forum consisting of over a thousand past and current clergy with no supernatural beliefs, of West Hill United, a dogma-free congregation within the United Church of Canada that's lead by openly atheist minister Gretta Vosper. Dennis has left dogma behind and now lives a life based on a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of all life and the thoughtful consideration of what our response to that principle should be. Dennis brings us his perspective on living an integrated life from the inside-out rooted in a appreciation of our interconnectedness with all of life. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/free2think/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/free2think/support

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Doc Review: Losing Our Religion

DocuChix Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2021 35:06

Preachers who lose their faith in God join the Clergy Project, a safe haven for preachers from all faiths who no longer believe (description by google.com) Released: 2017 Streaming: Amazon Prime, Tubi

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REBOOT with Dave Warnock - Atheist (former evangelical minister) dealing with ALS diagnosis - "Dying Out Loud" - The Clergy Project

ReChoice Pod

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2021 67:25

"You have ALS" - Dave was shocked and adjusted upon hearing this diagnosis, but the events earlier in the decade served as his true "reboot". After 35+ years as an evangelical minister, he deconstructed and became an atheist. This wasn't the easy path, yet he learned there were others like him through "The Clergy Project", an organization who help other religious leaders who no longer believe in the supernatural, many of whom are harboring that secret.He's choosing to "Die Out Loud" and "Carpe The F***'in' Diem." You'll hear a generous man making the most of the time he has left.Thank you to listeners Jim Dells and Matt MacKellar for your questions, Carter Warden of Johnson City TN for your song, and Danny Pellerito for our show's theme music. SHOW LINKSDaveOutLoud Website with Dave's social media Dave on "The Atheist Experience" March 14, 2021The Clergy ProjectEveryone's Agnostic Podcast (as mentioned by Dave during show)"Let's Live Like Dave Does" by Songwriter Carter WardenSupport the show (https://rechoicepod.com/patreon-virtual-tip-jar/)

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FIF.034 - Dr. Darrel Ray & Dave Warnock

Freethought in Florida

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2021 65:55

Darrel & Dave expand on their recent article about recovering as former clergy, Dave from an experiential perspective and Darrel from a psychological/developmental perspective. They're a match made in... well, you get the idea. Read the Article: https://medium.com/excommunications/recovering-as-a-former-clergy-e8bdc3ff2f1e Find Dave Warnock @ http://daveoutloud.com Other Resources: Recovering From Religion - http://recoveringfromreligion.org Secular Therapy Project - http://seculartherapy.org The Clergy Project - http://clergyproject.org

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#280 – Honoring Sex Pioneer Betty Dodson with Dr. Darrel Ray

Sex in the Pews

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 91:29

Dr. Darrel Ray returns in the Pews with aplomb to honor Sex Positive Pioneer, the late great Betty Dodson. This powerful episode commences with Glenn’s Foreplay explaining: the United States’ Electoral College process, the importance of the way the US government works and why he is libertarian. Dr. Darrel and Glenn discuss: infecting the Earth with ideas, “marking ideas”, Religious Trauma Syndrome, the fear of Hell, and the CDC’s Adverse Childhood Experiences test. Then our Sex Positive Colleagues honor one of the true pioneers and heroes in our movement, Betty Dodson, who passed away on Halloween. We learn of the importance of her sexual evolution concept, her promotion of masturbation for women, normalizing sex talk, why therapists tend to stay away from dealing with religion, not judging “cheaters”, negotiating pleasure, men learning about sexuality from women, the Mangaian culture, Aunts as sexual educators, the 3-1 orgasm ratio, Dr. Ray’s sexual de-shaming exercise, The Clergy Project, reinventing yourself, death neurosis, plus so much more! The Post Game Show includes the Seinfeld bit on changing “god bless you” and Angel’s Gabriel’s “We are Love”. It ain’t going to be boring. Powerful and poignant adult content, insight, humor and spirituality. NSFW or children. A portion of all proceeds donated to combat human sex slave trafficking and genital mutilation.

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Atheist Experience 24.14 2020-04-05 with Matt Dillahunty & Dragnauct

The Atheist Experience

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2020 105:48

Welcome back to The Atheist Experience! Today’s show is hosted by Matt Dillahunty and friend of the show Dragnauct Sylvas. We start the show with discussion about the coronavirus and its effects on daily life, from isolation depression to grocery store gross-outs. Then, we get to caller numero uno!Dragnauct picks an interesting topic from Gavin, who says he wants to check in on his own rationale. Gavin says he believes in a soul, or at least something like it, based on some experiences he’s had in life, but he’s pretty sure something about that rationale is faulty. Is he right?Brian in Washington, DC calls in to convert Matt by asking, “What’s wrong with being a saint?” and using a version of Pascal’s Wager. When Matt and Dragnauct bring up the fact of Catholic cover-ups of child molestation, Brian starts to get a little squirrely.We have a few frequent callers, and one is coming back: Kamal in Alabama was brought into a Facebook intervention by his family, who tried to bring him back to Jesus. We’ve all had this experience, unfortunately, and it’s nice to relate to each other sometimes. We love you, Kamal.Carlos is another newly frequent caller, and his argument today is...well, it’s a little confusing. He says that God as described in the Bible gives life so he can determine how long it is for you. Then there’s an analogy from Batman. Essentially, Carlos thinks we shouldn’t see God’s action as distasteful if we read the Bible as fiction, because you’re not allowed to think fictional characters are bad guys, I guess?Can somebody say Clergy Project? https://clergyproject.org/ Well, not quite, but our caller is in that sort of predicament. Cade went to a Christian high school where he lost his faith, but he’s stuck in the church. No one knows about his non-belief, and he’s not sure what to do. Matt ends up turning this caller into a co-host for a moment!Laura in Michigan has personal access to God, and Matt attempts to use this access to have Laura ask God what she should say to convert Matt. Turns out, you just have to study the Bible and be open to love! We should have known.Our last call is an important one. Justin has a wife, and the two are currently awaiting a child’s birth. His wife has started to express concern about her child “being told there is no God,” or something along those lines. Dragnauct takes over most of this call, as his wife is also a believer, so he has some experience here. The key: communication between spouses, education for the child!That’s our show today! If you want to support the show you can check out https://www.patreon.com/theatheistexperience for a monthly subscription to podcasts with NO ADS and other fun goodies, or https://tiny.cc/aenmerch for merch from all of the ACA’s shows! Hosts can be found on Twitter @Matt_Dillahunty and @Dragnauct. Thanks for watching/listening!

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Recovering from Religion with Charles Hill

Glass City Humanist

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2020 39:07

In this episode we talk to Charles Hill, a facilitator for the Columbus Ohio chapter of Recovering from Religion. We talk about how some religious believers, even professional clergy, make the transition to being a non-believer, how important telling your story is to the process, and the start of efforts to form a Toledo chapter of the group. People transition to non-belief in multiple ways. Many don't want to lie about their beliefs for the sake of living a "normal" life so they need help in their struggle to transition to being a non-believer. It's as much of struggle as quitting smoking or trying to lose hundreds of pounds all the while being a pariah in your family. This is where Recovering from Religion and The Clergy Project come in. Show Notes

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Lettersode Lettersode

Deconversion Therapy

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2020 43:34

Do we have a theme song for our Lettersodes? You be the judge. Thanks to everyone who has supported us on Patreon. We have a special Q and A video up in there for our supporters. This month on our Lettersode, we have the trendiest priest around, Father Steve. In fact, it's quite the Catholic lettersode with a story about a bar in Atlanta run by a former divinity student (Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium, or simply Church) plus a tale about communion wafers. Speaking of clergy, we hear from people who have left the ministry. If you need assistance when deconstructing, reach out to the organizations Recovering From Religion and The Clergy Project. We end the episode with Brady Hardin dropping by from the podcast The Life After. Send in your letters for us to read at https://deconversiontherapypodcast.com/

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Episode 5: Dave Warnock

Everyone's Autonomous

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2019 94:30

Today I speak with Dave Warnock of Dying Out Loud, a speaking tour that he is on which I manage! Dave is a former pastor and now atheist. He became zealous in his teen years during the Jesus Freak movement of the late 60’s. He left religion about 8 years ago and became an atheist. His marriage ended due to this departure from the faith and 2 of his 3 children cut off communication with him. He connected with The Clergy Project, an organization that provides resources to former and current clergy who no longer believe in the faith. Through that organization, he met Cass Midgley who also lived in Nashville. The two became quick friends. And through Cass’s podcast, Everyone’s Agnostic, my paths eventually crossed those of Dave Warnock as well. I met him at the Everyone’s Agnostic retreat in 2018 but it was in March of 2019 when I visited Nashville to see Cass that I started paying more attention to this guy. He had been diagnosed just a week before with ALS, an ugly, terminal disease. I have a lot of issues around death, most I blame on Christianity’s denial of death. Dave wasn’t afraid of death. He was just incredibly disappointed that his time alive would be shorter than he anticipated. He spoke with me, with Cass, with everyone in their Nashville community that week about his reaction to his diagnosis. He didn’t shy away from sharing how he felt. He didn’t shame others for asking questions, for being speechless, for crying more than he was. He was setting the type of secular precedent around dying that I had never witnessed before and I was hooked. Knowing how many secular contacts I had in the podcasting world, I asked Dave if he’d like to talk about his diagnosis and his reaction to it on public platforms. He said, sure darlin’. And so it began. We initially called it, “Dave’s Last Ride”, but it quickly morphed into “Dying Out Loud”. We were surprised by the response of those who heard his story. I reached out to more and more platforms and now, 9 months later, Dave has been on The Atheist Experience, The Thinking Atheist, and The Scathing Atheist. He has plans to travel the nation and the world next year, speaking at NanoCon and the Conference on Religious Trauma. Dave and I have been working closely these last 9 months, just following the demand for his story that is being provoked from the community. Dave has told his story again and again and again in all this time, constantly reaching a new audience. So when we had an evening to ourselves in Madison, Wisconsin, I asked if I could interview him for my show, but I demanded that we not talk about the same old, same old that you could hear from any other interview. I want you to know Dave like I do. It’s such a pain in my ass and gives me such a hard time. He tells the worst jokes. He makes me laugh. He makes me feel loved. He’s a goof and I love him. With this interview, I hope you can get to know Dave a little better as the weird and wonderful guy that he is. Love you, Dave. So happy to be on this journey with you.****Now that we’ve begun to process our history with toxic religion, we seek to regain autonomy over our minds and bodies from residual narratives, whether cultural or religious; while working towards respecting and empowering the autonomy of others. Together, we seek to rejoin the human race and participate in this chaotic experience of existence Thanks for listening and remember: You are autonomous and so is everyone else. Please subscribe to our podcast, and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Your financial support, if you are willing and able, can make a huge impact on my ability to continue in secular activism. You can become a Patreon supporter or make a one-time donation via PayPal. Links are on EA's website.Websites: everyonesautonomous.com and mariedelephant.com Facebook (Marie): fb.me/mariedelephantFacebook: facebook.com/everyonesautonomousTwitter: twitter.com/s_autonomousInstagram: instagram.com/everyonesautonomous/Produced by Marie D'ElephantProduced by Post Christian Podcasting (Caleb Rowe)***1:05 Monologue21:09 Interview Introduction25:50 Interview1:28:35 Announcements

Entrevista a Dan Barker, ex-pastor evangelista, y uno de los ateos y humanistas más influyentes de nuestra época

Razón o fe

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2019 37:15

Audio de la entrevista a Dan Barker en el canal de Youtube Razón o fe. Dan Barker es co-presidente de Freedom From Religion Foundation, principal asociación laicista estadounidense , y del Clergy Project, que cuenta con más de mil ex-sacerdotes que ahora son ateos.Fue pastor evangelista durante 19 años, y hoy es uno de los ateos y humanistas más influyentes. Ha escrito libros entre los que destaca "Perdiendo la fe en la fe" y "Godless (sin dios)", en los que explica su transición de sacerdote a ateo activista.

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Ep. 288 - The Mayor's Prayers Didn't Work

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Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2019 47:12

Please support the show at https://www.patreon.com/friendlyatheistpodcast Jessica and I sat down to talk about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics. — We’re having our first meet-and-greet in Chicago! Please join us if you can! (0:30) — The kicker for the Chicago Bears did his job, therefore you must believe in Jesus. (1:41) — Dennis Prager thinks his YouTube propaganda videos constitute an actual university. (5:55) — The Congressional Freethought Caucus has two more members than we knew about. (9:37) — The race for mayor of Grand Rapids (MI) is between a competent leader and a Christian theocrat. (13:45) — A school board president in Minnesota wants to know why they teach evolution. (17:33) — Saturday Night Live fired its racist new cast member Shane Gillis. (20:25) — High school students who pray before football games aren’t defying atheists. (23:22) — The Clergy Project has now helped 1,000 pastors who no longer believe in God. (26:50) — A Republican mayor in FL is calling for action on gun violence because his prayers aren’t working. (28:30) — Professional liar Sean Spicer says if you love Jesus, you’ll vote for him on Dancing With the Stars. (33:42) — Research shows “thoughts and prayers” are so annoying, atheists would pay money to avoid them. (35:30) — A financial watchdog for evangelical churches is mired in its own financial problems. (38:20)

Faith of our Fathers

Oh the Humanity!

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2019 20:55

Yes that's the title of an old hymn, and when you hear the title, you think good things, right? Those faithful men! (What about the women?) But in this episode I call into question the honesty of faith, and discuss the consequences, and discuss The Clergy Project which helps transition people out of their "faith" into a life with no supernatural divinity. Just human beings like you and me. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/richard-blaine/support

faith of our fathers clergy project

Dying Out Loud

uk sea waves baptist atheists reverend graceful milford true christian clergy project

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2019 49:26

"In God We Trust" has been mandated to be displayed prominently in South Dakota public schools, and FFRF is complaining about it. We talk with Jacob McGee, a winner in FFRF's High-School student essay contest. Then we interview former evangelical pastor of 37 years, Dave Warnock — who is now an atheist who has worked with The Clergy Project, and who has just been diagnosed with ALS — about his "Dying Out Loud" campaign about how a nonbeliever deals with a terminal illness.

god trust freedom religion project foundation dying als loud south dakota atheists atheism barker mcgee clergy warnock in god we trust gaylor ffrf dave warnock clergy project

Reverend David Hellsten Interviews the Graceful Atheist

Graceful Atheist Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2019 89:59

This is the first "A Believer Interviews the Graceful Atheist" episode. In these episodes, I will have believers on who I have grown to trust interview me. Rather than try to argue with them I'll see if I can get them to understand why I no longer believe. The idea is to reverse the roles and have the believer in the skeptics seat asking the questions. As deconverts, we may find ourselves in the odd position of defending our former faith when believers want to suggest that we must never have been a "True Christian" or that our faith must not have been real. This episode was prompted by a discussion on Twitter on this topic and the genuine and open response from David Hellsten. In this episode, Reverend David Hellsten, a Baptist pastor from Milford on Sea in the UK, will be in the skeptics seat asking the questions. The Twitter conversation that prompted the show. In the show I mention the Clergy Project, which is a great resource for current and former religious professions who find themselves no longer believing. You can find them at: http://clergyproject.org/ "Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gracefulatheist/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gracefulatheist/support

#16 Ludwig Krippahl (pt 1/2) - Pensamento crítico, Pseudociências, Democracia, fé e crença em Deus

45 Graus

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2018 83:21

Ludwig Krippahl é Professor na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCT), onde desenvolve investigação na área da bioinformática, especificamente na aplicação de técnicas de Inteligência Artificial a problemas da esfera da biologia. Mantém, há largos anos, o blog Ktreta (https://ktreta.blogspot.pt/) Este é o primeiro de dois episódios com Ludwig Krippahl como convidado - duas partes de uma longa conversa (cerca de 3 horas) em que falámos sobre… uma série de temas. Esta foi, aliás, uma daquelas conversas-conversas, na verdadeira acepção da palavra - ie, tudo menos uma entrevista tout court (embora o protagonismo se mantenha, claro está, do lado do convidado). Nesta primeira parte, abrimos as hostilidades falando de Pensamento Crítico, uma área de ensino do convidado, e seguimos para pseudociências, fé e crença em Deus, e, ainda, Democracia. São temas, na verdade, que não estão - pelo menos, directamente - relacionados com a área de especialização do convidado Por quê, então, estes temas de conversa? É que o convidado mantém, há largos anos, o blog Ktreta (https://ktreta.blogspot.pt/) - o título provocador, aliás, já é um bom teaser para a conversa! - no qual aplica a racionalidade científica da sua área de formação na análise crítica de temas muito diversos: da ciência à religião, passando pela política, direitos de autor, igualdade de género, entre muitos outros. Essa racionalidade, aliás, associada a um espírito argumentativo, mas pedagógico, é, na minha opinião, simultaneamente rara e impressionante. Foi, por isso, um privilégio, mas também um enorme gozo, conhecer e conversar com o Ludwig sobre estes temas. Esta é, já sabem, apenas a primeira parte da conversa. Para a semana há mais. Ligações: Pensamento Crítico http://dererummundi.blogspot.pt/2007/12/pensamento-crtico.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YQHNxv5n1I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEwj6QILgOA&t=480s Livro: The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22478.The_Origin_of_Consciousness_in_the_Breakdown_of_the_Bicameral_Mind O que torna o Ser Humano único: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150706-the-small-list-of-things-that-make-humans-unique Pseudociências: https://ktreta.blogspot.pt/2018/03/treta-da-semana-atrasada-sim-mas-nao.html The Clergy Project (organização de apoio a membros do clero que deixam de crer em Deus, de cujos membros faz parte Daniel Dennett): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clergy_Project Yuval Noah Harari e o Humanismo: https://newhumanist.org.uk/articles/5161/will-progress-kill-humanism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFXOjbcHjWU Argumentos ontológicos para a existência de Deus: http://www.iep.utm.edu/ont-arg/ Biografia detalhada: Ludwig Krippahl é professor auxiliar no Departamento de Informática (DI) da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCT), e membro do Centro para a Inteligência Artificial CENTRIA. É licenciado em Química Aplicada, Mestre em Inteligência Artificial Aplicada e Doutor em Bioquímica Estrutural pela Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCT). Mantém o blog Ktreta, onde aprofunda diversos temas.

“Learning To Live And Laugh” Episode #73 with Drew Bekius

The Free Thought Prophet

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2018 68:39

Drew Bekius was an evangelical pastor for 12 years before de-converting and leaving his ministry behind. Today, Drew is an open atheist, serving as President of The Clergy Project, after a stint on the Board of Directors as Communications Chair. He blogs at DrewBekius.com and his book, The Rise and Fall of Faith: A God-to-Godless Story for Christians and Atheists, will be available in July of this year. It was an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with Drew …

director learning president fall christians board laugh atheists communications chair clergy project drew bekius

Freethought Matters

freedom religion foundation wisconsin alaska cbs tv shows new hampshire atheists atheism southern baptists gagnon sitka freethought ffrf clergy project somersworth

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2018 49:24

The first-ever Atheist Flag, erected by FFRF member Richard Gagnon, appeared this week in Somersworth, New Hampshire. We announce the debut broadcast of FFRF's new TV Show, "Freethought Matters," beginning Sunday on CBS in Madison, Wisconsin. FFRF attorney Ryan Jayne tells us about stopping a $5,000 city grant to a church in Sitka, Alaska. Then we speak with former Southern Baptist minister John Compere, who is now an atheist working with The Clergy Project, helping other preachers and priests to leave the ministry.

Dan Barker, “God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction” (Sterling, 2016)

New Books in Literary Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2017 67:57

For those of us who pay close attention in Sunday school, a troubling dissimilarity may begin to appear between what we are told of God’s personality and what we learn of it from His actions. For example, we are told that God is merciful, just, compassionate, and the very definition of love and forgiveness. However, the Bible lays out God’s primary qualities very differently: he is jealous, petty, unforgiving, bloodthirsty, vindictive, and worse! Originally conceived as a joint presentation between influential thinker and bestselling author Richard Dawkins and former evangelical preacher Dan Barker, the book we will be talking about today, God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction (Sterling, 2016) provides an investigation into this rather serious discrepancy. Barker combs through both the Old and New Testament (as well as thirteen different Bible editions), presenting powerful evidence for why the Scripture shouldn’t govern our everyday lives. Dan Barker is a former evangelical minister and current atheist. He is the co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, cohost of Freethought Radio, and cofounder and board member of the Clergy Project. A widely sought-after lecturer, debater, and performer, he regularly discusses atheism and lifes meaning and purpose in the national media, with past appearances on Oprah, The Daily Show, The O’Reilly Factor, Good Morning America, and many others. He is here with me today to talk about this witty, well-researched book and explain to us how the evidence in it suggests that we should move past the Bible and clear a path to a kinder and more thoughtful world. Carrie Lynn Evans is a PhD student at Universite Laval in Quebec City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

god bible freedom phd scripture character oprah winfrey fiction new testament good morning america daily show barker richard dawkins quebec city unpleasant dan barker o reilly factor religion foundation carrie lynn evans clergy project universite laval freethought radio god the most unpleasant character

Dan Barker, “God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction” (Sterling, 2016)

New Books in Secularism

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2017 67:57

For those of us who pay close attention in Sunday school, a troubling dissimilarity may begin to appear between what we are told of God’s personality and what we learn of it from His actions. For example, we are told that God is merciful, just, compassionate, and the very definition of love and forgiveness. However, the Bible lays out God’s primary qualities very differently: he is jealous, petty, unforgiving, bloodthirsty, vindictive, and worse! Originally conceived as a joint presentation between influential thinker and bestselling author Richard Dawkins and former evangelical preacher Dan Barker, the book we will be talking about today, God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction (Sterling, 2016) provides an investigation into this rather serious discrepancy. Barker combs through both the Old and New Testament (as well as thirteen different Bible editions), presenting powerful evidence for why the Scripture shouldn’t govern our everyday lives. Dan Barker is a former evangelical minister and current atheist. He is the co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, cohost of Freethought Radio, and cofounder and board member of the Clergy Project. A widely sought-after lecturer, debater, and performer, he regularly discusses atheism and lifes meaning and purpose in the national media, with past appearances on Oprah, The Daily Show, The O’Reilly Factor, Good Morning America, and many others. He is here with me today to talk about this witty, well-researched book and explain to us how the evidence in it suggests that we should move past the Bible and clear a path to a kinder and more thoughtful world. Carrie Lynn Evans is a PhD student at Universite Laval in Quebec City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

god bible freedom phd scripture character oprah winfrey fiction new testament good morning america daily show barker richard dawkins quebec city unpleasant dan barker o reilly factor religion foundation carrie lynn evans clergy project universite laval freethought radio god the most unpleasant character

Dan Barker, “God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction” (Sterling, 2016)

New Books in Religion

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2017 68:10

For those of us who pay close attention in Sunday school, a troubling dissimilarity may begin to appear between what we are told of God’s personality and what we learn of it from His actions. For example, we are told that God is merciful, just, compassionate, and the very definition of love and forgiveness. However, the Bible lays out God’s primary qualities very differently: he is jealous, petty, unforgiving, bloodthirsty, vindictive, and worse! Originally conceived as a joint presentation between influential thinker and bestselling author Richard Dawkins and former evangelical preacher Dan Barker, the book we will be talking about today, God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction (Sterling, 2016) provides an investigation into this rather serious discrepancy. Barker combs through both the Old and New Testament (as well as thirteen different Bible editions), presenting powerful evidence for why the Scripture shouldn’t govern our everyday lives. Dan Barker is a former evangelical minister and current atheist. He is the co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, cohost of Freethought Radio, and cofounder and board member of the Clergy Project. A widely sought-after lecturer, debater, and performer, he regularly discusses atheism and lifes meaning and purpose in the national media, with past appearances on Oprah, The Daily Show, The O’Reilly Factor, Good Morning America, and many others. He is here with me today to talk about this witty, well-researched book and explain to us how the evidence in it suggests that we should move past the Bible and clear a path to a kinder and more thoughtful world. Carrie Lynn Evans is a PhD student at Universite Laval in Quebec City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

god bible freedom phd scripture character oprah winfrey fiction new testament good morning america daily show barker richard dawkins quebec city unpleasant dan barker o reilly factor religion foundation carrie lynn evans clergy project universite laval freethought radio god the most unpleasant character

Dan Barker, “God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction” (Sterling, 2016)

New Books in Biblical Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2017 67:57

For those of us who pay close attention in Sunday school, a troubling dissimilarity may begin to appear between what we are told of God’s personality and what we learn of it from His actions. For example, we are told that God is merciful, just, compassionate, and the very definition of love and forgiveness. However, the Bible lays out God’s primary qualities very differently: he is jealous, petty, unforgiving, bloodthirsty, vindictive, and worse! Originally conceived as a joint presentation between influential thinker and bestselling author Richard Dawkins and former evangelical preacher Dan Barker, the book we will be talking about today, God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction (Sterling, 2016) provides an investigation into this rather serious discrepancy. Barker combs through both the Old and New Testament (as well as thirteen different Bible editions), presenting powerful evidence for why the Scripture shouldn’t govern our everyday lives. Dan Barker is a former evangelical minister and current atheist. He is the co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, cohost of Freethought Radio, and cofounder and board member of the Clergy Project. A widely sought-after lecturer, debater, and performer, he regularly discusses atheism and lifes meaning and purpose in the national media, with past appearances on Oprah, The Daily Show, The O’Reilly Factor, Good Morning America, and many others. He is here with me today to talk about this witty, well-researched book and explain to us how the evidence in it suggests that we should move past the Bible and clear a path to a kinder and more thoughtful world. Carrie Lynn Evans is a PhD student at Universite Laval in Quebec City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

god bible freedom phd scripture character oprah winfrey fiction new testament good morning america daily show barker richard dawkins quebec city unpleasant dan barker o reilly factor religion foundation carrie lynn evans clergy project universite laval freethought radio god the most unpleasant character

Dan Barker, “God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction” (Sterling, 2016)

New Books Network

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2017 67:57

For those of us who pay close attention in Sunday school, a troubling dissimilarity may begin to appear between what we are told of God’s personality and what we learn of it from His actions. For example, we are told that God is merciful, just, compassionate, and the very definition of love and forgiveness. However, the Bible lays out God’s primary qualities very differently: he is jealous, petty, unforgiving, bloodthirsty, vindictive, and worse! Originally conceived as a joint presentation between influential thinker and bestselling author Richard Dawkins and former evangelical preacher Dan Barker, the book we will be talking about today, God: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction (Sterling, 2016) provides an investigation into this rather serious discrepancy. Barker combs through both the Old and New Testament (as well as thirteen different Bible editions), presenting powerful evidence for why the Scripture shouldn’t govern our everyday lives. Dan Barker is a former evangelical minister and current atheist. He is the co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, cohost of Freethought Radio, and cofounder and board member of the Clergy Project. A widely sought-after lecturer, debater, and performer, he regularly discusses atheism and lifes meaning and purpose in the national media, with past appearances on Oprah, The Daily Show, The O’Reilly Factor, Good Morning America, and many others. He is here with me today to talk about this witty, well-researched book and explain to us how the evidence in it suggests that we should move past the Bible and clear a path to a kinder and more thoughtful world. Carrie Lynn Evans is a PhD student at Universite Laval in Quebec City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

god bible freedom phd scripture character oprah winfrey fiction new testament good morning america daily show barker richard dawkins quebec city unpleasant dan barker o reilly factor religion foundation carrie lynn evans clergy project universite laval freethought radio god the most unpleasant character

Losing Our Religion, 9/11 Truth, and the Political Jesus

Face2Face with David Peck

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2017 56:59

Leslea Mair is the president and CEO of Zoot Pictures out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She talks about her latest film, Losing Our Religion, a feature length documentary about preachers who are not believers, and what atheists do when they miss church. Allowed access to the 600 members of The Clergy Project – a safe haven for preachers from all faiths who no longer believe – the documentary follows ex-members and clergy who are still undercover. The film will be screened in the Portland Metro on November 30th. David Chandler is the high school physics teacher who made NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, revise their report on the destruction of World Trade Center Building Seven, a 47 story building that collapsed in the late afternoon of September 11th, 2001. David Chandler showed that building seven fell at free fall, that is at the acceleration of gravity. David Chandler lives in Portland and he spoke with John Shuck about what that means, (ie. controlled demolition). His website is www.911speakout.org. Celene Lillie and Art Dewey, are members of the Westar Institute, a critical thinktank for religious issues, particularly early Christianity. Dr. Lillie is the Director of the Tanho Center in Boulder, Colorado, and the author of The Rape of Eve: The Transformation of Roman Ideology in Three Early Christian Retellings of Genesis. Arthur Dewey is professor of religion at Xavier University and the author of Inventing the Passion: How the Death of Jesus was Remembered. They will be speaking about The Political Jesus. Leslea Mair. 3:00 David Chandler. 17:43 Arthur Dewey and Celene Lillie. 48:00

Leslea Mair, codirector, "Losing Our Religion

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2017 33:15

Leslea Mair and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film Losing Our Religion, trauma, atheism and non-belief, the power of community and preachers who have no faith. Biography Leslea Mair is a writer and producer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She has been the President and CEO of Zoot Pictures Inc. since 1998. Following completion of her BFA at the University of Regina, Leslea spent a number of years honing her skills as a writer, participating in the PRAXIS writers' workshop in 1992. She joined the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative, serving as president twice. Leslea produced several experimental shorts and directed the experimental documentary Jigsaw, receiving nomination in the Experimental category at the Yorkton International Short Film Festival. She has also written multi-threaded educational multimedia products. In the field of documentary, Leslea researched and wrote the treatment for Two Gun Cohen in 1999, and wrote A Count's Colony for White Pine Pictures in 2000. In 2001 she produced, researched and wrote Edible Shorts, a series pilot and was the writer/producer on Black Tuesday, an hour-long documentary, in 2003. Leslea wrote and produced Big Business, Big Union, Small Town for Canwest Global in 2007 and The Path to Shaolin, which Leslea co-directed in 2009. For 2010 she produced and wrote Operation Extreme Green for CBC's Passionate Eye. Leslea also produced and co-wrote the three part pilot for Weekend Wonder, the award-winning one hour documentary Remote Control War for CBC's Doc Zone, MS Wars for The Nature of Things, Shattered Ground for The Nature of Things, Age of the Drone for Doc Zone, and The Prairie Diner series for CityTV Saskatchewan, finishing its third season. Leslea co-directed, wrote and produced the feature length documentary "Losing Our Religion", and is now producing and writing the one hour documentary "Something in the Air". Synopsis Brendan is a pastor in a small, evangelical church, and he has a secret. He doesn't believe in God anymore. His life and career revolve around his church and faith, and now that's all on the line. His wife is still a true believer. He is incredibly isolated and alone, but he’s not the only one. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of clergy are in the same position. Stan is a preacher in the Deep South where the lines of religion and society blur. He lives in a manse, if anyone knew he is an atheist he would be out on the street. Andy hasn't believed for a long time, but only three people in the world know his secret – except for The Clergy Project. Losing Our Religion is a feature length documentary about community, acceptance and a view inside the lives of clergy who are joining the rising tide of non-believers. Trailer ---------- For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here or check out the site of his podcast on film, social change and much more. With thanks to producer Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Image Copyright: Leslea Mair and Zoot Pictures. Used with permission. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

220 Clergy Project, Linda LaScola

The Phil Ferguson Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2017 73:24

Interview with Linda LaScola. We discuss her qualitative research with non believing clergy and her book with Daniel C. Dennett "Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind".Investing Skeptically: Mutual Funds vs. ETF, 12 month stock returns, Cushion returns for the last 12 months.

interview stock market etf cushion clergy project daniel c dennett linda lascola

Breaking The Chains

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2017 49:24

Kentucky student activist Lydia Mason, whose essay “Breaking The Chains” won FFRF’s David Hudak Memorial Freethinking Students of Color High School Essay Competition, tells us about the challenges of being a minority within a minority in a highly religious state. Then we talk with a former preacher who is now the president of The Clergy Project, Drew Bekius. His new book, which narrates his exodus from the evangelical pulpit, is The Rise and Fall of Faith: A God-to-Godless Story for Christians and Atheists.

freedom fall religion christians foundation kentucky atheists barker drea breaking the chains gaylor ffrf clergy project drew bekius

The Best hair in Atheism: Jerry Dewitt

Left At The Valley

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2017 88:00

Join Kevin, Nancy, Scott and Kristina as they chat with ex-pastor turned apostate and arguably the best hair in atheism: Jerry Dewitt. Jerry's story is heartfelt. It will inspire those atheists still in the closet to take their place in the sun. If a pastor can see reason, why couldn't you? http://www.patreon.com/jerrydewitt Nancy gives us thoughts about anti-depressants in Quack watch and a study suggests that happiest people are non-religious too

atheism skepticism quack best hair clergy project jerry dewitt

Atheism and Christianity--Can We Talk?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2017 52:59

Drew Bekius was a true believer. He prayed the “sinner’s prayer” when he was three and was immersed in evangelical Christianity, starting an award-winning ministry in his high school. He became a minister and a leader and he was skilled at the job. But a few years ago, the edifice began to crack. He realized he no longer could believe the things he needed to believe in order to be a minister. Now he no longer holds belief in God or Jesus or the church. He is now a humanist coach and is the president of The Clergy Project. The Clergy Project is online community for former and active religious professionals who no longer hold supernatural beliefs. In many ways Drew is still a minister at heart. He is a caring, thoughtful person who wants to help people overcome stereotypes and to understand each other even when they might not agree. In particular, he wants atheists and Christians to talk to each other. We discuss his journey and his new mission that he outlines in his book, The Rise and Fall of Faith: A God-to-Godless Story for Christians and Atheists.

god jesus christ fall christians christianity progressive atheists atheism apostasy clergy project drew bekius

A None’s Story

president trust donald trump freedom england religion foundation manchester hart barker communications director gaylor mike tramp ffrf clergy project

Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2017 49:24

We announce our full-page ad in the New York Times: "Mr. President, we are not a nation of believers.” A Virginia sheriff removed a bible verse from police vehicles after hearing from FFRF. Staff attorney Patrick Elliott explains why Trump’s budget is a disaster for education, and FFRF’s thoughtful Communications Director, Amit Pal, discusses the religiously motivated bombing in Manchester, England. After hearing Mike Tramp’s irreverent song “Trust in Yourself,” we talk with former nun Maureen Hart, currently on the board of the Clergy Project, about her journey to kick the habit.

004 Robert Parham, M.A., LMHC

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2017 84:41

Robert W. Parham, M.A. is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider. He holds two Masters Degrees, one in Counseling that he earned in 1996 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and one in Clinical Psychology that he earned in 2006 from the Washington School of Professional Psychology. Robert has been helping people in the mental health field for over 18 years, working in psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment programs, and private practice. Parham Counseling, Inc. is a professional counseling office committed to helping individuals, couples, groups, and families live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. The Clergy Project http://clergyproject.org Recovering From Religion http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org The Secular Therapist Project https://seculartherapy.org

university alabama birmingham counseling masters degree clinical psychology lmhc licensed mental health counselor professional psychology washington school parham robert w national certified counselor recovering from religion clergy project robert parham

002 Ebony Exodus Project: Candace Gorham, LPC

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2017 85:51

Researcher, teacher and counselor Candace Gorham shares her story of deconversion from Christianity. The Ebony Exodus Project: https://www.amazon.com/Ebony-Exodus-Project-Walking-Religion/dp/1939578027 Black women are the single most religious demographic in the United States, yet they are among the poorest, least educated, and least healthy groups in the nation. Drawing on the author's own past experience as an evangelical minister and her present work as a secular counselor and researcher, The Ebony Exodus Project makes a direct connection between the church and the plight of black women. Through interviews with African American women who have left the church, the author reveals the shame and suffering often caused by the church—and the resulting happiness, freedom, and sense of purpose these women have felt upon walking away from it. This book calls on other black women to honestly reflect on their relationship with religion and challenges them to consider that perhaps the answers to their problems rest not inside a church, but in themselves. Secular Student Alliance: https://secularstudents.org Recovering From Religion: http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org Secular Therapist Project: https://www.seculartherapy.org Black Non-Believers: https://blacknonbelievers.wordpress.com The Clergy Project: http://clergyproject.org The Triangle Freethought Society: https://trianglefreethought.xyz Ebony Exodus: https://www.facebook.com/EbonyExodus/

united states black project christianity african americans drawing exodus researchers gorham secular student alliance black nonbelievers recovering from religion clergy project triangle freethought society

003 Alix Jules: Writer, Activist, Social Critic, Commentator & Blogger

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2017 107:10

Writer, activist, social critic and commentator, Alix's activism has garnered national attention on matters of race, religion and politics. Alix was the first atheist featured in Ebony magazine. He's a founding member of the largest freethought organization in North Texas and organizer for Black Non-Believers of Dallas. He advises for the American Humanist Association and the Center for Inquiry. His writing can be found on various venues such as Secular Nation, Free Inquiry, American Atheist magazine and Time magazine. Check out his self titled blog The Graffiti Wall at Patheos or on The Orbit and as a regular on air personality at Dogma Debate. Hispanic American Freethinkers http://hafree.org/en/ The Clergy Project http://clergyproject.org The Black Humanist Alliance http://blackhumanists.org American Humanist Association https://americanhumanist.org Center for Inquiry http://www.centerforinquiry.net African Americans for Humanism http://www.aahumanism.net Secular Nation http://atheistallianceamerica.org/our-work/magazine/ Free Inquiry https://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/articles/category/freeinquiry Black Nonbelievers https://blacknonbelievers.wordpress.com Black Nonbelievers of Dallas http://www.meetup.com/Black-NonBelievers-of-Dallas/ https://www.facebook.com/BlackNonbelieversOfDallas The Orbit https://the-orbit.net The Graffiti Wall http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegraffitiwall/ Ebony Magazine: I Am The Big A http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/files/2013/04/AlixEbony.jpg alix@dogmadebate.com alix.jules@gmail.com

time social writer african americans activist bloggers critic inquiry north texas commentators orbits humanism patheos american atheists american humanist association free inquiry black nonbelievers clergy project dogma debate alix jules

001 Dan Barker-Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2017 101:59

Dan Barker and his wife Annie Laurie Gaylor are co-presidents of the Freedom From Religion Foundation and co-hosts of Freethought Radio. Dan is a former minister and evangelist, Dan became a freethinker in 1983. His books, Just Pretend: A Freethought Book for Children and Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher To Atheist (1992) are published by FFRF. Other books include Godless (Ulysses Press, 2008), The Good Atheist: Living a Purpose-Filled Life Without God (Pitchstone Publishing, 2011), Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning, Pitchstone Press (2015) and GOD: The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction (Sterling Publications, 2016). A graduate of Azusa Pacific University with a degree in religion, Dan now puts his knowledge of Christianity to effective freethought use. A professional pianist and composer, Dan performs freethought concerts and is featured in FFRF’s musical CDs, "Friendly Neighborhood Atheist," "Beware of Dogma,” and “Adrift on a Star." He joined FFRF's staff in 1987, serving as public relations director. He was first elected co-president in November 2004, speaks widely and has engaged in more than 100 debates about religion. Freedom From Religion Foundation https://ffrf.org The Clergy Project http://clergyproject.org A Room of One's Own http://www.roomofonesown.com

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Carter Warden, Atheist Clergy in the Bible Belt

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2017 26:58

Carter Warden is a former conservative pastor of 25 years, now openly atheist. Using the pseudonym “Adam Mann”, he was a founder of The Clergy Project, an on-line support group for clergy who no longer believe the doctrines of the churches they serve. “Adam” was one of the original five interviewees in the 2010 Dennett-LaScola article, “Preachers who are not Believers.” While still in ministry, he was interviewed undercover by ABC World News Tonight and the Canadian Broadcasting Company. Last fall he "came out" publicly as an atheist at the Freedom From Religion Foundation's annual gathering. A press release was picked up by the Johnson City Press and Carter was outed to his church, friends, and extended family. In this interview, he talks about that experience, the challenge facing clergy who no longer believe yet who make a living for their families by serving their churches, and the liberation when people are able to be honest with themselves and others about what they really believe. Hear previous interviews on Progressive Spirit with individuals connected to the Clergy Project including Linda LaScola, Daniel Dennett, Dan Barker, Gretta Vosper, Ryan Bell, David Hayward, Pat Green, John Loftus, Bart Campolo, and Jerry DeWitt.

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Ep. 148 - Dr. Daniel Dennett, Author of From Bacteria to Bach and Back

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Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2017 29:19

Dr. Daniel Dennett is a philosopher, professor at Tufts University, and author of several books including Breaking the Spell and Darwin's Dangerous Idea. His research also led to the formation of The Clergy Project, an online forum for closeted religious leaders who no longer believe in God. His latest book is called From Bacteria to Bach and Back, and it's all about how our minds evolved. I spoke with him about why our minds are like a loaded iPhone, what we would do if the internet broke, and his new art exhibit.

Bi Any Means Podcast #73: The Ebony Exodus Project with Candace Gorham

Bi Any Means Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2016 31:58

My guest for today is Candace Gorham, author of the book “The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women are Walking Out on Religion—and Others Should Too.” She is also a licensed counselor, and a member of both the Secular Therapist Project and the Clergy Project. Today we’re going to talk about her journey, her work, and her book. I also offer a brief word of encouragement in the aftermath of the election results. Enjoy!Links:•Candace on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candace.gorham •Candace on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ebonyexodus •The Secular Barbershop: http://www.thesecularbarbershop.com/ •The Original Motto Project: http://originalmotto.us/ •ReasonCon 3: http://reasonnc.com/ •The Biskeptical Podcast: http://www.spreaker.com/show/the-biskeptical-podcast•Dream Youth: http://dreamyouth.bandcamp.com •Asher Silberman: http://www.ashersilberman.com/ •My Twitter: http://twitter.com/tmamone •Bi Any Means on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bianymeanspod •Bi Any Means on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bianymeanspodcast •Email: bianymeanspodcast@gmail.com •Listener line: 410-690-3558 •My Patreon page: http://www.patreon.com/tmamone •Bi Any Means Blog: http://freethoughtblogs.com/bianymeans/

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Bi Any Means Podcast #73: The Ebony Exodus Project with Candace Gorham

Bi Any Means Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2016 31:58

My guest for today is Candace Gorham, author of the book “The Ebony Exodus Project: Why Some Black Women are Walking Out on Religion—and Others Should Too.” She is also a licensed counselor, and a member of both the Secular Therapist Project and the Clergy Project. Today we’re going to talk about her journey, her work, and her book. I also offer a brief word of encouragement in the aftermath of the election results. Enjoy!Links:•Candace on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candace.gorham •Candace on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ebonyexodus •The Secular Barbershop: http://www.thesecularbarbershop.com/ •The Original Motto Project: http://originalmotto.us/ •ReasonCon 3: http://reasonnc.com/ •The Biskeptical Podcast: http://www.spreaker.com/show/the-biskeptical-podcast•Dream Youth: http://dreamyouth.bandcamp.com •Asher Silberman: http://www.ashersilberman.com/ •My Twitter: http://twitter.com/tmamone •Bi Any Means on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bianymeanspod •Bi Any Means on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bianymeanspodcast •Email: bianymeanspodcast@gmail.com •Listener line: 410-690-3558 •My Patreon page: http://www.patreon.com/tmamone •Bi Any Means Blog: http://freethoughtblogs.com/bianymeans/

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From Preacher to Atheist

Everyone's Agnostic Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2016 43:13

After listening to the “Moment of Bedlam” at FFRF’s annual Non-prayer breakfast, we hear the Newseum Institute’s shout-out to the Freedom From Religion Foundation as a “well-organized” and “very effective” force fighting for the “nones” in today’s society. We play the new song, “Life After You,” then talk with the songwriter, Carter Warden, a former evangelical Church of Christ minister and founding member of The Clergy Project who came out as an atheist at FFRF’s convention in Pittsburgh this month. Carter describes why he left the ministry and how difficult it was to find employment outside the church.

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Episode 107 Dave Warnock

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2016 72:37

Cass and Bob interview Dave Warnock, an ex-Christian pastor whom Cass met through The Clergy Project and lives here in middle Tennessee. Week after week on this podcast we talk with people about the two-fold hardships of deconverting—personal and relational or internal and external. Everything changes in our own hearts and minds and that is a difficult process. And outwardly, people react differently to our newfound loss of faith. Some family members and friends, while not agreeing with our changed worldview, are able to love us and maintain healthy relationships even though they may be disappointed in or confused by our changes. Others, however, may react by dissociating from us; or shunning us. This oftentimes is a defense mechanism- as they don’t know what to make of our loss of faith, and “pull back” as a way of coping. Some see this as a punitive or corrective measure and believe that by withholding relationship, the apostate will repent and return to God. They don’t seem to have the capacity in their spiritual framework to understand that we aren’t running from God or mad at God…we just don’t think he is there anymore; and thus we have nothing to repent of; or anyone to return to. Thus, all we can do in those cases is try to manage the pain of broken familial relationships and wait for it to get better as we get on with our new lives. This is what Dave has done. Even though the loss of relationship with his adult daughters and his grandchildren is a daily pain, he has found a way to forge a new path that has given him meaning; and he continues to look for ways to re-write the story of his life. His work in Central America in secular missions is one of the things that has helped him do that; as well as daily connections with others who have left the faith and need support and encouragement. Some people realize the importance of love and keep their priorities straight; others choose their allegiance to their religious guidelines over their loyalty to their unbelieving friend or family-member. I’ve said on the show before that I don’t like tough love or shaming techniques to influence people. Here we have a case where believer’s treatment of the deconverted loved ones due to their pastor’s advice bears a resemblance to cultic behavior: Five attributes of cults ring true here: 1. Cult members typically swear total allegiance to an all-powerful leader to whom they cede too much power. 2. In a cult, rational thought is discouraged or forbidden. 3. A cult weakens its follower psychologically such that they look the group to solve their problems. 4. The cult leader makes life decision of the members. 5. Cult members are isolated from the outside world and any reality testing it could provide. Dave agreed to come on this podcast partly because he hopes by talking openly about this kind of brainwashing, people’s skepticism regarding charismatic church leaders will increase and fewer people will fall into this trap. We taped this episode on June 11th, 2016. If you’re liking our show, please subscribe to it, give it 5 stars, and/or leave a review on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Also, you can support us monetarily on a per episode basis through our Patreon page. That’s patreon.com/eapodcast. Or leave a donation through PayPal at our website, www.everyonesagnostic.com. Credits: "Towering Mountain of Ignorance" intro by Hank Green https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3v3S82TuxU Intro bumper "Never Know" by Jack Johnson Other bumper music is Sam Maher, New York Subway Hand Pan player Thanks for listening and be a yes-sayer to what is. Dave’s blog called nevercertain The Clergy Project Dave’s appearance at Grace Point Church

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Ep. 102 - Teresa MacBain, Director of the Hotline Project

Everyone's Agnostic Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2016 30:07

Teresa MacBain is a former Methodist pastor and the first female member of the Clergy Project to publicly “come out” as a nonbeliever. She did that at the 2012 American Atheists convention. She’s now the director of the Hotline Project, which offers callers who are grappling with their faith a chance to talk (anonymously) with an atheist about any questions or concerns. Their number is 1-84-I-Doubt-It (1-844-368-2848). We spoke with her about how she began having doubts about religion while in the pulpit, the type of people who call the Hotline Project, and how to volunteer to be on the receiving end of that call.

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Episode 87 Adam Gonnerman

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2016 67:50

Cass and Bob interview Adam Gonnerman. Adam was raised Catholic, but took a personal interest in his late teens in more aggressive and devoted versions of Christianity by way of Presbyterianism then Church of Christ and became a missionary in South America—all on his own. He had a passion for finding meaning and purpose. After earning a Bachelors in Bible at Church of Christ colleges and serving in the mission field, he took a shot at ministering in American churches and bumped into the complexity and politics of small town Christianity. They have a tendency (nationwide) to get in fights over the most banal issues like whether to stand up during the singing or not or how to landscape the front yard of the church. Adam Gonnerman an organizer and board member for Sunday Assembly NYC and is also an active participant in The Clergy Project. Raised Roman Catholic in rural Missouri, Adam became evangelical at age 17 and went to college to be a minister. He met and married his wife, Christiane, while doing church planting mission work in Brazil. After serving a church in New Mexico Adam quit full-time ministry and moved his family to the New York City area in 2005, eventually transitioning into IT Project Management. The last of his faith evaporated in late 2013, and he has since considered himself a Humanist. We taped this talk on Feb 7th, 2016. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn and most podcast platforms. If you’re feeling grateful for our podcast, Patreon.com is like a per episode tip jar for our work. Credits: "Towering Mountain of Ignorance" intro by Hank Green https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3v3S82TuxU Intro bumper "Never Know" by Jack Johnson The segue music on this episode is “Duke’s Lullaby” by Steve Gadd Remember to consider joining us at the Nashville Nones Conference the afternoon of Saturday March 5th. Go to www.Nashvillenones.com for more info and to pre-register. David Silverman is our key note speaker. Adam’s Facebook Adam’s Twitter @awgonnerman http://adamgonnerman.net/ Thanks for listening and be a yes-sayer to what is.

Ep 31 Brianna Z

A Minnesota Trans-Atheist

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2016 74:13

Call the show at 612-643-1108 Email the show transatheistpod@outlook.com Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transatheistpod Find me on twitter: https://twitter.com/TransAtheistPod (@transatheistpod) Download the free show app by searching any app store for "trans-atheist" Quick 05:05 Interview with Brianna 63:03 Closing Music introduction by Bradley Ard My guest today is a local listener, where local is defined as living about an hour south of me in the gorgeous town of Rochester, Minnesota. I say gorgeous because it has lots of bike trails, and if you fall down and get hurt you're never more than a block away from some part of the Mayo clinic. Brianna and I were exchanging emails for at least the last year, I'm pretty sure it was before she even began medically transitioning. We talked about atheism, transitioning, family, being married, staying married….and I realized I was talking about someone going through some of the same kind of things I was going through…and thus began the process of getting her on the show. I hope enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it, because this was one of those conversations that didn't need a microphone. It was just a lovely conversation with a lovely person, and at the end of it I left a better person for it. The music for this episode is by Bradley Ard, someone I met on twitter who makes really great music, check them out below and follow them on Twitter. Opening and bumper music is by Obsidian Shell find them at http://www.obsidianshell.com/ Links: Southeast Minnesota Transgender website is http://www.semt.info/ Mayo TISCC link: Currently unable to find :( will update when available. University of Minnesota Center for Sexual Health: http://www.sexualhealth.umn.edu/clinic-center-sexual-health/transgender-health-services Quick Mayo Clinic video I found interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhfcpJviuhI Less Wrong: http://lesswrong.com/ Clergy Project, for those involved in the clergy but are actually atheists: http://clergyproject.org/ Music: Closing Music: https://twitter.com/BradleyArd1 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bradley-ard Atheist Talk: http://mnatheists.org/news-and-media/podcast AM950 KTNF: http://www.am950radio.com/listen-live Hey did you hear about the little boy who farted in church? Everyone just let him sit in his own pew! Why did Cinderella get kicked off the softball team? Because she kept running away from the ball! What do you make with epileptic lettuce? A seizure salad What did the big bucket say to the little bucket? You look a little pail! Okay, that's enough bad jokes for one episode Thanks again for downloading and listening! -Maddy

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007 - Interview with Catherine Dunphy

Life After God

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2015 66:41

Catherine is the author of a new book, From Apostle to Apostate: The Story of the Clergy Project, and an original member of The Clergy Project.Buy the book | http://goo.gl/FUM6XAVisit the website | http://www.apostletoapostate.comSupport Life After God in two ways!Monthly contribution at www.patreon.com/lifeaftergodOne-time contribution at www.gofundme.com/lifeaftergodOther items mentioned on this showIslam and the Future of Tolerance, by Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz | http://goo.gl/E0PXcqRethinking 'Hitler's Pope:' A Q&A with Mark Riebling |http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/rethinking-hitlers-pope

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Clergy Project

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Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2015 43:05

After reporting on an FFRF state/church victory removing Christian crosses from a Texas county building, we hear “Blood Brothers,” the song Dan Barker wrote right after leaving the ministry. What happens when a minister no longer believes? Catherine Dunphy, a Catholic seminarian and chaplain who abandoned her faith and author of the new book, From Apostle to Apostate: The Story of the Clergy Project, tells us about how this new group is helping to “Save a Preacher."

Episode 53 Drew Bekius - The Clergy Project

Everyone's Agnostic Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2015 56:51

This week Cass is in conversation with former pastor, Drew Bekius of The Clergy Project. Drew serves on TCP's Board of Directors and as Chair of the Communications Committee. The Clergy Project’s Mission is to provide support, community, and hope to current and former religious professionals who no longer hold supernatural beliefs. Drew blogs at drewbekius.com and is working on a book tentatively titled “The Rise and Fall of Faith.” EA co-host Bob Pondillo was on vacation when this conversation was taped on June 20th, 2015 so this is just two ex-pastors in conversation. Credits: "Towering Mountain of Ignorance" intro by Hank Green https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3v3S82TuxU Intro bumper "Never Know" by Jack Johnson All other music performed by Nikolay Gavlishin

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ShelShocked #06 - Secularism

Sheldon Helms

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2015 63:46

In this episode, Sheldon and Marilin examine secularism, including an interview with Catherine Dunphy and Mary Johnson of The Clergy Project.

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Ep. 48 - Jerry DeWitt, Pentecostal Preacher Turned Outspoken Atheist

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2015 52:32

Jerry DeWitt was a Pentecostal preacher from Louisiana whose faith began cracking a few years ago. At first, he battled with his doubts internally, but he soon realized he no longer believed what he had been saying from the pulpit for nearly 25 years. When he finally declared -- publicly -- that he was an atheist, his life began to fall apart. He wrote about his deconversion in his book Hope After Faith. You may have also seen him in the recent CNN special "Atheists: Inside the World of Non-Believers." Hemant spoke with Jerry recently about what led him to initially doubt his religious beliefs, his journey through the Clergy Project, and how he can still get himself into "preacher mode" when speaking. (Jessica will return to the show in a couple of weeks!)

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Ep. 41 - Linda LaScola, Co-Author of "Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind"

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2015 38:44

Linda LaScola is a research consultant perhaps best known for her work with philosopher Daniel Dennett in which they speak with pastors who may secretly be atheists. She co-founded the Clergy Project -- a site for religious leaders harboring serious doubts about their faith -- and she is about to re-release her book on the topic, "Caught in the Pulpit," with updates and additions. She also blogs on Patheos at Rational Doubt, a site that features several articles by doubting pastors. We spoke with LaScola about how the Clergy Project began, whether coming out as an atheist (when you're a pastor) is a good or bad idea, and the surprising book that finally turned one pastor into an atheist.

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Linda LaScola, Caught in the Pulpit

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2014 29:00

This week my guest is Linda LaScola who along with Daniel Dennett, co-authored Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind. This book reports on a study of clergy who are no longer believers. Are these clergy unusual or are they the canaries in the coal mine signaling the demise of institutional religion? While that question may not have a clear answer, you will be intrigued by what Daniel Dennett and Linda LaScola discovered. Linda LaScola was one of the organizers of The Clergy Project and she blogs at Rational Doubt. *(In the interview she stated there are 800 members of the clergy project but meant to say 600).

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Episode 96 - Teresa MacBain From The Clergy Project

The Intellectual Saviors

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2014 81:54

This week the boys are joined by guest Teresa MacBain from The Clergy Project (A private forum for ministers who have lost or are losing their faith). She goes over her life in the ministry, losing faith, and her perspectives on religion. Afterwards the podcast goes gay, and of course the Dick of the Week!

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Guests: Tom Cara, Linda LaScola

Obcast - Near-Earth Object

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2013 42:50

It’s that time of year -- for nativity scene violations! We report on a couple of FFRF creche complaints (out of 60+ so far this year), then then we talk with Tom Cara, director of FFRF’s Metropolitan Chicago chapter, about the large atheist ‘A’ and the “nativity of the Bill of Rights” his group erected in downtown Daley Plaza. On the second half of the show, we interview Linda LaScola, one of the founders of the Clergy Project, and co-author of the new book (with Daniel C. Dennett) about clergy who have abandoned faith, Caught In The Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind.

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Episode 5: Catherine Dunphy - Escaping from Religion, Lighting a Path for Others

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2013 87:57

Catherine Dunphy might have been a nun. Luckily for the world, as she asked tough questions and opened her eyes to the dark machinery of institutional Catholicism, Catherine cast her faith aside. Now she brings her considerable intellect and compassion to the Clergy Project, helping secretly-atheist pastors cope with their impossible situation and begin the process of a transition out. Catherine and I talk about her remarkable journey, how she now helps guide others through theirs, and the deep implications of faith traditions crumbling from the inside.She has a few opinions about Pope Franky, too. Get ready for a fascinating edition of the Obcast.Duration: 88 minutesSubscribe to the Obcast in iTunes or through this link.Links from the show: The Clergy Project websiteCatherine on Twitter as @CatherineD_tcp Jerry DeWitt: "How to Pray if You're an Atheist"Me at Friendly Atheist: "How Revolutionary is Pope Francis, Anyway? "Damon Linker: "Pope Francis versus the Vatican" Mary Johnson's book, An Unquenchable ThirstLeah Libresco's post on her conversion

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The Humanist Hour #81: The Clergy Project

The Humanist Hour

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2013

In this month's podcast, Todd Stiefel and Margaret Downy interview three members of The Clergy Project.

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Jerry DeWitt, Hope After Faith and Recovering From Religion

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2013 27:45

Do you know what your minister believes? You might not. Jerry DeWitt is the author of the upcoming, Hope After Faith: An Ex-Pastor's Journey from Belief to Atheism. He is the executive director of Recovering From Religion, and "the first graduate" of The Clergy Project. His story has been written up in the New York Times and he speaks about his journey at a number of conferences such as Reason in the Rock 2012. I caught up with Jerry on Religion For Life to discuss what it means to graduate from faith. We are pulling back the curtain. Join me for this candid conversation. It is part of my future of faith series.

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Guest: Robert Parham

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2012 42:55

The battle over Christian banners in Texas high-school football games continues, with much national media attention. FFRF victory in Oregon plus the music of John Lennon and Ralph Vaughan Williams round out the first half of the show. Then we talk with Robert Parham, a Southern Baptist minister who "saw the light" and is now a nonbeliever and board member of The Clergy Project.

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#780: The Clergy Project

The Atheist Experience

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2012 117:49

Matt Dillahunty with guest Teresa MacBain. The Clergy Project. Teresa MacBain talks about her experience coming out as an atheist minister.

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Episode 2 – Featuring Teresa MacBain

Atheist Nomads

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2012 70:58

We are very pleased to have Teresa MacBain as our guest! You can find more about her below. Sorry about the sound quality, we're still learning and fine tuning things. You can now contact both of us at contact@atheistnomads.com, Wesley at wesley@atheistnomads.com, or Dustin at dustin@atheistnomads.com. You can also leave us voice mail at (541) 203-0666 and we may even play your message on the show. This Day in History First Salem witch hanging Franklin flies a kite during a thunderstorm Alcoholics Anonymous founded 2LiveCrew arrested for obscenity Samuel Pipim Wikipedia Adventists Today Spectrum 06/06/12 Spectrum 06/08/12 Other news Skinny Dinosaurs Japanese dock washes on shore in Oregon NASA's new spy satellites Arctic mega-bloom The fetal gnome can now be sequenced before birth LGBT caveman Teresa MacBain is the Executive Director of the Clergy Project and joins us for the second half of the show. She is a former Methodist pastor and the first woman to graduate from the Clergy Project. You can donate to the Clergy Project's fund through the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Connect with Teresa at her blog, follow her on Twitter, or like her on Facebook.

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Guest: Teresa MacBain

Reasonable Doubts Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2012 42:59

It's Memorial Day weekend, and the livin' is easy. Relax with us as we listen to some freethought music, new and old. On the second half of the show, we talk with Teresa MacBain, the Methodist minister who recently made national news (with stories on CNN and NPR) when she came out publicly as an atheist. Teresa is now Acting Director of The Clergy Project.

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Godless Bitches 02.09

Godless Bitches

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2012 84:59

Beth and Tracie are joined by Teresa MacBain - the first female graduate of The Clergy Project.rn rn(This episode has a few odd breaks in the audio due to problems with Skype.)

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rd92 Atheists in the Pulpit

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2011

Leaving religion can be difficult. It may lead to conflicts with family and friends and the loss of social support--and the more one is involved the deeper the loss. Clergy who silently doubt often feel trapped in a double life. They cannot continue to preach with conviction but they have come to depend on their congregations for financial support. Admitting their doubt could mean losing everything. Ex-minister Dan Barker, (co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation and author of the Good Atheist) knows first hand the challenges faced by atheists in the pulpit. He joins us to talk about The Clergy Project--an online support network for ministers who have begun to question the faith. Also on this episode: We discuss the physical cost of leaving groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses on this weeks "God Thinks Like You." Doubtcaster Justin Scheeber takes on William Lane Craig for this weeks Counterapologetics and Fletch brings us a tribute to the Valkyries for a new Polyatheism segment.

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Guest: "Chris," Southern Pastor/Nonbeliever