Episode 005
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 his 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.
If the player doesn’t appear above, click HERE
Extras:
If you are interested in helping establish a chapter of Recovering from Religion in the Toledo area, please contact the Secular Humanists of Western Lake Erie and they will pass your information on.
Host Notes:
My journey to non-belief was an easy one. I worked through a process from believing to non-belief and concluded I was an atheist. My family, while not sure what to make of the change, supported me and most of my friends didn’t even bring up my non-belief in conversation.
I know my experience was only one way people arrive at non-belief.
Some people become atheists and they might get kicked out of their home, disowned by their family, lose a job, lose friends, or lose a marriage. Everything tells them maybe they made the wrong choice.
That’s why I feel groups like Recovering from Religion and The Clergy Project are needed in the secular movement. The community they provide is invaluable to help those struggling with moving to non-belief. — Douglas
