Graceful Atheist Podcast Atheists United Studios
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- Religion & Spirituality
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A secular humanist podcast about Secular Grace after deconstruction and deconversion. Member of the Atheists United Studios podcast network.
The podcast takes an honest look at stories of faith transition from a life-altering faith, to doubt and deconstruction, to deconversion, and finally, to a thriving graceful life post-deconversion.
My name is David, and I am trying to be the Graceful Atheist. Join me and be graceful human beings.
https://gracefulatheist.com/
Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
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Matthew Taylor: Why We Podcast
Mathew Taylor, co-host of Still Unbelievable!, returns to the podcast to discuss why we podcast.Links
Matthew on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/vteclimey
Confessions of a YEC blog:
https://confessionsofayec.wordpress.com/
"God takes the good people early” post:
https://confessionsofayec.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/god-takes-the-good-people-early/
Reason Press:
https://reasonpress.net/
"Still Unbelievable!” the book:
https://reasonpress.net/SU1EPodcasts:
Still Unbelievable!
https://anchor.fm/still-unbelievable
Ask An Atheist Anything
https://anchor.fm/reasonpress
Previous episode
https://gracefulatheist.com/2019/06/20/matthew-taylor-confessions-of-a-young-earth-creationist/
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/12/30/matthew-taylor-why-we-podcast/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/ -
Sara: Christian Humanism
This week’s guest is Sara. Sara grew up in a Canadian Mennonite community and embraced it wholeheartedly. She was surrounded by evangelical Christianity and she thrived.
As a young adult, she married and followed her husband into ministry. While he led, she helped as was expected of her. It didn’t occur to her until years later how little her own leadership skills had to be set aside.
Sara’s husband started deconstructing his beliefs before she did, but as he was learning, she was also learning. Years later, she knew he’d become an atheist before he did.
It wasn’t easy, but they made space for one another to learn and grow and move down their own paths. Today, Sara is a spiritual director for others and doesn’t have a specific label for herself, and it works just fine.
“There’s a whole host of ways of being in the world…”
Links
Sara’s website
https://prairiethistle.ca/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/prairiethistle
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/12/17/sara-christian-humanism/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/ -
Beth: Deconstruction from the Moral Majority
This week’s guest is Beth. Beth grew up in a fundamentalist Christian home that revered James Dobson, Jerry Falwell and all those who created the “Moral Majority.” Her father was a pastor whose sermons centered on the End Times and protecting their families from the “shifting culture,” (read: all the movements happening in the 60’s and 70’s).
As a teen, she lived a double life, keeping plenty of secrets from her parents. However, as a young adult, followed all the rules with the expectation that the “umbrella of God’s protection” would take care of her. It didn’t.
It took decades of trying to do what was “right” and watching the promises of the Church come to naught before she finally took the leap out of Christianity. She now identifies as SBNR—spiritual but not religious. Beth is now able to trust her own judgment and make decisions that are best for her. No “umbrella of protection” needed.
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/12/10/beth-deconstruction-from-the-moral-majority/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/ -
Andrew: Dino Dad Reviews
Arline interviews this week’s guest, Andrew. Andrew is a self-named atheist “paleo-nerd.” He grew up home-schooled in a fundamentalist church in southern California. His whole schooling was religious and that included Young Earth Creationism.
In high school, Andrew struggled with his shy nature and some depressive episodes. The church didn’t seem to have room for people like him. As a young adult, finally making his own decisions and living a life without fundamentalism everywhere, Andrew saw how much he could accomplish on his own. He had had the resources inside him but hadn’t known it.
Now, as an atheist, he’s figuring out what life looks like for himself. It includes a wife and kids, online friends, lots of dinosaurs, and a happiness that isn’t perfect or perpetual but is enough.
Links
Dino Dad Reviews
https://dinodadreviews.com/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/dinodadreviews/
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/12/03/andrew-dino-dad-reviews/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/ -
Racquelle: Deconstruction from SDA and Conspiracy Theories
Arline interviews this week’s guest, Racquelle. Racquelle grew up in Canada in the Seventh Day Adventist church. Conspiracy theories were common in her household. Some of them she bought into.
Throughout her life she went through periods of doubt but something kept bringing her back to Church. A sense of obligation and expectation never left her.
Eventually, Racquelle deconverted from her faith and deconstructed the conspiracy theories. She now has an interesting perspective on the deconstruction process.
Links
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/racquelle.pilon
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/racquelle_p/
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/11/26/racquelle-deconversion-from-sda-and-conspiracy-theories/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/ -
Andy Neal: Andy Films and Hikes
Arline interviews this week's guest, Andy Neal of Andy Films And Hikes fame. He is self described as a "plus size hiking influencer."
Andy tells his story of deconstruction, acceptance of his body and his joy in nature. He is an inspiration to all to get outdoors and experience nature.
Links
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes/
Link Tree
https://linktr.ee/AndyNeal
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/11/19/andy-neal-andy-films-and-hikes/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Customer Reviews
I love this podcast
I have been a faithful listener since 2019, I just just moved to a new town, struggling with my beliefs and the devastation (still) over the evangelical support of Trump. I was questioning everything and looking for answers. I somehow stumbled upon this podcast and heard stories of people leaving religion. I was immediately drawn to their stories and David’s gentle encouragement, I could relate to se many of them. This podcast became my lifeline as I moved through my deconstruction and ultimately my realization that I could no longer believe. I am grateful for this podcast and all the participants that do graciously shared their stories! Thank you.
Lifesaver
This podcast has been a lifesaver for me. I’m a former missionary, pastor’s kid and committed Christian who built my identity around the church for the last 40 years, and I am now nearing the end of a prolonged and sometimes painful Deconversion. David’s guests reassure me that I am not alone, I am not crazy, and that there is hope on the other end! I especially enjoyed David’s interview with his wife, Michelle, and their poignant honesty about their own relationship. Deconversion in the context of married life and raising older/teenage kids is hard, and I really appreciate David’s wisdom and life experience in those areas. I have found a lack of deconstruction/Deconversion podcasts focused on adults in midlife with older kids, rather than only on people in their 20s, or with babies and toddlers who don’t yet understand spiritual principles! David does a great job bringing in a variety of ages and viewpoints, and pointing listeners to additional resources. Thank you and please keep up the good work!
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