How to Leave Religion (#276)

Religion on the Mind

Returning guest and psychologist of religion Daryl Van Tongeren (Hope College) and I discuss his new book "Done: How to Flourish After Leaving Religion,” a book that is also quite helpful for those remaining in faith communities after changing beliefs/deconstructing, etc. We explore the concept of "religious residue": how religion continues to impact the way we think, feel, and act even after leaving faith. We discussed the complexity of deconversion and why leaving faith can be so challenging and time-consuming, especially when finding community. This was a rich and insightful conversation, and will hopefully be encouraging to anyone navigating the tumultuous waters of religious change.

Highlights:

04:16 Difficulties of Leaving Religion

12:11 The Great Disillusionment: Reasons for Leaving Religion/Deconstruction

26:45 Religious Residue and Crafting a New Identity

36:36 Navigating Isolation

55:40 Finding a New Community

Daryl's Book | Done: How to Flourish After Leaving Religion by Darrell Van Tongren

Daryl's Website

Episodes with Daryl:

Episode 195: “You Are Not Your Beliefs”

Episode 177: “The Good of Religion Without the Bad?"

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