This week on RfRx, Rob Palmer returns to discuss mass psychogenic illness. Have U.S. government employees in Havana and all around the world – even behind the White House gates – been attacked and injured over the past seven years by secret energy-weapons wielded by undiscovered assailants for political reasons? Have thousands of girls in their schools across Iran been poisoned this past year by their Islamic government as retribution for the mass anti-hijab protests? Did a 4-ft tall roller-skating Monkey Man with metal claws and glowing red eyes attack people throughout New Delhi causing injuries and deaths? Believe it or not, there is a connection between these seemingly unrelated headline-grabbing events. This presentation will examine a little recognized and less understood phenomenon that is likely the actual culprit in these and a myriad of similar events that have occurred throughout the world and throughout human history: Mass Psychogenic Illness.
Rob Palmer is a retired aerospace engineer. He has been a spacecraft designer, spacecraft tester, computer programmer, and software systems engineer. Rob became a skeptical activist in 2016 upon joining the Guerrilla Skeptics on Wikipedia team, and in 2018 became a columnist for Skeptical Inquirer. To date he has had over 70 articles published by Skeptical Inquirer as well as in other publications, and the Wikipedia articles he’s written have garnered over 13 million pageviews.
Rob writes about contemporary skeptical issues, and has interviewed individuals as diverse as Neil deGrasse Tyson, Richard Dawkins, Penn Jillette, Ann Druyan (producer and writer for the modern Cosmos series), Dave Warnock (Of Dying Out Loud), Seth Andrews (host of The Thinking Atheist podcast), John de Lancie (Star Trek’s Q), and even God - eh, Mr. Deity - himself.

Rob is registered with the Center for Inquiry’s Speakers Bureau, and has given presentations for various skeptic and humanist groups and conventions, including: We Can Reason, Dragon Con, and three times at CSICon (the annual science and skepticism conference in Las Vegas). He has been interviewed about these subjects on various podcasts and YouTube shows, including The Skeptic Zone, Big Picture Science, Be Rationable, The Phil Ferguson Show, Banachek’s Brain, 502 Conversations, Point of Inquiry, The Thinking Atheist, and here for RfRx.
All of Rob’s skeptical work can be found at: https://linktr.ee/thewellknownskeptic.

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

This week on RfRx, Evan Clark joins us to talk about Atheist Street Pirates, local activists who track and remove illegal religious signage littering highways, streets, and neighborhoods with unwelcome and illegal street propaganda across the United States. Evan will share ideas for building and maintaining secular communities using innovative techniques rather than replicating outdated religious models. This episode of (ARR)RfRx is sponsored by the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Evan Clark is the Executive Director of Atheists United. He is a humanist entrepreneur, political consultant, and public speaker with over 14 years of experience tinkering with secular communities. Evan is also the founder and creative director of Spectrum Experience LLC, the North American Coordinator for Young Humanists International, and the California State Director for American Atheists. Previously he was Chair of the Secular Student Alliance Board of Directors, co-host of the Humanist Experience podcast, and co-founder of the Humanist Community of Ventura County. He is also an Atheist Street Pirate.

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

How can philosophy improve our understanding of secularism and critical thinking? This week on RfRx, join us for a conversation about secularism and philosophy with philosopher, author, and speaker Nicholas Soutter. We will discuss the field of philosophy and its applications to secularism, dogma, controversial social issues, and science fiction. Bring your questions for Nick and join us for this interactive episode!

Nicholas Soutter graduated from Clark University with Bachelors' Degrees in Philosophy and Psychology. He has authored several essays and books on politics and social science as well as science fiction, including ‘The Water Thief’ and ‘Confessions of a Sin Eater’. He used to run the Humanist Codex and now hosts a secular news and education Channel called In Time (http://YouTube.com/intimeshow).

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

Growing up in fundamentalist religious households, the trauma that children experience due to the belief systems of their parents can last a lifetime and be very difficult to work through. Alexis will talk about how she got herself out of the fundamentalist belief system and the path she took to discovering her own identity. She will provide helpful tips on reflecting back upon the past, working through identity crises, finding your own parenting style, and dealing with estranged relationships.

Alexis is a former Pentacostal and present day author of a podcast which focuses on family estrangement called “When the Bough Breaks”. She frequently speaks about estrangement or shunning in addition to childhood indoctrination and trauma. She lives in beautiful Washington state with her children. She plays music whenever she can and is also writing a new book about her experience growing up in a fundamental Christian family.

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

Substance and alcohol abuse is so prevalent around the world that very few people have not succumbed to its temptation or know someone who has. There is substantial evidence that we and our ancient relatives used substances as antimicrobials and antiparasitic agents. A byproduct was these substances' ability to disable our prefrontal cortex, inhibit our inner chimp and stimulate our inner bee, to become the ultra social, eusocial organism that we are. Substances provide some of the same benefits as religion, helping to bind genetic strangers together and not teaching evolution impairs the understanding of this phenomena.

Dr Andy Thomson is a psychiatrist at University of Virginia Student Health Services. The 9/11 attacks triggered an interest in suicide terrorism, which led to the discovery of an unappreciated world of research into how and why human minds generate religious beliefs. Andy has written “Why We Believe In God(s): A Concise Guide to the Science of Faith” which brings that world to anyone interested.

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

American Atheists is a national civil rights organization that works to achieve religious equality for all Americans by protecting what Thomas Jefferson called the “wall of separation” between government and religion created by the First Amendment. They strive to create an environment where atheism and atheists are accepted as members of our nation’s communities and where casual bigotry against our community is seen as abhorrent and unacceptable. They promote understanding of atheists through education, outreach, and community-building and work to end the stigma associated with being an atheist in America.

Sam McGuire has a varied background in counseling, education, event planning and volunteer management. As National Field Director, she works with local grassroots activists, volunteers and affiliates to help them engage on emerging local civil rights issues, advocate for state level legislation, and build thriving communities.

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

As an offshoot of the Mennonites, the Amish have been around since the 17th century and are well known for their public-facing quaint and austere lives. However, along with their historical and religious cousins, the Mennonites and other Anabaptists, those who are on the inside know it's not at all an idyllic life within these isolated religious communities. In this RfRx talk, we'll discuss what the Amish believe and how it's shaped their communities and activities; how it's different from other Christian belief systems; the difference between the Amish and Mennonite beliefs; and the harm that can come from these beliefs, specially when it comes to education and integrating into the modern world around them.

Torah Bontrager escaped in the middle of the night at age 15 so she could go to high school. She’s the author of Amish Girl in Manhattan and, to her knowledge, the first female Amish escapee to graduate from the Ivy League. Her story’s been featured on MTV and Forbes.com, among others. Today, she advocates for the right of Amish children to go to school beyond the 8th grade. Torah founded The Amish Heritage Foundation, which focuses on making education a federal right and overturning the Supreme Court case Wisconsin v. Yoder.

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

Are humans 'hard-wired' for religion? Dr. Mark Reimers will describe recent evidence from neuroscience, genetics, anthropology, and psychology about the human propensity to be religious.

Dr. Mark Reimers is a computational neuroscientist at Michigan State University where he researches how animal brains work and how human genes affect brain function. His broader aim is to ground our understanding of feeling and thought in the facts of biology. Dr. Reimers was raised Christian but found a path to humanism in his twenties. Since then he has been a humanist leader and speaker for over a decade in Virginia and now in Michigan.

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

During the decade when Evangelicalism was coalescing with politics, a homegrown cult, known as the Shepherding Movement, reached its zenith. A religious pyramid scheme that bilked people of their money, identity, and freedom quietly penetrated the Southern United States. Rachel Roberts escaped the cult and the 80s, and fortunately outgrew both, just like her teenage bad perm.

Rachel Roberts founded American None™, the first organization of its kind to serve the fastest-growing (non)religious demographic in our country– the Nones. She is the author of “Confessions of an American None: A Credo of Sorts”. Rachel is deeply motivated to help elevate the soul of our nation and believes that collectively Nones harness a vast power to do so. The study of religion has been her passion since young adulthood. She has a bachelor's degree with an emphasis on philosophy of religion, and a masters degree in Theological Studies from Southern Methodist University. She grew up in a Christian cult with her mother, yet her father was an atheist. After an on-again, off-again relationship with Christianity as an adult, Rachel found her truth and freedom in coming out as a None. Rachel has three children, a dog named Tito, and a cat named Strudel. Her guilty pleasures include gummy bears, a crisp IPA, and Star Trek.

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

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

A foundational piece of fundamentalist thinking is black/white, us vs them, view of the world. Often, even having left the structure of religion behind, we still maintain that either/or worldview. In this RfRx discussion, David will work through why this is still so enticing, even without a god, and how to expand beyond it when engaging with other people in dialogue and with ourselves in self-evaluation. As an educator and trainer for health providers and other professionals, David Teachout also has a private practice helping adults and couples with learning resiliency skills related to relationship difficulties and trauma. He maintains a podcast, “Humanity’s Values,” and a blog related to mental health topics. David has worked in mental health care for 15 years, and holds a master’s in both forensic and counseling psychology, as well as currently working towards a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. He’s also worked in community mental health, social work, criminal justice, elder care, and child advocacy.  Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Kara Griffin, RfR Helpline Agent.  Recorded on September 20, 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

Our brains evolved on the African savannah well enough to allow Homo Sapiens to survive in that harsh, unforgiving environment, and go on to populate the planet. But the thinking organ which developed to prevent our death at the hands of predators and the elements is far from perfect. We are primed to trust the opinions and anecdotes of those in our close circle, and the pronouncements of those in authority. We conclude that something is true based on inadequate personal experience, less-than-perfect memory, faulty logic, and a host of cognitive biases. These tendencies can lead us to believe in things which do not comport with reality, and often lead to bad decisions, and even harm. In this talk, Rob Palmer will discuss these topics from a skeptical perspective, because understanding our innate cognitive failings can help us all think more rationally, better avoid errors, and hopefully live better lives.

Rob Palmer is a skeptical activist who works to educate the public about critical thinking by contributing to Wikipedia as part of The Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia project (GSoW), and by writing for Skeptical Inquirer as The Well-Known Skeptic. His column covers contemporary skeptical issues, and he has interviewed conference speakers, podcasters, YouTubers, scientists, activists, and TV personalities as diverse as Cosmos producer/writer Ann Druyan, Thomas Westbrook (Holy Koolaid), Seth Andrews (The Thinking Atheist), and actor/activist John de Lance (Q of Star Trek).  Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Helen Greene, RfR SGL & Helpline Agent  Recorded on September 13, 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

Trigger warning: Images of Self Harm are in the presentation

Regular RfRx guest Dr. Andy Thomson, M.D. will summarize key findings from the psychological science research into happiness and well-being, and how it all connects to our evolutionary history. Additionally, the presentation will discuss a useful model known as the “AAA battery”: Agency, Attachment, and Altruism.

Dr Andy Thomson is a psychiatrist at University of Virginia Student Health Services. The 9/11 attacks triggered an interest in suicide terrorism, which led to the discovery of an unappreciated world of research into how and why human minds generate religious beliefs. Andy has written “Why We Believe In God(s): A Concise Guide to the Science of Faith” which brings that world to anyone interested.

Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Sherrie D’Souza, RfR Support Group Leader & Board Member  

Recorded on September 6, 2021

Resource List

- “Becoming Attached” by Robert Karen

- “My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel” by Ari Shavit

- “Can you connect with me now? How the presence of mobile communication technology influences face-to-face conversation quality” by Andrew K. Przybylski, Netta Weinstein

- “The evolutionary psychology of healing: A human success story” by Nicholas Humphrey:

How do you know if your thinking and decision-making are biased? We encounter so much information on a daily basis that all of us are susceptible to cognitive bias, which is often the result of our brains’ attempts to simplify information processing. This week on RfRx, Richard Gilliver will discuss what cognitive biases are, how to avoid bias in skeptical thinking, and how to make sure we are not unwittingly making these errors when our brains try to take mental shortcuts while doing research or finding resources. Bring your questions for Richard and join us for this week’s interactive Q&A!

Richard Gilliver has been having discussions with religious people for thirty years, originally via talking to them in the street, then on internet message boards and more recently on social media.
He has studied Buddhist meditation for two decades and took an academic interest in religious scriptures - specifically from Buddhism, Islam and Christianity around a decade ago. He began as a Skeptic educator around two years ago - like many others taking the opportunity during the beginning of the covid pandemic to find a new way of communicating with people. It was around the same time that he began volunteering with the ACA and undertook his degree in religion, philosophy and ethics - a move encouraged by his wife to formalize his lifelong interest.
Today he has his own skeptic show on YouTube which looks at different topics with a heavy focus on academia as well as being the co founder and co host of the weekly Skeptic Hangout Podcast and a Host on the ACA’s non Prophet’s show.
In addition he has been a regular host on Ethan Micheal’s ‘The Perspective’, International Freethinkers ‘We are parents’ and guest host on ‘Truth Wanted’ and ‘Talk Heathen’ - both produced by the ACA. Outside of Skepticism he has been a regular guest host on the Bloody Good Film Podcast - a weekly Podcast that discusses action and horror movies.

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

Since 2014, Kansas City Oasis has provided a community for secular families, believing the human experience is better when shared. Our goal is to cultivate an environment where you will find new friends and a place to belong, regardless of your beliefs, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our Core Values define our community and help shape our interactions with each other, society, and the world: People are more important than beliefs, human hands solve human problems, reality is known through reason, meaning comes from making a difference, be accepting and being accepted.

Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Niki Aktipis now lives in Kansas City, Kansas with their guinea pigs, rabbits, leopard gecko, fish, and a rotational variety of foster pets. Currently, Niki is a Teach for America teacher at Wyandotte High School and the board president of Kansas City Oasis. They graduated from the University of Michigan in 2013 with a bachelor’s in Biopsychology and the University of Derby in 2015 with a masters in Conservation Biology. They are currently completing their master’s in Education from Fort Hays State University. Niki is an avid science enthusiast, environmentalist, social justice advocate, and a life-long secular humanist. They have been a part of the Oasis community since 2016 and are honored to support the continued growth of Kansas City Oasis.

Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Sascha D’Souza, RfR OCE Regional Support Group Director 

Recorded on August 30th, 2021

Resources

- Slides for the discussion: https://tinyurl.com/RfRxKCOasisSlides

- Oasis Community Network: https://www.oasisnetwork.com

- KC Oasis website: http://www.kcoasis.org

- KC Oasis FB page: https://www.facebook.com/KCOasis

- KC Oasis YouTube Channel: @KansasCityOasis

- KC Oasis Meetup Group: https://www.meetup.com/KCOasis

In many Muslim majority countries doubting Islamic teachings, leaving the faith, or same-sex love can result in harsh punishments, ostratization, toture or even execution. As you might imagine, these repercussions result in fear and deep psychological trauma. In this RfRx discussion, Yasmine Mohammend will share with us how the nonprofit organization Free Hearts Free Minds is working to offer mental health support for these people. Free Hearts refers to supporting members of the LGBT community and Free Minds refers to supporting freethinkers who choose to denounce the religion they were born into. Yasmine Mohammed is a Canadian author and human rights activist advocating for the rights of women living within Islamic majority countries, as well as those who struggle under religious fundamentalism. She is the founder of Free Hearts Free Minds, an organization that provides psychological support for freethinkers living within Muslim majority countries, where the state sanctioned punishment for leaving Islam is death. Additionally, she is the author of the book Unveiled: How Western Liberals Empower Radical Islam. Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Kara Griffin, RfR Helpline Agent Recorded on August 8, 2021 Resource List - Free Hearts Free Minds: http://www.freeheartsfreeminds.com - Unveiled: How Western Liberals Empower Radical Islam by Yasmine Mohammed - Banaz A Love Story: https://youtu.be/VepuyvhHYdM - Rainbow Railroad: https://www.rainbowrailroad.org - Secular Underground Network: https://secularundergroundnetwork.org - Ben Affleck, Sam Harris and Bill Maher Debate Radical Islam: https://youtu.be/vln9D81eO60 - RfRx Religion Spotlight - Islam with Yasmine Mohammed: https://youtu.be/wTMnpPacPTM More about Yasmine Mohammed & Free Hearts Free Minds - FHFM website: http://www.freeheartsfreeminds.com

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as Mormonism) is a relative newcomer to the religion scene having been around for less than 200 years having been born out of violence and deceit. Over that time it has predictably adapted to changing social views and failed prophecies. In this RfRx Shannon Grover and Bryce Blankenagel will discuss LDS history and dogma as well as the unique challenges people face when leaving this faith behind.

Shannon Grover was born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a model Mormon. She went to church, held callings, went on a mission, married in the temple, stayed home, and stuffed all of her doubts into a locked closet. Five years ago, when the closet was so full the door broke, she finally faced reality and walked away. Now she is the co-host of the Glass Box Podcast with Bryce Blankenagel, while she works to break free of the conditioning the church imposed on her.  Bryce Blankenagel was also born and raised in the LDS church and was also a model Mormon. However as a teenager he became less and less satisfied with the answers to the questions he asked his elders. At the age of 17 he stopped attending church and began to examine the religion he was born into. Bryce is the co-host of the Glass Box Podcast as well as the host of the Naked Mormonism podcast.  Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Sacha D’Souza, RfR Support Group Regional Director.  Recorded on August 16, 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

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

Want to learn more about Black Nonbelievers, and how to support our work? Mandisa Thomas will discuss the organization’s mission, why BN is needed, and how you can contribute. Black Non-Believers is celebrating their 10 year anniversary! Watch their anniversary video here: https://youtu.be/nMRAtsDE1og

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, Georgia chapter of Recovering from Religion.   Mandisa has been the recipient of the following awards and recognition: - 2020 - Harvard Humanist of the Year (along with Sikivu Hutchinson and Ijeoma Oluo) - 2019 - Freethought Heroine (Freedom from Religion Foundation) - 2019 - Backbone Award (Secular Student Alliance) - 2018 - Person of the Year (Unitarian Universalist Humanist Association)  Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director, and Kara Griffin, RfR Helpline Agent.  Recorded on August 2, 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

Because most fundamentalist religions are such high demand belief-systems, when it’s suddenly gone, it can be a very disorienting, confusing and painful time in someone's life. One can find themselves, as Katherine Roberts did, with a shaken worldview and lost without the underpinnings of their old faith. Gleaning from her own journey out of faith, and looking back at the challenges that she faced, Katherine will offer practical advice to those finding themselves sitting amongst the ruins of their former faith, wondering where to start to rebuild in a healthy way.

Katherine Roberts spent nearly 25 years as an evangelical, fundamental Christian, most of those years being in some form of ministry and eventually became ordained pastor. In 2018, after a long period of deconstructing from fundamentalist beliefs, she made a skeptical  examination of the  evidence for the existence of God, and today, she calls herself an atheist and a freethinker.

Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Kara Griffin, RfR Helpline Agent.

Recorded on  July 19, 2021

Atheist Community of Discord: https://discord.com/invite/B28xRKb

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

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

All the major world religions, both Eastern and Western, share more in common than most people realize - and often share the same skeletons in their closets. In this RfRx David will discuss patterns in the ways the concept of gods and God changes over millennia. Drawing upon the scholarship of many historians and social science disciplines, he'll trace out how religious ideas originated and evolved from prehistory to the ancient world to the modern day - and the most surprising discoveries underlying all our religions, even today.

David Fitzgerald is an award-winning author, historical researcher, international public speaker, and long-time passionate atheist activist. In a career spanning over 20 years, he has worked for or with the Secular Student Alliance, American Atheists, Center for Inquiry, Camp Quest West, American Humanist Association, (and RfR!) and several other freethought organizations, conferences and secular events.   Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Sherrie D’Souza, RfR Board Member and Support Group Leader.

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

In On the Origin of Species Charles Darwin wrote, “Pain or suffering of any kind, if long continued, causes depression and  lessens the power of action; yet is well adapted to make a creature guard itself against any great or sudden evil.”  One hundred and sixty years later we have solid theories supported by evidence that depression’s core structure arises from an adaptation, not a broken or dysfunctional brain.

Andy Thomson is a psychiatrist at University of Virginia Student Health Services. The 9.11 attacks triggered an interest in suicide terrorism, which led to the discovery of an unappreciated world of research into how and why human minds generate religious beliefs. Andy has written “Why We Believe In God(s): A Concise Guide to the Science of Faith” which brings that world to anyone interested.  Hosted by Eric Wells, RfR Support Group Director, and Helen Greene, RfR Support Group Leader.  Recorded on July 12, 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

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

Over the past several decades there has been a rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States. In this RfRx discussion, Seth will discuss the power that the Christian Nationalist movement currently wields, and how they use it. He will be exploring the way this ideology has been sold to the masses and injected into government, despite church state separation. There is a privilege to this movement that makes it unique. Christian Nationalists wield money, power, and a belief that they are the chosen ones. Seth will shed light on this privileged position and highlight how fear of the “other” is used both as a motivator and a selling point to forward the Christian Nationalists' cause as their numbers are dwindling and the secular population is growing.

Seth Andrews, a video producer and former Christian broadcaster, now hosts The Thinking Atheist, one of the most popular online atheist communities and podcasts in the world. The Thinking Atheist is not a person, it's an icon encouraging all to reject faith and pursue reason and evidence. Seth has authored several books: "Deconverted," "Sacred Cows," "Ghost Stories," and "Confessions of a Former Fox News Christian". He also hosts The Thinking Atheist podcast on Spreaker, a broadcast that has been downloaded over 50 million times since its launch in 2010.  Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Sherrie D’Souza, RfR Board Member & Support Group Leader  Recorded on July 5th, 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

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

A surprisingly high percent of people believe in "psychics" and "mediums" (those claiming to see the future & communicate with the dead). Unfortunately, having supernatural beliefs inherent in being religious influences people to believe this at a rate over 5 times higher than atheists do. This leaves them open to psychological and financial devastation at the hands of con-artists. In this talk, Rob will reveal how psychics and mediums manipulate people into believing they have special abilities (on TV and in person), and explain why science says that these paranormal claims are untrue. He will present details about believers defrauded of enormous sums (up to their entire life savings), and he will explain how the legal system is not on your side if you become a victim.

Rob is a skeptical activist who writes for Skeptical Inquirer as The Well-Known Skeptic. He writes about contemporary skeptical issues, and has interviewed conference speakers, scientists, TV personalities, and skeptical and atheist activists. Rob takes a special interest in combating the dangerous belief in psychics and mediums, and he educates the public about the harm that often befalls vulnerable victims who trust in people claiming these abilities. Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Sacha D’Souza, RfR Regional Director  Recorded on July 28th, 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

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

Religion impacts our brains and nervous systems. The evidence is easy to see and is experienced by many people. Dr. Ray will show how emotions like fear and disgust are used by religion. He will also demonstrate how religion interferes with our normal attachment systems and how religion distorts normal development from childhood to adulthood among many other things. If you have experienced trauma, can't get over fear of hell, feel disgust at things that seem normal to other people, you will find this an interesting and helpful talk.

Dr Darrel Ray is the Founder and president of Recovering from Religion. He has been a psychologist for over thirty years and is the author of four books: including "The God Virus-How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture" and "Sex and God-How Religion Distorts Sexuality". Dr. Ray has been a student of religion most of his life and holds a Masters's Degree in religion as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology/Anthropology with a Doctorate in Psychology.

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

Religions teach nothing about actual sexuality, biology and why our bodies work as they do. In this talk Dr. Ray will be discussing some basic facts about sex, evolution and human sexuality, like why is the penis shaped as it is? What is it with all those sperm males produce? What is sexual dimorphism? Are we chimps, gorillas or bonobos? We breed cows, chickens and other animals, could we be breeding ourselves as well? Learning the science of sex can help you make your own decisions about your sexuality and help you throw away the 3,000 year old ideas found in religious indoctrination.  Trigger warning: This discussion contains images of genetalia and acknowledges the existence of sex.

Dr Darrel Ray is the Founder & President of Recovering from Religion. He has been a psychologist for over thirty years and is the author of four books: including "The God Virus-How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture" and "Sex and God-How Religion Distorts Sexuality". Dr. Ray has been a student of religion most of his life and holds a Masters Degree in religion as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology/Anthropology with a Doctorate in Psychology.  Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Kara Griffin, RfR Helpline Agent  Recorded on June 21, 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

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

In this presentation, we will discuss the psychological concepts of suffering and the “Martyrdom Effect.” We will also explore how self-inflicted suffering and martyrdom can lead to unhelpful core beliefs about the world and how to develop a healthier relationship with suffering.

Hayley Twyman Brack is a licensed professional counselor and freelance writer in Oklahoma. Hayley has co-authored a textbook chapter for mental health clinicians on helping secular individuals navigate grief and has also written over 350 articles for a satirical, socio-political website. In her freetime, she also co-hosts a board game podcast and officiates secular and LGBTQIA+ weddings.

Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Medelin Nolasco, RfR Helpline Volunteer and Social Host.

Recorded on February 8th, 2021

Discussion resources

www.seculartherapy.org www.findcbt.org 

The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris Link to slideshow (PDF): https://tinyurl.com/nbrjpnba

Learn more about Hayley Twyman Brack www.malthausgames.com  

Atheist Community of Discord: https://discord.com/invite/B28xRKb

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

Religion’s influence on socially-accepted gender identity, expression, and roles isn’t always overt.  Sarah’s journey out of religion ultimately led to authenticity, but being transgender in a broadly cis-het society is still made difficult by religion and dogmatic thinking. Sarah is a transgender woman who grew up in a small rural town in Illinois.  After leaving her Christian God belief and moving to Florida, she was finally able to address her gender identity and dysphoria. Sarah is a newly-minted RFR Support Group Leader, Endorsed Humanist Celebrant and recently joined The Humanist Society Board of Directors. Becca is a former Jehovah’s Witness who, with her wife Sarah, co-founded the Atheist Community of Polk County in Florida.  Becca is an Assistant State Director with American Atheists.  They’re responsible for two energetic little humanists, ages 10 and 5. Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director. Recorded on February 1st, 2021 Discussion resources: National Center for Transgender Equality - Resources to learn about trans and nonbinary people, how to interact and be a good ally https://transequality.org/ TransLifeline - Peer support line staffed by trans people for trans people https://translifeline.org/ Human Rights Campaign - Resource on trans youth https://www.hrc.org/resources/transgender-children-and-youth-understanding-the-basics Learn more about Sarah & Becca Ray Atheist Community of Polk County: https://polkatheists.org Freethought in Florida (YouTube & Podcast): https://polkatheists.org/fif

After explaining what Street Epistemology (also known as “SE”) is, Anthony Magnabosco will cover more advanced topics of the dialectical method of respectfully challenging belief claims. What are some common misunderstandings and criticisms of the approach? When should one probably not use the method? What things can get in the way of an effective conversation? You won’t want to miss this revealing discussion with one of the most proficient practitioners of this fascinating method of conversation!

Anthony Magnabosco is a skeptic and atheist from San Antonio Texas who has been practicing and promoting Street Epistemology for more than six years. Anthony has had several hundred chats (many of them, on camera and uploaded to his YouTube channel) on a variety of claims including Gods, ghosts, karma, law of attraction, and a variety of social and political topics. Anthony has appeared on The Thinking Atheist, The Atheist Experience, Cognitive Dissonance, and The David Pakman Show, to name a few. He is also a Founder and the current Executive Director of the new nonprofit organization Street Epistemology International. Anthony has given countless talks and workshops on Street Epistemology at conferences and events domestically and internationally.

Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, Medelin Nolasco, RfR Helpline Volunteer and Social Host, and Dr. Darrel Ray, RfR Founder and President.

Recorded on January 25th, 2021

Discussion resources

https://streetepistemology.com

https://discord.gg/sKap3zM (invite to a popular fan-managed SE Discord server)

Learn more about Anthony Magnabosco

https://streetepistemology.com/community

https://streetepistemology.com/resources

https://youtube.com/magnabosco210

https://twitter.com/magnabosco

Being a woman in ultra orthodox Judaism comes with additional challenges. As a young girl you are meant to serve your father and brothers - groomed to be a good wife. When you get married you relinquish even more of your rights and autonomy. In this “Religion Series” RfRx session we will explore the intricacies of Orthodox Judaism.

Libby Pollak was born and raised in an ultra orthodox Hasidic community in Brooklyn New York. She attended an all girls religious school where secular education was frowned upon and students were taught mostly bible studies and how to be a good obedient wife.   Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Medelin Nolasco, RfR Helpline Volunteer and Social Host.

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

*Trigger Warning - talk of suicide This discussion explores the religious community’s attempt to “fix” and change sexual orientations other than heterosexual, now known as Conversion Therapy, previously known as “ex-gay” treatments. The methodology varies, but the practice has been thoroughly debunked. Bill Prickett speaks about his personal experience, his rise as a leader in the conversion therapy community, and the harms it causes.

Bill Prickett was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, the "Bible Belt" of the Deep South. In early college, after a religious conversion, he decided to pursue a career in the ministry. He served more than five years in youth ministry, eleven years as Pastor of a Southern Baptist Church, and four years as Pastor of an independent, evangelical congregation.  To comply with the teachings of his conservative Christian faith, Bill spent more than eight years trying to change his sexual orientation. Eventually, he became Executive Director of an "ex-gay" ministry, working with others who also struggled with homosexuality. Since abandoning those futile efforts, he has spent decades speaking out about the deception and dangers of programs now known as Conversion Therapy.   Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Medelin Nolasco, RfR Helpline Volunteer and Social Host.

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

Many nonbelievers, especially those who have recently left their religion, struggle to redefine what the holidays mean to them. We'll discuss these challenges and provide ways to create your own meaningful rituals that will help you transform this time of year into a season of reason! Kayce Hodos, LCMHS is a licensed therapist specializing in postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. She recently started a coaching service to provide secular resources, support and a safe community for new nonbelievers. She lives in Wake Forest, NC, with her husband, son, and dog.  Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director.  Recorded on December 21, 2020 Resource list - RfRx  - Grief without God with Kayce Hodos, LPC: https://youtu.be/iocTD5W54pA - Tim Minchin's White Wine In The Sun: https://youtu.be/_CeY0VdhXK8 - Secular holiday song playlist: http://www.atheistliving.com/2014/12/secular-christmas-songs-extended-list.html - RfR Helpline: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org US Based Helplines - Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, Press 1 - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline : 1-800-273-8255 - Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 (for the transgender community) - Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 - TrevorLifeline: 866-488-7386 (for LGBTQ youth)

In this session Teri and Ryan will explain the beliefs that the Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA) hold and their personal “coming out of religion” stories. We’ll discuss the history of the Seventh-Day Adventists, their practices and the struggles faced by those who leave. Ryan Bell is the host and producer of the Life After God podcast, the humanist chaplain at the University of Southern California, and the National Organizing Manager at the Secular Student Alliance. For 20 years Ryan was a Seventh-day Advenist pastor. He earned a Master of Divinity from the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary at Andrews University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. In 2014 he wrote a blog entitled, Year Without God, which was covered internationally on media outlets including CNN, NPR, BBC, CBC, LA Times, and dozens of podcasts. Teri Gamble is an international performing artist and drama coach who has performed on international stages from Los Angeles to Moscow, Boston and New York. She has appeared on the hit TV series Modern Family and ER and has appeared in numerous theater productions and commercials. Teri is the co-host of Horror Movie Survival Guide – a horror movie podcast you can stream anywhere you listen to podcast. She is also an avid D&D – tabletop roleplay gamer – and can be found on various podcast and streaming channels on Twitch (12 Sided Stories, Happy Jack’s RPG and Saving Throw Show). Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director. Recorded on December 14, 2020 Discussion resources  - Life After God podcast (www.lifeaftergod.org)  - Seventh-Gay Adventists (documentary)https://www.sgamovie.com/ - Year Without God blog (https://www.patheos.com/blogs/yearwithoutgod/)  - Mr. Deity - For Some Levity (https://www.youtube.com/user/misterdeity)  - Mr. Deity episode with Ryan Bell (https://youtu.be/Dftib43_QRo) Learn more about Ryan J. Bell & Teri Gamble - www.lifeaftergod.org (podcast) - www.ryanjbell.info - IG, Twitter & Facebook: @ryanjbell  - http://terigamble.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/horrormoviesurvivalguide/ - All social media: @TheTeriGamble

Shunning is a hurtful and harmful practice that affects thousands of former members of high-control groups. A trauma-informed approach offers hope and the prospect of moving beyond feeling in bondage to inhumane rules. This presentation will give you tools and ideas for research that can help. Cathy S. Harris is a Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years' experience in a variety of settings helping people get beyond traumatic experiences and on to their best life. She was recruited to a religious cult at 17 years old. At 43, she began to question this membership and left the group. In spite of being shunned by family and friends she has found a life she loves. Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director. Recorded on December 7, 2020. Resources List - Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan - Leaving The Saints by Martha Beck  - Crossing Over: One Woman’ Escape From Amish Life by Ruth Garrett & Rick Farrant  - Shunned: A Survival Guide by Bonnie Zieman  - Adverse Childhood Experiences Study: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html - What is Trauma-Informed Care?  - Breaking Their Will: Religious Child Maltreatment https://youtu.be/R9kGUtitL3A - Dr Dan Siegel: On Ambivalent Attachment: https://youtu.be/nGhZtUrpCuc  Learn more about Cathy S. Harris, LCSW - www.discoveryouservices.com

A religious identity is more than a label put on for church services. It is a way of seeing yourself, your relationships, and the world around you in a structured ethical way. Everything potentially has meaning at a cosmic level. Losing that sense of structure can be devastating. Here we’re going to look at why you don’t have to give up your Values, even the ones you had before, and consider how to build meaning/purpose/ethics into your life without cosmic interruption.

David Teachout, LMHC is a licensed mental health counselor who grew up in Michigan, home of taking the first day of hunting season off from school, and went to a bible college in my then quest to become a minister for Christianity. Questions ensued, answers were not forthcoming, and the result is a life of studying humanity from a place of curiosity rather than condemnation. David currently resides in the Seattle area, with a career almost entirely focused on psychology and possess a sometimes frustrating desire to pursue complicated conversations  Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director.

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

This week on RfRx, join us for a conversation with former Shia Muslim, author, and public speaker, Armin Navabi. Armin will discuss his faith and his journey to becoming a secular activist, as well as his book “Why There Is No God”, in which he deconstructs common arguments for the existence of a god. Bring your questions for the live Q&A with Armin!

Armin Navabi is an atheist activist, known for his extensive efforts in promoting secularism, atheism, and liberalism among different communities worldwide. As a former practicing Shia Muslim turned outspoken atheist, his experiences lend authenticity to his work.
Navabi founded Atheist Republic, a non-profit organization that has grown to provide a safe space for non-believers worldwide to connect, share ideas, and offer mutual support. His influential book, "Why There Is No God," deconstructs common arguments for the existence of God and has established him as a thought leader within atheist circles. He frequently speaks at conferences and events worldwide, spreading his message of liberal and secular values. Armin is also the host of the Atheist Republic YouTube channel, where Armin and Suzanna discuss relevant events from all around the world to attract and connect atheists across borders and promote a global secular movement.

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

Recorded on November 23, 2020.

How do we know what is right and wrong? If not religion, where do we look for moral guidance? In this talk, Danielle LaSusa Ph.D. explores how we find or create a foundation for our moral decision-making outside the context of religion.

Danielle LaSusa Ph.D. helps moms grapple with what it means to make a person. She is a Philosophical Coach and co-creator and co-host of Think Hard podcast, which brings philosophy to the real world. She has a PhD in Philosophy and a Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies from Temple University, and a certification in Philosophical Counseling from the American Philosophical Practitioners Association. When her daughter was born, she almost broke her brain trying to figure out what the hell happened. Now, she helps other moms make sense of motherhood.

Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director.

Discussion resources

- The Euthyphro http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/euthyfro.html

- “A Defense of Ethical Relativism” Ruth Benedict http://public.callutheran.edu/~chenxi/Phil315_031.pdf

- “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” James Rachels https://rintintin.colorado.edu/~vancecd/phil1100/Rachels1.pdf 

Learn more about Danielle LaSusa 

- http://daniellelasusa.com/

- http://www.thinkhardpodcast.com

- TED Talk “What to do when your worldview falls apart” https://www.ted.com/talks/dr_danielle_lasusa_what_to_do_when_your_worldview_falls_apart

Recorded on Nov 16, 2020

Were you ever a religious asshole? Sometimes when we leave religion we don’t leave enough behind and take our sexism, racism, and homophobia with us. In this talk, we’ll discuss how NOT to be a secular asshole.

Rebecca Williams is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. She is the owner of Inland Empire Couples Counseling and specializes in helping mixed faith and religious/secular couples have connected, intimate, satisfying relationships. She’s offering a free mini-course for mixed-faith couples. https://www.iecouplescounseling.com/the-united-couple

One of Rebecca’s therapy superpowers is helping people connect across the religious-secular divide.  

Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director.  

Learn more about Rebecca Williams

- Instagram: @RebeccaRelationshipExpert 

- Twitter: @RebeccaWLMFT 

- Facebook: Inland Empire Couples Counseling 

- Free Mini Course: https://www.iecouplescounseling.com/the-united-couple

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

In this discussion Hayley Twyman Brack speaks about the fear of hell. We will discuss why even non-believers may experience residual fear of hell, long after they have deconverted. We will also explore the science behind the fear and resources for support.

Hayley Twyman Brack is a licensed professional counselor and freelance writer in Oklahoma. Hayley has co-authored a textbook chapter for mental health clinicians on helping secular individuals navigate grief and has also written over 350 articles for a satirical, socio-political website. In her freetime, she also co-hosts a board game podcast and officiates secular and LGBTQIA+ weddings.  Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Medelin Nolasco, RfRx Social Hour Host

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

In this RfRx session Taylor will discuss what Multi Level Marketing (pyramid schemes) are, the risks and statistics involved with MLMs, who they prey on, and how to avoid falling into one. Also, she will discuss how to deal with a family member or friend who has become involved with an MLM. MLMs disproportionately target religious people, and many of us who have left/are leaving religion likely know someone who is in an MLM.

Taylor is passionate about educating the public on the dangers and predatory nature of multi-level marketing companies. MLMs target vulnerable individuals and attempt to sell them on an unachievable dream life. She runs the YouTube channel “The Antibot” - in her videos she debunks claims made by MLMs and their distributors using reputable, peer-reviewed sources. More than anything, Taylor wants to help build a world where women are truly empowered through legitimate small business ownership and entrepreneurship, and to stop the cashflow to multi-billion dollar companies that prey on and exploit the very demographic they claim to empower.    Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director.

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

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

Premiered Jan 20, 2021

Dr. Darrel Ray returns to RfRx to tell us about “Religious Trauma, Its Roots and Its Treatments.” Religious abuse is the root of religious trauma and often goes unrecognized by therapists and clients alike. Children raised in toxic environments do not know it is toxic; it just seems normal to them. When they experience symptoms later in life, failure to identify the root cause leads to inappropriate treatments. Appropriate identification and treatment can often lead to rapid improvement and positive outcomes. Misidentification can lead to years of frustration and inappropriate treatment.

Dr. Ray is the founder and President of the Board of Directors of Recovering from Religion. He has been a psychologist for over thirty years and is the author of four books: two on organizational teamwork as well as "The God Virus-How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture" and "Sex and God-How Religion Distorts Sexuality".

Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director.

Resources 

- Leaving the Fold, by Dr. Marlene Winell

- The God Virus, by Dr. Darrel Ray

- The Relaxation Response by Herbert Benson

- Battle for the Mind, by William Sargent, Ph.D.

- Center for Disease Control - Adverse Childhood Experiences

- Morgue’s RTS story: “Is Religion Actually Child Abuse?“: https://youtu.be/KZakfMOp5qA

More about Dr. Darrel Ray 

- Twitter: @drdray132 

- LinkedIn: Dr. Darrel Ray

- https://www.facebook.com/darrel.ray  

- Book: "The God Virus-How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture"  

- Book: "Sex and God-How Religion Distorts Sexuality"

In this RfRx session we will discover that sexual integrity is simply about being yourself and getting honest with yourself and others about who you are as a sexual being. We will also discuss how to integrate, instead of compartmentalize sexuality.

Dr. Steven Davidson, Ph.D. (Certified Sex Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker) is a psychotherapist and sex therapist in private practice in Fort Lauderdale FL. He sees clients at his office or online via tele-therapy. His clients are individuals and couples from all walks of life who are seeking solutions to sexual problems.

Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director. 

Resources

- “Mating in Captivity” by” Esther Perel

- “Sex Outside the Lines” by Chris Donaghue

- “Guide to Getting it On” by Paul Joannides  

More about Dr. Steven Davidson 

- https://www.drstevendavidson.com

- https://www.facebook.com/The-Sexual-Integrity-Coach

Premiered Oct 21, 2020

Religion can take over our entire lives and shape every aspect of ourselves including our community, traditions, relationships with others and our identity. In this session of RfRx we will explore how we can find our new identity after leaving religion and how we can grow without the guidance of an all knowing God.

As a registered professional counsellor with a personal history of religious trauma syndrome, Janice is passionate about helping others understand their losses and embrace their new identity in the secular world. Her own deconversion experience compelled her to develop the on-line Divorcing Religion Workshop, a 6-week interactive workshop combining written exercises and group work to bring together those from diverse backgrounds who are walking a similar journey.

Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director.

Exercise List 

- List 20 things you like about yourself. Focus on character traits. 

- Contrasting Views Exercise: Write down former views about yourself, futures, others, sex, etc, then compare them to your current views on the same topic. 

- Examining Beliefs Exercise: Examine beliefs on how you view yourself and how you view others. How was I introduced to that belief? Do I still believe in that belief?  

More about Janice Selbie 

- http://www.DivorcingReligion.com  

- http://www.PanoramaCounselling.com

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

Do you feel bad about things you did or said when you were religious? Do you feel guilty doing or thinking things that your religion taught were “wrong” even though you don’t believe that anymore? Rebecca and Praia will help you understand what’s going on here and what to do about it, so you can live a happier, lighter, guilt-free life.

Rebecca Williams, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. She is the owner of Inland Empire Couples Counseling and specializes in helping mixed belief and religious/secular couples have connected, intimate, united relationships. Rebecca is offering a free mini course to help couples set the foundation for their united mixed belief relationship.  Praia Westerband-Otero, LMHC is a mental health professional specializing in individual, relationship, alcohol/substance abuse and sex therapy with an emphasis in alternative relationships. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling.   Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director.

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

Premiered Sep 27, 2020 Content warning: child marriage and rape In this RfRx session Yasmine will discuss her experience growing up in a fundamentalist Islamic home, how she was forced into a marriage with a terrorist and her search for freedom. She will also talk about her current work supporting others who denounce Islam. Canadian human rights activist, Yasmine Mohammed, advocates for the rights of women living within Islamic majority countries, as well as those who struggle under religious fundamentalism. She is also the founder of Free Hearts Free Minds, an organization that provides psychological support for freethinkers living within Muslim majority countries- where the state sanctioned punishment for leaving Islam is death. Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director. Resources: “Unveiled” by Yasmine Mohammed  “The Wind in My Hair” by Masih Alinejad  “Wadjda” a movie from Saudi Arabia about a girl who wants to ride a bike  “Honor Diaries” a documentary on honor violence/killing “Banaz” A Love Story - a documentary on YouTube about a victim of an honor killing in the UK “Infidel” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali Learn more about Yasmine Mohammed http://www.freeheartsfreeminds.com http://www.yasminemohammed.com

This week on RfRx, we are joined by Matt Dillahunty, a well-known activist and lecturer on topics including skepticism, humanism, atheism, and critical thinking. Matt will be talking with us about his experiences examining his own beliefs, explaining how to critically evaluate claims, and answering your questions about religion, faith, and the supernatural. Bring your questions for Matt in this interactive show!

Matt was a fundamentalist, evangelical Christian for 25 years and planned on becoming a minister until his studies forced him to abandon his supernatural beliefs. Since leaving his faith he has traveled the world to lecture and debate on skepticism, humanism, and atheism to audiences at conventions and churches. He's spent the past 20 years hosting live, call-in programs to teach critical thinking skills and challenge religious and supernatural claims and privilege.

Premiered Sep 23, 2020

RfR Support Group Director and host, Eric Wells, sits down with Shanon Nebo, the RfR Treasurer, Social Media Director, & Excursion Director.  Shanon talks about her upbringing living in a "demon haunted world" as she felt demons could posses and control people's lives, her fear of hell, her struggles with understanding her own sexuality and the damage that purity culture caused. We get to meet some of her family, talk about her gardening hobby and her views on how precious life now is for her.

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

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

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok.

Volunteer: http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/volunteer

Donate: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donate

Premiered Sep 19, 2020 In the current climate of Black Lives Matter, dismantling institutional structures and civil unrest, engaging the Black community means more interaction with believers, and having potentially tough conversations. Mandisa Thomas will discuss how to better engage religious counterparts or both personal and professional levels, and why it is important to try and forge working relationships while also standing strong with our nonbelief. 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, Georgia 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.  Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director. Resources List  - “Contradiction: A Question of Faith” by Jeremiah Camara - “Coming Out Atheist” by Greta Christina - https://streetepistemology.com More about Mandisa Thomas  - https://blacknonbelievers.com - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackNonbelievers - Twitter: @BNonbelievers  - Instagram @bnonbelieversinc  - YouTube: @BlackNonbelieversInc

This RfRx discussion looks at developing intentional communities to make your new life functional and enjoyable. In the age of COVID-19, this discussion will also explore how we can work to combat loneliness & build community amidst the need to self-isolate.

As a registered professional counsellor with a personal history of religious trauma syndrome, Janice is passionate about helping others understand their losses and embrace their new identity in the secular world. Her own deconversion experience compelled her to develop the on-line Divorcing Religion Workshop, a 6-week interactive workshop combining written exercises and group work to bring together those from diverse backgrounds who are walking a similar journey.  Hosted by Amaia Perez, the RfR Online Programming Director, and Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director.  Thoughtful Quotes “Not in their goals but in their transitions are people great.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson “We are called to be architects of the future, not its victims.” - Buckminster Fuller “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” - Mary Oliver “My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” – Louis Pasteur  Resources Books - Leaving the Fold, by Dr. Marlene Winell - Pure, by Linda Kay Klein - The 5 Levels of Attachment, by Don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. - Tough Transitions: Navigating your way through difficult times, by Dr. Elizabeth Harper-Neeld - A Meta-Spiritual Handbook, by Tim Sledge

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.

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Volunteer: http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/volunteer

Donate: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donate