Christianity
Welcome.
There are many different expressions of the Christian faith. Whether your background is Baptist or Presbyterian, Catholic or evangelical, we hope you find support in the following sections.
Did you know?
Christianity is the world's largest religion.
Up to 80% of Christian Millennials stop believing by their senior year of college.
Recovering from Religion ~ One of the largest resource sites of its kind, it's a must-visit for both the religious who still value their faith and the non-religious seeking secular help. See their vast list of mental health and crisis information, find a local support group, talk to someone for free who gets what you're going through, and check out their podcast. Need to talk with someone now? Call their peer support hotline at 1-844-368-2848.
The Coven ~ This online membership community is,"A brave space to be with our bodies and each other." Part conversation board, part blog, and part virtual meet-up space with monthly Zoom calls, The Coven was founded by embodiment coach Jamie Lee Finch, author of You Are Your Own: A Reckoning With the Religious Trauma of Evangelical Christianity. Join to let go of shame, learn self-love, and meet others recovering from harmful faith!
Black Nonbelievers ~ With active groups in over 12 states, this community of Black folks and their allies (they're welcoming to all) aims to promote a sense of festive fellowship for the minority-in-a-minority of faithless African-Americans and other Black people. Check out their blog!
Hispanic American Freethinkers ~ Advancing Latino culture through science and reason, this group hosts meet-ups in Washington, D.C. as well as other events.
Grief Beyond Belief ~ This self-described faith-free support network is just that: a safe place for those grieving the loss of a loved one to turn to for comfort from those who won't tell them everything happens for a reason. Their secular grief library is full of heartfelt stories from other nonbelievers.
Community Resources
It's one of the things humans need most. But maybe the word community makes you cringe, tainted by unhealthy past experiences. If you're wary of people, that's okay. This section simply exists to let you know that wherever you're at in your journey through faith, doubt, and nonbelief, you're not alone. The following resources, including online organizations and in-person meet-ups, are made up of other people who also dared to doubt. Some are primarily secular while others are faith-affirming. All intend to offer you support, validation, and understanding.
The Clergy Project ~ Are you a former or current pastor, worship leader, or other clergy member who no longer holds supernatural beliefs? If your answer is yes and you could use the compassion and help of other religious leaders leaving both faith and profession, apply to join this online support community.
Break Free Together ~ Dinner parties for people healing from sexual shame? We're down. Linda Kay Klein, author of Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Shamed a Generation of Women and How I Broke Free, founded this organization bringing together people from various religious backgrounds for story exchange over the dinner table. Break free from shame together!
Sunday Assembly ~ Are you a former believer who misses the community of church? This worldwide organization hosts fun, non-religious get-togethers for fellowship to just celebrate life, regardless of your beliefs or non-beliefs.
Oasis Secular Community ~ A Houston, Texas-based community that values people more than beliefs and welcomes all. Check out their blog!
Formerly Fundamentalist NYC ~ Live in New York? This private group is made up of formerly faithful friends aiming to foster a diverse community of ex-believers centered around fun events and dinner parties.
Counseling Resources
The unraveling of faith can be scary and disorienting. It can feel liberating one moment and terrifying the next. Whether triggered by a sudden event or prolonged by increasing cognitive dissonance, it may be that a change of faith upends many other aspects of your life, such as your family, your friendships, and your sense of purpose. If you could use the support of a therapist or coach who understands the unique challenges you may be facing, and who is religious trauma-informed, there is a growing number of counselors out there waiting to help you. Find more resources in Mental Health!
Journey Free ~ The term Religious Trauma Syndrome was originated by Dr. Marlene Winell. Dr. Winell offers in-person therapy sessions from her office in Oakland, CA, and virtual sessions from anywhere over Skype. She also leads an online support group and a 5-month religious recovery bootcamp. Check out her book Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion.
Secular Therapy Project ~ Looking for a therapist who is strictly secular in their approach? Wary of ones with crystals in their office, or who use terms like holistic and the Universe? You're not a bigot and you're not alone. Find a therapist without a spiritual agenda among this growing database of non-religious counselors who use evidence-based approaches in their practice. You deserve help in a way that feels safe to you.
Religious OCD/Scrupulosity ~ Did you feel consumed with worry about the "right" way to live your faith? Were you excessively preoccupied with sin and morality? 50-60% of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who are from a religious background struggle with Scrupulosity, a spiritually preoccupied manifestation of OCD. Learn more about Scrupulosity or book a Skype, phone, or in-person therapy session with Dr. Steven Phillipson featured in this video about Scrupulosity.
Reclamation Collective ~ Holding space for folks navigating religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and adverse religious experiences, Reclamation Collective aims to connect you with trauma-informed therapists across the United States and Canada. Most of these therapists offer virtual as well as in-person sessions. Can't afford therapy right now? Reclamation Collective also hosts a slew of online support groups.
Divorcing Religion ~ Former fundamentalist Janice Selbie is a religious trauma coach helping others coping with the losses and challenges of religious de-conversion. Her online workshops are structured by the stages experienced after divorce: realizing it’s over, the realities of grief, creating healthy boundaries, identity reconstruction, integrating your losses and moving on, and building new communities. A limited number of scholarships are available.
Jamie Lee Finch, Certified Integrative Health Coach ~ "Your body is your best teacher," says Jamie. "I'm just here to introduce the two of you." If you were taught to deny your flesh or to view your body as a source of sin and shame, Jamie is here to help you unlearn toxic messages and relearn how to connect with the wisdom of your Self. Read her book You Are Your Own: A Reckoning With the Religious Trauma of Evangelical Christianity and check out her online membership group The Coven for body- and sex-positive support and encouragement toward self-love!
Laura Anderson, LMFT ~ Laura is a therapist who specializes in spiritual abuse, religious trauma, and healing from purity culture. She is one of the co-founders of the Religious Trauma Institute and also helps people get out of abusive or domestically violent relationships. Check out her extensive resources or book a session with her in Tennesee or from anywhere online! She is secular and faith-friendly.
Room to Thrive ~ Brian Peck, LCSW, understands religious trauma firsthand. He now specializes in helping former believers navigate their deconversion by offering online therapy sessions as well as in-person visits from his office in Boise, Idaho. Check out his budget-friendly Deconversion Clarity Package designed with you in mind, and learn more about his approach on his blog.
Articles & Media
Books by Christians Who Dared to Doubt
Films
We have tried to make finding help simple and straightforward. For this reason, the resources on this page are not an exhaustive list. Many organizations exist to help former and doubting Christians. If you'd like to be added to our resource network, please contact us!