Recovering From Religion

Latest Episodes:

E76: Sexual Integrity w/ Dr. Steven Davidson, PhD, LCSW Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

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

E75: Personal Growth Post Religion w/ Janice Selbie, RPC Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

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.

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

E74: Religious Guilt As An Invasive Species w/ Rebecca Williams & Praia Westerband-Otero Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

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.

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

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

E73: Religion Series - Islam w/ Yasmine Mohammed Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

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

E72: Faces of RfR - Shanon Nebo, RfR Treasurer, Social Media Director, & Excursion Director Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

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.

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

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

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

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

E71: Engaging the Black Religious Community with Mandisa Thomas Sep 05, 2021

Show notes

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

E70: Plenty of Fish: Finding and Building Your New Communities w/ Janice Selbie, RPC Sep 04, 2021

Show notes

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

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

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

E69: Dr. Darrel Ray - Faces of Recovering From Religion Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

RfR Support Group Director and host, Eric Wells, sits down with RfR Founder & President, Dr Darrel Ray. Dr Ray talks about his work as a corporate psychologist, the impetus for his two books, why and how he started RfR, how he incorporated his past work experience into forming RfR and a lot more. 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

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

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

E68: Disability and Religious Abuse: "God Will Make You See Again" w/ Itto Outini Sep 02, 2021

Show notes

In this RfRx session we hear Itto Outini’s story about coming out of Islam and her struggles and successes after becoming disabled. We explore how religious organizations treat disabled communities and what we could all do as a society to change the manner in which disabled communities are treated. We also discuss value, acceptance and tolerance towards minorities, such as disabled non-believers.

Itto Outini was born and raised in Morocco by a Jewish father and Muslim mother. Both parents died and she was raised by different family members. She did not attend school until the age of seventeen as she was viewed as nothing but a slave to her family. She was stabbed by her uncle’s wife at the age of seventeen and lost her sight, family, and was left homeless in the streets of Morocco. She began school at the age of seventeen for the first time. Graduated high school and went to the university where she was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship to study a Master’s degree in Journalism in the United States. After graduating with her Master’s she was approved for asylum to stay in the United States. She is now a journalist, a human rights activist, accessibility advocate, and atheist. During the discussion you may hear a voice in the background and that would be Itto’s assistant, Amy. 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

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

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

E67: Jehovah's Witnesses w/ Lloyd Evans and Sherrie D'Souza - RfRx Religion Series Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

In our very first RfRx Religion Series session, Lloyd Evans and Sherrie D’Souza will discuss their experiences in the Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) and how they left religion. They cover the JW belief system, how Watchtower works, and what challenges people face when leaving the religion.

Lloyd Evans is the founder and senior editor of http//:JWsurvey.org - a website that promotes freeness of thought among Jehovah's Witnesses. He is also author of "The Reluctant Apostate," a book that chronicles his experiences growing up as a JW and his journey to freedom from Watchtower indoctrination. His @John Cedars YouTube channel hosts a range of videos aimed at dissecting the various teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, as well as new developments in the religion. More about Lloyd: http//:JWsurvey.org Twitter: @cedarsjwsurvey YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/JohnCedars

Sherrie Dsouza is an ex-Jehovah’s Witness who is now dedicated to sharing her waking up adventure and the truth about the dark side of the Jehovah’s Witnesses including child abuse, corrupt leadership and indoctrination practices. She is the survey editor for JWsurvey.org and is a Support Group Co-Leader for Recovering from Religion. She started the first RfR support group in Sydney, Australia. She currently lives with her husband in South West Sydney, Australia, where she enjoys meditating, reading, and science fiction. More about Sherrie: Twitter: @SherrieDSouza Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director, and Amaia Peraz, the RfR Online Programming 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

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

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

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