Episode 239: Who Are Exvangelicals? feat. Sarah McCammon
Jun 27, 2024
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Sarah McCammon, author of The Exvangelicals, discusses the journey of ex-vangelicals and the harm of toxic teachings. The podcast explores deconstruction, purity culture, and justice in evangelical communities, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding.
Deconstruction involves dismantling toxic beliefs to find foundational truths about faith and God.
Toxic teachings like purity culture can hinder emotional and relational growth by imposing strict standards.
Faith communities should prioritize healing, restoration, and collective accountability for past harms.
Deep dives
Examining the Deconstruction of Faith
Deconstruction of faith involves engaging with toxic teachings to reach foundational truths by dismantling beliefs about God and faith. People deconstruct for various reasons beyond just wanting to sin, aiming to heal from hurt and navigate a new path in their faith journey.
Impact of Toxic Teachings on Personal Relationships
Toxic teachings like purity culture can lead to struggles with emotions and personal relationships due to strict standards on behavior and emotions, emphasizing individual control over emotional responses.
Call for Acknowledgement and Healing in Faith Communities
Faith communities should prioritize acknowledging and addressing pain and trauma, promoting healing and restoration for individuals who have experienced harm or been wronged within the community.
Reinterpreting Biblical Concepts of Justice and Righteousness
Reinterpreting biblical concepts like justice and righteousness to focus on restoration, reciprocity, and righting wrongs can guide a more community-oriented understanding of faith, emphasizing collective responsibility for healing and reconciliation.
Moving Towards a Healthier Community
Encouraging open dialogue, active listening, and prioritizing justice over punitive measures can lead to a healthier spiritual community that values healing, acknowledges pain, and focuses on collective restoration and accountability.
People who deconstruct are often accused of never believing in the first place, or of just wanting to sin. But those who deconstruct are often those who have been hurt the most by toxic teachings. Today Sarah McCammon joins us to talk about who are “ex-vangelicals”, and her own story of deconstruction. And then Keith and I talk about what it means to create a safe and just community that honors people’s fears, betrayals, and concerns.