Sarah McCammon, who grew up in a strict evangelical family, shares her journey of questioning faith, fears of hell, and unraveling beliefs. She discusses the rise of ex-evangelicals post-Trump era, personal struggles, and the impact of evangelicalism on politics. The podcast explores themes of family dynamics, differing beliefs, evangelical support for Trump, and the complexities of leaving evangelical spaces.
Struggles with sexual shame persist post-evangelicalism, despite hopes of liberation from oppressive teachings.
Ex-vangelical movement emerges post-Trump era, shedding light on discord between evangelical beliefs and political allegiance.
Book 'The Ex-Vangelicals' delves into moral dissonance within evangelical teachings, exposing inconsistencies in response to Trump's conduct.
Deep dives
Impact of Leaving the Evangelical Community
Leaving the evangelical community sparked an expectation of newfound freedom from sexual shame and fear. However, these struggles persisted even after separation. The emergence of the ex-vangelical movement, catalyzed by Donald Trump's 2016 victory, highlighted the discord between evangelical teachings and political alignment.
Vulnerability and Personal Journey in 'The Ex-Vangelicals'
Sarah McCammon's book 'The Ex-Vangelicals' showcases vulnerability through personal experiences, challenging the conflicting stances within evangelicalism. It reflects on the convergence of personal narratives with broader sociopolitical shifts, including the alignment with Donald Trump and its impacts on faith and community.
Reflections on Purity Culture and Trump's Ethical Contradictions
The resonance of purity culture and evangelical beliefs, stern on sexual standards, clashed with reactions to Donald Trump's behavior. The book navigates this ethical dissonance, juxtaposing stringent moral expectations against a lenient response to Trump's conduct, exposing the inconsistencies within evangelical beliefs.
Struggle with Family Acceptance and Personal Growth
The podcast delves into the speaker's journey of self-discovery and acceptance, reflecting on family imperfections and differences while striving for love and understanding. The speaker also discusses personal struggles to overcome intolerance and fear, highlighting the importance of embracing diversity and empathy. The narrative underscores the impact of recognizing and learning from past misunderstandings, leading to a deeper appreciation of individuals and fostering a desire for genuine connections.
Exploring Evangelical Identity and Leaving the Community
The episode explores the concept of ex-vangelicalism and the challenges faced by individuals leaving the evangelical community. It discusses the evolving identity of ex-vangelicals and the shared experiences that bond them, emphasizing the role of social media in facilitating connections and discussions. The conversation includes reflections on the impact of the Trump era in sparking conversations about evangelical identity and the formation of a supportive community for those navigating faith transitions.
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Growing up in a deeply evangelical family in the Midwest in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Sarah McCammon was strictly taught to fear God, obey him, and not question the faith. Persistently worried that her gay grandfather would go to hell unless she could reach him, or that her Muslim friend would need to be converted, and that she, too, would go to hell if she did not believe fervently enough, McCammon was a rule-follower and—most of the time—a true believer. But through it all, she was increasingly plagued by fears and deep questions as the belief system she'd been carefully taught clashed with her expanding understanding of the outside world.
After spending her early adult life striving to make sense of an unraveling worldview, by her 30s, she found herself face-to-face with it once again as she covered the Trump campaign for NPR, where she witnessed first-hand the power and influence that evangelical Christian beliefs held on the political right.
Sarah also came to discover that she was not alone: she is among a rising generation of the children of evangelicalism who are growing up and fleeing the fold, who are thinking for themselves and deconstructing what feel like the “alternative facts” of their childhood.
