102 - Community After Leaving Church with Bart Campolo & John Wright
Jun 21, 2024
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Bart Campolo and John Wright discuss leaving fundamentalist communities, transitioning beliefs, and building meaningful secular communities. They explore the challenges of establishing new ethical standards, the significance of love as a survival strategy, and the importance of kindness and relationships post-Christianity.
Creating secular communities post-faith is challenging but vital for support and purpose.
Religious or secular, a narrative connecting individuals to a larger purpose fosters community.
Developing meaningful relationships post-faith is crucial for personal growth and well-being.
Deep dives
John Wright and Bart Campolo's Backgrounds and Work in Documentaries and Humanism
John Wright, a documentary filmmaker and media content producer from Belfast, and Bart Campolo, an American humanist, speaker, and former pastor, were guests on the podcast. John has worked on documentaries including one about evangelical preacher Tony Campolo and his son Bart's departure from Christianity. Bart transitioned to secular humanism after a cycling accident, serving as a humanist chaplain and advocating for humanism and religion-related topics.
Transition from Religious Fundamentalism to Secular Humanism
Bart Campolo shared his experience of being a teenage fundamentalist, deeply committed to religious beliefs. He revealed extreme actions he took, such as self-harm following biblical teachings. Bart emphasized the intensity of his faith and the struggle with beliefs. John Wright also discussed his teenage fundamentalism stemming from his Presbyterian minister father and charismatic church environment in Belfast, ultimately transitioning away from Christianity.
Challenges in Building Secular Communities and the Importance of Meaningful Relationships
Bart Campolo detailed his efforts to create a secular community post-Christianity, emphasizing the need for a space that mirrors the sense of community and mission found in churches. He highlighted the challenges faced in sustaining such communities, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Bart stressed the significance of meaningful relationships and community in providing purpose and support beyond individual beliefs.
The Importance of Narrative in Building Community
Building a sense of community requires providing a narrative that answers fundamental questions about life's meaning, origins, and morality. Religious communities offer narratives that address existential questions and bond members together with shared values. The need for a narrative that connects individuals to something larger than themselves persists even in secular settings. The podcast emphasizes the role of storytelling in creating cohesive communities and guiding individuals in understanding their purpose.
The Value of Building Meaningful Relationships
The key to a fulfilling post-faith life lies in developing and nurturing meaningful relationships. Leaving religious institutions often leaves individuals without essential relationship-building skills. The importance of learning how to cultivate healthy connections, be it in friendships, partnerships, or communities, is emphasized. Fostering loving relationships is highlighted as essential for personal growth and overall well-being, transcending religious or non-religious beliefs.
We talk with the hosts and producers of the Humanize Me podcast, Bart Campolo and John Wright, about leaving fundamentalist communities behind and whether it is possible to find new communities afterwards. Bart Campolo is an American humanist speaker, writer, former pastor, and son of Tony Campolo, the well-known Christian pastor and speaker. John Wright is a documentary filmmaker, freelance cinematographer, and media content producer whose work includes documentaries on various subjects, including the story of Bart's departure from the Christian faith.
