I was a Teenage Fundamentalist. An Exvangelical podcast.

We're excited to welcome April Ajoy back to our show. April is an influencer, content-creator, podcaster, and all-around troublemaker for the Christian right. She grew up in the heart of American Evangelicalism as an Evangelist’s kid and she is insightful and astute at illuminating the ways Christian Nationalism has infiltrated churches and political arenas, shaping not only modern Evangelical culture but also American public policy and international relations. Her new book is called “Star Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism & Finding a True Faith.”LinksApril's first appearance on our showApril on InstagramApril's book ---We're on YouTube here.Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Our blog is here.Join the conversation and connect with others here.The transcript of this episode is here.All our other links are here. Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone, and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Delve into the intriguing possibility that Jesus may have mispredicted his own return. Explore how early believers grappled with apocalyptic expectations and the evolving interpretations of scripture over time. The conversation tackles the emotional toll of reconciling faith with modern skepticism and the historical context behind these beliefs. A critical examination of political influences on religious perspectives reveals complexities in current end-time narratives. Listeners are encouraged to question established doctrines while engaging with their communities.

Bart Ehrman, a renowned scholar and author at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, shares his journey from teenage fundamentalism to a critical examination of faith. He discusses the Book of Revelation, challenging common interpretations and exploring imagery like the Whore of Babylon. The conversation also touches on the impact of personal beliefs on relationships and the rise of Christian fundamentalism. Ehrman emphasizes the need for historical context in understanding biblical texts and highlights his dedication to philanthropy beyond religious boundaries.

Join D.L. Mayfield, a passionate advocate for neurodivergence, and Krispin Mayfield, a keen voice in the discourse, as they dive deep into the complexities of ADHD and autism. They share personal stories of navigating faith and societal expectations within religious settings. Expect a humorous take on the absurd sexual undertones in religious language. The conversation explores emotional processing, parenting ideologies, and the journey towards acceptance, all while celebrating the joy of connection and community beyond fundamentalist backgrounds.

D.L. Mayfield, known for their work on Strongwilled, joins the conversation alongside Krispin Mayfield to explore the complexities of neurodivergence within religious contexts. They candidly discuss D.L.'s autism diagnosis and Troy's recent ADHD experience, highlighting how these identities intersect with personal journeys of faith. The duo critiques traditional evangelical parenting styles, reflecting on their impact on neurodivergent individuals. They share insightful anecdotes, emphasizing the importance of acceptance in church communities.

Dr. Laura Anderson is a licensed psychotherapist, trauma resolution coach, religious trauma consultant, speaker, author, and educator. We talk with her about how when we leave fundamentalism, fundamentalism doesn't necessarily leave us, and its toxicity seems to manifest in other ways. Laura's links:Laura Anderson | Religious Trauma ExpertWhen Religion Hurts You (book)Dr. Laura Anderson on Instagram ---We're on YouTube here.Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Our blog is here.Join the conversation and connect with others here.The transcript of this episode is here.All our other links are here. Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone, and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cait West is a survivor of the Christian patriarchy movement and advocate for survivors of spiritual abuse. In this episode, we talk about her experiences and her book, Rift: A memoir of breaking away from the Christian Patriarchy. She shares her story of hope for those who want to break free from high control environments.LinksCait West's websiteTears of Eden: Supporting survivors of Spiritual Abuse and Religious TraumaRift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy : Amazon.comSurvivors Discuss Podcast – Monthly Panel Discussions About Surviving Toxic & High Control Religion ---We're on YouTube here.Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Our blog is here.Join the conversation and connect with others here.The transcript of this episode is here.All our other links are here. Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone, and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Following on from Part 1, we continue our recount of a recent Sunday service at Great Big AOG. We dive into the sermon and challenge the f*ck out of his claims and assertions and ask just how reliable are the supposed miracle stories that the pastor told. Judging by the amount of laughter, this two-parter is easily up there with our most fun episodes so far.Links:Let's go back to Great Big AOG Part 1 Listen to the actual recording of the sermon we sat through and recount for you - Ps Dave Harvey |Originally recorded on Sunday, 21st July 2024 | 11:30AMHeaven Bent Podcast Season 2 is about Bethel Church ---We're on YouTube here.Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Our blog is here.Join the conversation and connect with others here.The transcript of this episode is here.All our other links are here. Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone, and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's been nearly 30 years since our last visit to Great Big AOG, and in this episode, we go back for a Sunday service. Join us as we recount the weird and bizarre antics and carry-on of these modern Pentecostals. We also introduce you to Brian's significant other, Michelle, as she joined us on our expedition back into the world of church. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll sing in tongues and raise your hands. ---We're on YouTube here.Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Our blog is here.Join the conversation and connect with others here.The transcript of this episode is here.All our other links are here. Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone, and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we are joined by Tracey and Sharon from the podcast, Feet of Clay—Confessions of the Cult Sisters. We talk about the black and white thinking of fundamentalism and how to leave it behind and embrace 'the grays' and nuances that pervade most of what life throws our way.Links:Feet of Clay—Confessions of the Cult SistersTracey & Sharon on Instagram ---We're on YouTube here.Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Our blog is here.Join the conversation and connect with others here.The transcript of this episode is here.All our other links are here. Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone, and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.