exvangelicals
Winner of a silver medal in the COVR awards 2024
ExVangelical solidarity
Fantastic article from John Beckett (polytheist UU Druid) on the rise of the ExVangelical movement and how to get the tentacles of Christianity out of your brain.
Reblog: A weird boy, but definitely a boy
A weird boy, but definitely a boy: Freestyling it again for chapter 4 of “Changing Paths”
This Friday, I’ll be blogging some of my thoughts from reading Chapter 4, “Religion and Gender” of Yvonne Aburrow’s book, Changing Paths…
It’s been interesting for me as a man primarily dedicated to and working with Freyja. It seems in some Pagan and witchcraft circles that it’s typically thought that men will dedicate themselves to a god and women will dedicate themselves to a goddess.
A weird boy, but definitely a boy: Freestyling it again for chapter 4 of “Changing Paths”
Alanah Sabatini
Beautiful music for deconstruction from toxic religions by Alanah Sabatini, who has just released an EP of reclaimed hymns. It’s available on Bandcamp and YouTube now, and on all the major streaming services next Friday:
It’s very calming and could be sung as a group. It would work well in Unitarian, Unitarian Universalist, and Pagan settings, as well as at atheist events.
You can find her on instagram & threads as @alanah.dont.wanna
Repost: Should I stay or should I go?
Should I stay or should I go? Exploring a journal prompt from chapter 2 of “Changing Paths”
Excellent post from Jarred reflecting on one of the journal prompts from Changing Paths.
Hello dear readers! It’s Friday morning so that means once again exploring a journal prompt from the wonderful book, Changing Paths…
Should I stay or should I go? Exploring a journal prompt from chapter 2 of “Changing Paths”
LGBTQ+ religious trauma
Religious trauma still haunts millions of LGBTQ Americans. Some mental health experts are advocating for religious trauma to be considered an official disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Religious trauma occurs when an individual’s religious upbringing has lasting adverse effects on their physical, mental or emotional well-being, according to the Religious Trauma Institute. Symptoms can include guilt, shame, loss of trust and loss of meaning in life. …
Experts say LGBTQ people — who represent more than 7% of the U.S. population, according to a 2023 Gallup poll — experience religious trauma at disproportionate rates and in unique ways. Very little research has been done in this field, but a 2022 study found that LGBTQ people who experience certain forms of religious trauma are at increased risk for suicidality, substance abuse, homelessness, anxiety and depression.
— Spencer Macnaughton (2024), “Religious trauma still haunts millions of LGBTQ Americans,” NBC News.
Where I am now
Changing Paths challenge day 31 — where I am now
Nowadays I am fairly and squarely a Pagan and an inclusive polytheist Wiccan, but one who has been enriched by my wobble.
I gained many good friends, sorted out my anger and fears, and learned new spiritual techniques and concepts.
I’ve written four books (All acts of love and pleasure: inclusive Wicca, Dark Mirror: the inner work of witchcraft, The Night Journey: Witchcraft as Transformation, and Changing Paths) since then and co-edited another (Pagan Consent Culture with Christine Hoff-Kraemer).
I’m still skeptical-but-open-minded. I’ve had spiritual experiences that were deeply satisfying and meaningful. At heart I’m an animist and a lover of flowers and trees and animals and birds. As I write, I can hear birds singing. And the singing will never be done.
Changing Paths is published by 1000Volt Press and is available from all the usual online stores. Ask your local bookseller or library to stock it!
The goal of the book is to help you decide your own path by guiding you through the perils and pitfalls of the terrain, and asking questions to help you deepen your understanding of the reasons for your desire to change paths.
Paul (2011)
One of my favourite movies — it’s nerdy, it’s cute, it’s hilarious and a fundamentalist Christian gets exposed to the vastness of the universe and learns to swear.
Continue readingWonder
Changing Paths challenge day 24 — wondering.
There’s wondering in the sense of asking questions about the nature of things, and then there’s wonder in the sense of amazement.
Continue reading
Changing Paths 