The Clergy Project

[Nom_de_Plume]

I'm not sure if this is located somewhere in the bowels of the forum
but here it is.
I'm glad to see this place exists, it must be so difficult for any person who's job is to "spread the word" only to discover they don't believe it.

The Clergy Project is a confidential online community for active and former clergy who do not hold supernatural beliefs. The Clergy Project launched on March 21st, 2011.

Currently, the community's 200 plus members use it to network and discuss what it's like being an unbelieving leader in a religious community. The Clergy Project's goal is to support members as they move beyond faith. Members freely discuss issues related to their transition from believer to unbeliever including:

Wrestling with intellectual, ethical, philosophical and theological issues
Coping with cognitive dissonance
Addressing feelings of being stuck and fearing the future
Looking for new careers
Telling their families
Sharing useful resources
Living as a nonbeliever with religious spouses and family
Using humor to soften the pain
Finding a way out of the ministry
Adjusting to life after the ministry

http://clergyproject.org/
Edit to add, found radio interview with Teresa Mcbain a Methodist pastor.
http://www.npr.org/2012/04/30/151681248/from-minister-to-atheist-a-story-of-losing-faith

 

[nudger1964]

im a bit torn on this.
yeah i know it must be terrible, and their whole life is built around their faith and position within their church..
but hmm, if they stop believing then they need to find another occupation. I suspect being an ex minister is not a bad thing to have on your CV. Maybe they will have to take a drop in their income, but so be it.
Im all for there being a program that will assist them in finding alternative employment, but thats about as far as my sympathy goes, as most of them continue lying to children for purely selfish reasons.

 

[Kovacs1979]

I think it's a good thing. Anything to help anyone shift away from organised religion is worth while.

 

[Nom_de_Plume]

Well I think it would be way harder being a clergy member just because your whole life and career are tied up in theism. There are probably lots of aspects of his/her job (like counselling others, the music the cute little children, the weddings etc) that a clergyman/woman might really enjoy
I think it would be a way bigger adjustment especially if you really liked your job. I think for most people you can totally swap religious beliefs and aside from no longer going to church and maybe losing a few friends your life would be the same.
But really I never had this OMG there is NO GOD! moment. I was raised atheist, so I'm not exactly sure how the epiphany happens for others.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

I was raised atheist, so I'm not exactly sure how the epiphany happens for others.

My initial conversion was spurred on by a combination of George Carlin's standup and Asimov's writing. Besides the comedy, the whole process of losing my faith was actually very saddening to me.

I started questioning religion and it led to a downward spiral. I suddenly realized that none of my pets or relatives were in heaven waiting for me, and I wasn't going to get another shot at life... Needless to say, the situation did nothing to help my depression. :|

 

[Nom_de_Plume]

I was raised atheist, so I'm not exactly sure how the epiphany happens for others.

My initial conversion was spurred on by a combination of George Carlin's standup and Asimov's writing. Besides the comedy, the whole process of losing my faith was actually very saddening to me.

I started questioning religion and it led to a downward spiral. I suddenly realized that none of my pets or relatives were in heaven waiting for me, and I wasn't going to get another shot at life... Needless to say, the situation did nothing to help my depression. :|

Wow, I had no idea.... that sounds awful like really soul wrenching.
I'm even more glad there is a place now for these clergy people, are there other support groups for non clergy? I could imagine that having to go through that on ones own might cause someone to slip into a very deep depression and possibly suicide. Wow I'm gobsmacked.
Thanks for sharing that, I had absolutely no idea that could happen.

 

[nudger1964]

i liked the way Matt Dillahunty looked at it.
He said the day he lost his religion made him so happy, because of all the people he thought would or might go to hell he no longer needed to worry over.
I appreciate you feel the way you do and cant help that - but its not always a bad revelation for everbody

 

[Nom_de_Plume]

i liked the way Matt Dillahunty looked at it.
He said the day he lost his religion made him so happy, because of all the people he thought would or might go to hell he no longer needed to worry over.
I appreciate you feel the way you do and cant help that - but its not always a bad revelation for everbody

Awesome nudger I'm happy to hear a positive story.
I'd never really thought about it before. I suppose it could go either way really.
I totally have REM - Losing my religion stuck in my head now though.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

i liked the way Matt Dillahunty looked at it.
He said the day he lost his religion made him so happy, because of all the people he thought would or might go to hell he no longer needed to worry over.

My parents raised me Lutheran, but they never said a word about hell. Back then I thought that they were just mavericks, but in retrospect I can see that they were actually trying to shield me.