Summary of Marlene Winell's Leaving the Fold

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 Some things that happened in that church make more sense now, and some things I’m still sorting out. It takes a while. I’m scared because I think that I may never get better. But then I remember that other people have left that church and are doing great now.

#2 Leaving your religion is like the end of a marriage. The symptoms of separation are similar - grief, anger, guilt, depression, lowered self-esteem, and social isolation. But whereas help for divorced people is readily available, little if any assistance is available for you to leave your religion.

#3 When you are no longer certain of the truth of the church’s teachings, you may struggle with doubt and fear. You may try to get help from church leaders, but they may not want to hear your doubts.

#4 Leaving a religion can be a very confusing and emotional process. You are leaving your entire structure of reality behind, and you may feel like a naive child in an adult world. But the most positive benefit is freedom to be yourself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Aug 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798350017014

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Insights on Marlene Winell's Leaving the Fold

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

Some things that happened in that church make more sense now, and some things I’m still sorting out. It takes a while. I’m scared because I think that I may never get better. But then I remember that other people have left that church and are doing great now.

#2

Leaving your religion is like the end of a marriage. The symptoms of separation are similar - grief, anger, guilt, depression, lowered self-esteem, and social isolation. But whereas help for divorced people is readily available, little if any assistance is available for you to leave your religion.

#3

When you are no longer certain of the truth of the church’s teachings, you may struggle with doubt and fear. You may try to get help from church leaders, but they may not want to hear your doubts.

#4

Leaving a religion can be a very confusing and emotional process. You are leaving your entire structure of reality behind, and you may feel like a naive child in an adult world. But the most positive benefit is freedom to be yourself.

#5

The next phase is a sort of moratorium on religion and spirituality. Many people do not attend church anymore, and do not want to discuss the concept of a God. They want to distance themselves from church to avoid previous involvement.

#6

As you progress out of the avoidance phase, you may begin to feel anger and grief. You have lost relationships with God and your best friend, Jesus. You may feel guilt for leaving, and fears about what you did to cause the breakup.

#7

As you rebuild your sense of self, you become clearer about who you really are. You can respect your own thoughts and feelings and make decisions more confidently.

#8

The process of breaking away from a conservative, fundamentalist church can lead to various personal development consequences. These can range from simple life limiting to extreme harm.

#9

Leaving conservative Christianity can be difficult, as you may not know how to think of yourself. You may struggle with feeling bad and worthless, and you may feel like an empty shell without any core.

#10

Leaving the faith can be extremely difficult, and you may feel extremely angry with family, church leaders, or God. You may feel grief, fear, and anxiety. Guilt is a common emotion, because it is one of the only feelings indulged by religion.

#11

Taking charge of your life is central to recovery from religious indoctrination. You will need to let go of rigid restraints on your thinking and allow yourself to form opinions, beliefs, and values of your own.

#12

Losing your