Learning from Others

Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing people who have shared their religious backgrounds, including moments of confusion, pain, and joy. Listening to each person’s story has illuminated how complicated our spiritual lives can be. Whether a person has shared about vocational loss, drug abuse, physical disability, sexual abuse, unstable home life, or sexuality, the most pervasive in all the stories has been a sense of religious homelessness. Walking away from your childhood faith can make you feel untethered and surprised at the combination of relief and grief.

Each month I share a case study to help us walk through the three-step process for moving forward. They are the personal stories of people who have shared honestly about the varied relationships, situations, and life moments that have shaped their faith. I’ve changed identifying details to protect the identity of all who have vulnerably and courageously opened up their lives with me. Sign up for my newsletter to follow the process, which gathers all the writing and links for the month’s case study.

Just as listening to each person’s interview is helpful for me, I hope these case studies will initiate self-reflection so you can wonder how your religious background affects you. Seeing how another can grow will offer you tools to employ when feeling stuck, resentful, or complacent in your spirituality. Ultimately, I hope these case studies will encourage compassion, curiosity, and courage in your faith life.