ecovering From Religion
Thousands of organizations will help you get INTO religion, but we're the only one helping you OUT. Welcome!
Executive Director Jerry DeWitt
After more than 25 years of Pentecostal ministry in his home state of Louisiana, Jerry DeWitt realized that in addition to being a devoted husband and father, as well as a friend to many...he is also a non-believer. We are proud to welcome him to the RR family, and we look forward to the many exciting possibilities his vision brings to the organization.
Join RR at the Reason Rally!
Join us March 24th at The Reason Rally, which plans to be the largest gathering of freethinkers in history. Excellent speakers, music, comedy and so much more! This event is FREE to attend...book your flight, share a hotel room and we'll see you there!
Living After Faith
Rich Lyons spent 20 years as a minister of the United Pentecostal Church, before gradually & individually debunking & rejecting the many doctrines of the church where he preached. Today Rich & his wife Deanna Joy are the proud hosts of RR's official podcast “Living After Faith,” which addresses the process of leaving religion & embracing a life filled with the magic of reality.
Contribute to RR
There are lots of opportunities to help us help others. From leading a local RR group to tax deductable donations to our Wish List... we're always open to the friendly faces of new volunteers. Thank you for your support!
Recovering From Religion
If you are one of the many people who have determined that religion no longer has a place in their life, but are still dealing with the after-effects in some way or another, Recovering From Religion may be just the right spot for you. Many people come to a point that they no longer accept the supernatural explanations for the world around them, or they realize just how much conflict religious belief creates. It can be difficult to leave religion because family and culture put so much pressure on us to stay and pretend to believe the unbelievable. If this is you, we want to help you find your way out. Don't let people convince you that you just didn't have 'enough' faith, or that you just haven't found the "right" religion.
As Mark Twain famously said, "Faith is believing what you know ain't so."
RR is made up of people who have all given religion our best shot, but we can't bring ourselves to accept the unacceptable any longer. If you've ever questioned the archaic edicts and laws of holy books, the inconsistent morality and questionable motive of ancient teachings (along with their many modern interpretations); if you've raised an eyebrow to virgin births, or found the flaws in resurrections, bronze age "miracles" and the ridiculously misguided “power of prayer;” then Recovering From Religion is the place for you. We are recovering from every imagineable religion: Baptists, Mormons, Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, Hindus, Muslims, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Evangelicals, and many more. We are happy, we are healthy, and we warmly welcome you to a life free of the confines of faith.
Things to Consider...
Leaving religion is full of potential problems, both emotional and practical. How will I tell my parents and extended family? How will this effect my marriage? How do I break the news to my religious friends and what if it disrupts the friendship? How to deal with child rearing issues? Who can I talk to about my feelings without being told, “You just need more faith.” (as if the problem is simply that not being gullible enough.)
Recovering from Religion talks about all these and more. If getting out of religion is important to you, RR can help you navigate the new world of satisfied skepticism. Find a group or start one in your area to get connected to the many folks who, just like you, are embracing a life beyond faith.
Get Connected
So you've decided you're done, or at least you're considering it...and now you need a plan. For many of us, talking to a minister or family member means instant and unwelcome scrutiny. The first thing RR recommends is to GET CONNECTED, and we have so many ways for you to do that. Our online forums are a great place to start, where you can interact with people going through similar experiences all over the world, and in a safe, anonymous environment. You can also "like" us on Facebook as well as follow us on Twitter for lively discussions there as well. Still, the best part of Recovering From Religion is connecting with a local support group and interacting with others who have been where you are. Our free, confidential, local support groups meet monthly to discuss specific topics and challenges unique to the process of recovering from religion and we strongly encourage everyone to find a group near them. If you don't have one near you, it's very easy to start one! Recovering from religion is a transitional process, and while you'll probably make lasting connections, we don't expect that you'll need us for long. You've made the first (and most important) step already on your own. Imagine what the rest of your journey will bring! Congratulations, and welcome aboard!