A wide range of topics are open for discussion, but meetings usually consist of people talking about their experiences and feelings in the context of their changing beliefs. 

Topics may include:

• Feelings of loss or grief about your beliefs or religious community; ideas for building a sense of community

• A sense of betrayal about what you were taught to believe

• Lingering fear or doubt about leaving your religion or worry about being wrong; fearing hell

• Managing relationships with people in your life who still believe; dealing with shunning practices

• Anger about being manipulated, coerced, or held back by your previous beliefs or religious community

• Letting go of living a life driven by feelings like shame, guilt, and fear 

• Opportunities for education and personal growth

• Success in meeting personal goals and sources of happiness and comfort

No, you do not need to identify as atheist, agnostic, humanist, non-religious, or non-spiritual to attend and benefit from an RfR support group meeting. We respect your ability to make decisions for your own life. Our job is not to deconvert or tell anyone what to think or believe; our job is to help people heal through their journey. 

However, it is important to understand that this is not a faith-sharing group and RfR does not advocate for supernatural beliefs. To keep the space safe for everyone, we do not allow proselytizing, preaching, evangelizing, or sharing religious testimony of any kind. 

Our groups are for anyone questioning what they believe, exploring different religious or non-religious beliefs, or rebuilding a life outside of religious belief. 

You may have heard about “religious deconstruction.” This is the process of critically examining, questioning, and often dismantling inherited religious beliefs, doctrines, and institutional practices to determine what feels authentic and true for you.

While RfR support group meetings are not specifically about deconstruction, many people who attend our meetings are currently deconstructing, or have already done their own similar process. It is sometimes a topic of discussion in our meetings.

Most of our virtual meetings are open to anyone, and you can join any that suit your schedule. You do not need to live in a specific area to join a virtual meeting.

We also offer specialized demographic-based groups for people who have a shared identity or lived experience. These are great places to discuss issues or experiences that may uniquely affect certain populations. See below for our Specialty Group descriptions.

We do not allow people to attend solely for the purposes of observation. Attend for yourself and your own sake if that fits your needs, but please do not attend for other purposes. We protect the confidentiality of our group members and maintain spaces that are safe for sharing during groups.

Everyone will be encouraged (but not required) to participate. You may remain anonymous or use a false name. If online, you do not have to unmute or turn on your camera. HOWEVER during online groups the leaders will need you to interact with them (we suggest a private chat/DM) to let them know that you are attending for the right reasons and just wish not to share.

This meeting is for parents and caretakers of children. The intent of the meeting is to provide parents with a safe space to discuss concerns and feelings about the effects of deconstruction or if they are questioning their faith to connect with other parents. Please do not join if this does not describe you. Meets on the fourth Sunday of each month.

This meeting is solely for individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Asexual, or any other non-traditional gender or sexuality. Please do not join if this does not describe you. Meets on the third Sunday of each month.

This meeting is for people who have or identify as having a physical or mental disability and/or a chronic illness or condition that affects their life and daily functioning. If you consider yourself a person with a disability or chronic condition (such as living with a condition or disability that was the result of an injury, illness, birth, physical or mental health condition, genetics, etc.) this meeting is for you. Please do not join if this does not describe you. Meets on the third Saturday of each month.

This meeting is solely for individuals between 16 and 25 years old. We also encourage students within that age group to attend and share their experiences. Please do not join if this does not describe you.

This group is meant to create a space for younger individuals to share among peers of a similar age and support each other. Attendees are welcome to share around struggles with life, academic transitions, family, school, careers, relationships, and anything in between. This is especially important when religion can and does tend to put pressure on young people and impacts nearly every aspect of life.

Meets the 3rd Friday of each month.

This meeting is solely for individuals who identify as women, female, non-binary, trans women, AFAB, and gender-fluid or who have experience of being seen as a woman. We have two groups a month, so please check the calendar for times displayed in your own time zone.

Dealing with the suicide of a loved one is hard enough. Doing it without relying on religion is even harder. We are here to support you in a compassionate, secular way. Meets on the second Tuesday of every month.

El grupo de apoyo (hablamos en español) se reúne el primer sábado del mes. The Spanish speaking group meets on the first Saturday of each month.

This meeting is solely for individuals who identify as male, non-binary, trans male, gender fluid, AMAB or have experience of being seen as a male. Meets on the first Saturday of each month.

A support group for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who are questioning, leaving, or have left religion. This is a space to explore what that means when your faith is tied to your culture, your family, and your community.
People with close ties to the BIPOC community, such as adoptees or parents of BIPOC children, are also welcome. Allies may join to listen and learn.
Meets: First Tuesday of every month, 6:00–7:30 PM Eastern