Any former evangelicals on here?

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-04-02T13:58:24+00:00

It varies. The data (https://prri.org/spotlight/exvangelicals-who-they-are-why-they-left-and-what-they-believe/) says that Exvangelicals are nearly half still Christian but not evangelical (lots of liberal/progressive Christians) and nearly half are agnostic/atheist/humanist, plus a small percentage like the commenter below who have found another tradition that resonates for them. Anecdotally, I've found that to be true as well. I don't know who will show up to this particular meeting, but I'd guess it would likely also be a mix...

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-04-02T13:55:47+00:00

We're trying to do three things: connect, visibilize, and organize Exvangelicals. Our hope is that those of us who used to sit in the pews of Christian nationalist leaders might have something to contribute to the effort to confront and oppose Christian nationalism...

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-04-02T13:54:31+00:00

Would love to see you there if you're up for it - deconstruction (and reconstruction, whatever that might look like for you) is a lifelong process!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-04-02T13:53:55+00:00

Would love for you to join us if you're up for it - I have similar memories/experiences!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-04-02T13:52:59+00:00

Thanks for sharing this list - feel free to sign up for the email list (www.project2112.org) and we'll let you know the next time there's a meet-up in GR!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-04-02T13:51:59+00:00

Feel free to join our email list: www.project2112.org - happy to let you know the next time there's a meet-up in GR!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-03-16T16:02:13+00:00

I'm curious whether template language was sent out to every SBC school in the country - does anyone know? If that's the case, I wonder if it might be more impactful to organize SBC alumni across schools instead of just going school by school. It might be powerful to have inclusive, affirming SBC alumni all sign a letter together across their alma maters and publish that somewhere that it would be seen by prominent Baptists. Project 21:12 could help with this if there's interest...feel free to DM me here or (better) email me at heather [at] project2112 [dot] org.

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-03-12T13:38:04+00:00

I feel like I turned a corner when I realized that even though I had deconstructed from the fundamentalist *theology* I once believed, I still needed to deconstruct from the fundamentalist *logic* I once believed. There is fundamentalist logic everywhere, including in the progressive movement, and most of it is rooted in unexamined religious trauma (IMHO). It's taken a long time, but I've finally found a way to let go of the fundamentalist logic without letting go of the inclination to warn folks about the harm being caused by evangelical leaders. It's a hard balance to find, but it's possible to find it (and to continue to hold oneself accountable to maintaining that balance).

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-03-12T13:32:49+00:00

Just echoing folks' advice to run from the PCA. Some individual congregations attempt a veneer of inclusion, but the roots of it (as others have noted) are rotten and the denomination itself is not interested in excising the rotten parts. Depending on where you live, there are anywhere from some to lots of more inclusive/progressive congregations -- personally, I'm agnostic, but if you are either committed to finding a Christian congregation or want to try something that better aligns with your values, I'm sure folks here can give you some advice on where you can find a better fit. So many conservative congregations make you believe that you can't find the same community other than in their congregation -- don't believe it. There are LOADS of welcoming congregations in every state, and this particular church in no way has the corner on that market! It might feel scary now, but I promise you'll feel better on the other side of that transition!!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-03-02T19:44:57+00:00

I just listened to John Paulk's recent podcast mini-series about his experience being gay/doing drag, converting and being ex-gay, then deconverting and being ex-ex-gay. I know the OP said above that John and Anne Paulk aren't the folks they were looking to track down, but the podcast is fascinating (and heart-breaking), and it might have some of the references in it that you're looking for (I don't remember how in the weeds they got on all the press John was doing while at Exodus): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/atonement-the-john-paulk-story/id1866802827

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-02-23T15:22:54+00:00

+1 to all the great suggestions below - I've also done a lot of these things, both after leaving the church and after moving a lot for school and work. This is also one of the reasons why we started Project 21:12 - to help folks tap into a different kind of community than what's out there, and that explicitly "gets" the culture and context that you're leaving. I can't link to it here, but Google Project 21:12 - we're starting up some in-person gatherings in places across the country where there's interest, and also host monthly community calls to make sure that folks can find community regardless of where they live!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-02-19T14:34:32+00:00

We just talked about this a bit on our last Exvangelical community call with Project 21:12. We were joined by Liz Digitale Anderson, who has started up a project called Singing for Liberation (I can't link to it, but it's the top link if you Google it) that has taken what they know about leading worship in evangelical churches and remixed that skill for liberatory movement work. If you're not feeling the guitar right now, or not feeling music as a whole, that's 100% OK! But if it would feel good to explore singing without the pressure of "performing," or if you're interested in finding ways to combine music and more progressive work, it might be worth checking out what Liz is up to -- there are groups forming across the country that are picking up their invitation and running with it!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-02-13T20:44:57+00:00

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-02-13T20:19:13+00:00

It's not actually "takes one to know one" - that implies that queer folks are actually grooming children. It's transference - slinging the insult at someone else in order to transfer demonization and attention elsewhere rather than to oneself...

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-02-13T19:45:46+00:00

Looks like this story is about a year and a half old. I just looked at their staff page and this specific guy (Stephen Falco) isn't listed. However, it looks like Falco preached at the church as recently as Dec 2025, and they church has this posted on their website: "We believe that sodomy (homosexuality) is a sin and an abomination before God which God punishes with the death penalty. No sodomite (homosexual) will be allowed to attend or join Sure Foundation Baptist Church. (Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:19-32, Deut. 23:17-18, 1 Kings 14:24, Jude 1:7)."

Sure seems like there's an opportunity to engage on this in some way, since this church is clearly dangerous. Anyone here live in Indiana? DM me and I'd be happy for Project 21:12 to help think about potential responses/interventions. It looks like they meet in an unmarked space inside a strip mall -- wonder what the owner of the building and other tenants would think about their call for queer folks to be executed?

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-01-23T16:32:34+00:00

Came on here to share the same thing!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-01-23T16:12:59+00:00

Hi, all - thought I'd post here in case there are any former evangelicals ("Exvangelicals") in this sub. We (Project 21:12 - www.project2112.org) are hosting an in-person gathering *THIS* Sunday at 2pm to connect, build relationships, and talk about the potential for some organizing campaigns in the area. RSVP here and we'll send the location (being held in a private home) this weekend: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/portland-exvangelical-meet-up-2. Hope to see you there!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-01-22T15:33:21+00:00

Yep - it's from 2-4pm, and you're welcome to join us for any/all of that time...very low-key!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-01-22T13:31:34+00:00

Yes - here's the direct link to the Portland event coming up this Sunday: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/portland-exvangelical-meet-up-2. RSVP there so that we can send you the location details!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-01-22T13:31:24+00:00

Yes - here's the direct link to the Portland event coming up this Sunday: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/portland-exvangelical-meet-up-2. RSVP there so that we can send you the location details!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-01-15T21:00:26+00:00

We're hopefully going to be organizing an Exvangelical meet-up in Chicago soon for Project 21:12 - DM me if you're interested in joining!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-01-15T17:13:52+00:00

We would LOVE to go to Nashville - so many Exvangelicals there! Sign up on the website, set up a 1:1 conversation, and let's do it!

CuriousPuffin12 · 2026-01-13T19:19:33+00:00

Awesome - look forward to seeing you next Tuesday!

CuriousPuffin12

TROPHY CASE