E48: Our Community Is Here - Utilizing Support Groups w/ Mandisa L. Thomas

The feelings of isolation and despair that many experience when leaving religion can be overwhelming. Many still think they must endure the attacks and questions that come from their family and friends alone. However, secular communities abound and are waiting for you to plug into them. This week we will talk about the importance of having communities, how to find, build, get involved in and support these communities so that we can not only help ourselves, but also help others. Mandisa Thomas is the Founder and President of Black Nonbelievers. She currently serves on the Boards for American Atheists and the American Humanist Association, and facilitates the Morrow, GA chapter of Recovering from Religion. In 2019, Mandisa was named the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s Freethought Heroine, and was the recipient of the Secular Student Alliance’s Backbone Award.  This discussion is hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director, and Todd Yoder, the RfR Helpline Director. For RfRx comments, inquiries & topical questions, email us at [email protected]. Any time you are struggling with religious doubts or fears you can connect with a trained RfR Helpline agent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To chat online go to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org. To talk over the phone, dial: (844) 368-2848 in the US & Canada If you are in need of professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at http://www.seculartherapy.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok. Volunteer: http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/volunteer Donate: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donate