The Life After Leaving Podcast: An Ex-Christadelphian Podcast

Today we’re chatting with Craig! In today’s episode, Craig shares his memories of his time in Christadelphia over forty years ago. Craig joined his local ecclesia as an adolescent and enjoyed the community, the studious environment, and spending time with Christadelphian families. He quickly became baptized, started preaching at his ecclesia, and traveling to other ecclesias in Australia. But over time, he noticed more and more issues that didn’t sit right with him. Things escalated when a “Brother” Craig had confided in after a difficult Bible class betrayed his confidence and gossiped about his private feelings with his Christadelphian family. After this betrayal, Craig made the difficult decision to submit his resignation and finally start to think clearly for himself now that he took some space from the Christadelphian community. Craig shares a lot of fascinating stories and tidbits of Christadelphian history in this episode and touches on the Christadelphian’s opposition to the LGBTQ+ community in Australia, doctrinal debates causing splits, and even plagiarism in the Christadelphian community. Please join us for yet another episode of fellowship among the heathens!   Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!   Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here   References:   Titanic (1997 Movie)   The Poseidon Adventure (1972 Movie)   The Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy by Henry Sulley (Full Book)   Harry Whittaker   Iridology   Racism in the Christadelphians and “The Black Pope” Theory   Ellicot’s Commentary on Revelation   The Protestors by Alan Eyre   The Good Life with Felicity Kendal   Visions of Glory: A History and a Memory of Jehovah's Witnesses by Barbara Grizzuti Harrison   Leaving the Fold by Marlene Winell   When Religion Hurts You by Laura Anderson   Please note, there are some concerns about Laura Anderson’s behavior which you can read more about here: Licensing Agency find Religious Trauma Coach in Violation of Code of Ethics Or listen to this podcast   Podcasts Bart Ehrman and Dan McClellan   Ex-christadelphians.com   Gospel of John a Commentary by Craig Fairweather Olton History   Current Value of 21 St Bernards Rd in Olton   21 St Bernards Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B92 7BB

In today’s episode, Keturah and Bec return to the podcast for Part TWO of our GAYEST episode yet to discuss and challenge how Christadelphians justify bigotry against LGBTQ people. In part two, we focus on the cultural issues that the rampant homophobia causes in the Christadelphian community, the reality of LGBTQ members' lived experiences, and discuss the data that was gathered in 2023 in an LGBTQ Survey of Christadelphians & ex-Christadelphians. In this episode, we highlight the documented maltreatment of LGBTQ members which includes celibacy requirements, slurs and bullying, hushed disfellowshipping of queer members, and multiple suicides being swept under the rug while shaming the victims- even after their deaths! We reflect on whether these behaviors reflect the character of Christ or if they are simply another way that the Christadelphians display the cult-like characteristic of demanding conformity and controlling the sexual behavior of their members. This episode is a bit more sobering than most as we also ask, can the Christadelphian community truly change to be inclusive of LGBTQ members? Will their system- which is built on a gender hierarchy, is obsessed with sex, and refuses to change or evolve- resist change even when it could save their member’s lives and keep them in the community?    Please join us for another conversation on LGBTQ issues in Christadelphia by queer ex-Christadelphians!   TW: This episode mentions suicidal ideation and suicide  Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!   Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here   References: 2023 LGBTQ Survey Website   Full Survey Report (70 pages)   Bible verses quoted in the report: Luke 15:1-2, Matthew 18:6,Galatians 6:2, Galatians 3:26 -29, Luke 6:27-36, Proverbs 18:13, 2 Timothy 2: 23-26, James 1:19, 1 Peter 3:8   Gay Christadelphians website   Gay Christadelphians on the “Anti-LGBTQ’ bible verses   Press On Journal: Gay Christadelphians (Transcript)    Press On Journal: Love without Fine Print    Christadelphian View on Homosexuality “God's Word Condemns Homosexuality” (Youtube)  And Part Two   Trevor Project Statistics on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health   ABC News on LGBTQ Youth   The Tidings stance on LGBTQ Issues as just a form of dangerous “change”   The Tidings: Book Review: Same Sex Attraction and the Church: The Surprising Plausibility of the Celibate Life   What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?   Warning about LGBTQ Issues    The Life of John Thomas (1985) pg.19 “The Doctor belongs to the public and was not much of a woman’s man.” -Ellen Thomas   The Trevor Project: Religiosity and Suicidality Among LGBTQ Youth   Medium: Dear Church, Are All Your Kids Safe?   HARMONY, DISSONANCE, OR HARM? THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL PROMISES AND PERILS OF GAY CHRISTIAN CELIBACY    The Seven Genders in the Talmud   Lesbianism in Jewish History  

In today’s episode, Keturah and Bec return to the podcast for our GAYEST episode yet to discuss and challenge how Christadelphians justify bigotry against LGBTQ people. As queer ex-Christadelphians ourselves, we share our stories and re-examine the bible verses that featured prominently during our lives in lectures given by the “Brothers” who claimed that they knew that God hates gay people. One by one, we revisit the problematic verses they used, offer outside perspectives to the standard Christadelphian views, and challenge Christadelphians to preach the true meaning of the “clobber verses” instead of using them to attack queer people. We also offer rebuttals to a particular brother who is spreading his message of hate internationally online with the support of the Christadelphian community. But it may surprise him to discover the kind of person that God considers a “Sodomite”... In this episode, we (literally) pull out a Bible and amplify the voices of queer people raised and harmed by the Christadelphian community’s rampant bigotry against queer people. So please join us for some laughs as queer women tell you the side of the story that Christadelphian “Brothers” never wanted you to know about…   *Please note, I sought to be as inclusive as possible for this episode. Unfortunately the gay man who agreed to join us was unable to record with us and no transgender ex-CDs offered to join us for this episode.    TW: This episode mentions suicidal ideation and suicide    Listener discretion advised. If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!   Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here   References:   The Life After Leaving Podcast: Biblical Studies 101 (Episode 31)   Gay Christadelphians website   Gay Christadelphians on the “Anti-LGBTQ’ bible verses   Press On Journal: Gay Christadelphians (Transcript)    Press On Journal: Love without Fine Print    Christadelphian View on Homosexuality “God's Word Condemns Homosexuality” (Youtube)  And Part Two   "1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture." Movie Website   1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture (Wiki)   The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships   LGBTQ-Affirming Scripture   Christadelphian FB Post   Romans and Sexuality Video   Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist’s Wife by Irene Spencer   Comfort Women   Mattiemaemotl    Jbrix_art   Jbrix on Deuteronomy 22 Jbrix on Romans 1 Jbrix on 1 Corinthians 6:9 Jbrix on 1 Corinthians 6:9 (2) Jbrix on 1 Corinthians 6:9 (3)   Gay Animals   Gay Animals Facts   Gay Birds   Clobber Verses: Genesis 19 Leviticus 18 and 20 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 1 Timothy 1:10 Romans 1

In today’s episode, Chloe joins me as we examine the Christadelphian doctrine of the Kingdom of God on Earth! We start by reviewing the different phases of this apocalyptic doctrine and discussing what it was like to be raised as children to believe that we were in the “end times” where our parents might be taken away by angels at any moment. We also explore what makes the “kingdom” doctrine so unique, what it would be like to visit Ezekiel’s Temple, and what kind of people are going to be in “The Millennium” after the first Judgment day. We also discuss the negative aspects or gaps in logic, and even things we never thought about but one Christadelphian author certainly did!  This episode will be our most philosophical so far as we ask… will free will exist in the kingdom? If we are going to be changed, then what does it mean to be human? What would life be like as an immortal who is “like the angels”? And can I resurrect my dog to spend eternity with me? Naturally, we discuss other supernatural creatures like werewolves, shapeshifters, and vampires as we try to fathom this supernatural world under Christ’s rule. We also ask the questions we never dared ask aloud at Bible School. Why doesn’t the bible have compelling descriptive chapters or even entire books about the kingdom? Why should we want to be non-human creatures subject to eternal servitude? And is this whole plan of global control by Christ just an authoritarian nightmare?    Please join us for this second episode in a two-part series exploring the Christadelphian belief in the “Kingdom of God” and the end times!    Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!   Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here References:   Chloe’s Substack   Heretic Ecclesia Podcast   Peter Pan 2: Return to Never Land   The Christadelphians (wiki)   The Millennial Harbinger 1837   The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)   Peter Pettigrew in Harry Potter   Maple Syrup Adapting to Climate Change    Apple growing face increasing climate risks   Hunger Games    Climate Change and Coffee   Climate Change and Bananas   We Only Use 10% of Our Brains Myth   The Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy by Henry Sulley (Full Book)   The Kingdom of God on Earth by Stephen Hughes (Full Book)   Ezekiel's Temple visualized by Christadelphians   The Kingdom of God (booklet)   Armageddon- should we be afraid? “Real Answers, Real Hope”   The Way of Life, Chapter 45 “The Kingdom of God”   Heaven is a place for sociopaths (YouTube)   Biblically Accurate Angels   Biblically Accurate Angels (2)  

Today we’re chatting with Steve to explore what the Bible actually says about the future “Kingdom of God”! Join us for heathen “Sunday School” as we explore the evolution of some of the ideas in the Bible that are necessary to believe in an eternal “future kingdom” including- the messiah, the resurrection, and the idea of a kingdom itself. In this episode, we also look to answer whether the Christadelphians assertion that the “kingdom of God” doctrine was present throughout the Bible is true and we examine the places where this doctrine conspicuously seems to be missing. Steves shares cultural and historical context throughout the episode to understand why the monarchy was not re-established in Israel, where some of these beliefs actually originated, and what the evolution of these ideas tells us about what people believed during different time periods. Steve also shares the story behind Christadelphians bizarre obsession with a biblically inaccurate portrayal of Ezekiel’s Temple and explains John Thomas’ Bible Math “rules” which Thomas inconsistently used for interpreting the book of Revelation. We also laugh about Samuel and his nepo babies, sweaty Jesus, and discuss *even more* failed prophecies.    Please join us for this first episode in a two-part series exploring the Christadelphian belief in the “Kingdom of God” and the end times!    TW: There is one reference to a Christadelphian who is excited to act out violence against queer people during “the end times”. Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠! Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here References:   Life After Leaving Podcast: Episodes 16, 21, and 31   The Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy by Henry Sulley (Full Book)   Eureka by John Thomas (Wiki)   Eureka by John Thomas, Vol 1 (Full PDF)   Youtube series on Ezekiel's Temple: An Accurate visual of Ezekiel's Temple Ch 40   An Accurate Visual of Ezekiel’s Temple, Ch 41   An Accurate Visual of Ezekiel’s Temple, Ch 42 & 43   Hymnary.com Who is this come from Edom?   The Kingdom of God on Earth by Stephen Hughes (Full Book)

Today we’re chatting with Andy! In today’s episode, Andy shares his experience of growing up as a Christadelphian in the UK. Ever since he was a young boy performing in Sunday School, Andy was uncomfortable in the spotlight. He shares his memories of anxiety around traditional Christadelphian expectations for men including being baptized in front of large crowds and being asked to do the readings from the platform. Andy also speaks up about what it felt like to grow up in the Christadelphian community as a child experiencing sexual abuse. He shares his thoughts about how being in a community that doesn’t value sexual education or personal autonomy made it harder to ask for help and how their belief that sex before marriage is a sin perpetuates further harm against child sexual abuse survivors by creating feelings of shame. We also talk about authoritarian parenting, post-baptism lows, and motorcycle gangs! Please join us for yet another episode of fellowship among the heathens!     TW: Child sexual abuse Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!   Resources: Proposed law in Japan  “Other acts that will constitute neglect include… blocking their interaction with friends due to a difference in religious beliefs and thereby undermining their social skills.”   Christmas apocalypse has been cancelled, says Ghana 'prophet', buys Mercedes with donations Dec 2025   Déjà rêvé

Today we’re finishing our investigation of the medical qualifications of “Doctor” John Thomas, the founder of the Christadelphians. In this history episode, we’ll follow John Thomas’ career during his time in the United States from the 1830’s into the 1850’s. We once again debunk persistent myths that have been repeated by Christadelphians for generations. Instead of accepting these myths, we critically examine them and speculate on the real reasons behind Thomas’ career choices. We also question John Thomas’ motives for his marriage, his reasons for moving frequently, and the credibility of the school that issued his M.D. degree in 1848. Zinnia also shares numerous new historical resources to do a deep dive into claims of extortion against John Thomas by the Richmond Campbellites and into the strange and questionable school, the “Scientific and Eclectic Institute” of Petersburg, Virginia, where John Thomas claimed to have earned his degree. Throughout this episode, we also reflect on what these stories indicate about John Thomas’ personality, his motivations, and why his persistent claim to have “the truth” isn’t actually something for Christadelphians to be proud of. Please join us for another exciting history episode as John Thomas’ lies and criminal activity get exposed by Zinnia, a harbinger of destruction.  Listener discretion advised Resources and References: Thank you to the ex-Christadelphians for sharing information about these Lancet articles! ⁠The Lancet 1829-1830 ⁠  See: Oct 10, 1829; Jan 16, 1830; Jan 30th, 1830 ⁠John Thomas: His Friend and His Faith” ⁠ ⁠Dr. Thomas: His Life & Work ⁠ ⁠Monty Python and the Holy Grail ⁠ ⁠Professor James Staughton⁠ ⁠The Millennial Harbinger, 1835⁠ ⁠“The New England Botanic Medical and Surgical Journal” Vol 2, No 8, Page 122, April 16, 1848⁠ ⁠Population of Cincinnati in 1830 and 1840⁠ ⁠Physicians in Ohio 1819-1850⁠ (used 1831 Directory) ⁠University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine⁠ ⁠Population of Cincinnati⁠ (1830: 24,831) ⁠Cincinnati population in the 1800s⁠ America’s current population (2025): 333.3 million Current number of American physicians (2025): 1,044,734 ⁠Population of Philadelphia 1830 ⁠ ⁠Desilver’s Philadelphia Directory (1831)⁠ ⁠Doctors in Philadelphia ⁠ ⁠The Millennial Harbinger (Feb 1835)⁠ ⁠Demon Of Unrest by Erik Larson⁠ ⁠James H Hammond⁠ Philadelphia & Virginia ⁠The Millennial Harbinger, 1834 ⁠ “A Review of the Defence of Dr. John Thomas" (Email ⁠[email protected]⁠ for a digital copy) ⁠The Apostalic Advocate, May 1837⁠ pg 18-19 Dr. Thomas: His Family and the Background of His Times’ by Charles Blore ⁠Inflation Calculator⁠ ⁠Payment of Doctors⁠ ⁠Doctor Fee Bills⁠ ⁠Millennial Harbinger, Feb 1838 ⁠ ⁠Take Back Your Life by Janja Lalich and Madeline Tobias⁠ ⁠John Thomas M.D. Newspaper⁠ The Christadelphian Magazine, April 1886 ⁠A Muppet Christmas Carol⁠ LAL Podcast: S1 Ep 6: Christadelphian True Crime  ⁠Rush Medical College⁠ The Christadelphian Magazine, April 1886 “Dr. Thomas’s Professional Status” ⁠Formation of the AMA⁠ ⁠Incorporation of the S&E College March 1st 1847⁠  ⁠1847 “J Thomas M.D.” ⁠ ⁠1846 Oct Classes⁠ ⁠The New England Botanic and Medical Journal, 1848⁠ “Biography of John Thomas M.D.” ⁠Nov 1847 “Virginia Institute" ⁠ ⁠Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati⁠ ⁠Philadelphia Diploma Mill ⁠  ⁠Degree Mills by Allen Ezell and John Bea⁠r ⁠Dr. John Buchanan⁠ ⁠The Rise and Fall of Dr John Buchanan⁠ ⁠Alexander Campbell on the S&E School⁠ ⁠Worcester, MA school⁠ ⁠S&E College to Send Diplomas to MA⁠ ⁠The History of Medicine by Alexander Wilder⁠ ⁠Eclectic Medical Journal 1844-1848⁠ ⁠Eclectic Medical Journal 1849-1850⁠ ⁠August 1848 Ad⁠ ⁠THOMSONIANISM IN VIRGINIA by JAMES O. BREEDEN ⁠ *email ⁠[email protected]⁠ ⁠“Medical Training in the United States Prior to the Civil War”⁠ ⁠Harbinger, 1853 “Dr of Opinions”⁠ ⁠Harbinger 1854 “not D.D. or M.D.”⁠ ⁠Impeachment & John Thomas’ Farewell⁠ ⁠Eclectic Schools⁠  ⁠Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati ⁠ ⁠The Early Development of Medical Licensing Laws in the US ⁠ ⁠Herald 1851, p 279⁠

Today we’re chatting with Katie! Katie’s story is an eye-opening account of the harms and pressure of sexism in Christadelphian culture on young girls. As a child, Katie was pulled out of the public school system in order to spend her time primarily caring for her brothers and taking care of the household tasks. As she grew older, was pressured to find a husband and begin to follow a “timeline” which would lead to staying home and having children while being told that she shouldn’t get an education at university. Despite the lack of encouragement and guidance, Katie escaped the Christadelphians, explored life as an independent woman, and attended university. In this episode, Katie also shares what it was like to join the Christadelphians as a child with her family, about Christadelphian dating culture, and about the poor behavior of the “brothers” in her former ecclesia that ultimately lead to her leaving Christadelphia once and for all. Please join us for yet another episode of fellowship among the heathens!   Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at ⁠[email protected]⁠   ⁠Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠ or⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠⁠!   References: Corinthians 11:8-9 "For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man made for woman, but woman for man"   ⁠Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell⁠   Meghantschanz on IG ⁠“The Role of a Godly Husband (if women butchered the Bible the way men have)”⁠   Clarabelltoks on IG  ⁠Flipping Vacation Bible School⁠ ⁠If we spoke to men the way we speak to women⁠ ⁠If we spoke to boys the way we speak to girls⁠ ⁠If we spoke to boys the way we speak to girls (2)⁠ ⁠If we spoke to boys the way we speak to girls (3)⁠ ⁠Flipping misogyny and homophobia in the church⁠ ⁠Flipping misogyny in the church⁠  

Today we’re chatting with Bec! In this episode, Bec shares her experience growing up as a “Logos” Christadelphian in Australia and trying to follow the ‘straight and narrow’ path until she made the difficult decision to leave her marriage and embrace her identity as a lesbian! Bec shares some vulnerable stories of life inside the ecclesia. From trying to be a good daughter and getting baptized as her mom was dying, to learning about her mother’s hidden heartbreak which had become fodder for gossip at their ecclesia, and to growing up and meeting Christadelphian men who wanted to marry her… if they could control her. Despite some heavy topics, we also enjoyed a few laughs as we asked, what did Solomon’s wives really do together while he was busy? If Christadelphian brothers see rainbows and assume it’s a queer symbol then have they voluntarily given “God’s symbol” to the gay community? And does sage really work to get rid of ghosts in your house?? Please join us for yet another episode of fellowship among the heathens!     TW: Domestic violence, coercive rape, postpartum depression, suicidal ideation   Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!   References:   ⁠Underworld with Kate Beckinsale (2003)⁠   Proverbs 3:15 “She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”   Forced Adoptions in Australia: ⁠SBS News: “I was told my baby had died. Decades later, I learned that was a lie”⁠ ⁠“Social worker tells of forced adoptions”⁠ ⁠“Catholic Hospitals Apologize for Forced Adoptions” ⁠   ⁠From God to Gay Podcast⁠    ⁠Will I ever be good enough by Dr. Karyl McBride⁠   ⁠Joyce Meyer (Author)⁠   ⁠Lee-Ann Cipri (Medium)⁠    

Today we’re learning about the history of hands-on energy healing in the early Christadelphian community! In this episode, Zinnia discusses the founding of an ecclesia in Edinburgh, Scotland that quickly became interested in practicing hands-on energy healing. These new believers were radical free thinkers who offered sassy -but scriptural- retorts to the demands of Robert Roberts and John Thomas around the validity of baptisms. They also hosted lectures and classes for anyone interested in learning the art of “curative mesmerism”. The Edinburgh ecclesia not only became practitioners of “curative mesmerism” themselves, but also became involved in creating and supporting a local mesmerism organization and promoted the practice as part of the “doctrine of health” to other ecclesias while attributing their healing abilities to God. We also discuss the attitudes that attracted these early believers to Mesmerism and the various theories around what may have contributed to the decline of the practice of mesmerism in this ecclesia. We also learn about Robert Roberts “irresistible” experience with another man, the reason why Robert’s wife was re-baptized after their marriage, and hear about Zinnia’s experiences with hands-on energy healing in the modern day. Please join us for another fun blast to the past learning more forgotten history about the Christadelphians!    Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   References:   The Early History of the Kingdom of God in Britain" by William Norrie  Part one Pg. 128 “The Edinburgh Church of Baptised Believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God” Pg 167 Sassy Rebuttals Pg 178 Edinburgh Church Page 202 Curative Mesmerism Pg 245 On Jane Norrie’s rebaptism   The Life after Leaving Podcast Episodes: S1 Ep 8 Robert Roberts and the Fandom of John Thomas S1 Ep 10. The Bearded Wisdom of the Christadelphians S1 Ep. 13 Hypnosis, Telepathy, and Ghosts S1. Ep 4 Fellowship with Rob S2. Ep 16. Fellowship with Steve S3. Ep 32 Fellowship with Ben   ‘John Thomas: His Friends and His Faith’ by Peter Hemingray  P 131-132 Declaration of Beliefs in 1847 P 127-129 John Thomas’ Rebaptism P 192-194 The Marturion Magazine   My Days and My Ways by Robert Roberts  Mesmerism story pages 78-79   “Dr. John Thomas: His Life and Work” by Robert Roberts   Mesmer (1994)    Alan Rickman   The Brief and Strange History of Mesmerism and Surgery   The phony health craze that inspired hypnotism (Youtube)   The Mesmerist by Wendy Moore    Drake-Kendrick Lamar Feud   Referenced by William Norrie: “Messenger of the Churches” issued in July 1858 No. 2   Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come by John Thomas, May 1858   The Zoist: A Journal of Cerebral Physiology & Mesmerism and Their Applications to Human Welfare Volume 12 Christadelphians named as members of the Scottish Curative Mesmeric Association   Reiki   Prana    Qi    The Astrological Roots of Mesmerism   Mesmerising Science: The Franklin Commission and the Modern Clinical Trial   Royal Commission on Animal Magnetism   Mesmerism (History of Hypnosis Documentary Series - Episode 02)   The History of Bad Ideas: Mesmerism (Podcast)

Today we’re chatting with Rebecca! In this episode, we hear from a former Christadelphian who had no intention of leaving the community until the day she walked out the door. Rebecca shares how she was raised in a small ecclesia in a rural area with the expectation that she would get baptized, become a wife and mother, and play piano for the Sunday memorial services. Despite asking a lot of questions during her childhood, she generally conformed to the traditional Christadelphian path for a woman, married a Christadelphian “brother”, and even raised her children to be Christadelphians. But as her children reached adolescence and began to grow into their identities, she was faced with a choice between accepting her children or allowing them to be harmed by the community she loved and served. Unlike most of our guests, Rebecca hadn’t been preparing to leave mentally or emotionally. But motivated by her love for her family, she navigated the unexpected turbulence of leaving the Christadelphian community and shares both the positives and negatives of life outside the group. We also talk about the guilt of recognizing the harms of authoritarian parenting, raising sensitive children in an environment focused on doomsday theology, and about deconstructing Christadelphian views on the LGBTQ community.   Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   References:   Shippensburg/ Mid-Atlantic Christadelphian Bible School   Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone- Mailbox Scene (Youtube)  

Today we’re chatting with Kate! In this episode, Kate begins by discussing her childhood in religious education where she grew up attending a Seventh Day Adventist School before later commuting over an hour to a Christadelphian Heritage College in Australia. We also discuss her family’s religious split over a relatives’ divorce and about the high expectations for “appropriate dress” for a “sister in Christ”- even outside the meeting. We discuss questions like, how much hair does a head covering need to cover in order to be an acceptable head covering? Do hoodies count as a head covering? And how can we style floor length denim skirts without a head covering or hat now that we’ve left?? We also chat about religious opinions on the Harry Potter series, the perils of Christadelphian relationships, and the name of a touch rugby team that was right on the [bottle]nose- the “Crystal Dolphins”!   Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   References:   Seventh Day Adventists   Life After Leaving Podcast, Episode 21 (The Millerites split and many became Seventh Day Adventists while a small number became Christadelphians)   Christadelphian Heritage Colleges   Charlie Chaplin   “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto   The Christian Dolphin’s website is no longer available to view   The Religious Trauma Collective   God to Gay podcast

Today we’re chatting with Ben! In this episode, we explore how Ben went from a youth role model as the son of a renowned conservative Christadelphian preacher to pushing the limits of even the most liberal Christadelphians before leaving. Raised in a conservative branch of Christadelphia, Ben was told that some of their family had “left the faith” but was surprised to discover that there were actually just attending other, less conservative, Christadelphian ecclesias nearby! Even at Ben’s baptism, which surprisingly morphed into a roast, Ben defied convention by asking a member of the “Shield” group to baptism them  at a “Logos” hall as Ben began to resist the labels and expectations they had been raised with. Throughout the episode, Ben and I also discuss Christadelphian music. From singing our favorite songs from “Fruit of Our Lips” to discussing what instruments and songs were allowed to be played to learning about their incredibly popular music nights at SCYP, we dive into what was a pivotal moment in Christadelphian music as Ben and their contemporaries created new music that pushed the limits and was even met with walk-outs and bullying. As a singer-songwriter, Ben left a lasting legacy on Christadelphian music as their songs continue to be popular in the present day. However, most Christadelphians probably don’t know that one of their favorite songs was written by a gay man and a non-binary person who both left the faith! We also talk about puppet plays, the Portland frog, and their experience helping create a LGBTQ affirming evangelical church in New York City.   Listener discretion advised.  If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected] Resources and References:   Left handedness and sexual orientation   Fruit of our Lips CD (2002)   El Shaddai (Youtube)   As the Deer (unable to find CD Version)   A New Commandment (Youtube)    Shout Living Moving Being Wonder Every day Songs in a strange land Endless   Sydney Christadelphian Young People   Flamy Grant    Bible Belt Baby (Spotify)   Drag Queen Album Tops Christian Music Charts   Hymnary.org School of Rock   Christadelphian Art Trust   Yahweh's Youth from Living Moving Being (Youtube)   Purple Worship Book   Worship Books Audio   With All My Heart by Ben Grace, Worship Vol 1 Track 88   Rob Bell and the Mars Hill Church   Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell   Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller   David Crowder   Hurricane/ Superstorm Sandy   The Liturgists Podcast   Secular Humanism   What is Christian Nationalism   The Danger of Christian Nationalism   Christian Nationalism is neither Christian nor Patriotic   Experts Discuss Christian Nationalism    The Portland Frog :  ICE Protest Frogs Have a Long History  Frogs For Peace: How the Portland Frog Became a Symbol of Resistance and Hope     It’s a Wonderful Life Movie (1946)   It’s a Wonderful Life and World War II   Sean Feucht   Jane Goodall's Final Message to the World   Audrey Hepburn: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”   Heathen Happy Hour Podcast   Story and Tune    Purity Culture Trauma   Purity Culture Support   “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver   Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor   Ben Grace Music   Ben Grace Music (IG)    As if Words Could Heal the Wounds   Ex Mormon Bookclub Podcast   Ben Grace: Naked and Unashamed Podcast Episode    As if Words Could Heal the Wounds Podcast

Today we’re chatting with Steve about one of his favorite topics, Biblical Studies! In this episode, we learn about the Bible from a former Christadelphian brother who left behind Christadelphian dogma for an open-minded scholarly approach to the Bible. In this episode, Dr. Steve reframes and explores many topics that we thought we knew about to see how context, translation, and history play a part in truly understanding the Bible. We learn that the Dead Sea Scrolls do *not* prove that the Bible hasn’t changed (like some of us were told), that the Bible underwent editing, redaction, and other changes throughout history (rather than being the perfect, unchangeable word of God), and that numerous passages in the Bible actually quote texts that are not found in the KJV Bible we read at all (and we never noticed?!) Steve’s expertise also brings about interesting discussion about the evolution of the doctrine of resurrection, the idea of atonement, whether God forbids homosexuality in Leviticus, and whether “Paul” actually wrote that women should be silent in the ecclesia. We also had fun exploring “sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll” in the Bible, reading “Solomon’s top ten pick-up lines”, and listening to Steve’s memory of a satirical prayer given at a Christadelphian ecclesia. Be warned, you’ll need to leave your Strongs Concordance at home for this episode, otherwise you’ll fail this class!      Listener discretion advised.    If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:   Reading the Bible Again For the First Time by Marcus Borg   Grimms’ Fairy Tales   The Documentary Hypothesis   Who wrote the Bible? By Richard Elliot Friedman   Redaction Criticism    National Treasure   Pseudopigrapha   Catholic Bible   Orthodox Bible   Coptic Bible   Ethiopic Bible   Testament of Moses   Testament of the 12 patriarchs   The Wisdom of Solomon   Solomon's Top Ten Pick-Up Lines   3 books of Isaiah   Wisdom of Sirach/ Ben Sira   The Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith   Hapax legomenon (a word that occurs in only one place)   Apocryphon of Jannes and Jambres   Testament of Job    Strong’s concordance   The Book of Judith   Judith beheading Holofernes (Caravaggio)   Judith Slaying Holofernes (Artemisia Gentileschi)   The Talmud   Cult Bride: How I was Brainwashed- and How I Broke Free by Liz Cameron   Book of Enoch   Instagram video on pseudepigrapha    The Ancient Greeks and Quotation Marks   The Bible: Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, James 5:11, Ezekiel 18:20,  2 Tim 3:16, Song of Solomon 1:9, Isaiah 26:19, Daniel 12:2, 1 Timothy 2:11-12, 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

In today’s episode, Zinnia and Pete discuss six more historical examples of criminality among the Christadelphians that were not covered in our first true crime episode- from investigations into meat pies and hate speech, to missing charitable funds, and even murder! Let’s get into the spirit of spooky season as we discuss childhood medical neglect and speculate on why religious communities are so skeptical of modern medicine and vaccines, the passivity of believers who follow a “Jesus take the wheel” approach to their life, and about how the “punishment” for embezzlement looks a lot like a reward, or even condoning theft of charitable funds! We also look at how criminal investigations were handled during the early days of Christadelphia under Robert Roberts compared to the present day (hint: there were no secret meetings or letters). And we also have a few laughs as we learn about the Christadelphian view on sex toys, contrast modern medicine with biblical medicine, and discover (while recording!) that the thisisyourbible.com website was apparently hacked years ago and no one noticed!    Also, please don’t send me your opinions on vaccines. However, feel free to send me your favorite “biblical loopholes” or additional information relating to any of these stories to [email protected]! Thanks in advance!    Listener discretion advised.   TW: Childhood Medical Neglect, Manslaughter Charges, Domestic Violence, Violent Murder   Resources and References:   Spooky Intro Music Inspired by The Addams Family Theme Song Thank you to the ex-CD who snapped with me for this!   John Thomas, honorary mention:   The Life After Leaving Podcast: Episode 6 True Crime with Keturah   Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz   The Life After Leaving Podcast: Episode 26 Liar, Liar   The Case of the Bad Meat:   “The History of the Christadelphians 1864-1885” by Andrew Wilson   The Christadelphian Magazine: November 1881, December 1881, and January 1882   The Christadelphian Ecclesial Guide by Robert Roberts (1883)   Mid-Atlantic Christadelphian Bible School History Skit Performance    Naegleria fowleri     Sweeney Todd   East Kilbride Scandal:   National Secular Society: NSS refers Christian charity to regulator for anti-vax memes   Daily Record in February 2022    Another Daily Record Article in February 2022   Daily Record in June 2022   East Kilbride Christadelphians Facebook   Medicine in the Bible   The Satanic Temple   Satanists Unveil Lucifer Statue Design for Oklahoma Capitol (2014)   One Christadelphian on the East Kilbride Christadelphians   Does the rainbow “belong only to God”? (IG)   Can Christadelphians Use Sex Toys?   Charity or Hate Group?   2019 Article investigating hate group claims/ This Is Your Bible     NSS Dossier on Christadelphian Charities   ThisIsYourBible.com on Human Rights   United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights   Cambridge University: Autistic Individuals More Likely to be LGBTQ+   Cambridge University: Autistic Individuals have increased risk of Physical Health Conditions   Autism Unemployment Rate   TIME Magazine: Asperger’s Syndrome, the Nazi Regime, and the Dangerous Power of Labeling People   Autism and Disability in Nazi Vienna   Describing neurotypicals like they describe autistic people (FB)   “Neurotypical Spectrum Disorder” (Reddit)   Anti-Defamation League Definition of a Hate Group   Christadelphian Care Homes Report   This is Your Bible Website shares bizarre (broken?) link under “Human Rights”   Wayback Machine: The Christadelphian Daily Journal on Human Rights “[1] In passing, we remark that God has not given anyone demandable rights of any sort.”    Report of Charity Commissions Investigation and Compliance Case Work: 2012-2013   The Paradox of Tolerance    Michael Ashton Embezzlement:   Birmingham Christian charity faces probe over alleged disappearance of hundreds of thousands of pounds Feb 2012   Christadelphian Research Web Archive June 2015   The Christadelphian Magazine, January 2012, April 2016, July 2022   Ex-Christadelphians.com Michael Ashton Books   Ex-Christadelphians.com Forgiving Your Brother   Ecclesial Guide by Robert Roberts   The Danger of Cults by Michael Ashton   Medical Neglect and Death of a Child:   “Girl Dies on Water Diet” November 1975   The Lancet ‘A Case of Imperforate Anus’ by John Thomas   Joe Dispenza, chiropractor   2023 study of the Followers of Christ church   The Guardian article on Religious Medical Neglect   1998 Study on Medical Neglect Deaths   2011 Study on Faith Healing Deaths   Dr. Alec Burton- HealthScience.org   Fasting For Health and Recovery (Video) by Alec Burton   Alec Burton Obituary   Thank you God- Tim Minchin (Youtube)   Brother Brian Murder, Murder Plots, and Attempted Prison Escape:   BBC News Jealous Man Gets Life For Murder   BBC News: Isle of Wight Prison Helicopter Escape Foiled   HeraldNet UK murderers outlandish jail escape plot foiled   Helicopter Prison Escapes   Murderers Isle of Wight Escape Plot Foiled   BBC News Isle of Wight Prison Security Lapse Let Drugs In    The Guardian ‘Blindsided wife of Long Island serial killer suspect files for divorce’   The Telegraph ‘Teacher So Jealous He Tried to Kill All His Rivals’   The Telegraph ‘Jealous ex-teacher convicted of murder’   Berkshire Live ‘Obsessed Teacher Guilty of Murder’   BBC News ‘Jealous ex killed lover’s friend’   The Guardian ‘Murderer’s Isle of Wight escape plot foiled’   BBC News ‘Isle of Wight Prison Helicopter Escape Foiled’   Herald Net ‘Murderer’s Outlandish Prison Escape Plot Foiled’   Isle of Wight prison security lapse ‘let drugs in’

Today we’re chatting with Tim! In today’s episode, we hear from a survivor of the movement of a small group of Christadelphians who traveled to Israel because of an article in a Christadelphian magazine in order to meet Jesus, who they believed had returned but was living “in cognito” as an Israeli politician. Tim tells us about when his family prayed to a literal burning bush they believed was a sign from God, about his sister becoming a shepherdess in the Promised Land, and about the repeated abuse, attempted murders, and other traumatic experiences that marked his childhood in Israel. This episode is a doozy… we discuss “bullets for Jesus”, severe PTSD, and the difficulty Tim experienced trying to escape the nightmare that his family's beliefs in Christadelphian doctrines had led him and his siblings into…    Listener Discretion Advised.   TW: Emotional, Physical, Psychological and Sexual Child Abuse, Kidnapping, Physical Assault, Murder-Suicide Attempts, Gun Violence, PTSD   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:   “Who is this…?” by Charles J. Hall of Boise, Idaho in Testimony Magazine. Email [email protected] to request a PDF   Lod Airport Massacre   The Branch Davidians at Waco and David Koresh   The Jonestown Massacre and Jim Jones   Moshe Dayan    Sylvia Plath   "A Child Called 'It' " by David Pelzer   The Ecclesial Guide (1883)   Branhamites   Poseidon Adventure (1972 Movie)   "High Demand Group Recovery Group."  Hosted by Mary Moore via Zoom. Email [email protected] for Mary’s email address.

Today we’re chatting with Peter! In this episode, we hear from a former brother about the difficulties of growing up in a family perpetually changing ecclesias, of struggling to build friendships within the Christadelphian community, and of trying to meet the complicated standards for public prayers and bible readings. Peter shares how he had felt so mentally immobilized by fear that he had never questioned any of the doctrines until he met a Christadelphian who did, setting Peter on a path of asking questions, fact checking Christadelphian teachings, and eventually realizing that some Christadelphians share incorrect information (sometimes knowingly!) Peter also speaks up against the harmful views he was taught about “marital rights”, the intense schedule of attendance that was expected of Christadelphians every week in England, and of his struggles to create his own identity, beliefs, and community as an ex-Christadelphian adult.  Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:   Wiki mentioning Central Name Change based on location  “Birmingham Temperance Hall ecclesia (so known after the location of their rented rooms)... In 1952 the majority of the Berean Christadelphian Fellowship rejoined the "Birmingham Central" body of Christadelphians ("Temperance Hall" was now known as the "Central Fellowship", since Birmingham Central had ceased renting rooms at Temperance Hall in 1932”   Thou, Thee, and Archaic Grammar   Thou Grammer Wikipedia   Who wrote the Bible by Richard Elliot Friedman   Genie the feral child article   Israeli Gas Find (Testimony Magazine Archive)   Mount Tabor and the Jezreel Valley   Daily Mail- Pope sacks astronomer over evolution debate   Update: Christian Century:  Vatican astronomer’s backing of evolution no factor in his exit   Cosmic Skeptic with Alex O’Connor on Youtube   Holy Koolaid on Youtube   Good Omens (TV Show)   Chimp Paradox: How Our Impulses and Emotions Can Determine Success and Happiness and How We Can Control Them by Steve Peters   Complex PTSD books   Your logical fallacy is website   Your bias is website

Today we’re chatting with Sarah! In this episode, Sarah answers all of my questions about the subgroup of Christadelphians called the “Bereans”, shares her experience of growing up in a small ecclesia as a victim of child m*lestation by Christadelphian brothers, and the story of how the Berean Christadelphian community discovered and responded to the abuse (Surprise! NOT WELL!) We also learn about Sarah’s second baptism, the revelations that shocked her as she learned more about the outside world, and discuss the harmful consequences of some of the Berean-specific Christadelphian beliefs for victims of child abuse. Sarah also shares the positives in her life now that she left the Christadelphian community, the lessons she’s learned about trying to heal, and about the joy and freedom she has in her adult life.   Listener discretion advised. TW: child sexual abuse, pedophilia, depression, attempted suicide   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:   Wikipedia on Berean Christadelphians   Berean Christadelphian Website   Church law and tax website: “Minimizing the Risks of Child Molestation in Churches”   American Mandatory Reporting Laws   “KidFlix” platform busted news article   Wrested Scriptures by Ron Abel (Book- PDF Link)   Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber (Book)   Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle   Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans   The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels    Jim Palmer Substack “Deconstructionology”   The End of Faith by Sam Harris   Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches About the Unseen World and Why it Matters by Dr. Michael Heiser   On The Origin of Time by Stephen Hawking    Donald Hoffman (Author)   Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind by Annaka Harris   Frederico Faggin on Consciousness   Dr. Tara Swart   Dr. Gabor Mate   Dawn Smith: TedX “Why I Left an Evangelical Cult”

Today we’re investigating the medical qualifications of “Doctor” John Thomas, the founder of the Christadelphians. In this episode, we’ll debunk some questionable claims allegedly recorded in mysterious letters, examine damning evidence hidden in plain sight regarding Thomas’ medical education, and explore the shocking reason why John Thomas really left England to pursue a medical career in the United States. We also deep dive into John Thomas’ background in “male midwifery”, his forgotten role as a teacher for the Royal Western Hospital School, and his published treatment plan for cholera. Zinnia also uncovered a new biography of John Thomas’ medical background while researching this episode and unveils brand new information and insights about his medical background for this episode! Please join us for another exciting history episode as John Thomas’ lies and criminal activity get exposed by Zinnia, namely, a woman.   Many thanks to Dr. Craig Fairweather of Sydney, Australia, to the other ex-Christadelphians who have reached out to share resources, and to the amazing archivists and librarians who helped me uncover an amazing new resource for this episode!   Please stay tuned for Part Two!   Listener discretion advised. Resources and References: *Please email me at [email protected] if interested in seeing a resource that isn't readily available that is listed here. Dr. Thomas: His Family and the Background of His Times’ by Charles Blore (1982) John Thomas: His Friend and His Faith” by Peter Hemingray The Life After Leaving Podcast, Episode 6 The Life After Leaving Podcast, Episode 2 The Life of Dr. Thomas Archives: Royal College of Surgeons of England, Hackney Archives, & Southwark Archives The Christadelphian Magazine, April 1886 edition Dr. Thomas: His Life & Work By Robert Roberts 1873 “Dr. John Thomas - the man and his work” by S. M. Algar from 'The Dawn Ecclesial Magazine' September 1969, from the Hackney, London Archives The Lancet articles by John Thomas: “On the Immateriality of the Mind” by John Thomas Improvements on Civiale’s Lithoniritic Instruments by John Thomas Synopsis of the Treatment of the Malignant Cholera by John Thomas ESSAY ON ASPHYXIA ;OR AN ATTEMPT TO Illustrate the Pathology, and to simplify the Treatment, of SUSPENDED ANIMATION by John Thomas Case of Imperforate Anus by John Thomas On the Nature and Treatment of Burns and Scalds by John Thomas Anatomy Act of 1832 “Medical Training in the United States Prior to the Civil War” by Robert Slawson British Newspaper Archive: Evidence for the Existence of the Royal Western Hospital in 1830 Thomas Leigh Blundell Source 1 and Source 2 Body Snatching in the UK The Real Mr Frankenstein - Sir Anthony Carlisle, Medical Murders, and the Social Genesis of Frankenstein by Donald Shelton (2020) Physician, Apothecary, or Surgeon? Why are male surgeons still addressed as Mr? - PMC Catholic Controversy by John Thomas in the Millennial Harbinger Apostalic Advocate Vol 1 1834 Apostalic Advocate in 1836 M.D. Not D.D. October 1850 edition of New England Botanic Medical and Surgical Journal John Thomas M.D. in the St Charles Patriot Newspaper Jimmy Neutron Brain Blast “The History of Medicine” by Alexander Wilder (1901) Catch Me If You Can (2002) “The New England Botanic Medical and Surgical Journal” by Calvin Newton Vol 2, No 8, Page 122, April 16, 1848 The Independents Oliver Cromwell Trail of Tears Cholera Statistics Cholera in England American Heritage- Doctors of the Frontier Alanis Morissette- Ironic Calomel Tidings Devotional by Alan Eyre (2005)(Why Dr. Thomas Really Left England) British Health and Medicine Historically Speaking: Victorian-era doctors lacked tools to help patients Hackney, London - Wikipedia

Today we’re chatting with (another) Vanessa! In this episode, we interview our first ex-Christadelphian raised in the “Old Paths” sub-group of the Christadelphian sect. Vanessa shares some stories from their community such as their caravan tent version of Bible School, the strict rules baptized members were required to agree to such as never going to the movies, and about how her family refused to fellowship with “Central” Christadelphians while visiting. However, Vanessa was always excited to learn and even startled her Sunday School teacher with the surprising facts she shared from reading Malcolm X. Despite her then-husband’s disapproval as a young woman, she continued to read and study outside of traditional domestic fields, eventually getting her PhD (and divorcing her Christadelphian husband). We also chat about wine so watered down that even thieves returned it, people pleasing and abusive relationships after being raised in high control religion, and the therapeutic creative project she undertook after leaving. Also, this episode is dedicated to our new podcast patron saint Keanu Reeves.  Please join us for another episode of fellowship among the Heathens! Listener discretion advised.    If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:   Speed (1994 Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111257/   Keanu Reeves: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keanu_Reeves   Goodreads- Cult Memoirs: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/cult-memoirs   Vanessa’s first book ‘Holy Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Bible-Vanessa-Russell-ebook/dp/B085DLDJWF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12PM33O8KXBTM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.P2UQqnx3tzVC00lQZU8J1A.UwnyG3mR0ZIKtTEP206TUR3FytgSL6LAFRXG5D6N6jg&dib_tag=se&keywords=vanessa+russell+holy+bible&qid=1746401165&s=books&sprefix=vanessa+russell+holy+bible%2Cstripbooks%2C87&sr=1-1   Vanessa's second book ‘The World is Not Big Enough’ https://www.amazon.com/World-Is-Not-Big-Enough/dp/1743796838   Netflix: American Murder: Gabby Petito (2025) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35590630/   Netflix: American Murder: Laci Peterson (2024) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33079160/   Gary Schaefer (1951-2023), Christadelphian Serial Killer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Schaefer   EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing):  https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing

Today we’re chatting with Mako! In this episode, Mako shares his experience traveling the world as a (white, male) Christadelphian before spending the years following his baptism serving in Jamaica as a missionary. After marrying his (Jamaican) wife and settling in America, his eyes were opened to racism & sexism among the Christadelphians when it became directed towards his family and as Christadelphians grappled with the Black Lives Matter movement. Mako also shares the story of how his small ecclesia split, how white Christadelphians online refused to even acknowledge racism in the Christadelphian community, and how he struggled to get distance from the Christadelphian community when they held the memorial service in his house every week! We also learn about his epic baptism, that time a Sunday School teacher crushed his dreams, and about his enduring love for the beach and ocean. Towards the end of the episode we also get philosophical as we speculate about ghosts, the Kingdom of God, and on the impact on society if everyone simply decided to “let God fix it”. Please join us for another episode of fellowship among the heathens!   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Listener discretion advised.   White Savior Complex: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_savior https://www.health.com/mind-body/health-diversity-inclusion/white-savior-complex   Microaggressions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microaggression https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/872371063/microaggressions-are-a-big-deal-how-to-talk-them-out-and-when-to-walk-away   Black Lives Matter Movement: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Lives_Matter https://library.law.howard.edu/civilrightshistory/BLM https://blacklivesmatter.com/   Pascal’s wager   Barbie Movie (2023)   Mako’s exhortation on Love:  Available on our Facebook Page (too long for the show notes!)

Today we’re chatting with Chloe! In this episode, Chloe shares her experience being raised to be homeschooled by Christadelphians and sent to a Canadian Christadelphian Heritage College before being discouraged from pursuing higher education and having to learn how to navigate the “outside world” once she hit adulthood. We also discuss mental health issues she experienced while she was a Christadelphian, how the Arranging Brothers refused to accept her resignation, and her method of using note taking to lure in a godly man. Chloe also shares her childhood ghost stories, discusses the anxious thoughts she had about the “Kingdom of God”, and opens up about the peer pressure around her baptism. We also ask, why would we ever want to be like the angels? Why is it so hard to develop close relationships as a Christadelphian? And how can we get the best roast dinner recipes now that we’ve left?    Please join us for another episode of fellowship among the Heathens!   *Please note that we had a technical difficulty about 58 minutes in which interrupted the conversation, whoops!   Listener discretion advised.    If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:   Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus   Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell   Thought Terminating Cliches:    https://psychology.org.au/about-us/news-and-media/aps-in-the-media/2024/explaining-thought-terminating-cliches-and-why-we   Cult Signs- Keeping Members Busy and Exhausted: “#11 Time Domination- Members are kept constantly busy to prevent independent thinking” https://blog.earkick.com/25-signs-youre-in-a-cult-how-cult-leaders-keep-you-hooked/   “If you experience pressure to take part in any (or all) services, rites or rituals, and feel it would be socially costly not to take part (i.e. you might be excluded from other things, disapproved of or left out of friendship groups), you should be concerned.” https://secularliturgies.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/the-25-signs-youre-in-a-high-control-group-or-cult-by-anastasia-somerville-wong/   Neville Goddard   Harry Potter and Apparating:   History episode mentioning ‘being like the angels’: Episode 13: Hypnosis, Telepathy and Ghosts   Ex-Christadelphian website:     Ear Biscuits Podcast: Rhett’s Spiritual Deconstruction (2020):   Ear Biscuits Playlist on Spiritual Deconstruction:    

Today we’re chatting with Sylvia! In this episode, Sylvia tells us about growing up in a family that read (and debated) the Bible together every day as ‘a little hippie kid’. She discusses her ‘radical’ experience as a Christadelphian starting in the 1960’s and ‘70’s in Canada where she helped found a new ecclesia, create a new bible school, and push for women to teach. She also turned heads in her meeting when her parents approved her underage marriage to an unbaptized First Nations “outsider”. Zinnia and Sylvia also discuss how her ideas were plagiarized for exhortations, the beliefs of First Nations people, and how David is definitely the sexiest Bible character! We also speculate about what we would want to see at an Ex-Christadelphian event. Come join us for another fellowship among the heathens and to hear about the ecclesia that was created to be “just a lot more fun”! Listener discretion is advised.    If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:   Sylvia’s Website   Sylvia’s Blog   Sylvia’s Blog Post on being “The Zealot’s Daughter”   Christadelphian “Truth Corps” via the Christadelphian Bible Mission of the Americas and Canada   Wrested Scriptures by Ron Abel (1990)   Christendom Astray by Robert Roberts   Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer  

In today’s episode, Zinnia does a deep dive on the history of Christadelphian “prophecies” and apocalyptic predictions! She starts with the origins of the “prophetic arithmetic” methods by a rather infamous American in the 1840’s, follows the early prophecies by John Thomas and Robert Roberts, and leads into conversations around prophecies, high control groups, and cognitive dissonance in the modern era. Ready to learn some Christadelphian history? Let's get into it! Listener Discretion Advised. Resources and References: ⁠Toy Story (1995) “The Claw”⁠ ⁠William Miller and the Great Disappointment⁠ ⁠The Great Disappointment of William Miller⁠ ⁠Millerism⁠ ⁠The Seekers⁠ ⁠The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance and the book “When Prophecy Fails”⁠ ⁠Wikipedia: History of the Seventh-day Adventists Church⁠ More Millerite History: ⁠https://st.network/analysis/top/the-second-coming-files-a-2000-year-investigation-part-vii-adventism-after-the-great-disappointment-adventist.html⁠ ⁠https://lineagejourney.com/read/the-advent-movement-beyond-the-great-disappointment/⁠ ⁠The Disappointed: Millerite Adventists and Their “New World”⁠ ⁠The Advent Movement Beyond the Great Disappointment⁠ ⁠The Christadelphian Magazine/ The Ambassador of the Coming Age⁠: January 1866, October 1893, May 1893, October 1897  ⁠John Thomas: His Friends & His Faith by Peter Hemingray⁠ ⁠Joseph Marsh⁠ Eureka: An Exposition of the Apocalypse by John Thomas ⁠https://www.antipas.org/pdf_files/eureka_vol_1_lg.pdf⁠ ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka:_An_Exposition_of_the_Apocalypse⁠ ⁠Elpis Israel, 7th edition 1897⁠ ⁠Elpis Israel with Publishers Comments (2000)⁠ ⁠“My Days and My Ways” by Robert Roberts⁠ ⁠“Robert Roberts: A Study of Life and Character” by Islip Collyer⁠ ⁠Whose line is it anyways⁠ “The show where everything’s made up and the points don’t matter” ⁠Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett⁠ ⁠Christendom Astray by Robert Roberts⁠ (including Chapter 16 and the prophecy on page 271) ⁠Wikipedia: ‘Christendom Astray from the Bible”⁠ “In the 1951 edition published by ⁠The Christadelphian⁠ Office, chapter 16 entitled 'Evidence that the End is Near' was deleted because the start of the millennium age did not start as predicted by 1910.” ⁠“What They Said Would Happen: A Review of Christadelphians Predictions”⁠ by John Hutchinson, January 2000  ⁠Emperor Nicholas I⁠ ⁠The Crimean War⁠ ⁠A Timeline of the Crimean War⁠ ⁠The Life of John Thomas (1985)⁠ The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, September 1861. Quote recorded in “The Life of John Thomas” ⁠The Princess Bride (1987)⁠ “Have fun storming the castle!” ⁠World War I Timeline⁠ ⁠Scooby Doo⁠ ⁠Godzilla⁠ ⁠Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey (Netflix)⁠ ⁠Clifford the Big Red Dog⁠ The Bible, Matthew 24:34:  "Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled" ⁠Willy Wonka Golden Ticket⁠ ⁠Finding Nemo (2003)⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ1KDf3O-qU⁠ ⁠Dictionary.com definition of a Christadelphian⁠: a member of a Christian millenarian sect founded in the US about 1848, holding that only the just will enter eternal life, that the wicked will be annihilated, and that the ignorant, the unconverted, and infants will not be raised from the dead ⁠Millenarianism⁠: “Millenarianism is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming fundamental transformation of society, after which "all things will be changed" ⁠Apocalypticism⁠: “Apocalypticism is the religious belief that the end of the world is imminent, even within one's own lifetime” ⁠Doomsday Cult⁠: “A doomsday cult is a cult that believes in apocalypticism and millenarianism” ⁠Instagram: video by abbiesr⁠

Today we’re chatting about Bible Prophecy! In this episode I’m joined by Rob, a Professor of Statistics & Statistical Forecasting, and Steve, a Professor of Biblical Studies to explore the prophecies they learned (and even taught!) from their time as Christadelphians. Now as ex-Christadelphians, we discuss what they’ve learned about history, statistics, and biblical literature to explore non-Christadelphian perspectives on some common prophecies related to the Bible and Christadelphian culture. We explore prophecies that were supported by a selective view of history, unfulfilled prophecies, and even prophecies that were wrong in the Bible! In this episode we also learn about Rob’s attempt to have his fortune told in India, Steve’s thoughts on satire in the Bible, and learn about the relationship between the Bible and Tarot Cards!  Please enjoy another week of fellowship among the heathens! Listener discretion is advised.    Resources and References:   Unbelievable: A Journey from Faith Via Evidence. Why A University Professor Gave up Religion and Became an Unbeliever by Rob Hyndman   Excerpt from Rob’s Book: Chapter 8- The biblical crystal ball   Eureka by John Thomas Eurkea PDF   Revelation: A Biblical Approach by Harry Whittaker 1976   The first book of Enoch   Fourth Book of Esdra/ 4 Ezra   The Second Book of Baruch   The Bible, Ezekiel 26 A Prophecy Against Tyre   The Anchor Bible Series   The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary   The Anchor Bible Commentary   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Today we’re chatting with Brian about religious trauma! After hearing so many guests discuss traumatizing events that they experienced within the Christadelphian community, we decided to bring in a licensed religious trauma therapist to explore what religious trauma is and what we can do about it. We started with discussing some key definitions and concepts to understand, exploring what modalities Brian uses with clients, and talking about some things to consider when trying to find a therapist to work with, including knowing the difference between searching for a therapist with a specialty in “spirituality” compared to “religious trauma”. We also ask some thought provoking questions such as, is pressuring minors to be baptized truly consensual? Why doesn’t the group have an exit plan for members and why is that important to have? And is holding Christadelphian beliefs a cure for mental health struggles? Let’s talk about it!   Please enjoy another week of fellowship among the heathens! If you enjoy this episode and would like us to have another episode on religious trauma, please submit your comments and questions to [email protected]   Listener discretion is advised.    Resources and References:   Marlene Winell's website who coined "Religious Trauma Syndrome"   Reclamation Collective (religious trauma directory/support groups/trainings) -    Spiritual Power Inventory Tool   Secular Therapy Project (directory)   Religious Trauma Institute (research/trainings, mostly for therapists)    Religious Trauma Providers in Australia   IFS Institute (Internal Family Systems directory)   "No Bad Parts" by Richard Schwarz (Client-friendly intro book to IFS)    Terror, Love, and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems by Alexandra Stein   Alexandra Stein Talking About Cults     Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents    Ex-christian subreddit (discussion, support, and tons of extra resources)    Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) Test   ACE Aware   EFT Tapping   “How to Start Deconstructing your Christian Faith” with Kristi Burke    “When a Relationship with God Turns Unhealthy” with Kristi Burke   Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Janja Lalich   What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing From Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo   Escaping Twin Flames, Netflix   The 25 Signs you’re in a High-Control Group or Cult by Anastasia Somerville-Wong   What is a High Control Group?   How to Recognize a High-Control Church

Today we’re chatting with Kelli! In this episode, Kelli shares her experience preparing for what she thought would be the hardest test in her life (the baptismal exam!), learning that playing hymns on guitars would qualify as “stumbling blocks” for some sisters in Christ, and sharing her experience as a woman who was able to have more of a role when growing up associated with the COGAF group. She also shares some funny stories of sleeping in a pool floaty at a Bible weekend, an unexpected insect encounter during a church service, and shares the joke that ended her involvement in her church newsletter! Zinnia and Kelli also reminisce on long denim skirts, reading Harry Potter as religious children (scandalous!), and on how gross the term “seed” is! (Bleh!)   Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!   Listener discretion is advised.  If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:    Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell   The Joke That Got Taylor Tomlinson Fired From a Church Comedy Gig (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)   The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman   Reading the Bible Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg   Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist’s Wife by Irene Spencer   Deconversion Therapy podcast (last episode aired 7/2024)   Misquoting Jesus by Bart Ehrman   The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels   The United Nations: Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 18: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.   The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts

Today we’re chatting with Vanessa! Vanessa shares her experience of growing up feeling supported as a neurodivergent child in the Christadelphian community with her family. Over time though, she had a feminist awakening and found that her views on women's roles within the ecclesia didn’t quite fit. Eventually she began studying psychology and realized that she was in a high control religion! After pressure to bring her children in for instruction and hearing explicitly that they wanted to brainwash the children, she decided she wanted better for her family and left the group. Since leaving, Vanessa’s found a sense of purpose that she hadn’t experienced as a Christadelphian and she has finally embraced her authentic self.    Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!     Listener discretion advised.   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References   What So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey   The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins   Religious Harm Recovery Newsletter   Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell   Podcast: It’s A Little Bit Culty Podcast with Sarah and Nippy   Podcast: Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation hosted by Lola and Meagan   Clementine Morrigan on Instagram and host of the Fucking Cancelled Podcast   The Little Book of Attachment: Theory to Practice in Child Mental Health with Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy by Daniel Hughes and Ben Gurney-Smith   Raising a Secure Child: How Circle of Security Parenting Can Help You Nurture Your Child's Attachment, Emotional Resilience, and Freedom to Explore by Kent Hoffman, Glenn Cooper, and Bert Powell

Today we’re chatting with Steve! Steve’s story takes us from his childhood reading the works of Dr. Thomas and Robert Roberts through his slow departure from the Christadelphians and finally into his current position teaching Biblical Studies! Steve shares the important lessons his father taught him about character and standing up for your beliefs (even if that includes refusing to hide the Christmas tree), the punitive response of his former ecclesia when he asked questions about Revelation and ultimately joined another ecclesia, and his ultimate realization that some members of the Christadelphians “were prepared to lie in defense of The Truth”. Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!      Listener discretion advised. TW: Child abuse and suicide in last 10 minutes of episode If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:   Steve’s Biblical Studies Blog, Mikra   Biblical Humor on Steve’s Blog   Revelation: A Biblical Approach by Harry Whittaker   Life From Scratch: A memoir of Food, Family, and Forgiveness by Sasha Martin

Today we’re chatting with Brian! Brian is our first guest to come on the podcast from the Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith (COGAF). While they technically have a different name than Christadelphians, the groups were founded by former associates at about the same time. Members of COGAF hold the same beliefs as Christadelphians, fellowship with them, and even attend Christadelphian activities, camps, and bible schools! In today’s episode, we hear about Brian’s former ecclesia using pancakes to convince people to attend services, about that time he was brought to Jamaica for a school project to learn about the life of Christadelphian missionaries as a teenager, and about the “wave theory” of doubt and faith that eventually washed him ashore to solid ground without faith in God. We also chat about surprise ambushes by Christadelphians who create confrontations about faith and church attendance in the most unexpected times and places. Please join us for another episode of fellowship among those who have left the fold!   If you have any questions that you would like addressed in the upcoming episode on religious trauma, please email ⁠[email protected]⁠ Listener discretion advised.     Resources and References:   Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith (COGAF)/Church of the Blessed Hope   Church of the Blessed Hope Beliefs   John Thomas: His Friends and His Faith by Peter Hemingray “Chapter 21: Dr. Thomas, Marsh, and Wilson- Founders of COGAF”   Netflix: Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey   Terror, Love, and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems by Alexandra Stein ⁠

Today we’re flipping the script and Heather is chatting with Zinnia! Zinnia shares her story of growing up as an undiagnosed neurodivergent child and being bullied during her childhood inside and outside of the ecclesia. The first half of this episode is a bit heavy as Zinnia discusses how her environment contributed to severe depression and how growing up in a high control environment among other factors may have groomed her for domestic violence in her relationships. However, things took a turn for the better when Zinnia chose to leave the group, shut down their harassment, reported perpetrators to the police. She also reclaimed her life and her voice by changing her name, moving out on her own, creating a new environment where she could thrive in secular friendships and relationships, and connecting with other ex-Christadelphians in the Facebook community. She also shares her story of living in a haunted apartment, explains why she is skeptical of Christadelphians claiming that they’ll report the criminal activity of other Christadelphians, and about the circumstances that led her to create this podcast.  This episode was also released alongside Episode 13 on Spiritualism due to some overlapping themes and topics. We hope you enjoy this podcast double feature! See you in 2025! Thank you to Heather for editing this episode! Listener Discretion Advised. TW: sexual assault, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, eating disorders, self-harm, bullying, depression, profanity     Resources: Vibe Music:  If I die young Pt 2 by Kimberly Perry And The Wolves by Madeline Edwards   On Leaving Cults & High Control Groups:   Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Janja Lalich   Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church by Megan Phelps-Roper   The Sound of Gravel: A Memoir by Ruth Wariner   Educated by Tara Westover   Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Women and How I Broke Free by Linda Kay Klein   Chocolat by Joanne Harris (Okay, this one is more of a role model for living outside religious influence, not bending to that pressure, and embracing the more magical side of life)   Quarter Life Crisis Netflix special, Taylor Tomlinson    The Holy Bible: The Best Damned Version by Steve Ebling    Instagram: religious.harm.recovery    On Sexual Assault:   Know My Name by Chanel Miller   On Childhood Trauma & Relationships:   Recovering from Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson (And Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents)   Running on Empty: Overcome your Childhood Emotional Neglect by Jonice Webb (Sequel: Running on Empty No More)   The Journey from Abandonment to Healing by Susan Anderson   Healing Your Aloneness: Finding Love and Wholeness Through Your Inner Child by Erika Chopich and Margaret Paul   Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller   The Emotionally Absent Mother: A Guide to Self-Healing and Getting the Love You Missed by Jasmin Lee Cori    Mothers Who Can’t Love: A Healing Guide for Daughters by Susan Forward   When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate   On Embracing Neurodivergence, Masking, and Susceptibility to Abuse:   Hayley Honeyman Ted Talk “Unmasking ADHD”   On the impact of growing up undiagnosed Neurodivergent: Neurodivergent Article And  Other Neurodivergent Article Feminism & Politics:    Rage becomes her: The Power of Women's Anger by Soraya Chemaly   On Healing through Humor   On the Paranormal:   Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I Learned About Ghosts by Amy Bruni    Do Dead People Watch You Shower? By Concetta Bertoldi   “Ecclesia Safe” Initiative: Tidings Article Ecclesia Safe Website Tidings Article on the Creation of Ecclesia Safe ⁠

Today we’re chatting about ghosts! More specifically, about how the Christadelphians have historically tried to disprove the existence of ghosts and the beliefs of Spiritualists to their followers! It’s time for science class with John Thomas as he explains the (now considered pseudoscience) "science" of odology, explains how Jesus Christ (electric medium) used hypnosis on his disciples, speculates on whether followers will be able to be invisible and teleport when they’re resurrected (sorry, you can only hold eyeballs), and how God’s Holy Spirit is actually… electricity. We discover the story of a Christadelphian with psychic abilities and end the episode with the most legendary ghost story to ever be told in Christadelphia! It’s going to get spoooooooky! This episode was also released alongside Episode 14, Fellowship with Zinnia, due to some overlapping themes and topics. We hope you enjoy this podcast double feature! See you in 2025!   Resources and References    “Other Powers: The Age of Suffrage, Spiritualism, and the Scandalous Victoria Woodhull” by Barbara Goldsmith, Page 78   Some background information on Spiritualism in the Britannica:   Dr. Thomas: His Life and His Work by Robert Roberts   Popular Figures who were Spiritualists   The First Woman to Run for President in the US, Victoria Woodhull   Talking to the Dead: Kate and Maggie Fox and the Rise of Spiritualism by Barbara Weisberg   The Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith   The Oprah Winfrey Show   July 1852 edition of the “Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come” by John Thomas   2023 Pew Research data   2024 Article on Americans belief in ghosts   Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Psychics   Harry Houdini’s crusade to expose medium and spiritualism   The Ambassador of the Coming Age  (later known as The Christadelphian Magazine) July 1868, August 1868 and September 1868 editions   The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come Magazine by John Thomas, July and August 1852   Age-Gap paranormal romance: A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley   Twilight by Stephenie Meyer   The Princess Bride Movie, 1987 “Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning”   Prosopagnosia, medical condition   Jim Jones Healings 1   Jim Jones Healings 2   Rapidash Pokemon   The Bible: 1 Kings 19 2 Corinthians 12 Habakkuk 2:2-3 Joel 2:28 Job 33  Acts 10 Revelation 1 Matthew 22 1 Samuel 28   Odology   Louis Cahagnet’s “Celestial Telegraph, or Secrets of the Life to Come revealed through Magnestism”  Robert Roberts: A Study of Life And Character    The Christadelphian Magazine/ The Ambassador of the Coming Age Magazine:  April 1869 February 1895 February 1888 May 1887 June 1876 January 1877 May 1955 November 1919 August 1913 November 1926   National Spiritualists’ Association of Churches Bookstore   The Girl with Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts   The Wizard of Oz (movie), 1939   Spiritualism by Michael Ashton Read Online at: This is Your Bible   John Thomas’ Ghost: The Christadelphian Magazine, November 1871 The Christadelphian Magazine, January 1872   Medium and Daybreak, November 24 1871 edition Full article provided by request from the University of Oxford Bodleian Library and from the Hamilton College. Thank you to the archivists and librarians who assisted in this request!   The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster   Lily Dale: The True Story of the Town That Talks to the Dead by Christine Wicker   Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I learned about Ghosts by Amy Bruni   Other Resources not mentioned: If you want to learn more about Spiritualism, check out the Dig Podcast:   Other mentions of Spiritualism and Ouija Boards in The Christadelphian Magazine: March 1939 March 1920   Spiritualist website hosts John Thomas’s writings on Odology   John Thomas’ book on Odoloy: Odology: An Antidote to Spiritualism, being an Analysis of the Claims of Spirit Rapping ⁠

Today we’re chatting with Paul! In this episode, Paul shares his story of joining the Christadelphians with his parents as a young convert, to stirring up trouble in the capital city as a young man handing out pamphlets on the Holy Spirit, to eventually not only leaving the Christadelphians, but eventually becoming an atheist studying theology! Paul also shares his controversial experience giving his one and only public lecture as a Christadelphian, his time as part of a group of Christadelphians nicknamed “the four horsemen of the apocalypse”, and about his thesis project on the roots of Christianity which he started after going back to school *again*. There’s no box big enough to fit Paul into as he’s explored careers, countries, and theology throughout his lifetime. I hope you enjoy this episode and hearing about the twists and turns of his fascinating life!     If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected] Resources and References   Harry Whittaker, Author   Carl Sagan; astronomer, scientist, author, and science educator   Richard Dawkins; biologist, author, prominent atheist   Paul’s website, “Religion Free World”   A link to Paul’s Book “On Christian Origins”

Today we’re chatting with Luke! Luke shares his experience growing up in a small, insular ecclesia disconnected from the wider community of Christadelphians and singing the same hymns every week. In this episode, we’ll hear about his process of trying to fit into the wider Christadelphian world after growing up in isolation, about his first experience attending an ecclesia that drank Christ’s blood from a shared cup (ew), and on the pressure to leave his new ecclesia and to end his relationship with a non-Christadelphian. We also speculate on his prospects of an American speaking tour, argue for Australia to have its own major winter holiday, and wonder if Christadelphian music will ever be a topic for a pub trivia night at last!? And remember… watch out because the “Christadelphian Police” can be anywhere! Please join us for yet another fun episode of fellowship among the heathens!   Listener discretion is advised.    If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Movie)

Today we’re chatting with Mako in this “mini-episode” on beards and their cultural history within Christadelphia. Mako and Zinnia discuss the experiences shared by some ex-Christadelphians about beards and compare it to the historical views of Christadelphians during the time of Doctor John Thomas and Robert Roberts. We also joke about drag names, the British slang for penis, and moustaches on firemen! Please join us for a chat about this hairy topic!   As a friendly reminder, please be advised that the humor in today’s episode is pretty “worldly” and this podcast is marked “explicit” across platforms. Listener discretion is advised.    Resources and References:    Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life   Dictionary entry for “John Thomas”   The Bible, 2 Samuel 10   The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come by John Thomas, May 1856, Page 113 “The Gentile and the Jew”   The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come by John Thomas,  March 1852, Page 62 (782 if using this link)   Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come by John Thomas December 1851 Page 280-281(Page 626 if using this link)   The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, May 1853, page 119 by John Thomas reprinting “Why Israelites were Forbidden to Shave” from the “Journal of Sacred Literature pp. 65, 66”    My Days and My Ways by Robert Roberts, page 5, 67, 139   “Robert Roberts: A Study of the Life and Character” by Islip Collyer   Drag Name Inspo and the name “Lourdes Prayer”   On my comments on Leviticus: https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/article-700876 https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/03/world/africa/03iht-moses.4.5130043.html   On some religions using beards as a statement:  https://dralun.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/the-medical-case-for-beards-in-the-19th-century/ https://credomag.com/2016/07/they-will-know-we-are-calvinists-by-our-beards-timothy-raymond/   The Christadelphian July 1871 (July edition starting page 199, quote on page 219)   On the Victorians using hair from the dead for mementos   Misc Research into Beards

Today we’re chatting with Mike! Mike shares his story of growing up in the Brotherhood with many surprises including sourcing bootleg copies of the Simpsons for the Christadelphian youth group, finding a wife at the Christadelphian nursing home, and about his path to eventually becoming “unequally yoked” before leaving the group. Mike also shares his experience of unintentionally framing the Editor of the Christadelphian magazine for vandalism (whoops) and answers whether or not he saw any unattached beard hair in the Christadelphian Magazine Archives. And of course, he asks the hard hitting questions such as ”...have you got a hat?”. Please join us for yet another fun episode of fellowship among the heathens!     If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources and References:   Praise the Lord Hymn Book   ‘Praise the Lord’ Music Audio   The Book of Mormon:  On Broadway Watch online

Today we’re learning about the unofficial president of the John Thomas fan club, Robert Roberts. In this episode, we’ll be taking a critical look at whether this famous Christadelphian leader was actually just a follower. I’ll be sharing with you “respectable heathens” stories about Robert Roberts’ childhood, his quirks, and the chance he missed to leave behind the drama of the Christadelphians forever. I hope you’re as surprised as I was to learn the bizarre ways that he honored John Thomas throughout his lifetime, and even in death. I’ll also share a Christadelphian exhortation drinking game, a request for the whereabouts of a lost object, and a story about a legendary exhortation at the Moorestown ecclesia. Please also stay tuned to the end for another “ad” from one of our “sponsors”.    Resources and References:   “My Days and My Ways” by Robert Roberts, 1894   “Robert Roberts: A Study of the Life and Character” by Islip Collyer   John Thomas His Friends and His Faith by Peter Hemingray, 2003   Gilmore Girls tv series, Season 6 episode 8 “Why did you drop out of Yale?”   “Elpis Israel” by John Thomas  Fourteenth Edition Ninth Edition   Goosebumps tv series, “Welcome to Dead House”   Ex-Christadelphians.com, “Who was Robert Roberts?”   “Escaping Twin Flames” Documentary, Netflix   Jonestown   The Christadelphian magazine,formerly The Ambassador of the Coming Age  (Subscription required) -November 1869, accessible to the public -July 1871, accessible to the public, July edition starting page 199, quotes can be found page 217 and 219   “The Early History of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in Britain with Historical, Critical, and Social Reminiscences of Persons, Places, and Events” compiled by William Norrie, Vol III   Ancestry.com, Roberts Family Tree   Tidings article mentioning Roberts’ son Edward leaving the Christadelphians   Coraline (book) by Neil Gaiman, 2002 & Coraline Movie adaption 2009  

Today we’re chatting with Leah! Leah shares her story of pushing the boundaries of respectable behavior for a Christadelphian woman by saying prayers at the podium, giving exhortations, and pushing the community to support the fair-trade movement. Leah wasn’t about to let gender roles get her down and now she’s living her best life re-enacting Sister Act, voting in elections, and saying farewell to her good enemies in the ecclesia. Leah also shares her one rule that sets her new standard when visiting and evaluating a church. Please also enjoy a special guest appearance by Leah’s cats… meow…   TW: domestic violence, sexual assault   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   References & Resources: Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari   I Don’t by Clementine Ford   See What You Made Me Do: Power, Control, and Domestic Violence by Jess Hill   Leah’s choir performance (Facebook)   Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby

Today we're chatting with Keturah about true crime stories from the Christadelphians! History certainly isn't always boring with Zinnia sharing the history of five notorious Christadelphians from around the world. Just in time for spooky season, let's talk about body snatchers, poison, and even murder...    TW: domestic violence, child abuse, pedophilia, incest, violent murder   Resources and References:   Story One: John Thomas Story References:   John Thomas: His Life and His Work by Robert Roberts   John Thomas: His Friends and His Faith by Peter Hemingray   John Thomas’s article in the Lancet on the Anatomy Bill in May 1829 (Full article received via email after contacting Elsevier)   Articles on the Richards Riot: -YouTube video on Richard’s Riot & the identity of the young woman  -Patch.com on the Grave Robbings  -St Charles History Museum on Richards Riot -The Resurrectionists Story Two: Albert Chernov Kidney Stealing Story: News Article   The report on “Jerry” is not publicly available and was sourced from a member of the Ex-Christadelphian Facebook Group. The full section of the report that was referenced is quoted here:  “Albert Chernov, baptized by [“Jerry” real name redacted], was financially supported by BBFU (CCM) as a recruiter for the Brotherhood. Chernov was arrested in July 2003 on suspicion of rounding up Russian immigrants in Israel and compelling them, with threats and extortion, into undergoing nephrectomies (removal of a kidney). The charges detailed that the organs were sold, by Chernov and his two accomplices, on the black market. [Source: Haaretz.] He was released on bail in Nov 2003 and fled the authorities. [Source: Washington Post. *Not Found in WP Archives* ]”   United Nations definition of organ trafficking   Story Three: Judith Ann Venn Murder:   Article 1 in The Guardian   Article 2 in ABC News   Story Four: “Uncle Murder”/ Roger Hammond: Phoenix New Times: “Mr. Fix-it is Guilty” March 1 1989   Man convicted in Arkansas in Louisville woman's death Associated Press   Obituary, Roger Hammond Story Five: Gary Schaefer Murders:   Book: In The Shadow of Death: The Hunt for a Serial Killer by Philip Ginsburg    Podcast: True Crime New England, Episode 10   Podcast: Thrice Cursed: A True Crime and Paranormal Podcast: Heavens'ta Betsy aka Gary Lee Schaefer Note: Additional resources on Gary Schaefer are mentioned in the podcasts above   Reformer News Article on Schafer’s Death   Gary Schafer Wikipedia   Rutland Daily Herald Article on the Arrest   Murderpedia for Schafer   Book Mentioned by Keturah: To Believe In Women: What Lesbians Have Done For America - A History by Lillian Faderman

Today we're chatting with Heather! Let's cozy up by a babbling stream with our favorite transcendental books for this one!    If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources: ⁠Heather's Blog⁠

Today we're chatting with Amy! She has a master's degree in Religious Studies, and wrote her thesis using the Christadelphians as a test case for theories of conservative women. There's no need to don a skirt or headcovering this Sunday morning! Join us as we delve into the reason why nothing ever changes in Christadelphia; talk about the limited roles for women in the ecclesia; reminisce on the dramas of headcoverings and pants-wearing (that's trousers for the Brits); and much, much more. Resources:   Amy’s thesis Not publicly available. Please email [email protected] to request a digital copy   Christadelphian Moms Survey Results, May 2024   Tidings magazine, May 2024 Issue   Tidings magazine, article on race from August 2020   The Ecclesial Guide by Robert Roberts   Esme Louie Tradwife Video   My Big Fat Greek Wedding   Books referenced:   The Psychology of Religious Doubt by Philip Helfaer Educated by Tara Westover The Holy Bible by Vanessa Russell (an ex-christadelphian!) Leaving the Fold by Marlene Winell 

Today we’re chatting with Rob! Rob had reached the pinnacle of success as an international Christadelphian lecturer and prominent leader in his ecclesia before his journey to explore the root of his faith took him on an unexpected “reverse road to Damascus” and to leaving religion for good. This episode is the perfect accompaniment to a leisurely Sunday morning spent sleeping in, enjoying a fresh cup of coffee, and savoring not having to rush to the Sunday morning meeting anymore. Pull on your most colorful underwear for this episode and enjoy!  If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected] Resources:   Unbelievable: A journey from faith via evidence. Why a university professor gave up religion and became an unbeliever    Unbelievable on Amazon   Bibliography of Rob’s Book   Tidings Article on Seeking Truth   Book: Good without God by Greg Epstein   Book: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion By Jonathan Haidt

Today we're chatting with Keturah! There are some heavy topics in today's episode but this was still so much fun! We wonder, why do Christadelphians love one room schoolhouses so much? What is the proper gender neutral term for a baptized Christadelphian? Why did tights have such a chokehold on Christadelphian women for so long? The world may never know but we can laugh about it anyway!   TW: domestic violence, child abuse, incest, depression   If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]   Resources: Jezebel Vibes on Youtube⁠

Today we're diving into the origin of the Christadelphians and taking a look at their founder/rediscover-er Doctor John Thomas! Let's count how many times he got baptized and see what lengths he went to in order to get away from the priest-ridden society of England. This story is probably a little different than the Christadelphian origin story you thought you knew... Resources and References:   Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1600-1889- Dr. Thomas entry on page 84   John Thomas: His Life and His Work by Robert Roberts   Joe Dispenza Article   John Thomas and his Rediscovery of Bible Truth by Norman Fadelle, 2004   Christadelphian History and Rediscovery     John Thomas His Friends and His Faith by Peter Hemingray, 2003   Ancestry.com, John Thomas in the England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1936, Page 46   Alexander Campbell Shipwreck and Journey to Glasgow, Scotland Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, by Robert Richardson, Volume 1, Chapters 7 & 8, pages 104-128. “The shipwreck which Thomas Campbell's family had suffered seemed to be a complete disappointment of all their hopes, as it was an entire frustration of their plans and purposes. But there was an important work for Alexander to accomplish, needing special preparation both of heart and mind; and this seeming calamity was afterward seen to be one of the most important of that train of events by which that preparation was secured. Already had it led him to a final determination as to his proper field of labor; and the [113] circumstances in which it directly involved him were those precisely adapted to qualify and guide him in that future life-work."   History of the Restoration Movement “Alexander Campbell had splendid advantages for an education. His father was a teacher of no mean ability, as well as a preacher. He took great interest in the education of his son… Like many today he did not examine the Bible or search from its pages to find out the will of the Lord. He united with the church of his father, and because his father was a Presbyterian he became one. Of course in later years he studied the Bible to know the will of God and to do it. He soon began taking public part in the church work. … in 1812. He was now in full accord with the Baptist Church on what was called "the mode of baptism," and out of harmony with the Presbyterian Church. He soon discovered that he was out of harmony with the Baptist Church on its creed as well as much of its practice.”   Restoration Movement “He affiliated for a time with the Baptist Church, but he saw that to follow the Scriptures he must repudiate all human institutions and exalt only the Church of our Lord. He had faith in this church and had the courage to stand by his convictions. He believed in the church of the Bible and had the courage to condemn sects and denominations with their creeds and human devices. He began calling upon people to worship as the New Testament directs, and he found many who were eager to do this. Local congregations were established on the New Testament pattern, and guided only by the New Testament in their work and worship. After he had been preaching independent of the Baptist Church for some time, the Baptist Church in some formal way condemned his action. Alexander Campbell was not excluded from the Baptist Church. He was never in full faith and fellowship with the Baptist Church. He was baptized by a Baptist preacher, and affiliated in a rather loose way with the Baptist Church while he was groping in darkness. But soon the light of God's truth dawned upon his soul, and he ignored the claims of the Baptist Church upon him and pursued a course independent of the Baptist Church… He simply called upon people to take the New Testament as their guide and the church of the New Testament as the only church which is authorized by the word of God”   Christadelphian Standards by H.P. Mansfield in 1961 Page 104   “My Days and My Ways” by Robert Roberts, 1894 Requesting Vigilantius and his Times   Eureka volume III   The preface of Eureka Vol III

Welcome to the Life After Leaving Podcast! Check out this episode to learn about who we are, what we plan to do, and get some background on who the Christadelphians are before listening to our full episodes.  If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]