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. 

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