Flourishing after religion, in the midst of chaos, with Daryl and Sara Van Tongeren

This Thursday’s gathering is an important one: “How to Flourish after Leaving Religion,” with Daryl and Sara Van Tongeren, May 6, 7pm, Warehouse 6, Holland. Right now, it’s important that we gather, that we find ways to process our fears and anxieties and hopes together. I knew that this second Trump administration would be destructive and chaotic, but it has exceeded my worst fears thus far.

Side note: I already have a couple of fun clips for us to enjoy on Thursday! We have to laugh together too!

Still Processing exists to be able to speak into this moment. We exist to help people build a life, a community, a society, in which humanity can flourish. One of the first things that I ever wrote about Still Processing, sometime in the summer of 2022, was this:

Life is a grand experiment.
Do not imprison yourself in any single ideology.
Never give up on hospitality, forgiveness, justice, peace, joy, hope, and love.
Live it all, in defiance of tragedy.

I stand by this; there is much to be defiant of. For many, religion now seems more like and ideological prison, dangerous to humanity, than a reliable advocate of hospitality, forgiveness, justice, peace, joy, hope, and love. We have all heard about the rapid rise of the “nones” (no religious affiliation), who now account for about 30% of adults in the United States.

But leaving one’s religion is no small thing. Daryl and Sara have so much to offer on this. They have written on the difficulty of leaving religion , or some of the belief structure of your religion, or your religious community (Done: How To Flourish After Religion). They have lived it. They have taught it. And having met them and heard them on podcasts, I can say that they are people of authenticity, joy, and courage.

I hope to see you this Thursday.