Deconversion refers to the process of abandoning or rejecting a religious belief system that one previously held. It represents a major shift in one’s worldview and identity. While the term is most commonly associated with leaving Christianity, it can apply to departing from any religious tradition. Some key aspects of deconversion include:
Examining doubts and changing beliefs
Deconversion often begins with doubting or questioning core tenets of one’s faith. This leads to investigating other perspectives and re-evaluating what one believes to be true. As beliefs shift, there is a disconnect between the religion’s teachings and one’s own evolving beliefs. This gap widens over time as new beliefs develop.
Withdrawing participation and community
As religious doubts grow, many deconverts start withdrawing from participation in religious services, ministries, rites, and community. For instance, they may attend church less often, leave their ministry roles, or disengage from faith-based social circles. This withdrawal can be gradual or abrupt. It signals a disconnect from the religious identity and lifestyle.
Rejecting religious labels and identities
At some point, deconverts begin shedding their religious labels and identities. Those raised Christian no longer call themselves “Christian” or “Catholic.” Similar transitions happen for Muslims, Jews, Mormons, and other faiths. These old labels feel inauthentic. Individuals adopt new identity labels like “agnostic,” “atheist,” “secular humanist,” or simply “non-religious.”
Experiencing liberation and relationships changes
Deconversion brings a mix of emotions. Many feel freed from oppressive beliefs, dogmas, and paradigms. This liberating feeling is often accompanied by anxiety, fear, guilt, grief, and loss. Family and friends may disapprove or sever ties. Despite these challenges, deconverts describe deconversion as a largely positive, affirming experience. New communities and relationships eventually form.
Adopting a naturalistic worldview
In the process of deconversion, supernatural beliefs are often discarded or reframed. For instance, former believers may come to see God as a human construct versus real supernatural being. Miracles and prayer are reinterpreted through more naturalistic eyes. This shift is undergirded by skepticism of the supernatural.
Valuing skepticism and scientific reasoning
Many deconverts increasingly value skepticism, question assumptions, and rely on scientific methodology for understanding reality. Facts, evidence, and logic matter more than faith, doctrine, and biblical authority. This appreciation for critical thinking catalyzes the deconversion process.
Expressing criticism of religion
Deconverts often voice criticism of their former religion’s veracity, morality, and societal impact. For instance, leaving Christianity may be accompanied by rejecting the Bible’s divine origins, questioning whether Jesus actually rose from the dead, and highlighting harms done in Christianity’s name historically. This criticism is shaped by deconverts’ new perspectives.
Finding meaning, purpose, and ethics outside religion
Losing faith can unsettle one’s sense of meaning and morality. Eventually, deconverts discover new foundations for meaning, purpose, and ethics in humanism, science, art, nature, family, justice causes, and more. Some join organizations like Unitarian Universalism or Sunday Assembly to find secular community. Others derive ethics from empathy, reason, and conscience.
Moving beyond religion in healthy and unhealthy ways
Deconversion reflects outgrowing religion psychologically and intellectually. Some deconverts work through lingering anger and resentment toward their religious upbringings to find peace. Others carry bitterness that hinders growth. Healthy deconversions involve processing emotions while embodying compassion, integrity, and wisdom.
Overall, deconversion involves reorienting one’s identity, beliefs, community, and mission. It ranges from difficult and traumatic to liberating and fulfilling. Despite its challenges, living with authenticity and integrity compels many to move beyond the religions of their youth.
Biblical Perspectives on Deconversion
While the Bible does not directly address modern deconversion experiences, it does contain relevant teachings on apostasy, unbelief, backsliding, and restoring those who have fallen away:
Apostasy prophecied and warned against
The Bible predicts many falling away from the faith:
“The Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1)
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
These passages warn of apostasies led by false teachers and wayward desires.
Standing firm against unbelief
Believers are urged to continue in the faith despite others falling away:
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” (1 John 2:19)
Persevering faith is presented as the true mark of genuine belief and salvation.
Warnings against backsliding
Hebrews 6 cautions believers against falling away and rejecting Christ’s sacrifice:
“It is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit… if they then fall away, to restore them again to repentance.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)
This stern warning urges continued obedience so as not to become separated from Christ.
Instructions for restoring the fallen
Despite warnings, the Bible offers hope for those who have fallen away to be restored:
“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)
With humility and grace, believers can play a redemptive role in calling others back from wandering or unbelief.
Reasons for Apostasy
While each deconversion story is unique, the Bible identifies contributing factors to apostasy:
– Persecution and trials: “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.” (Matthew 13:20-21)
– Worldly temptations: “Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me.” (2 Timothy 4:10)
– False teachers: “False prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2:1)
– Unrepentant sin: “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil.” (1 John 3:9-10)
– Unforgiveness: Jesus told a parable equating forgiven debts to forgiveness of sins, warning: “And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:34-35)
– Desires for autonomy: “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:4)
Preventing Apostasy
The Bible encourages perseverance and offers wisdom for avoiding falling away:
– Ground yourself in Scripture: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
– Rely on the Holy Spirit: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” (John 14:16)
– Pursue sound doctrine: “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9)
– Beware false teaching: “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.” (Hebrews 13:9)
– Endure trials: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
– Stay rooted in Christian community: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
– Maintain ethical conduct: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:14-15)
Restoring the Fallen
For those seeking to restore those who have fallen away, biblical wisdom includes:
– Praying for their repentance and return
– Reminding them of the gospel and God’s mercy
– Meeting practical needs they may have
– Modeling humility and grace
– Speaking the truth in love
– Having patience and persevering through resistance
– Creating space for conviction through the Holy Spirit
– Walking alongside them as a supportive community
– Offering mentorship and discipleship to ground them in the faith
Deconversion is a complex spiritual experience with personal and interpersonal dimensions. While challenging, the Bible offers wisdom for retaining faith, restoring the wandering, and relating with compassion.
