When Religious Leaders Become Atheists -- Panel Discussion

Centre for Inquiry Canada is starting the new year, and re-starting our Vancouver Branch with a panel discussion with former Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religious leaders talking about their experiences of losing their beliefs, hosted by Dan Barker, author and speaker, and President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).

Register with Eventbrite to attend this online event, livestreamed via Zoom (admission by donation to Centre for Inquiry Canada - pay what you can).

If you are in the Vancouver area, you can attend in person - get tickets here (pay what you can): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/when-religious-leaders-become-atheists-tickets-499821297957
Admission is by donation to Centre for Inquiry Canada (tax receipts will be sent for all donations of $20 or more).

This hybrid event is co-sponsored by the Freedom from Religion Foundation, in person at at UBC Robson Square, and streamed live on Zoom across Canada and around the world.

Join us Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 2:00pm PST.

ABOUT THE EVENT:
It’s not that uncommon for religious people to reject their beliefs. But what happens when you’re in a position of religious leadership – a preacher, priest, rabbi, pastor, church-planter, missionary, evangelist? It can mean the loss of your home, the loss of your job, the loss of your family and friends…and much more.

The Clergy Project (TCP) was established in 2011, as a private, non-profit organization specifically for religious leaders who had become atheists. Since then, more than 1000 people have joined, from a wide variety of religious backgrounds – Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Wiccan, Hindu, and more.

Our panel of members from TCP will share their experiences, both as religious leaders, and as atheists, talking about their journey out of religion, and about the challenges and difficulties they faced along the way. (More details and updates here.)

HOSTS:
Dan Barker (Ex-Christian Pastor/Missionary) – Panel Moderator
Now a prominent atheist voice, with multiple books, and appearances on shows such as Oprah, Maury Povich, Phil Donahue, and many others, Dan began his career as a passionate Christian, becoming a teenage evangelist at 15, and later a pastor, and missionary to Mexico. He was also a popular Christian musician – his songs are still used to this day. But doubts kept growing, and in 1984, he publicly announced that he was an atheist. Dan was one of the founders of The Clergy Project, and is currently co-President of FFRF.

John Lombard (Ex-Christian Missionary) – Host & Organizer
John was born and raised in an evangelical fundamentalist Christian home, with a father who was a preacher. Convinced of the need to spread the Gospel message, he went to Bible college, and in 1993 went to China as a missionary and church planter. However, doubts that started in Bible college continued to grow, until in 1999 he finally rejected it all, and became a Secular Humanist. John remained in China for 25 years, during which time he started multiple businesses, and became a member of The Clergy Project.

PANELISTS:

Mohamed Cisse (Ex-Muslim Muezzin)
Like many indoctrinated into religion as a child, Mohamed grew up with more fear of Hell than hope for paradise.

Shlomo Levin (Ex-Jewish Rabbi)
After receiving ordination as an Orthodox Rabbi in 1998, Shlomo Levin served as a Rabbi in the United States until 2015.

Lon Ostrander (Ex-Christian Pastor)
Lon has had quite a journey through Christianity, having worshipped with Pentecostals, American Baptists, Regular Baptists, Methodists, Wesleyans, and the Evangelical Free Church.

Duane Grady (Ex-Christian Minister)
Duane Grady is a former Pentecostal minister who began his ministry career in the late 1970's until 2005, preaching in hundreds of churches in North America and around the world, writing articles for numerous religious publications, and appearing on multiple religious shows on TV and radio.

(More details and updates here.)