About us
Doubt your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith?
You are not alone. We are here to help.
Learning how to live after questions, doubts, and changing beliefs is a journey. We at Recovering from Religion are intimately familiar with this path and are here to help you to cross that bridge. Our mission is to provide hope, healing, and support to those struggling with doubt or non-belief, and to those who suffer from harm related to religion.
The primary focus of a Recovering From Religion support group is to provide ongoing peer support to individuals as they let go of their religious beliefs. This transitional period is an process that can result in a range of emotions, as well as a ripple effect of consequences throughout an individual’s life. As such the support meetings are safe and anonymous places to express these doubts, fears, and experiences without biased feedback or proselytizing.
These groups are free, small group style meetings. No professional therapist is present, group leaders are volunteers trained in peer support. Attendees are not required to give a real name or show their faces on camera, although some do. Attendees will be invited, but not required, to talk about themselves and their experiences.
Be aware that trolls sometimes appear. The group leader will make every effort to eject anyone behaving badly as quickly as possible. For safety, we recommend that attendees do not display their full names and do not give identifying details about themselves.
Extra Support:
RfR has an immense database of well-curated digital resources collected on all topics related to doubt, non-belief, and transition out of religion. www.recoveringfromreligion.org/resources
If you find you need to talk with someone before the meeting date, RfR has a Helpline with phone and online chat for that express purpose.
Go to www.recoveringfromreligion.org to find the phone number for your area or to chat online.
If you’re seeking professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at www.seculartherapy.org.
Upcoming events
52
- Network event
RfRx - I Was Trained to Convert You—But it Was All a Lie w/ Thomas Westbrook
·OnlineOnline40 attendees from 51 groupsThis week on RfRx, Thomas Westbrook of the Holy Koolaid YouTube channel will be our guest. Thomas grew up inside one of the largest evangelical missionary organizations in the world, and didn't realize it was a cult until years after escaping!
In this episode, he will share his story of spending 14 years on the mission field in Azerbaijan as the child of YWAM (Youth With a Mission) leaders. From spiritual warfare prayer meetings and public confession, to purity culture and identity suppression, you will learn how YWAM recruits teenagers, breaks them down using psychological control techniques, and rebuilds them into obedient missionaries — and why so many ex-members struggle with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and complex PTSD long after leaving.You can join us either in Zoom (where you can submit questions), or watch the show live in YouTube. And remember to stay for the Zoom hangout after the show!
The first hour will be the topic discussion, followed by a Q&A session in which you can ask the guests your great questions. After the Q&A we’ll open up the lines for everyone and just talk and hangout for a bit with the hosts and guest(s). For RfRx comments, inquiries & topical questions, email us at RfRx@recoveringfromreligion.org.
Join in on the Zoom Meeting: http://tinyurl.com/weeklyrfrx
Meeting ID: 186 729 414One tap mobile
+13462487799,,186729414# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,186729414# US (San Jose)To dial into the Zoom meeting, find your local number here: https://zoom.us/u/ac9ycq80GQ
This RfRx session will be recorded and posted on the RfR YouTube channel along with all previous RfRx sessions: http://www.youtube.com/recoveringfromreligion.
The primary focus of a Recovering From Religion support group is to provide ongoing and personal support to individuals as they let go of their religious beliefs. This transitional period is an ongoing process that can result in a range of emotions, as well as a ripple effect of consequences throughout an individual’s life. We are here to help each other through this journey.
There is no cost to attend RfRx but, if you feel so inclined, donations can be made at http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donate
Any time you are struggling with religious doubts or fears you can connect with a trained RfR Helpline agent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To chat online go to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org.
To talk over the phone, dial:
(844) 368-2848 in the US & Canada
+3 4505 2402 in Australia
+20 3856 8791 in the UK
+27 11 043 5323 in South AfricaIf you are in need of professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at http://www.seculartherapy.org.
RfR has an immense collection of well-curated resources available as you go through your journey, including resources for mental and physical crises, working with relationships, issues stemming from specific religions, coming out stories, and much more. Head to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/resources for these helpful resources
Like what RfR does? Why not volunteer! There are quite a few options and we are always in need of volunteers. Head over to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/volunteer for more info.
1 attendee from this group - Network event
![WOMEN'S Online Support Group [Europe-based time zones]](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/4/c/7/highres_531741703.jpeg)
WOMEN'S Online Support Group [Europe-based time zones]
·OnlineOnline76 attendees from 73 groups****GO TO EVENTBRITE FOR LINK TO MEETING:****
Recovering from Religion EUROPE BASED WOMEN'S VIRTUAL Support Group Tickets, Multiple Dates | EventbriteThis is an RfR-wide event, not tied to any particular local chapter.
*NOTE: This meeting is solely for individuals who identify as female, non-binary and gender-fluid.
The Recovering from Religion WOMEN'S chapter support group [Europe-based time zones] will meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month @ 6pm local time UK, unless the date falls on a holiday. Attendees are welcome to share, and may also decide to remain anonymous if they so choose.
The primary focus of a Recovering From Religion support group is to provide ongoing and personal support to individuals as they let go of their religious beliefs. This transitional period is an ongoing process that can result in a range of emotions, as well as a ripple effect of consequences throughout an individual’s life. As such, the support meetings are safe and anonymous places to express these doubts, fears, and experiences without biased feedback or proselytizing.
We are here to help each other through this journey.
There is no cost to attend this support group but, if you feel so inclined, donations can be made at www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donate
If you find you need to talk with someone before the next support meeting, RfR has a hotline and online chat for that express purpose. Go to www.recoveringfromreligion.org and click on the green chat bubble in the lower left corner of the site to chat online.
If you are in need of professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at www.seculartherapy.org.
Like what RfR does? Why not volunteer! There are quite a few options. Head over to www.recoveringfromreligion.org/volunteer for more info.
1 attendee from this group - Network event
LGBTQA+ Online Support Group - Recovering from Religion
·OnlineOnline91 attendees from 73 groups****GO TO EVENTBRITE FOR LINK TO MEETING:****
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/594084461617?aff=oddtdtcreator
This is an RfR-wide event, not tied to a particular location.
*NOTE: This meeting is solely for individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Asexual, or any other non-traditional gender or sexuality. Please do not join if this does not describe you.
The Recovering from Religion LGBTQA+ VIRTUAL support group will meet the 3rd Sunday of each month @ 2pm Central Time (USA), unless the date falls on a holiday.
This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom, and a link will be provided upon registration through Eventbrite. It is our goal to provide a safe, respectful, and confidential space for folks struggling with issues related to religious harm, doubt, or non-belief. Attendees are welcome to share, and may also decide to remain anonymous if they so choose.
Real names are not required. Cameras are not required to be on.
No disrespect will be tolerated. Trolls will be ejected and reported immediately. Late attendees may or may not be admitted, at the hosts discretion.What Recovering from Religion Is About
Do you doubt your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith?
You are not alone—and we are here to help.Recovering from Religion (RfR) exists to provide ongoing, personal support for individuals who are examining, changing, or choosing to let go of their religious beliefs. We are not here to deconvert anyone or tell you what to believe. We are here to offer understanding, support, and healing during what can often be a challenging and emotional transitional period.
This kind of transition can bring a wide range of feelings and may have a ripple effect across many areas of life. RfR Support Group meetings are designed to be safe, anonymous spaces where you can openly share doubts, fears, and experiences—without judgment, proselytizing, or biased feedback.
If you need someone to talk to before your meeting date, RfR offers both a hotline and an online chat for immediate support.
Call (844) 368-2848 or visit www.recoveringfromreligion.org to chat online.There is no cost to attend our support groups. If you feel inspired to contribute, donations can be made at:
www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donatePlease note that RfR volunteers are peer supporters, not licensed therapists. If you feel you may benefit from professional mental health support, we encourage you to explore the Secular Therapy Project. This service connects you with thoroughly vetted therapists who provide only evidence-based, non-religious treatment—no rosaries, no faith healing. Fees, insurance, and sliding scale options vary by provider.
Learn more at www.seculartherapy.org.Looking for reliable information but don’t know where to start? Browse our extensive resource database:
https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/resourcesLove what RfR does? Consider volunteering! We offer a variety of roles and would be glad to have you.
Explore opportunities at www.recoveringfromreligion.org/volunteerUnable to make it to a meeting—or want to attend more? Support groups are offered nearly every day, most of them online. You do not need to live in the same city or state to join a virtual group.
View our full calendar here: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/sg-calendarHave feedback or concerns? Please share your thoughts with us through our anonymous feedback form:
https://forms.gle/abxkXCCPCbxjFQuY8For all RfR links, programs, and resources in one place, visit our Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/RecoveringFromReligion1 attendee from this group
Past events
524
![WOMEN'S Online Support Group [AUS based time zone]](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/1/6/7/highres_532564455.jpeg)
![WOMEN'S Online Support Group [AUS based time zone]](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/e/0/7/highres_532631783.jpeg)
