Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion

Intellectual achievement — understanding and exploring Aesthetic appreciation — order, structure, and beauty Self-actualization — full realization of one’s potential, the process of becoming who you are

Survival — food, water, and shelter Safety — physical and psychological security Belonging — love and acceptance Self-esteem — approval and recognition

The closeness with a real live person had a profound effect: It broke my addiction to God.

My faith taught me to glorify the idea of being different, which psychologically fostered a feeling of alienation that I tried to justify in my writing.

Every aspect of my life had to be reexamined, healed, and redesigned. Feeling like a small child, I had to be born again in a very different way and learn to be a grown-up in this world.

Intellectual achievement — understanding and exploring Aesthetic appreciation — order, structure, and beauty Self-actualization — full realization of one’s potential, the process of becoming who you are

Survival — food, water, and shelter Safety — physical and psychological security Belonging — love and acceptance Self-esteem — approval and recognition

The closeness with a real live person had a profound effect: It broke my addiction to God.

My faith taught me to glorify the idea of being different, which psychologically fostered a feeling of alienation that I tried to justify in my writing.