by Trey Ferguson | Faith Deconstruction, Identity
People tried to tell me about seminary. I even heard pastors jokingly refer to it as “cemetery.” Looking back, I’m not sure if they were actually joking, or if it was one of those “laugh to keep from crying” situations. But I’d been warned: seminary wouldn’t be gentle...
by Lake Drive Reporter | Current Events, Identity, Lake Drive Books News, LGBTQ
In late 2023, Hulu released a powerful documentary, We Live Here: The Midwest, spotlighting LGBTQ+ families navigating life in America’s heartland. Among the featured voices were Lake Drive author Nia Chiaramonte and her wife Katie, whose striking story of...
by Brandon Flanery | Faith Deconstruction, Identity, LGBTQ
I used to think the Holy Spirit was stalking me. No, really. Every time I tried to leave the church—or God, or the slightly culty Bible college that served fish sticks as a “cultural experience”—I’d feel this twinge of guilt that smelled suspiciously like youth group...
by Scott Okamoto | Faith Deconstruction, Identity
I didn’t go into teaching at an evangelical university (which in my book I lovingly refer to as “EVU”) expecting to lose my faith. I just thought I’d teach English, help students engage with literature, and maybe, just maybe, convince a few of them that...
by Brandon Flanery | Identity, Spiritual Writing
I’m out in the mountains … again. No Cheryl Strayed agenda. I gave up on that. Seems like God prefers talking to me through panic attacks and people. “You coming, Brandon?” a camper calls. “Nah. I need a moment.” I’m sitting on a massive rock, on the edge of an...
by Matt Kendziera | Faith Deconstruction, Identity
I was sitting at a coffee shop with a local pastor who reached out to me wanting to hear about my views on the LGBTQIA+ community. This is something that has happened more than a few times over the past couple of years simply because people want to understand how I...
