15 Comments
User's avatar
Jamie Rae Moore's avatar

This quote by Carl Jung struck me. Reminded me of you: "I have treated many hundreds of patients. Among those in the second half of life - that is to say, over 35 - there has not been one whose problem in the last resort was not that of finding a religious outlook on life. It is safe to say that every one of them fell ill because he had lost that which the living religions of every age have given their followers, and none of them has really been healed who did not regain his religious outlook."

-Carl Gustav Jung, Modern Man in Search of a Soul

Expand full comment
Missihippi's avatar

This was such a thoughtful and comprehensive article. Thank you for the generosity of your time and wisdom. You are appreciated! <3

Expand full comment
Jim Palmer's avatar

Thank you for your encouragement. It means a lot! :)

Expand full comment
Frederick Polgardy's avatar

What a phenomenal piece. I feel so much of my own journey in this. Thank you for taking the time to share it!

Expand full comment
Sarah Barker's avatar

This is so interesting. I grew up in the Western soup, but my formative years were on a secular hippie commune. No one in my family believed in a big man upstairs. I'm grateful. This is not my story. I'm glad you're writing. It sounds like this is quite a painful reckoning.

Expand full comment
Oakwalker's avatar

Excellent.

Expand full comment
Bruce Joffe's avatar

You might be interested in my book: My Name Is Heretic.

https://www.amazon.com/My-Name-Heretic-Reforming-Church/dp/1514427559/ref=sr_1_1

Expand full comment
Jim Palmer's avatar

Thanks, Bruce!

Expand full comment
Bruce Joffe's avatar

You're most certainly welcome, Jim! We often share your posts with our Facebook filly/fellowship: People of Faith Online Community.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/303381510793586

Without a prescribed religious service or liturgy, we have no creeds, confessions, or collections … no pulpits, pews, or processionals … no altar calls, prosperity preaching, damnation-orientation, celestial choirs, books that we worship, or "holier-than-thou(s)."

We gather together with open minds, not for religious debate but for spiritual discussions and dialogue ... nor for heated hermeneutics and angry apologetics, but with godly grace, seeking wisdom, understanding, compassion, and acceptance.

Expand full comment
Marlene Drew's avatar

The easy part here was leaving behind the “religious system” that never made sense to me in the first place. All I could feel was, finally I am free of even trying to fit into that nonsense The struggle I have currently is with some people I have known for most of my life who are still so invested and maybe becoming more so. I am having a very hard time relating to them and not saying anything. I value the friendships…it is kind of difficult to navigate. Beside that though….thank you for your investment of time into us

Expand full comment
Rudy Trussler's avatar

What a great article. This is problem the best thing I've read in the subject. I wish I would have had something like this in the beginning of the deconstruction process . Thanks so much for what you do.

Expand full comment
Jim Palmer's avatar

Thanks, Rudy! I appreciate your encouragement. :)

Expand full comment
Ja’Nette Spencer's avatar

This article was a good use of my time because I finished it and felt like I had a list in my heart and head of things to consider, explore, experience, and change. It’s hard not to be a little obsessed with you and your wisdom, but thank you for reminding me how unwise it would be to replace Jesus with Jim :)

Expand full comment
Jim Palmer's avatar

Hi, Ja'Nette! I appreciate all the encouragement you are. Thank you :)

Expand full comment
Ja’Nette Spencer's avatar

No problem! You’re helping me heal so much. Keep writing ✍️ You have such talent 💕

Expand full comment