Beyond an Absence of Faith
Beyond An Absence of Faith: Stories About the Loss of Faith and the Discovery of Self (UK link)
Leaving one’s religion behind, walking away from faith, is never an easy journey. With family, friends, jobs, and every aspect of one’s life to consider, the decision is not to be taken lightly. This anthology is made up of sixteen fascinating, and at times moving, accounts of such decisions, and the consequences they entail. Whether it be Christianity, Islam or any other life-impacting worldview, leaving it can be a difficult ordeal. This collection details the trials and tribulations, the joy and liberation involved, by people from various walks of life and corners of the globe.
Heartfelt, it offers hope to those equally questioning, and understanding to those who themselves question the motivations of these often brave people.
Here is a review:
Pearce and Vick have brought together a diverse group of voices with one thing in common – they have moved beyond being “former believers” into being active participants in humanity. Each of the stories shared is unique, but former believers will find something they can identify with in every one. From the pain of separation from friends and family, to the joy of being liberated from a sexist mindset, to the harsh reality of having to find a new career in the middle of your life because you have embraced reason, these personal stories help to reinforce for the non-believer that you are not alone in your journey. Instead, you are walking a path many have gone down before, and you can take solace in knowing that these authors have been there as well.
Reviews, from Goodreads, include:
This book provided me with rare insight about the reasons people from all backgrounds, colors, and faiths left their religions. I learned, empathized, and was comforted to know that life will level out and get back to normal after being indoctrinated so long into a religious belief system.
And:
Everyone interested in religion should read this book. The stories come from a range of people with various backgrounds and exiting from various religions but predominantly Christianity. It is essential to hear these stories so that we understand their experiences. Atheists are often misunderstood and misrepresented by many Christians because they don't hear stories like these. Many Christians probably don't even know and atheist. The writing quality varies, but it doesn't matter. The stories are heartfelt, moving, and sometimes humorous. The book is not technical, theological, or complicated. They are straightforward, personal accounts. Don't miss reading this one.
And
A very important book that I think everyone would benefit from reading. Stories from Christian apostates with a few former Muslims included. Different and all interesting life stories, but the one thing that they all seem to have in common is that the people are all thinkers who wouldn't and or couldn't accept with blind faith the illogicality of religion and its lack of facts.
And some from Amazon:
Jonno Pearce and Tristan Vick truly are modern missionaries boldly plunging into the benighted jungles of religious faith with missionary zeal to bring believers light and succour and to rescue them from their folly. We read accounts of these drowning souls being saved and brought to the other side of the Skeptical Jordan to rest at last on its healing banks. Pearce and Vick stride like Moses with his staff and his brother Aaron into the parting Red Sea, and the pursuing legions of archaic religion are confounded. If I have one complaint it is the reluctance of these modern day prophets to publicise themselves vigorously enough. Come on fellas! Don't hide your light under a bushel!Skeptic Times - Illinois
And
An excellent set of 'stories' about leaving religion.For people like me, cocooned in the largely religious free UK, it's difficult to understand why it might be really tough to turn your back on your religion. Reading the different stories made me truly appreciate the huge, often cruel, shackles that religion can attach, rendering attempts to leave the religion result often in alienation of family and former friends. The story of Arsalan, a Pakistani lady, is perhaps at the extreme end of things, not least because leaving the muslim faith makes her an apostate. I was also especially interested in the story told by Bruce Gerencser, a former fundamentalist baptist pastor, because the concept of someone being seemingly so irrational for so long, then to cast that off and become an outright atheist must be unique, or nearly so. Well worth reading.
Please grab a copy from your bookstore or online!
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