Deconversion Quotes

“What I am is a proud humanist. Atheism says what I don't accept, humanism says what I do." - Nathan Phelps”
― Nathan Phelps

“Jesus died to redeem you,” she said.
“I never ast him,” he muttered.”
― Flannery O'Connor, Wise Blood

“Describing the process of making her decision to leave, Patricia said: “It is as if there is a shelf where all your doubts and misgivings are placed while you are in that group. Over the months or years you observe so many things that may conflict with your original beliefs and values, or you see things done by the group or leader that are just not right. Because of the indoctrination and not being allowed to ask questions, you just put it on the shelf. Eventually, the shelf gets heavier and heavier and finally just breaks, and you are ready to leave" (p. 55).”
― Madeleine Landau Tobias, Captive Hearts, Captive Minds : Freedom and Recovery from Cults and Other Abusive Relationships

“More often than not, leaving a cult environment requires an adjustment period, not only to reintegrate into “normal” society but also to put the pieces of yourself back together in a way that makes sense to you. When you first leave a cultic situation, you may not recognize yourself. You may not know how to identify the problems you are about to face. You may not have the slightest idea who you want to be. The question we often ask children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” suddenly takes on a new meaning for adult ex-cult members (p. 1).”
― Madeleine Landau Tobias, Captive Hearts, Captive Minds : Freedom and Recovery from Cults and Other Abusive Relationships

“I’ve got stories under my skin—
women whom I’ve adored in silence,
to whom I’d offer my whole being if they asked.

Peel my heart open like ripe mangos in August
or Post-its left in prayer rooms.
After de-converting, I sought repentance,
relentless in my search for a cure
in a man,
longing for a "he" to dim the light in my eye
that sparkles for curvy silhouettes and sharp tongues.
But I found no one.

My heart ached with an emptiness,
my soul bellowing in darkness
it didn’t need to endure.”
― Jasmine Farrell