Taking New Paths, Stories of Leaving Religion

"Taking New Paths is an essential read for anyone seeking to gain a balanced understanding of why people question religious belief. Drawn from a wide variety of faith experiences, this book documents the common experiences of those who find that long held ""truths"" may indeed not be grounded in fact. It provides insight into why someone would come to that conclusion. How does one cope with it? What replaces one's beliefs? Do they indeed need replacement? Taking News Paths begins answering those questions. -Isaac Carmignani, former Jehovah's Witness Current Pew research shows that American religious practice and identification has dropped drastically in the last decade, and for those brave enough to walk away, this book serves as a manual for deconstruction and deconversion. It's a roadmap to a new kind of religious redemption... freedom FROM religion. The stories are candid, heartfelt and inspirational, and they create a new community to which the ""nones"" and ""dones"" are invited to belong.- -Dr. Terri Daniel, Educator, Hospice Chaplain, Founder, The Conference on Death, Grief and Belief Matheson's collection of essays is a must read for anyone experiencing a religious faith crisis, especially for those who were once the most committed. As a former true-believing Mormon, I immediately connected with the stories of Casey Corbridge and Brady. Both share compelling stories of pain, loss, and bewilderment that so often accompany those who find themselves in the maelstrom of losing the faith. Fortunately, the reader will also discover that the storm does pass with time, and a fresh journey of hope and renewal awaits. -David Hubble, former Mormon This is a wonderful collection of escape stories! It shows that learning to think for yourself-to rebel from ideological mind control-is not only courageous. It is beautiful. -Dan Barker, Founder and Co-Chair of the Freedom From Religion Foundation"