For many people who end up leaving situations in which faith was abusive or, as in my case, otherwise traumatic, religion just becomes a non-starter, something to laugh at or rail against. This makes a lot of sense: once bitten, twice shy as they say. But what’s more surprising is how many people end up … Continue reading Religion Gone Wrong: Building Back Better
Like many readers this year, I’ve found myself sucked into the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. If you’re not familiar with, it's the story of an ordinary guy who is trapped in a vast dungeon that is set up as a reality competition show when Earth is taken over by an alien syndicate. Along with his … Continue reading And the Crowd Goes Wild: A Reflection for All Saints Day 2026
Inspired by two recent events, today's deep drive will look at the challenges artists, especially musicians, have in staying relevant over the long haul. But first, the roundup. Roundup Music It is genuinely starting to feel like the music year has wound down, but that doesn't mean there isn't noteworthy music being released. Last week … Continue reading Culture Roundup (October 31, 2026): The Pop-Cultural Half-Life
Last time, we looked at the idea of breaking points and spiritual deconstruction. These are not bad things — especially if one has been in a spiritually abusive environment — and in fact are often necessary and ultimately positive experiences. But as their names suggest, they leave us feeling broken and torn down. To make … Continue reading Religion Gone Wrong: Deconstruction, Grief, and Loss
So far this series has talked about some pretty extreme experiences, up to and including experiences of abuse and trauma within faith communities. Many people who grew up in such environments come to a breaking point, a moment when they realise they have to get out. This leads to a crisis of faith, a time … Continue reading Religion Gone Wrong: Breaking Points and Deconstruction
