Faith Deconstruction For Dummies

Get support and guidance as you navigate reexamining your faith and finding your own way to the truth Faith Deconstruction For Dummies helps you through the process of thinking critically about your beliefs by unlearning, processing, and considering new ways of thinking. This unbiased book walks you through your options as you begin the faith deconstruction process, and it provides advice and suggestions to assist you on your journey. You'll learn about the origins of deconstruction, its causes and effects, and what to expect during the process of reevaluating your belief system. Shed the baggage of belief systems, craft your own investigative process, and discover tools and resources that will help you map out your path. Those who deconstruct their faith may end up departing from organized religion, while others may develop a closer relationship with God. Find answers to your heart's deepest questions with this compassionate Dummies guide. Dissect your beliefs, reevaluate traditions and rituals, and find the practices that feel right for you Get answers to questions like: Who am I? What do I believe? What is my relationship to my faith? Find safe spaces where you can explore your options and build community through the deconstruction process Evaluate your spirituality in the face of skepticism, curiosity, trauma, loss, or simply a desire to question Faith Deconstruction For Dummies is a guide for readers from all walks of life who are sitting with complicated questions regarding what they have been taught versus what they have begun to believe.

Introduction 1 Part 1: Venturing into the World of Deconstruction 7 Chapter 1: Deconstruction 101 9 Chapter 2: Examining the Origins of Faith Deconstruction 25 Chapter 3: Modern Motivators for Deconstruction 37 Chapter 4: Getting to the Whys of Deconstruction 51 Part 2: Understanding the Difference Between Faith and Religion 67 Chapter 5: What Is Faith? 69 Chapter 6: What Is Religion? 81 Chapter 7: Abrahamic Faiths: The Big Three 93 Part 3: The Nuts and Bolts of Faith Deconstruction 109 Chapter 8: Taking a Closer Look at What You Believe 111 Chapter 9: Unpacking Heaven, Hell, and Sacred Texts 123 Chapter 10: Diving into Doctrine, Sin, God’s Sovereignty, and Prayer 141 Part 4: Discernment and Deconstruction 157 Chapter 11: Learning from Others Who Have Deconstructed 159 Chapter 12: Making a Decision About Your Faith Through Exploration 173 Chapter 13: Getting Acquainted with Other World Religions 185 Chapter 14: Exploring Other Forms of Identity and Community 203 Chapter 15: Deconstructing in Community 217 Part 5: Things to Consider When Deconstructing 233 Chapter 16: The Personal Toll of Deconstruction 235 Chapter 17: Deconstruction and Mental Health 247 Chapter 18: Continuing the Ongoing Quest of Faith 261 Part 6: The Part of Tens 273 Chapter 19: Ten Institutions Founded on Religious Principles 275 Chapter 20: Ten Influential Figures Whose Faith Motivated Their Work 281 Chapter 21: Ten Questions Worth Asking When Questioning Your Faith 287 Index 293