Description
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.
Table of Contents
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
