Deconversion Is Not as Countercultural as You Think

In recent years, the “Instagram deconversion announcement” has become a well-established genre. The formula is pronounced: a former evangelical author, pastor, CCM star, or simply “raised in the church” 20-something posts a self-portrait looking ponderous and solemn, yet free.

Maybe they’re seen from behind, looking out at some beautiful lake or mountain scene. Perhaps they carefully select a “this is me, warts and all” selfie with perfectly imperfect styling. The post’s accompanying text usually begins with some variation of “I never thought I would say this” or “It’s terrifying to post this,” followed by a lengthy narrative involving some combination of words such as “evolving,” “journey,” “fear,” “discovery,” “honesty,” “authentic,” “free,” and “hopeful.”

I don’t mean to diminish the sincere agonizing and legitimate trepidation that accompanies an individual’s decision to make a deconversion “Instagram official.” I’m just observing that this has become a genre—a predictable, commonplace, and not-at-all surprising artifact of a “find yourself” age.

Far from renegade, edgy, and brave, the announcement of a person’s conscious uncoupling from institutional religion is simply going with the flow of a culture that mainstreamed such behavior decades ago. Rather than going against the grain of Western culture, abandoning received doctrine and institutional faith—in favor of a self-styled, follow-your-heart spirituality—is quite smoothly “with the grain.”

To declare one’s spiritual autonomy, one’s unshackling from Christianity’s “constraints” and old-fashioned ideas about sin and morality, is simply to nod along with Oprah and her vast tribe of suburban moms. To disown a God of limitations, boundaries, and wrath—in favor of a God who only wants to fund your “best life” dreams and promote John Lennon–style “love” and good vibes—is to join the ranks of frat boys obsessed with Joe Rogan, “name it and claim it” prosperity preachers, and the vast majority of bestselling authors in “religion, spirituality, and faith” of the last 20 years.

So before you file divorce papers from the Christianity of your youth, know that doing so is in no way countercultural. Like marital divorce, it’s thoroughly acceptable and common. I want to suggest that the far more radical—and truly countercultural—choice isn’t to abandon Christian faith because it is maddening, difficult, and out of step with the contemporary zeitgeist.

The radical choice is to keep the faith. Read More