How the Church Still Pushes People Away

This week on The Awakening Podcast, Tamara and I sit down with David, a gay man whose story challenges one of the church's greatest lies.

David grew up in a loving, affirming home, supported by his family and encouraged to be fully himself. And yet, the church still did profound damage. Through shame-based theology, subtle messaging, and spiritual pressure, David internalized harm that ultimately led him to deconstruct out of Christianity entirely.

Today, David identifies as an atheist, not because he lacked love or support growing up, but because the church could not offer him a God that felt safe, honest, or life-giving.

In this conversation, we talk about:

1. Why affirmation at home doesn’t cancel out church harm
2. How theology, not family, is often the deepest wound
3. What deconstruction looks like when belief no longer makes sense
4. The freedom — and grief — that can come with walking away

This episode is especially important for parents, allies, and anyone who believes the church is harmless if someone is “loved enough” elsewhere.

Follow, add, and subscribe so we can go live with you, hear your stories, and continue building a space rooted in honesty, healing, and accountability.

Heather

TikTok: @happyheather

Instagram: @happyheathersmiles

Tamara

TikTok: @feralatheistjezebel321

Instagram: @tamarajo321

📺 YouTube

@TheAwakeningPodcast

📘 Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/share/1C9xMvSeRw/

📩 Interested in being a guest?

Email us at: theawakeningpod@gmail.com

Intro & Outro Music: “Your Poison” by Rox Knox

If you like what you here, check out other great pods on the BIG Media LLC Podcast Network!

Barrett and Zac host The All About Nothing: Podcast, discussing everything from news and politics to entertainment and sports! All About Nothing, but All About Something too!

Zac and Barrett host What The Pod Was That with Cari Simmons, available everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Take a deep dive down the rabbit hole with Amii on the pod Welcome to Wonder Land.

Check out