Jul 25, 2024
Most people who come to this podcast have likely, at some time in their life, wondered what their lives would be like were they to step away from Mormonism--and not just the church but, perhaps, everything else that one might call "religious" in nature. What if there is no God? What if there is no need for saving ordinances? What would it be like to not feel pressure to assent to specific beliefs?
In her new book, No Nonsense Spirituality: All the Tools, No Faith Required (SacraSage Press, 2024) Brittney Hartley walks us through her own journey that included the total deconstruction of her LDS worldview before she was able to find a beautiful and fulfilling way to live again. Hers is a life without God, Ordinances, Specific (prescribed) Beliefs, or Formal Church structure, but it is in no way bleak or void of meaning, personal ethics, family and individual rituals, contemplative practices. Nor does it reject the importance of feelings of awe or a sense of the transcendent. As she leads us through the book, we can see that she is definitely spiritual but secular.
In this episode, Brittney joins LDF host Dan Wotherspoon to talk
about her journey and how she, as an athiest, came to be grateful
again for the various tools that we typically associate with
religion. Some chapters teach us about secular spirituality, the
importance of "order" in a chaotic world, finding meaning and
purpose, community and love, sacred stories, and human
flourishing.
It's a great discussion that allows anyone who is convinced of the
need for formal religion and all it entails to expand their vision.
The beautiful things they will find in Brittney and how she lives
and centers her life can serve as a counter narrative they might
keep in their minds when they or others around them start to claim
that authoritative voices, specific beliefs, certain ordinances,
etc. are necessary in one's life now and for their hopes for the
eternities. If "salvation" is really "transformation" into more
loving, kind, patient, and joyful beings, we should consider what
Brittney has to say.
Listen in!