How would you describe your current faith status?

Like, do you have a name for it?

Yes, I would say that I am atheist or agnostic atheists, so I don't see evidence that

the God of the Bible is true.

This is Heaven Bent. I'm Tara Jean Stevens.

On this episode, we're joined by Janice Selby. She's a registered professional counselor

and a religious trauma recovery coach based here in British Columbia.

Janice is also the host of the Divorsing Religion podcast and the author of Divorcing Religion, A Memoir and Survival Handbook.

I've invited Janice to share her faith journey with us

and about the work she does now

to help people recover from religious trauma

and purity culture indoctrination.

I grew up in a Pentecostal family and I was a devout believer until I was almost 40.

I was married to a pastor, homeschooled my kids for a time.

And I really firmly believed and I became quite fundamentalist in my views. And

then one day it didn't fit anymore. So let's get to know you a bit more by starting at the

beginning. When did religion or even just spirituality first spark in your life?

Oh, I have definite memories of being small, like three years old, in church with my parents.

And in fact, one of my favorite memories is we were in the little cinder block perch. It was called the Apostolic Church

of Pentecost. And it was in the 70s. So, you know, Jesus people. So the music was starting to change.

It wasn't just all hymns and organs. You know, it was starting to be more beat choruses. And so I'm

three or four years old. I can't read yet, but my parents have lifted me up to have me standing between them in the pew. And my mom's letting me hold probably what was a hymnal. And I'm pretending to read whatever words are in there and sing along. And the sun was,

...