Comment

Comment by Darrel Ray on April 30, 2009 at 3:48am

Somewhat related to this, we are exploring the idea of helping students in High Schools start Recovering from Religion groups. Seems like a first step especially with all the religious groups lurking at the school room doors and trying to have meetings in schools. So far, that is not something we are focusing on, but certainly something we are considering once the basic movement is clearly established.

Comment by Bill E on April 30, 2009 at 12:34am

Someone in my meetup group commented that such a service exists in Austin, Texas, so I'm going to start by looking them up and seeing what they do. Also it might work to contact another kind of hotline, say a suicide hotline, and see what they do to set up. And I'll check out the recovering religionists link offered above. It's a start, anyway....

Comment by Bill E on April 29, 2009 at 11:54pm

This definitely interests me. I just started a discussion in my Santa Cruz Atheists group on this very subject. I even mentioned the child-related minefield. This is a great topic for a discussion, and it would be great if some people with legal knowledge of the subject would take part. I was thinking along the lines of a hotline to begin with. Not sure about more physical accommodations such as safe houses. But kids are certainly the biggest victims and the most important link in the religion-transmission chain.

Comment by Darrel Ray on April 29, 2009 at 9:41pm

I am sure you are right, but right now we are just trying to deal with adults. I/we are not prepared for anything with that many minefields. What we are learning is that even adults have a hard time leaving, even if they have not believed for years. They are afraid of the social and family consequences.