Done with Religion

Thank you for taking the time to visit our site. We hope you will find our articles interesting, helpful and encouraging. Our site focuses on loving God, acceptance of others and life outside the walls of traditional church and religion.

Done with Religion Staff

Jim Gordon (pen name) founded Done with Religion once he and his wife left the institutional church after spending over fifty years within the system. Jim wanted a way to express his thoughts and concerns about the religious system and why he and his wife decided to leave the institution but not their faith in God.

Michael Donahoe became a writer for Done with Religion as his views fit perfectly with those of Jim Gordon and the message of Done with Religion. He and his wife have been outside the walls of religion for fifteen years. He enjoys writing about his experiences and thoughts, and he wants to encourage others who are going through the religious deconstruction process. He also writes on Substack at https://deconstructiontrail.substack.com and  https://personalmeanderings.substack.com/

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like 

Rocky Glenn came along a little later and was added as a writer. He was another great addition to the style and views of the site. Rocky has his own site at Recovering Churchboy

Together, these writers blend together a story of how much more there is to living in the grace and freedom God provided apart from the religious institutional church we know today.

About Done with Religion

Done with religion does not mean done with God, but we are done trying to please God by performance. It does not mean we are done with church, but we realize the Church is the community of believers and not a building we go to once a week. Living for Jesus is a daily lifestyle not a Sunday only thing. We do not have to wait to get to church to hear the good news, or pray, receive healing or serve others. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide and the Spirit lives within us. We are the temple of God. The Kingdom of God is within us. The Living Word is here within us every day of our lives. God is not waiting at a building for us to show up. Religion tells us our relationship with God is based on how well we follow the rules and how well we perform. Done with religion means we no longer submit to rules and regulations but live a life of love for God and one another through grace. We want to take our eyes off personal effort and performance and focus entirely on Jesus.

If you have been in organized religion for any length of time, you may feel that there must be something more. Modern day church feels more like a business or large corporation. People start looking to the pastor as their spiritual guide to supply all their spiritual needs. It seems we have taken our eyes off of Jesus and put them on things that are about Christ. It is time to realize that religion is only our human attempt to please God. When we put more focus and attention on the building, the pastor and all the meetings and programs in the organization, we can easily get away from our first love, who is Jesus.

The postings and sites listed here are meant to help put your focus back on the one who provided grace freely for all of us. The postings are only our interpretations and opinions. We know not everyone will agree on everything posted on this site, yet we hope our posts will provide encouragement, and that any alternative views and opinions will be viewed with an open mind. We truly believe that we are to love God, love one another and be accepting of all people.

We are glad you visited our site. We hope you will continue to follow us and read our articles. We want our posts to encourage and uplift all our readers.

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Deconstruction Process

Religious deconstruction, also known as faith deconstruction, is a process where individuals re-examine and question their religious beliefs, often leading to a questioning of their faith identity, practices and even the beliefs themselves. This can involve modifying beliefs, rejecting religion entirely or finding a renewed faith. For us here at Done with Religion, we are deconstructing our beliefs, interpretations and doctrinal ideas, yet without leaving our faith in God. Key aspects of religious deconstruction:

• Questioning and Re-evaluation:

Deconstruction involves critically examining and questioning long-held religious beliefs, doctrines, and practices.

• Doubt and Anxiety:

Individuals may experience doubt, anxiety, and struggle during the deconstruction process as they question their faith.

• Potential Outcomes:

The outcome of deconstruction can vary. Some individuals may modify their beliefs, embrace a revised or renewed faith, or even reject religion altogether.

• Personal and Spiritual Growth:

Deconstruction can be a deeply personal and spiritual journey, often driven by a desire for a more authentic and individualized faith or spirituality.

• No Single Definition or Path:

There is no one-size-fits-all definition or path for deconstruction, and individuals may approach the process in various ways.

• Impact of Cultural Influences:

Deconstruction can also involve questioning and rejecting cultural beliefs and practices that have become intertwined with religious traditions.

• Seeking a Deeper Understanding:

Some individuals deconstruct their faith as a way to find a deeper, more nuanced understanding of their beliefs and a stronger connection with God.

• Reactions and Challenges:

The deconstruction process can be met with various reactions from faith communities, ranging from support and understanding to rejection and judgment.

• Importance of Safe Spaces:

Having a safe, nurturing environment where individuals can openly question and discuss their beliefs without fear of judgment or shame is crucial during the deconstruction process. Many can find support through books, podcasts, therapy, or online communities where questioning faith is safe.

• Simply put:

Religious deconstruction is the process of critically examining and questioning one’s religious beliefs, traditions, and teachings — often leading to a rethinking, reshaping or sometimes letting go of parts (or all) of a faith system. It is not necessarily about losing faith, though that can happen; it is more about taking apart what you have been taught to see what holds true for you personally. Deconstruction can be painful but also freeing. It is a personal journey, not a single ideology or movement. No one should feel guilty for going through the deconstruction process. God is more than capable of handling our doubts and questions.