In this episode of 'Beyond Belief, Tales of Religious Exodus,' host Shalom welcomes River, a psychotherapist, to share their deeply personal journey of leaving the evangelical missionary church of Canada.

River discusses the strict religious upbringing as a pastor's child in Kitchener, Ontario, dealing with the trauma of family life, and the impact of a personal tragedy catalyzed their questioning of faith.

They explore the challenges of deconstructing ingrained beliefs, the importance of new supportive relationships, and the journey towards self-compassion and self-acceptance.

Through therapy and a shift towards Eastern philosophies, River illustrates the profound transformation from deeply embedded religiosity to a path of authenticity and healing. 00:00 Introduction to Beyond Belief 00:19 Meet River: A Psychotherapist's Perspective 00:53 River's Religious Upbringing 01:38 Core Beliefs of the Evangelical Missionary Church 02:58 Family Dynamics and Religious Expectations 06:10 Struggles with Identity and Belonging 23:47 The Impact of Original Sin 27:53 Marriage and Gradual Deconstruction 30:07 The Reality of Parenting Alone 30:35 Meeting Wife and Religious Journey 31:33 A Life-Altering Tragedy 32:44 Deconstructing Faith and Beliefs 34:40 University Life and Changing Perspectives 37:01 Leaving Religion Completely 42:25 Parenting Challenges and Personal Growth 47:13 Healing and New Relationships 49:31 Advice for Those on a Deconstruction Journey 51:00 Reflecting on Life Choices and Parenting 01:00:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts