Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about suicide, which may be distressing to some listeners.

This week, host Denis Nowlan sits down with Dave Belden to explore his fascinating journey from devoted Moral Re-Armament (MRA) activist to eventual departure from the movement. David shares his life story, shaped by growing up in a communal MRA household, dedicating his early years to the movement, and eventually questioning its foundational principles.

Dave reflects on his unique upbringing as the son of MRA-dedicated parents and his early life, including being christened by MRA founder Frank Buchman. He shares his journey from unquestioning faith to deep curiosity, culminating in a doctoral thesis that became a personal quest for answers. Dave provides insights into gender roles, discussing how he learned feminism from his first wife and witnessed evolving attitudes toward women within MRA. He explores the challenges of communal living and its potential for social control while pondering the balance between individual and systemic change—especially in addressing global crises like climate change, world hunger, and restorative justice. The conversation delves into breaking the silence around shame and fostering open dialogue, revisits the recurring question of whether MRA was or is a cult, and examines whether the movement’s practice of “guidance” helps discover an inner voice or acts as a tool of control.

This thoughtful discussion offers an honest and multi-dimensional perspective on life within and beyond Moral Re-Armament. Join us as we reflect on the movement’s ideals, the complexity of communal faith, and what it means to reconcile personal beliefs with larger systemic issues.

Listen now and join the conversation about change, resilience, and finding your inner voice.

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