Faith Transformations

In this episode of Quakers Today we ask, How has your view of Jesus God or religion changed since you were young? 

• Hayden Hobby was raised in an evangelical church. He reflects on leaving an abusive God and finding a new way of expressing faith. For Quakers today Hayden talks about the experience that led him to write the essay "Surviving Religious Trauma, How I left an Abusive God." Today he studies in a program taught jointly by Bethany Theological Seminary, and Earlham School of Religion.
• Calliope George, a young adult and lifelong Quaker, continues to find her place in Quaker meetings. She talks about community within her age group and beyond.  You will find the full video and other QuakerSpeak videos at the QuakerSpeak YouTube channel, or visit Quakerspeak.com
• You will also hear about a new book that explores forests around the world. In The Tree Line, The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth, Ben Rawlence connects with indigenous leaders who have been guardians of threatened wild spaces. He hopes his readers will learn how to think like a forest. 

You will find a complete transcript of this episode over at QuakersToday.org.

After this episode concludes we share voicemails from listeners who answered the question, How has your view of Jesus God or religion changed since you were young?

Question for next month

In the March 2023 issue of Friends Journal various writers will share their experiences, insights, and opinions about the many ways people found or failed to find community on-line during the COVID-19 Lockdown. They raise questions about the merits and limitations to virtual Quaker meetings for worship, and they highlight best practices that worked for some. 

What about you? What are your thoughts and feelings about virtual on-line communities or worship? Leave a voice memo with your name and the town where you live. The number to call is 317-QUAKERS, that's 317-782-5377. 317 Quakers. +1 if calling from outside the USA.

Quakers Today is the companion podcast to Friends Journal and other Friends Publishing Corporation (FPC) content online. 

Season One of Quakers Today is sponsored by Quaker Voluntary Service (QVS.) 

Are you a young adult between 21 and 30 years old? Do you know a young adult who is looking for community and purpose-driven work? QVS is a year-long fellowship for young adults. Fellows work at nonprofits while building community and exploring Quakerism. Visit quakervoluntaryservice.org or find QVS on Instagram @quakervoluntaryservice. 

Feel free to send comments, questions, and requests for our new show. Email us at podcast@friendsjournal.org.

Music from this episode comes from Epidemic Sound. You heard Timelapse by Phello, Sweeping Grounds by Major Tweaks, Pray by Gamma Skies, Final Wish by Dreem, and Smoky Smoky by John Runefelt.