The Life After Leaving Podcast: An Ex-Christadelphian Podcast

Ep. 10 The Bearded Wisdom of Christadelphians: Talking Masculinity and Facial Hair with Mako

Today we’re chatting with Mako in this “mini-episode” on beards and their cultural history within Christadelphia. Mako and Zinnia discuss the experiences shared by some ex-Christadelphians about beards and compare it to the historical views of Christadelphians during the time of Doctor John Thomas and Robert Roberts. We also joke about drag names, the British slang for penis, and moustaches on firemen! Please join us for a chat about this hairy topic!
 
As a friendly reminder, please be advised that the humor in today’s episode is pretty “worldly” and this podcast is marked “explicit” across platforms. Listener discretion is advised. 
Resources and References: 
 
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life:
https://youtu.be/Xt53afFXbrg?t=74
 
Dictionary entry for “John Thomas”:
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/John_Thomas
 
The Bible, 2 Samuel 10
 
The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come by John Thomas, May 1856, Page 113 “The Gentile and the Jew”
https://antipas.org/library/Magazines/The%20Herald%20of%20the%20Kingdom%20and%20Age%20to%20Come%20(JT)/Herald56.PDF
 
The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come by John Thomas,  March 1852, Page 62 (782 if using link below)
https://antipas.org/library/Magazines/The%20Herald%20of%20the%20Kingdom%20and%20Age%20to%20Come%20(JT)/Herald%20Jan1851%20through%20Feb1854%20-%20Text.pdf
 
Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come by John Thomas December 1851 Page 280-281(Page 626 if using the link below)
https://antipas.org/library/Magazines/The%20Herald%20of%20the%20Kingdom%20and%20Age%20to%20Come%20(JT)/Herald%20Jan1851%20through%20Feb1854%20-%20Text.pdf
 
The Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, May 1853, page 119 by John Thomas reprinting “Why Israelites were Forbidden to Shave” from the “Journal of Sacred Literature pp. 65, 66” 
https://antipas.org/library/Magazines/The%20Herald%20of%20the%20Kingdom%20and%20Age%20to%20Come%20(JT)/Herald53.pdf
 
My Days and My Ways by Robert Roberts, page 5, 67, 139
https://www.antipas.org/pdf_files/my_days_and_my_ways.pdf
 
“Robert Roberts: A Study of the Life and Character” by Islip Collyer
https://christadelphianlibrary.com/products/robertroberts-collyer
 
Drag Name Inspo and the name “Lourdes Prayer”
https://chelseacommunitynews.com/2021/01/12/the-150-best-new-drag-names-try-one-on/
 
On my comments on Leviticus:
https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/article-700876
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/03/world/africa/03iht-moses.4.5130043.html
 
On some religions using beards as a statement: 
https://dralun.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/the-medical-case-for-beards-in-the-19th-century/
https://credomag.com/2016/07/they-will-know-we-are-calvinists-by-our-beards-timothy-raymond/
 
The Christadelphian July 1871
https://www.antipas.org/library/Magazines/The%20Christadelphian%20Magazine/The%20Christadelphian%20-%201871.pdf July edition starting page 199, quote on page 219
 
On the Victorians using hair from the dead for mementos:
https://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/article/theyre-not-morbid-theyre-about-love-the-hair-relics-of-the-midwest/#:~:text=Hair%20was%20sometimes%20taken%20from,a%20year%20and%20a%20day.
 
Misc Research into Beards:
https://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/en_gb/blog/beard-psychology-science/#:~:text=Beards%20also%20impact%20perceptions%20of,than%20the%20clean%2Dshaven%20men

Ep. 9 Fellowship with Mike

Today we’re chatting with Mike! Mike shares his story of growing up in the Brotherhood with many surprises including sourcing bootleg copies of the Simpsons for the Christadelphian youth group, finding a wife at the Christadelphian nursing home, and about his path to eventually becoming “unequally yoked” before leaving the group. Mike also shares his experience of unintentionally framing the Editor of the Christadelphian magazine for vandalism (whoops) and answers whether or not he saw any unattached beard hair in the Christadelphian Magazine Archives. And of course, he asks the hard hitting questions such as ”...have you got a hat?”. Please join us for yet another fun episode of fellowship among the heathens!  
 
Resources and References:
 
Praise the Lord Hymn Book: https://www.christadelphianbooks.com/detail/2059
 
Music can be listened to here: https://www.wcfoundation.org/praise-the-lord
 
The Book of Mormon: 
On Broadway: https://bookofmormonbroadway.com/
Watch online at: https://archive.org/details/book.-of.-mormon.-broadway-upscale-720x-480
 

Ep. 8 Robert Roberts and the Fandom of John Thomas

Today we’re learning about the unofficial president of the John Thomas fan club, Robert Roberts. In this episode, we’ll be taking a critical look at whether this famous Christadelphian leader was actually just a follower. I’ll be sharing with you “respectable heathens” stories about Robert Roberts’ childhood, his quirks, and the chance he missed to leave behind the drama of the Christadelphians forever. I hope you’re as surprised as I was to learn the bizarre ways that he honored John Thomas throughout his lifetime, and even in death. I’ll also share a Christadelphian exhortation drinking game, a request for the whereabouts of a lost object, and a story about a legendary exhortation at the Moorestown ecclesia. Please also stay tuned to the end for another “ad” from one of our “sponsors”. 
 
Resources and References:
 
“My Days and My Ways” by Robert Roberts, 1894
https://www.antipas.org/pdf_files/my_days_and_my_ways.pdf
 
“Robert Roberts: A Study of the Life and Character” by Islip Collyer
https://christadelphianlibrary.com/products/robertroberts-collyer
 
John Thomas His Friends and His Faith by Peter Hemingray, 2003
https://christadelphianlibrary.com/products/johnthomashisfriends-hisfaith-hemingray
 
GIlmore Girls tv series, Season 6 episode 8 “Why did you drop out of Yale?”
 
“Elpis Israel” by John Thomas 
https://christadelphia.net/PDF/jtEI.pdf *fourteenth edition
https://ia803407.us.archive.org/7/items/elpisisraelexpos00thomiala/elpisisraelexpos00thomiala.pdf *ninth edition
 
Goosebumps tv series, “Welcome to Dead House”
 
Ex-Christadelphians.com, “Who was Robert Roberts?”
https://www.ex-christadelphians.com/2021/02/who-was-robert-roberts.html
 
“Escaping Twin Flames” Documentary, Netflix
 
Jonestown, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown
 
The Christadelphian magazine,formerly The Ambassador of the Coming Age, accessed via  https://thechristadelphianlibrary.com/category/digital-library/magazines/ (Subscription required)
-November 1869, free version available to view at: https://www.antipas.org/library/Magazines/The%20Christadelphian%20Magazine/The%20Ambassador%20&%20The%20Christadelphian%20-%201869.pdf
-July 1871 edition, free version available to view at: 
https://www.antipas.org/library/Magazines/The%20Christadelphian%20Magazine/The%20Christadelphian%20-%201871.pdf July edition starting page 199, quotes can be found page 217 and 219
 
“The Early History of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in Britain with Historical, Critical, and Social Reminiscences of Persons, Places, and Events” compiled by William Norrie, Vol III
https://christadelphia.net/PDF/norrie3.pdf
 
Ancestry.com, Roberts Family Tree
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/174807481?cfpid=272267503058&dtid=100
 
Tidings article mentioning Roberts’ son Edward leaving the Christadelphians:
https://tidings.org/articles/robert-roberts-in-north-america/
 
Coraline (book) by Neil Gaiman, 2002
Coraline Movie adaption 2009
 

Ep. 7 Fellowship with Leah

Today we’re chatting with Leah! Leah shares her story of pushing the boundaries of respectable behavior for a Christadelphian woman by saying prayers at the podium, giving exhortations, and pushing the community to support the fair-trade movement. Leah wasn’t about to let gender roles get her down and now she’s living her best life re-enacting Sister Act, voting in elections, and saying farewell to her good enemies in the ecclesia. Leah also shares her one rule that sets her new standard when visiting and evaluating a church. Please also enjoy a special guest appearance by Leah’s cats… meow…
 
References & Resources:
Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari
 
I Don’t by Clementine Ford
 
See What You Made Me Do: Power, Control, and Domestic Violence by Jess Hill
 
Leah’s choir performance:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18G6pRecip/
 
Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby

Ep. 6 Christadelphian True Crime

Today we're chatting with Keturah about true crime stories from the Christadelphians! History certainly isn't always boring with Zinnia sharing the history of five notorious Christadelphians from around the world. Just in time for spooky season, let's talk about body snatchers, poison, and even murder...
 
References mentioned in this episode:
Story One: John Thomas Story References:
John Thomas: His Life and His Work by Robert Roberts
John Thomas: His Friends and His Faith by Peter Hemingray, Page 90-92
John Thomas’s article in the Lancet on the Anatomy Bill in May 1829 (Full article received via email after contacting Elsevier) ⁠https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(02)98765-9/fulltext⁠
Articles on the Richards Riot:
-YouTube video on Richard’s Riot & the identity of the young woman ⁠https://youtu.be/CecD1prIOZs⁠
-Patch.com
⁠https://patch.com/illinois/stcharles-il/bp--grave-robbing-riots-and-murder-the-story-of-a-st-19dfeab964⁠
-St Charles History Museum
⁠https://www.stcmuseum.org/history-news/2020/4/18/grave-robbing-gunfights-and-sances-the-story-of-the-richards-riot-of-1849⁠
-The Resurrectionists
⁠https://www.howderfamily.com/blog/resurrectionist/⁠
 
Story Two: Albert Chernov Kidney Stealing Story:
⁠https://www.haaretz.com/2003-11-26/ty-article/police-believe-organ-trafficking-suspect-has-fled-israel/0000017f-dbf1-df62-a9ff-dff784dd0000⁠
The report on “Jerry” is not publicly available and was sourced from a member of the Ex-Christadelphian Facebook Group. The full section of the report that was referenced is quoted here:  “Albert Chernov, baptized by [“Jerry” real name redacted], was financially supported by BBFU (CCM) as a recruiter for the Brotherhood. Chernov was arrested in Jul 2003 on suspicion of rounding up Russian immigrants in Israel and compelling them, with threats and extortion, into undergoing nephrectomies (removal of a kidney). The charges detailed that the organs were sold, by Chernov and his two accomplices, on the black market. [Source: Haaretz.] He was released on bail in Nov 2003 and fled the authorities. [Source: Washington Post.]”
United Nations definition of organ trafficking:
⁠https://www.unodc.org/unodc/frontpage/2024/June/explainer_-understanding-human-trafficking-for-organ-removal.html⁠
Story Three: Judith Ann Venn Murder:
Article 1:
⁠https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/28/queensland-woman-who-laced-husbands-soup-with-pills-pleads-guilty-to-manslaughter⁠
Article 2:
⁠https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-04/judith-ann-venn-jailed-for-killing-abusive-husband-spiked-soup/102689162
-Chicago, the musical. Song: Cell Block Tango
 
Story Four: “Uncle Murder”/ Roger Hammond:
Phoenix New Times: “Mr. Fix-it is Guilty” March 1 1989 ⁠https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/mr-fix-it-is-guilty-6412893⁠
Man convicted in Arkansas in Louisville woman's death Associated Press
⁠https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/109894222/⁠
Obituary
⁠https://vermontjournal.com/obituaries/roger-hammond-1945-2022/⁠
Story Five: Gary Schaefer Murders:
Book: In The Shadow of Death: The Hunt for a Serial Killer by Philip Ginsburg 
⁠https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-schaefer-plea/41890009/⁠
Podcast: Haunted New England, Episode 10
Podcast: Thrice Cursed: A True Crime and Paranormal Podcast: Heavens'ta Betsy aka Gary Lee Schaefer
⁠https://www.reformer.com/local-news/vermont-convicted-murderer-kidnapper-dies-in-kentucky-prison/article_ec3d2b9c-8dfe-11ee-a2f9-77f7c5811a85.html⁠
⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Schaefer⁠
⁠https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-schaefer-arrested/41893267/⁠
⁠https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/schaefer-gary-lee.htm⁠
Book Mentioned by Keturah:
To Believe In Women: What Lesbians Have Done For America - A History by Lillian Faderman
https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Women-Lesbians-America-History/dp/0618056971

Ep 1. Fellowship with Heather

Today we're chatting with Heather! Let's cozy up by a babbling stream with our favorite transcendental books for this one! 
You can visit Heather's blog at:https://callunararis.com/category/religion-spirituality/

Ep. 5 Harbingers of Destruction! Talking with Amy about Women in Christadelphia

Today we're chatting with Amy! She has a master's degree in Religious Studies, and wrote her thesis using the Christadelphians as a test case for theories of conservative women.
There's no need to don a skirt or headcovering this Sunday morning! Join us as we delve into the reason why nothing ever changes in Christadelphia; talk about the limited roles for women in the ecclesia; reminisce on the dramas of headcoverings and pants-wearing (that's trousers for the Brits); and much, much more.
Resources:
Amy’s thesis is not publicly available, but if you're interested, email lifeafterleavingpodcast@gmail.com to request a digital copy
Christadelphian Moms Survey Results, May 2024
https://tidings.org/articles/the-moms-survey/
Tidings magazine, May 2024 Issue
https://tidings.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-05-May.pdf
Tidings magazine, article on race from August 2020
https://tidings.org/articles/an-exploration-of-christadelphians-racism-and-activism/
The Ecclesial Guide by Robert Roberts
https://gs-cd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/the-ecclesial-guide.pdf
Esme Louie Tradwife Video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8JOQkfvLGr/?igsh=MTZyZnFrcG9oenFnaw==
 
Books referenced:
The Psychology of Religious Doubt by Philip Helfaer
Educated by Tara Westover
The Holy Bible by Vanessa Russell (an ex-christadelphian!)
Leaving the Fold by Marlene Winell

Ep. 4 Fellowship with Rob

Today we’re chatting with Rob! Rob had reached the pinnacle of success as an international Christadelphian lecturer and prominent leader in his ecclesia before his journey to explore the root of his faith took him on an unexpected “reverse road to Damascus” and to leaving religion for good. This episode is the perfect accompaniment to a leisurely Sunday morning spent sleeping in, enjoying a fresh cup of coffee, and savoring not having to rush to the Sunday morning meeting anymore. Pull on your most colorful underwear for this episode and enjoy! 
Resources:
Unbelievable: A journey from faith via evidence. Why a university professor gave up religion and became an unbeliever by Rob Hyndman
Available for free at: https://robjhyndman.com/unbelievable/
Or print copies are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Unbelievable-Rob-J-Hyndman/dp/1517363195
 
The bibliography from his book: https://robjhyndman.com/unbelievable/bibliography.html
The Tidings article on being seekers of truth:
https://tidings.org/articles/seeking-truth/ 
Book: Good without God by Greg Epstein
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Without-God-Billion-Nonreligious/dp/006167012X
Book: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion By Jonathan Haidt
https://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Mind-Divided-Politics-Religion/dp/0307455777
 

Ep. 3 Fellowship with Keturah

Today we're chatting with Keturah! There are some heavy topics in today's episode but this was still so much fun! We wonder, why do Christadelphians love one room schoolhouses so much? What is the proper gender neutral term for a baptized Christadelphian? Why did tights have such a chokehold on Christadelphian women for so long? The world may never know but we can laugh about it anyway!
 
Resources:
The youtuber that Keturah mentions in this episode is linked below:
https://www.youtube.com/@jezebelvibes
 

Ep. 2 John Thomas: The Man, the Myth, the Founder of the Christadelphians

Today we're diving into the origin of the Christadelphians and taking a look at their founder/rediscover-er Doctor John Thomas! Let's count how many times he got baptized and see what lengths he went to in order to get away from the priest-ridden society of England. This story is probably a little different than the Christadelphian origin story you thought you knew...
Works Cited:
Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1600-1889- Dr. Thomas entry on page 84
Dr. Thomas: His Life & Work By Robert Roberts 1873
https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-joseph-dispenza-seduced-america-with-pseudoscience/
John Thomas and his Rediscovery of Bible Truth by Norman Fadelle, 2004
https://www.christadelphianbooks.com/detail/1488
https://christadelphia.net/history.htm
 John Thomas His Friends and His Faith by Peter Hemingray, 2003
 
Ancestry.com, John Thomas
in the England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1936, Page 46
https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/143843:2972?tid=&pid=&queryid=9a44aaa7-e1d6-4b10-b0a1-bf26672955d8&_phsrc=oGi9&_phstart=success
Alexander Campbell Shipwreck and Journey to Glasgow, Scotland
Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, by Robert Richardson, Volume 1, Chapters 7 & 8, pages 104-128.https://www.therestorationmovement.com/_international/scotland/glasgow.htm
History of the Restoration Movement
Christadelphian Standards by H.P. Mansfield in 1961
Page 104 “Brother Mansfield’s remarks here were primarily with regard to the Pioneer works, although we acknowledge that there are other very good works available which have been written by other brethren. However, we would sound a note of caution. During the years since Brother Mansfield penned the above words, many works have been offered to us by an ever-increasing number of writers. Experience has shown us that many of these works are of doubtful value; others, paraded as Christadelphian literature, will prove quite dangerous to the unwary. Exercise care in this regard.”
 
“My Days and My Ways” by Robert Roberts, 1894
Eureka volume III
 
The preface of Eureka Vol III