In her new book, "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church," NPR political correspondent Sarah McCammon explores a significant trend: people leaving the white evangelical church.
Combining investigative journalism with personal experiences, McCammon offers valuable insights into this growing movement.
In a recent interview with Geoff Bennett of PBS NewsHour, McCammon explored the term 'exvangelical,' referring to people who used to identify as evangelical but do not anymore, often for different reasons. This departure can include various beliefs, from being non-religious to still having strong religious convictions but not identifying as evangelical.
McCammon noticed that 'evangelical' is now more linked to politics than spirituality or theology, causing some individuals to distance themselves from it deliberately.
McCammon identified common themes behind why people leave the evangelical church. Many common themes emerge among individuals departing from the evangelical community, with a predominant one being the realization that the worldview presented within evangelical circles often conflicts with the realities encountered as one matures and engages with diverse perspectives.
These conflicts can arise from sexual differences, political beliefs, and scientific understanding. This discrepancy often prompts individuals to reconsider, question, and even reshape their faith as they seek alignment with their evolving understanding of the world.
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During an NPR interview, McCammon reflected on how growing up in a deeply evangelical family shaped her worldview and caused inner conflicts as she matured. She also looked back on her childhood, shaped by her education in private Christian schools from preschool through her bachelor's degree. She noted the pervasive term 'Christian worldview' in evangelical literature, emphasizing a distinct perspective on the world.
This worldview places importance on interpreting the Bible literally and adhering to traditional family values, including monogamy, fidelity, and sexual purity before marriage. Evangelism is central to evangelical beliefs, instilling a sense of responsibility to share their perceived truth with others, which often extends to both spiritual and political realms.
According to McCammon, abortion was viewed as literal murder and the taking of human life within the community. This perspective, rooted in the belief that life begins at conception, influences the intensity surrounding the issue of abortion within evangelical circles. While some may support restrictions with exceptions, many evangelical Christians maintain the belief that a child is a human life from the moment of conception, shaping not only views on abortion but also on related matters such as in-vitro fertilization and contraception.
According to The Guardian, McCammon's decision to write about her evangelical upbringing and departure from it was prompted by the events of January 6, particularly witnessing individuals carrying signs with religious symbols storming the Capitol. For many 'exvangelicals,' the turning point came in 2016 during Donald Trump's presidential campaign, where his divisive rhetoric gained support from white evangelicals.
McCammon observed the evangelical community embracing Trump despite his personal history and character conflicting with traditional teachings. She saw this support as driven by power politics and the appeal of Trump's disregard for mainstream facts, which resonated with evangelical circles accustomed to denying scientific evidence and historical realities. Evangelicals are a vital voting group for the Republican Party, particularly in presidential elections.
Leaving the evangelical community can be challenging, with exvangelicals often facing strained family relationships and feelings of isolation. McCammon's book sheds light on this complex topic, aiming to foster understanding and empathy for those navigating this transition.
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