On Sunday, December 9, 2007, a young man entered a church in Colorado.
He was armed and dangerous, opening fire and killing two people before
a security guard wounded him. The gunman then turned the gun on
himself and ended his life. According to the reports, he was troubled,
possibly mentally ill, and angry at the church who had rejected him,
saying he was not social enough to be a missionary.

We don't know exactly what Matthew Murray was going through that led to the Colorado shootings. But he apparently wrote the agonized postings of "Nightmare Child," on ex-pentecostals.com. He was suffering a lot of pain and rage, partly about his upbringing in the church and his continuing frustration with Christians. (Some of this was in May, 2007, when I invited him to contact me for help.)

LEAVING YOUR RELIGION?
It's not the end of the world.
Join us at a recovery retreat.

"RELEASE AND RECLAIM"
A workshop for letting go of religious indoctrination and reclaiming your life.

Led by Marlene Winell, Ph.D., psychologist and author of Leaving the Fold, A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion

WHEN: FRIDAY, Nov 16, 7PM until SUNDAY, Nov 18, 3PM.

Options for getting help

For yourself:

1. Introductory telephone assessment. Call me and make an appointment for a discussion of your situation. If you do not reach me directly, please leave suggested times for me to return your call.
This assessment will be a time for you to tell me your story and for us to discuss options for helping you. I will very likely have suggestions for initial steps to healing and growth. The session is a 50 min. hour and costs $100.

• October 5-7 in Seattle, WA
• November 2-4 in the San Francisco Bay Area
• December 7-9 in Orange County, CA
• January 11-13 in Tucson, AZ

A workshop for letting go of religious indoctrination and reclaiming your life.

Led by Marlene Winell, Ph.D., psychologist and author of
Leaving the Fold, A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion

by Michelle G. Lyerly

Rebecca Rosen, reporter for the Contra Costa Times, in conversation with retreat participants. See her article "Ex-fundamentalists find peace at retreat."

They say that a faith ridden with doubts is already on its way out, but add fear into the equation, and the situation changes.

Dr. Marlene Winell, psychologist and author of Leaving the Fold: A Guide to Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion, knows this situation firsthand. As the daughter of a missionary and former devotee of the evangelical faith, she understands the lasting consequences of breaking away from authoritarian religion. Dr. Winell uses her training in the psychology of human development to work with others, helping them confront the demons of the past and regain their footing.

This is an invitation for contributions. It seems that many people who have recovered from religious indoctrination and feel rather healed in their personal lives still have a great challenge when it comes to relating to family members who are still "in the fold." What have you found works for you? Please write and I will post your insights for the benefit of others, as well as share some thoughts of my own.