Faith

Atheists Launch Scholarships for Clergy Who Want to Escape the ‘Supernatural’ & Abandon the Pulpit

FFRF Launches Scholarships for Clergy Who Want to Escape the PulpitWe’ve already told you about The Clergy Project, a joint effort of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Science and Reason and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) that seeks to help religious clergy who have lost their faith. Now, in addition to launching a support network, the FFRF has announced the creation of a special fund that will better help atheist preachers escape the pulpit.

Earlier this week, the secular group announced that it would be pushing even harder to help “ministers, priests, rabbis and other clergy who no longer believe in the supernatural.“ Their stated goal through the creation of the new scholarship fund is to help those who are ”looking for an exit strategy to a secular life.”

“It is hard to think of any other profession which it is so near to impossible to leave,” famed atheistic scientist Richard Dawkins has stated in explaining the reasoning behind the project. “Clergy who lose their faith suffer double jeopardy. It’s as though they lose their job and their marriage and their children on the same day. It is an aspect of the vicious intolerance of religion that a mere change of mind can redound so cruelly on those honest enough to acknowledge it.”

FFRF Launches Scholarships for Clergy Who Want to Escape the Pulpit

Atheist scientist Richard Dawkins

Only in its second year, The Clergy Project already has 223 members (56 of them are still active in ministry). The FFRF claims that an additional 60 applications may corroborate the notion that there could be “a huge number of secret unbelievers in the pulpits of the world.”

Below, see a list of methods (as presented on the FFRF web site) through which the project will assist those former religious leaders who are looking to transition out of ministry and into the realm of non-belief:

  • Scholarships for educational retraining. It is hard for someone with a divinity degree and a history of preaching to find new employment, especially in today’s economy. Without an exit strategy that allows a minister to continue to provide for their family, it is nearly impossible to consider leaving the pulpit.
  • Temporary hardship grants. Some of the clergy in the project tell heartbreaking stories of being unceremoniously thrown out into the street (literally, in one case!) and locked out when their nonbelief became known. Others who have voluntarily “graduated” to civilian life are finding it immensely difficult to land on their feet.
  • Maintenance of the forum. The Clergy Project forum is a secret, invitation-only online sanctuary where former and active nonbelieving clergy can talk freely, comparing stories, suggesting resources, sharing concerns, asking for help, and finding a sympathetic nonjudgmental community of others who have wrestled with this unique situation.
FFRF Launches Scholarships for Clergy Who Want to Escape the Pulpit

Photo: Shutterstock (Click the image for more from Shutterstock.com)

It’s interesting to note the secretive nature of the project. Considering that some of the members are still pretending to be ardent faith leaders in their churches, it seems the FFRF is attempting to shield them from potential fallout. The monies, as noted, that are given to the group will be turned around for transitional purposes.

“We know there must be thousands of clergy out there who have secretly abandoned their faith but have nowhere to turn,” says FFRF co-president Barker. “Now they do have a place to meet, a true sanctuary, a congregation of those of us who have replaced faith and dogma with reason and human well-being.”

Here are some ex-faith leaders describing their experiences:

The project’s reach goes far beyond the U.S., with the organization reporting membership in Australia, South Africa, Canada and England, among other countries.

Comments (39)

  • ottis
    Posted on May 13, 2012 at 3:18am

    One simple Question for all Atheist?

    If you do not believe in God,Buddha, Allah or whatever why does the Symbolic Representation Offend you so much?

    Do you get the Point Here or does your “Self Proclaimed Superior Intelligence” prevent you from opening your mind up to a larger realm of possibilities?
    Because that would kind of fly in the face of your Superior Intellect!

    Any Takers?

    Report Post »  
  • KimItemMinistries
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 8:13pm

    “And So I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. But the one who stays true to the end will be saved.
    -Jesus Christ

    Report Post »  
    • stumpy68
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:37pm

      Any person or group that works this hard to prove themselves
      right are afraid they’re not.

      Report Post » stumpy68  
  • another mimi
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 7:28pm

    At least Dawkins mostly just tries to get his atheist views across through civil debate and well thought-out writings – the right way to do it – unlike some of the militant obnoxious atheists lately in the news.

    I love reasoned, civil debates on ANY subject.

    Report Post »  
  • MiloArk
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 6:17pm

    Isn‘t it cute when people who have obviously never read the Bible try and sound like they know what they’re talking about?

    Report Post » MiloArk  
    • Arr-dey
      Posted on May 12, 2012 at 12:07pm

      Never read the bible? Many atheists have read the bible multiple times. That is the reason they are atheists.

      There was a survey referenced in an article dated 9/28/2010 in the NY Times (satanic, I know but bear with me) about how atheists had the best scores on a test of religious knowledge. The quiz was administered by the Pew Research Center (satanic, I know but keep reading) and although the survey is no longer on the Pew Research site, part of the quiz is still available at the NY Times.

      Why don’t you take the quiz and see how YOU do? Search for “New York Times religion quiz” to bring up the article. I got a perfect score.

      Report Post »  
  • Blue Istari
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 6:01pm

    As a Christian, I support this. By all means, please weed out the bad apples, faithless, and false teachers.

    Report Post » Blue Istari  
    • MiloArk
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 6:16pm

      Yeah, get their unbelieving butts out of there. They’ve done enough damage to their flocks.

      Report Post » MiloArk  
  • suz
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 5:39pm

    uh, i would’nt call them secret unbelievers, i would call them con men.

    Report Post » suz  
    • Arr-dey
      Posted on May 12, 2012 at 11:57am

      Con men? At least these people are making an honest attempt. See Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Peter Popoff, Ephren Taylor, corruption throught Paul Crouch’s TBN organization, etc.

      …and don’t get me started on the closet-case homophobes, bible quoting misogynists, medical-treatment-denying parents, and doctor-murderers.

      Yep, those are some fine examples of humanity!

      Report Post »  
  • jefftavolieri
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 5:13pm

    Good for them! A life in the clergy leaves you with pretty much no marketable skills (religion is useless in the real world). That’s why so many unbelievers hang around in the clergy. I think you’ll all be surprised by how many take up this offer. I personally know of a clergyman who will.

    Report Post »  
  • JJBlazeReader
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 3:21pm

    ..

    I see they still pay 30 pieces of silver to Judas.

    ..

    Report Post » JJBlazeReader  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 3:09pm

    The Universe… is Set in Time; is Mortal… and will die! And, Life & Experience in the Universe is Meaningless… UNLESS there is GOD with a Plan which includes SOUL!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 1:40pm

    Atheist have organizations and make bill boards to advertise their position. However, they scream and cry and bring in the ACLU whenever they see some Christian cross or verse written anywhere. One day….when we get leadership…these atheist will be in the ‘camps’ with the other liberals.

    Report Post »  
    • OuttoDoubt
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:33pm

      Wow, real nice to see that you advocate corralling those who don’t share your beliefs into camps. You wonder why we stand up for ourselves? Just to give you a bit of the real world, we only protest against blatant sectarian displays on government property (schools, courthouses, parks, etc.). A recent drive down hwy 75 from Atlanta to Tampa gave me the wonderful experience of seeing no less than 30 christian billboards that promoted bigoted bible passages and false information, that doesn’t include the “warm and fuzzy” christian billboards. How many “atheist” billboards did I see? Zero, a big fat goose egg! But every time a secular organization puts up a billboard it’s all over the news with outrage from the public. Even the benign AOF billboard that simply read “Don’t Believe in God? You are Not Alone,” spawned a huge backlash from local churches. Who is it that is oppressed? Just because you don’t get to flaunt your religion on public property (which even the new testament frowns upon) doesn’t make you a victim. If you are beating someone over the head with a hammer, and I take away your hammer; your rights have NOT been violated. Get over this pathetic nonsense about how 7% of the population is oppressing 78% of the population. You don’t like not forcing children to pray in schools or be taught pseudoscience even though the “majority” wills it? Too bad, this is a democratic republic designed to protect the rights of the minority.

      Report Post » OuttoDoubt  
  • G-WHIZ
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:53am

    Why sould all these “clergy” abandon the best [tax-free] job in our world?

    Report Post »  
    • proud2bmom
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 1:46pm

      Tax-free? Clergy pay income tax just like everyone else. Well, like everyone but Warren Buffett, GE and their ilk.

      Report Post »  
  • CougarNick78
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:55am

    Actually, THIS may be the smartest thing DICK Dawkins has done or said. By all means, get the unbelievers OUT of the clergy- Catholic and/or Protestant. Start your own secular foundations, but by all means get the eff out!

    Oh, what do you atheists call your non-priest “priests?” This ought to be worth a laugh.

    Report Post » CougarNick78  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 11:42am

      Two points to consider: Psalm 14:1 says that the fool has said in his heart there is no god. Therefore only fools need apply. Second; the old “road side” saying: A fool and his money are soon parted. I can see a ‘cash cow’ in the making where someone enterprising could take the money and get ‘re-educated’ and then declare that they have refound their faith…perish the thought!

      Report Post »  
    • SGinNC
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 3:28pm

      Wow they will renounce their faith for just this? Doesn’t seem like trading some schooling for your soul would be a fair trade. I wonder if our Lord before he casts them down will curse these men or weep over their decisions? Part of the problem with the church is it‘s leadership and just as important it’s members, we let man redefine God’s word as written in the bible (such as the redefined position on Homosexuality or Abortion) and spread their lies to our towns, capitals, schools and political houses of government without much of a fight.

      Report Post » SGinNC  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:52am

    Start by getting rid of the ones who rape the alter boys….common sense says they’re non believers…

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:51am

    these obama-led obama-funded atheists are also his communists.

    45 Declared Goals of the Communist TakeOverof America (1963):
    #27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with “social” religion.
    Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity, which does not need a “religious crutch.”
    #28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools (and everywhere else) on the ground that it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.”

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • Arr-dey
      Posted on May 12, 2012 at 11:42am

      Yes, I get a weekly stipend from George Soros and Barack Obama. I have to endorse the back of the checks in my own blood while wearing a dark hood and kneeling before an altar lit with candles and a picture of Charles Darwin, which is somewhat of a nuisance (my knees are old enough that kneeling makes them crack.)

      Watch out! We atheists are coming for your children —– and your pets —- and your guns —- and your precious bodily fluids!!!!111!!!1!!!1!!!!

      Bwahahahahahahaha!

      Report Post »  
  • IslandAtheist
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:41am

    Richard Dawkins and Michael Aus discuss The Clergy Project
    http://youtu.be/US-AxtTdUyU

    Report Post » IslandAtheist  
  • science teacher
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:32am

    I am a Christian and I think its a great idea to get unbelieving pastors out of the pulpit. Most people who leave the clergy though become councelors but not all clergy are cut out for that. This will give them other options and maybe some of the false teaching in the church will end!

    Report Post »  
  • PATRIOTMAMA
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:27am

    Ahhh DAH!!!! Already knew there were a ton of “secretly non-believers” in the pulpit. WE call them false prophets and false teachers. Good riddance!!! If you don’t walk the walk then get the heck out!!! What‘s great is that the atheists believe they’re getting one over on us by pulling people away from the faith and/or they’re doing these poor poor preachers a favor by helping them get “out” of relgion. They‘re really doing US a favor by weeding out the junk that only hurts Christ’s reputation by representing Him when they truly don’t believe in Him. “They went out from us because they were not really of us.” Methinks I read that somewhere. hmmm. Bye Bye!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • wvernon1981
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 1:16pm

      What‘s really great is that Jesus doesn’t care enough to weed them out himself.

      Report Post »  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 1:26pm

      The parable of the wheat and the tares addresses this rather succinctly. The Lord said to leave them there so that the young in faith would not also be lost by pulling the tares up. Simply turn up the heat of scripture on the unbelief and it will leave of its own accord.

      Report Post »  
    • wvernon1981
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 2:09pm

      Wouldn’t the young in faith be susceptible to being pulled away by “wolves” in the group?

      Report Post »  
  • Herokidstar
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:08am

    I guess a clergical version of the GI Bill is ok. I as long as they don’t force it, or the cost for it, on others unwilling or moralily apposed to it. If someone really dose have a crisis of faith and can no longer act with a clear mind as a leader in there faith, If Richard Dawkins and friends wants to offer aid thats nice of them…. BUT IF he then turns it around to make the gov (taxes) pay for part or all of it thats when I’ll get angry about it.

    Report Post » Herokidstar  
  • ToddH
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:57am

    No comments on this story yet?
    Here is what I am thinking while reading this: organized religion; your days are numbered.

    Report Post »  
    • grudgywoof
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 10:09am

      You wish…..God the same yesterday today and tomorrow. I hope this works because their flocks sure don’t need a non-faith filled leader to fill their heads with secular garbage like gay marrage is ok.
      I tell you this sir or madam you will be judged in the end and recieve your justice. I pray you will repent and see the light. All things are possible with God.

      Report Post » grudgywoof  
    • wvernon1981
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 1:18pm

      How is it just to torture a person eternally for not believing or promoting that which God doesn’t like?

      Report Post »  
  • Chromo200
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:57am

    The secret unbelievers just use their position for the money it provides them. Good let them leave. They would not be doing their fellow church members any good. They most likely are teaching improperly from the bible.

    Report Post »  
  • brother_ed
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:55am

    Money well spent.

    Report Post » brother_ed  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:51am

    What clergy would possess such motivation to deny their God ? To me, when I see people of other beliefs , is like watching little kids in Halloween costumes.

    Report Post »  
  • hi
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:48am

    Thank you atheists! We can weed out the false prophets! There are way too many of them making Christians look bad.

    Report Post » hi  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 10, 2012 at 9:59am

      Exactly, this is one way to weed out those using the church as a means of getting a free education.

      Report Post »  

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