Teresa MacBain recently came out as an atheist at the American Atheist convention. This was a pretty big deal for her because up until that point, she was a pastor for a Methodist church. As you can imagine, she’s no longer working for the church and they’re not helping her. You can read more about her story in this NPR article.
The Humanists of Florida Association (an organization that I’m a part of, but that’s another story) has decided to try to help Teresa out financially. They’ve started a ChipIn project to raise money for their new Ex-Clergy Fund, and the first recipient will be Teresa. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Teresa a bit over the past few weeks. She’s a wonderful person, so please help her out in any way you can.
If you would like to chip in, click this link (WordPress won’t allow me to embed the widget).
Just heard this story on NPR and wow…I can sure relate to her experince! Not that I was ever a minister lol but I was Southern Baptist until about 8 years ago. It’s been a struggle dealing with my family (who didn’t completely disown me, thank goodness) and doubting if I made the right decision, but Teresa’s story has reassured me
I’m broke so I have no money to give, but I wanted her to know that I support her! Love from Pigeon Forge, TN 
Perfect story for Beltane.
Her experience has a pastor would make her a WONDERFUL counselor. I hope she considers that route. Best of luck, Teresa!!
Dear Teresa MacBain: You go girl!! You are in excellent company, believe me. Those of us who do not have some magical deity telling us how to live have to figure it out for ourselves by using all of our internal resources. Luckily, you clearly have much in the way of internal resources. I wish I could hug you and invite you to my synagogue where we pray with our feet.
Leslie Caplan, Cantorial Soloist, Central Reform Congregation, St Louis, MO
This is appalling. Why would anyone, having met God, the loving Father, God the Son, Jesus, the Saviour of the whole world, and God the Holy Spirit, ever stop believing? It is even more annoying that she was a Methodist, as there are many Methodists who would love an opportunity to be a Reverand.
Do you have a contact for her, maybe an email address? I want to send her a letter of support. I live in Tallahassee and these bible belt people can be really weird. She needs to know that a lot of us are on her side.
This is deeply sad and upsetting to hear. Theresa is in my prayers and she surely can’t have known god at all, to turn her back on him and set such a example to the others in her care.
God is intimate and real to those that recognise his voice and no one humbled by his awesome sacrifice for us, or touched by the breath of gods spirit, could ever leave him.
Maybe she was following the expectations of others into ministry and had never actually known god at all
Anyone who has had a brush with god as I have, would never turn away
I’m praying hard for you dear girl, and I know god loves you with all of his heart. Enough to lay down his life for you. He is not a dictator. He is a gentleman who comes by invitation only. Clearly he is not welcome into your heart, or he would come.
Blessings and love. Amanda
I have heard people thank God when a hurricane passes us by….even when it may hit another part of the coastline with its people suffering its wrath. Does God play favorites? My team prays for a victory–as does the other team. Tornadoes strike whole towns….certainly not because, as some fundamentalists claim, God is punishing them for their sins. Children die from cancer and other diseases–or from the vileness of men. What sacrifice is God, if he/she/it exists, making for us? Perhaps the thought of a God who will make it “all better” or offer “everlasting life” gives comfort when it’s needed. Otherwise, I see little benefit in depending upon a deity. May we all walk the path that is right for each of us. Better to be truthful than live a lie. You go, Teresa MacBain! Cathy
Did you honestly ask what sacrifice had god made for us? Seriously??!!
We live outside of Eden. We are in a fallen world. Fallen to sin choice we all made. This is not what god intended for us but he warned the wages for sin is death (and imperfection).
He has no favourites. He seeks us all as he loves us all. He promises no more tears in heaven. However he does not force himself on us. He comes by invitation. Free will to chose.
The holy spirit comes to those who seek him like a child. Pappa. Abba father. Not with questions we can’t understand in this lifetime. But as a child. I trust you know better than me father
He is not evil or punishing you. He craves you with every fibre in his heart. It’s your call.
Be blessed Cathy for you were bought at a very high price and your heavenly debt has been paid in full. All sin has been paid for by the blood of the lamb. Thanks be to him who knows all things. Lean not on your own understanding. Be loved.
I support Teresa fully and I hope she gets to read all these words of support. For all the “Christians” who are upset by her decision and condem her for it please realize that you are having very un-Christian like behavior. Teresa is a human being who, at least in this country, is allowed to have her freedoms of speech, religion (even if that means no religion), and pursuit of happiness. I find it unfortunate that people justify their hate in the name of Christianity and that someone like Teresa is persecuted because of her beliefs. She is a good person who has given her life to the service of others. Shouldn’t that be what’s important?
I just read the NPR article. I want to let Teresa know that she is welcome at the Unitarian Universalist church. I live in Houston, and attend First UU Houston. We have a FB page, so she can check us out. We have several athiest members, we have a real choir and wonderful music. I don’t know what UU churches are near Tallahassee, but there’s probably at least one. And please tell her to hang in there. The hype will blow over when there’s another big scandal. It will get better. And this 42 year-old former Episcoplian who considered the priesthood is REALLY proud of her, for what it’s worth.
I can’t see any Christians spreading hate or judging her? She has a right to chose. A god given right. We are praying for her in the name of love. To find gods spirit in a personal way. We care about her as much as to do. God bless you Theresa. You are not alone.
You got much more suporters that you think. I’m one of them
I can understand, I have lived with this for many years, and at 85 years of age here is how I cope. In my mind I think of the laws of nature as the creator. These laws are everlasting and can not be changes. I think of these laws when I speak the word God. With these laws we humans and all else have our being. When I pray in public I use the word God. I do not try to change anyone. They need what they have to survive and I do not try to take it away from them. Thank you for speaking to me.
If i were to allow myself to be sacrificed and die and claim to cleanse all your sins..would anyone worship me? there are a lot of suicidal people out there and they are ready to die, just think of the suicide bombers, so the story of Jesus sacrificing his life doesn’t hold water any more
Theresa…Man seeks purpose. Man seeks understanding of and relief from the pain of the world into which we have evolved. Each of constructs a reality that allows us to find functionality. Those who believe in God have found a Way for themselves. Those who do not find other constructs to distract and comfort themselves. Those who cannot live in a state of psychosis often resulting in harm to themselves or others. We have little control over what happens in our lives, Believe or don’t believe. The ability to know good from bad, right from wrong is innate in humans. Some weren’t born whole and are the ones who make us all vulnerable. Evolved to grasp and understand and propel our own wisdom above all the other animals is a truly a mystery, but doesn’t mean we won’t ultimately destroy ourselves. Science has and will continue to solve many problems, but nature holds the trump card. Be it an ecological disaster of our own making or otherwise, we are animals; we are dinosaurs…our asteroid, too, will come.
Only by your own mental powers will you grow through the acute pain you feel right now. You are severely challenged by your own evolution. You are more than a worthwhile person…you have much to offer others, especially your family. I lost my husband at a young age, you have yours. I have a daughter (23) and you have a wonderful son. I could not find the strength to walk through the only door that allows everlasting relief. Some call that selfish. Ultimately, I could not bring myself to let my daughter down. But even that connection at times is a delicate thread. I don’t need God to fool me every day, I do it for myself and you will, too. Time is the only truly real and reliable thing we cannot deny. And, time truly does march on, and on, and on….