Spirituality Matters with Rev Karla

They Fear Your Strength

In this episode, Rev Karla discusses how fear-based theology is used by Christians to manipulate people into staying in church. She responds to bold statements made by John Cooper, Greg Locke and Matt Chandler. You can read more on this topic from Rev Karla in her blog post. Watch the uncut version of this episode on YouTube. 

Additional resources for this episode include: Hilary Engel's tweet, Rev Karla's TikTok response, Skillet’s John Cooper on New Album ‘Dominion’, Skillet, Are other religions and denominations 'heretical'?, Onward, Christian Soldiers lyrics, Jesus Loves Me, This I Know lyrics,  This Little Light of Mine lyrics, Skillet’s John Cooper Explains Why God Let the Pandemic Happen, Captive Elephants: Broken Spirit 

When Leaving Your Faith Feels Like Leaving a Toxic Relationship

In this episode, Rev Karla discusses why the spiritual but not religious movement is growing. She talks about her own journey of leaving organized religion and how sometimes that felt like leaving a bad relationship. The spiritual but not religious are here to stay. You can read more on this topic from Rev Karla in her blog post. Watch the uncut version of this episode on YouTube.

Additional resources include: U.S. nuns face shrinking numbers and tensions with the Vatican, Keeping the sisterhood from extinction: The struggle to save nuns in America, Signs of Decline & Hope Among Key Metrics of Faith, 'Double Crossed' Details Decline of American Nuns. 

The Wisdom of the Ages: Honoring Your Heritage on Your Spiritual Journey

In this episode, Rev Karla discusses the importance of learning and understanding your own heritage. Who we are based on our ancestral lineage and why that is so important. and where is the sacred wisdom in that? You can read more on this topic from Rev Karla in her blog post and watch the uncut version on YouTube.

What If You’re Wrong?

In this episode, Rev Karla discusses different interpretations of end-times theology and the Book of Revelations throughout history. You are invited to consider what it would be like if you are not living with the fear of hell, the rapture and the return of Jesus. Read more on this topic from Rev Karla in her blog post. Watch the uncut version of this episode on YouTube.

Resources for this episode include: The Historical Jesus, The second coming has been 'imminent' for 2,000 years, U.S. Christians’ Views on the Return of Christ, John Nelson Darby.

For the Good Times

In this episode, Rev Karla discusses the grief we can feel after deconstructing from religion and no longer attending church every Sunday. The overwhelming emotions of grief can be a lot to process, but it's important to understand these emotions and give yourself time to feel them. There is sacred wisdom in grief. You can read more on this topic from Rev Karla in her blog post. You can watch the uncut video version of today's episode on YouTube.

Additional resources for this episode include: How Cultures Around the World Honor the Dead, Grief is Not One Emotion, Five Fallacies of Grief,  What Is Normal Grieving?, Bonnie Raitt Lyrics, Ray Price Lyrics

When the Pope’s Words Fail Humanity

In this episode, Rev Karla responds to the pope saying that people who choose to have pets over having children are selfish. She discusses the many reasons why people are choosing not to have children and how this isn't the first time the church has used insults to guilt people into behaving how they want. You can read more on this topic from Rev Karla in her blog post. 

More resources for this episode include: World's richest people now own 11% of global wealth, These two charts show how much minimum wage workers have fallen behind, Minimum wage would be $26 an hour if it had grown in line with productivity, Tesla cuts pay and furloughs workers, Why truck driver salaries have fallen as much as 50% since the 1970's, Elon Must laments the declining birth rate, Growing share of childless adults in U.S. don't expect to ever have children, World Inequality Report, Confidence in Pope Francis down sharply in U.S., Americans continue to have favorable views of Pope Francis,  U.S. church membership falls below majority for first time, Pope Francis expresses sorrow but no apology for indigenous school deaths in Canada, Canadian Catholic bishops apologize for residential schools, Survivors braced as search begins at Canada's oldest residential school, Why it's difficult to put a number on how many children died at residential schools, TIME's 100 most influential people of 2021, World's 30 most powerful men, Vatican statistics show continued growth in number of Catholics worldwide, In U.S., decline of Christianity continues at rapid pace, Pope Francis put a woman in a top Vatican role, Seven quotes that make Pope Francis complicated for LGBTQ people, Pope Francis says priests cannot bless same-sex unions, How the 21st century economy convinced millennial women that having kids isn't worth it

Thank You For Rejecting Me

In this episode, Rev Karla discusses one of the most misunderstood emotions: rejection. She talks about how we can begin to understand why people bully and make people feel rejected. Rev Karla also shares parts of her deconstruction journey and dealing with rejection. You can read more about rejection from Rev Karla in her blog post. Watch the uncut version of this episode on YouTube. Sign up for email alerts from Rev Karla to be the first to hear about upcoming resources. 

If There is a God, Why is There Suffering?

In this episode, Rev Karla discusses the story of Job and suffering in the Bible. The reason for suffering is complicated and never absolute. There may not be answers to this question, but join Rev Karla in the conversation. You can read more on this topic in her blog post and watch the uncut version of this episode on YouTube. 

Leaving Church is Not Enough

In this episode, Rev Karla discusses how rejecting your faith is different than deconstructing from it. She talks about the many ways she has seen and experienced religious trauma and spiritual manipulation during her own deconstructing journey. Many times, recognizing the trauma is the first step to beginning your deconstructing journey, but it looks different for everyone. You can read more on this topic in Rev Karla's blog post. You can also watch the uncut video version of this episode on YouTube.

What Scars Teach Us

In this episode, Rev Karla talks about how to deal with loss and suffering through a Christian lens versus a Buddhist lens. She also discusses the first steps to deconstructing from your religious heritage and the importance of learning to heal rather than just mend your wounds. You can read more from Rev Karla on this topic in her blog post.