Hi Folx!

Hi folx!

I put out a call for participants in Spring 2022 for a research study on the experiences of ex-evangelicals, ex-fundamentalists, and ex-charismatic Christians. I wanted to update you on the progress of this research and provide a little info about where my analysis has led so far.

First, I want to thank those of you, from the bottom of my heart, who participated in this study, vulnerably shared your story, and contributed to a beautiful tapestry of narratives of autonomy, self-discovery, and empowerment. I was overwhelmed in the best way with the outpouring of responses, and I ended up interviewing 31 individuals with similar religious backgrounds. Far more of you wanted to be interviewed than I was able to schedule, and for that I am infinitely grateful.

My original intention with this project was to synthesize the narratives all of you shared into a study exploring the ways ex-Christians navigate the development of the self, and to have the analysis completed towards the completion of my master’s degree in May 2023. My writing and analysis for that paper is about 60% complete. During the time of interviewing and analysis, several complications arose in my own journey of self-discovery related to my own religious exit, that made continued engagement with the data difficult from a trauma perspective. I unfortunately had to put the project on hiatus during this summer, and I pursued a related but different project towards graduation this fall. That “pivot” project was an analytical literature review of existing studies that narrate mental health patterns during the process of religious exit for those leaving their religion. I graduated with my master’s this past Saturday. I would be happy to DM the PDF of that paper to anyone who would like to read it. The Appendix of the paper explains more about my decision to pivot to a different project for graduation, and the impact that this research has had on me as a researcher.

However, the project many of you contributed to is not over. I am committed to getting your stories out to the world, both to an academic audience and the general populace. To that end, I will be continuing the analysis as an independent researcher beginning in the new year, with the goal of having a complete draft to you by end of Summer 2024. During this process, if you would like, I would be more than happy to incorporate any new information you would like to share about your experience and work with one or more of you as beta readers or co-researchers (and thereby include you as a co-author on the paper if it successfully moves towards academic publication). For those I’ve already interviewed, I would also be happy to share your specific interview transcript if you would like to reflect back on the specific knowledge you contributed to the project.

I greatly appreciate your grace and patience with the writing, the analysis, and with me as a researcher-human living a journey alongside yours.

If you would like to assist with the project in any way (beta reading, ideas for analytical direction, contributing additional information or developments in your journey from the past year, being interviewed if you were not during the initial ask), I would be honored to work with you in that capacity. You are more than welcome to DM me with any questions, concerns, comments, or requests.

Thank you so much for existing as your whole self!

-Fio

sooo um hi! I’m a graduate researcher and wondering if folks would be interested in my study! 👉🏻👈🏻

Are you an ex-fundamentalist, ex-evangelical, or ex-charismatic Christian? Me too, and I’m looking for people like us to participate in an academic research study (IRBNet NO: 1873336) on identity development among ex-Christians. If you want to participate, please fill out the screener survey listed on the flyer (bit.ly/aposidscreener). And please share with anyone you know who might be interested! Please message me or email me at fio . haire @ mnsu . edu for more information.

Thanks!

Fio Haire (they/he), master’s student at Minnesota State University, Mankato

Primary Investigator: Dr. Aaron Hoy (he/him), Assistant Professor of Sociology at Minnesota State University, Mankato