In this episode, Reverend Brandan Robertson joins Sunday School Dropouts for a deeply honest conversation about growing up queer in the church, surviving purity culture, and finding a faith that no longer requires self-erasure. Brandan shares his journey from a fundamentalist Baptist background through Moody Bible Institute, including repeated discipline for asking hard questions and his experience with conversion therapy, and how those moments ultimately pushed him toward a more expansive and life-giving theology.

Together, we talk about the so-called “clobber passages,” why they’ve been misused to police LGBTQ+ people, how purity culture damages everyone it touches, and what it means to experience a kind of second adolescence after leaving religious shame behind. Brandan also reflects on digital ministry, TikTok theology, and the real hope he sees in inclusive faith communities that are thriving even in unlikely places.

Share your purity culture stories with us by leaving a voicemail or sending your story to us!

This podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery

The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.

The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups.

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Hosts:

Laura Anderson and Andrew Kerbs

Music by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji