Questioning faith takes courage.
Leaving your religion can be shattering.

DaretoDoubt.org is a resource site for people detaching from belief systems they come to find harmful. If you’ve ever felt trapped by the dictates of a high-demand group or an expression of religion that no longer felt true; or you find yourself feeling lonely and abandoned after a loss of faith, Dare to Doubt aims to connect you with mental health professionals, aid organizations, and peer support groups who can help. It has become my deepest joy and my life’s work to support other doubting and former believers by sharing practical resources and inspiring stories.

My own journey out of evangelical Christianity is what inspired me to start Dare to Doubt. When I could no longer sustain the beliefs I’d grown up with, I experienced a devastating psychological breakdown. I would later know this breakdown had a name: Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS). Religious Trauma Syndrome, coined by psychologist Dr. Marlene Winell, might sound made-up to those who have never experienced an authoritarian indoctrination. For those of us who have, and for those of us who left the communities and belief systems that once guided and shaped us, learning about this condition closely resembling Complex PTSD and other disorders can be life-saving. It was for me.

It is now my privilege to help others piecing their lives back together after a crisis or loss of faith. Whether you’re a doubting Christian terrified of hell, an ex-Muslim seeking safety from the dangers of apostasy, or an ultra-Orthodox Jew fleeing an arranged marriage, there are people who understand and want to offer support. Find a secular therapist you can trust. Locate an LGBTQ-affirming shelter near you. Learn how to recognize when a group has become a cult. Or, simply find catharsis in books by others who dared to doubt. Maybe you’re just beginning to question. Maybe you’ve been out of your belief system for years. Whatever stage of doubt, crisis, or recovery you’re at, know this: You are not alone.