It was Drew Marshall that introduced me to Bart Campolo. His first interview on the Drew Marshall show was ten years ago. It was four years ago when I picked up Bart's book that he wrote with his dad. (see first book blog post on "Why I left, Why I stayed"). I then found his podcast "Humanize Me". It wasn't long until I joined up to support him and then had access to a wealth of information and content, including ten hours of conversations Bart had with his dad that led to the documentary "Leaving my Father's Faith" .
I was still hanging on to Jesus as a somewhat real entity in my life when all this exposure to Bart happened. I can't say that Bart's podcast or story influenced me away from Christianity, but as I floated farther and farther away from the security of those beliefs, Bart offered a life preserver for me. For that I am grateful. Life could continue to have meaning for me. I just had to make meaning myself instead of finding it in an external source.
I reread Bart's book in summer of 2022. (see post here). This time I was on a three day camping trip in the bush and without access to electronics. I discovered so much more peace in the story and a greater connection to Bart's story that I did the first time around.
Here are some podcast interviews that Bart had that I found inspirational and enlightening.
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I still don't feel comfortable with the "Humanist" label for myself. It still seems limiting. I am still looking for a positive identity for me that includes more than just my humanity, even though it is a very important part of the picture. I want to be seen not just for my humanity, but for how I fit in to the bigger picture of the world and cosmos around me. Maybe one day I will find a better label than agnostic atheist... I'm still waiting.
I also want to give a shout out to the Humanize Me Facebook group. It is Bart who understood and emphasized the importance of community after Christianity. I really am part of a bigger whole. I really am ... "not alone".
Here is one of my favourite interviews that Bart has on "Humanize Me"... with his friend Peter Rollins. I will be highlighting Pete and his Pyrotheology tomorrow.
Humanize me: Bart interviews Peter Rollins
