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Unpacking Your Religious Baggage

Unpacking Your Religious Baggage

Last updated on: August 18, 2025 at 7:31 am by John Beckett

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Unpacking Your Religious Baggage 2025-08-18T07:31:59-06:00 John Beckett

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The eleventh online course from Under the Ancient Oaks is now open for registration. Unpacking Your Religious Baggage So You Can Live A Magical Life begins September 4 and registration is now open.

I’ve written a lot about my spiritual journey over the years, especially in posts like Escaping Fundamentalism, Exorcising Fundamentalism: The Steps On My Journey, and more recently Dear Exvangelicals: I’m Rooting For You. I had to learn the hard way that it’s not enough to say “I don’t believe that stuff anymore.” That’s a good first step, but all the stories and songs and sermons I heard as a small child were still buried in my brain – and in my soul. They kept popping up at the worst times.

I had to unpack my religious baggage, understand why these things were still there, and then begin the process of replacing toxic religion with something that spoke to my soul.

A couple years ago I gave a presentation I called “Exorcising Toxic Religion From Your Soul.” It went over very well at Pagan gatherings, but there’s only so much material you can cover in an hour. I realized this needed a much more in-depth approach, in a format that helps people work through their own baggage.

The outcome of all that is this new eight week online class Unpacking Your Religious Baggage So You Can Live A Magical Life. It starts September 4th and I hope you’ll join me.

The Modules

0. Introduction (free)
1. What Makes Toxic Religion Toxic?
2. The Baggage of Belief
3. The Baggage of Sin and Guilt
4. The Baggage of Controlling Relationships
5. Stopping the Bleeding
6. Exploring Alternatives
7. Cutting the Cord
8. Living a Magical Life

Module 7 will include a Cord Cutting Ritual. I’ll provide the script and a video of me doing it, but it’s something you’ll need to do on your own.

There will be a video Q&A after Module 2 and after Module 5.

Class Logistics

As with all UTAO courses, Unpacking Your Religious Baggage will be on-demand. Video classes will be released once a week – do them on your own schedule. I expect most of them will run 40 to 50 minutes.

Module 0 – the syllabus module – is available now. Module 1 will go up September 4, and a new module every week after that for eight weeks.

K.D. Echols has once again graciously agreed to provide written transcripts for those with hearing difficulties, and for those who like to read as well as listen.

Homework

If there’s one thing I learned in my own unpacking process, it’s that you have to do the work. It’s not enough watch a few videos and then go back to what you were doing. You have to think about what you’ve learned, figure out how to apply it to your life, and then begin the process of replacing toxic religion with something good and helpful.

Each module will include short readings, things to contemplate and write about (in your private journal, which you’re encouraged to keep), and then implement in your daily life.

I will show you how to do the work, but you have to do it yourself.

Who should take this class?

Unpacking Your Religious Baggage is for anyone who wants to exorcise toxic religion from their soul.

It’s designed for Pagans and witches, but it can be used by those who want to move onto generic spirituality, or even to the progressive and inclusive forms of Christianity. It will be presented in a Pagan context, but it’s not designed to recruit for Paganism. It’s designed to help you break free from harmful and controlling religion so you can follow the path that calls to you, whatever that may be.

Costs and Registration

Registration is open now. Send me an e-mail or use the contact form on the Under the Ancient Oaks website and tell me you want to sign up. I’ll send you a PayPal invoice. Once you pay it, I’ll register you for the class. Most times this will be done within 24 hours, but if you catch me while I’m occupied it may take longer.

The cost is $99 for the entire course.

This is not therapy

I’m a Druid and a priest – I am not a mental health professional. If you have deep psychological trauma from religious malpractice, I encourage you to find a therapist. Mental health care is beyond my expertise.

What I am is someone who’s walked this spiritual path and come out far better than I went in. I escaped a religion based in fear and control and found this path that is meaningful and helpful and supportive, even if it isn’t always easy.

What I did, you can do too.

Questions?

If you have any questions, contact me here or at any of the usual places.

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