Since leaving the ministry, the church, and faith some years ago, I have spoken with a number of clergy and others who no longer believe traditional Christian teachings. These are good, thoughtful people who sometimes express to me what they may not safely express to their congregations, communities or even family members. I don’t fault them for not publicly speaking their most hidden thoughts and beliefs. I only wish to encourage them to “come out” at some point, even gradually, for their own health and the health of the community.
This quote from Robert Green Ingersoll, who was raised by an abolitionist minister, describes some of my feelings about freethought and the role I might play from time to time for those who can’t easily speak out.
from “Liberty of Man, Woman and Child”
Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-1899)
“I have made up my mind to say my say. I shall do it kindly, distinctly; but I am going to do it. I know there are thousands of men who substantially agree with me, but who are not in a condition to express their thoughts. They are poor; they are in business; and they know that should they tell their honest thought, persons will refuse to patronize them—to trade with them; they wish to get bread for their little children; they wish to take care of their wives; they wish to have homes and the comforts of life. Every such person is a certificate of the meanness of the community in which he resides. And yet I do not blame these people for not expressing their thought. I say to them: “Keep your ideas to yourselves; feed and clothe the ones you love; I will do your talking for you. The church can not touch, can not crush, can not starve, can not stop or stay me; I will express your thoughts.”
Friendly Freethinker 
Hello Chris. What a timely quote as many religious people now are being terrorized by all of the MAGA supporters in their church if they have any left leaning tendences or voting history. We often think of the churches in the democracies around the world as being very accepting of all who are “heavy laden” but if you are some form of an apostate or an emerging non-believer, or just a open questioner of the faith or Bible, watch out.
Fortunately for me when I left the church I was surrounding by other PhD students in the Clinical Psych track at Fuller Theological Seminary that were also struggling with their former church teachings and how as a child they had been brainwashed. As a result I did not suffer like many other to the degree except when talking to my parents. They both fell apart in very different ways. But having a career as a psychologist in a secular-scientific context allowed me to move on and make a good living probably better than a number of my minister friends.
But that does not always happen according to the Clergy Project panels I have seen. It is much worse in Islam, it could cost you your life. And I say to you all, love your Father in Heaven and your neighbor as oneself. Unless they leave your church….such hypocrisy. I have never had this experience as a humanist learning of a friend or member of our group deciding to return to religion. It is one’s choice, and no eternal consequences. Great Ingersoll quote as he made his way as a free thinker and spoke to congregations all over North America for the many doubters, skeptics who had to remain in the church and quietly question. Any belief that can not be openly questioned is too fragile for validity.
An honest trajectory, Marty. Your last sentence is a key. Thanks!