The Life After Leaving Podcast: An Ex-Christadelphian Podcast

In today’s episode, Keturah and Bec return to the podcast for our GAYEST episode yet to discuss and challenge how Christadelphians justify bigotry against LGBTQ people. As queer ex-Christadelphians ourselves, we share our stories and re-examine the bible verses that featured prominently during our lives in lectures given by the “Brothers” who claimed that they knew that God hates gay people. One by one, we revisit the problematic verses they used, offer outside perspectives to the standard Christadelphian views, and challenge Christadelphians to preach the true meaning of the “clobber verses” instead of using them to attack queer people. We also offer rebuttals to a particular brother who is spreading his message of hate internationally online with the support of the Christadelphian community. But it may surprise him to discover the kind of person that God considers a “Sodomite”... In this episode, we (literally) pull out a Bible and amplify the voices of queer people raised and harmed by the Christadelphian community’s rampant bigotry against queer people. So please join us for some laughs as queer women tell you the side of the story that Christadelphian “Brothers” never wanted you to know about…

 

*Please note, I sought to be as inclusive as possible for this episode. Unfortunately the gay man who agreed to join us was unable to record with us and no transgender ex-CDs offered to join us for this episode. 

 

TW: This episode mentions suicidal ideation and suicide 

 

Listener discretion advised.

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

 

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

 

Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here

 

References:

 

The Life After Leaving Podcast: Biblical Studies 101 (Episode 31)

 

Gay Christadelphians website

 

Gay Christadelphians on the “Anti-LGBTQ’ bible verses

 

Press On Journal: Gay Christadelphians (Transcript) 

 

Press On Journal: Love without Fine Print 

 

Christadelphian View on Homosexuality “God's Word Condemns Homosexuality” (Youtube) 

And Part Two

 

"1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture." Movie Website

 

1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture (Wiki)

 

The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships

 

LGBTQ-Affirming Scripture

 

Christadelphian FB Post

 

Romans and Sexuality Video

 

Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist’s Wife by Irene Spencer

 

Comfort Women

 

Mattiemaemotl 

 

Jbrix_art  

Jbrix on Deuteronomy 22

Jbrix on Romans 1

Jbrix on 1 Corinthians 6:9

Jbrix on 1 Corinthians 6:9 (2)

Jbrix on 1 Corinthians 6:9 (3)

 

Gay Animals

 

Gay Animals Facts

 

Gay Birds

 

Clobber Verses:

Genesis 19

Leviticus 18 and 20

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

1 Timothy 1:10

Romans 1

In today’s episode, Chloe joins me as we examine the Christadelphian doctrine of the Kingdom of God on Earth! We start by reviewing the different phases of this apocalyptic doctrine and discussing what it was like to be raised as children to believe that we were in the “end times” where our parents might be taken away by angels at any moment. We also explore what makes the “kingdom” doctrine so unique, what it would be like to visit Ezekiel’s Temple, and what kind of people are going to be in “The Millennium” after the first Judgment day. We also discuss the negative aspects or gaps in logic, and even things we never thought about but one Christadelphian author certainly did! 

This episode will be our most philosophical so far as we ask… will free will exist in the kingdom? If we are going to be changed, then what does it mean to be human? What would life be like as an immortal who is “like the angels”? And can I resurrect my dog to spend eternity with me? Naturally, we discuss other supernatural creatures like werewolves, shapeshifters, and vampires as we try to fathom this supernatural world under Christ’s rule. We also ask the questions we never dared ask aloud at Bible School. Why doesn’t the bible have compelling descriptive chapters or even entire books about the kingdom? Why should we want to be non-human creatures subject to eternal servitude? And is this whole plan of global control by Christ just an authoritarian nightmare? 

 

Please join us for this second episode in a two-part series exploring the Christadelphian belief in the “Kingdom of God” and the end times! 

 

Listener discretion advised.

 

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

 

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

 

Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here

References:

 

Chloe’s Substack

 

Heretic Ecclesia Podcast

 

Peter Pan 2: Return to Never Land

 

The Christadelphians (wiki)

 

The Millennial Harbinger 1837

 

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

 

Peter Pettigrew in Harry Potter

 

Maple Syrup Adapting to Climate Change 

 

Apple growing face increasing climate risks

 

Hunger Games 

 

Climate Change and Coffee

 

Climate Change and Bananas

 

We Only Use 10% of Our Brains Myth

 

The Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy by Henry Sulley (Full Book)

 

The Kingdom of God on Earth by Stephen Hughes (Full Book)

 

Ezekiel's Temple visualized by Christadelphians

 

The Kingdom of God (booklet)

 

Armageddon- should we be afraid? “Real Answers, Real Hope”

 

The Way of Life, Chapter 45 “The Kingdom of God”

 

Heaven is a place for sociopaths (YouTube)

 

Biblically Accurate Angels

 

Biblically Accurate Angels (2)

Today we’re chatting with Steve to explore what the Bible actually says about the future “Kingdom of God”! Join us for heathen “Sunday School” as we explore the evolution of some of the ideas in the Bible that are necessary to believe in an eternal “future kingdom” including- the messiah, the resurrection, and the idea of a kingdom itself. In this episode, we also look to answer whether the Christadelphians assertion that the “kingdom of God” doctrine was present throughout the Bible is true and we examine the places where this doctrine conspicuously seems to be missing. Steves shares cultural and historical context throughout the episode to understand why the monarchy was not re-established in Israel, where some of these beliefs actually originated, and what the evolution of these ideas tells us about what people believed during different time periods. Steve also shares the story behind Christadelphians bizarre obsession with a biblically inaccurate portrayal of Ezekiel’s Temple and explains John Thomas’ Bible Math “rules” which Thomas inconsistently used for interpreting the book of Revelation. We also laugh about Samuel and his nepo babies, sweaty Jesus, and discuss *even more* failed prophecies. 

 

Please join us for this first episode in a two-part series exploring the Christadelphian belief in the “Kingdom of God” and the end times! 

 

TW: There is one reference to a Christadelphian who is excited to act out violence against queer people during “the end times”.

Listener discretion advised.

 

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

Want to join our community? Find ex-Christadelphians on Facebook here

References:

 

Life After Leaving Podcast: Episodes 16, 21, and 31

 

The Temple of Ezekiel's Prophecy by Henry Sulley (Full Book)

 

Eureka by John Thomas (Wiki)

 

Eureka by John Thomas, Vol 1 (Full PDF)

 

Youtube series on Ezekiel's Temple:

An Accurate visual of Ezekiel's Temple Ch 40

 

An Accurate Visual of Ezekiel’s Temple, Ch 41

 

An Accurate Visual of Ezekiel’s Temple, Ch 42 & 43

 

Hymnary.com Who is this come from Edom?

 

The Kingdom of God on Earth by Stephen Hughes (Full Book)

Today we’re chatting with Andy! In today’s episode, Andy shares his experience of growing up as a Christadelphian in the UK. Ever since he was a young boy performing in Sunday School, Andy was uncomfortable in the spotlight. He shares his memories of anxiety around traditional Christadelphian expectations for men including being baptized in front of large crowds and being asked to do the readings from the platform. Andy also speaks up about what it felt like to grow up in the Christadelphian community as a child experiencing sexual abuse. He shares his thoughts about how being in a community that doesn’t value sexual education or personal autonomy made it harder to ask for help and how their belief that sex before marriage is a sin perpetuates further harm against child sexual abuse survivors by creating feelings of shame. We also talk about authoritarian parenting, post-baptism lows, and motorcycle gangs! Please join us for yet another episode of fellowship among the heathens!  

 

TW: Child sexual abuse

Listener discretion advised.

 

If you’re interested in coming on the podcast or have comments or questions, you can contact Zinnia at [email protected]

 

Follow us on Instagram⁠ or ⁠Facebook⁠!

 

Resources:

Proposed law in Japan  “Other acts that will constitute neglect include… blocking their interaction with friends due to a difference in religious beliefs and thereby undermining their social skills.”

 

Christmas apocalypse has been cancelled, says Ghana 'prophet', buys Mercedes with donations Dec 2025

 

Déjà rêvé

Today we’re finishing our investigation of the medical qualifications of “Doctor” John Thomas, the founder of the Christadelphians. In this history episode, we’ll follow John Thomas’ career during his time in the United States from the 1830’s into the 1850’s. We once again debunk persistent myths that have been repeated by Christadelphians for generations. Instead of accepting these myths, we critically examine them and speculate on the real reasons behind Thomas’ career choices. We also question John Thomas’ motives for his marriage, his reasons for moving frequently, and the credibility of the school that issued his M.D. degree in 1848. Zinnia also shares numerous new historical resources to do a deep dive into claims of extortion against John Thomas by the Richmond Campbellites and into the strange and questionable school, the “Scientific and Eclectic Institute” of Petersburg, Virginia, where John Thomas claimed to have earned his degree. Throughout this episode, we also reflect on what these stories indicate about John Thomas’ personality, his motivations, and why his persistent claim to have “the truth” isn’t actually something for Christadelphians to be proud of.

Please join us for another exciting history episode as John Thomas’ lies and criminal activity get exposed by Zinnia, a harbinger of destruction. 

Listener discretion advised

Resources and References:

Thank you to the ex-Christadelphians for sharing information about these Lancet articles!

⁠The Lancet 1829-1830 ⁠ 

See: Oct 10, 1829; Jan 16, 1830; Jan 30th, 1830

⁠John Thomas: His Friend and His Faith” ⁠

⁠Dr. Thomas: His Life & Work ⁠

⁠Monty Python and the Holy Grail ⁠

⁠Professor James Staughton⁠

⁠The Millennial Harbinger, 1835⁠

⁠“The New England Botanic Medical and Surgical Journal” Vol 2, No 8, Page 122, April 16, 1848⁠

⁠Population of Cincinnati in 1830 and 1840⁠

⁠Physicians in Ohio 1819-1850⁠ (used 1831 Directory)

⁠University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine⁠

⁠Population of Cincinnati⁠ (1830: 24,831)

⁠Cincinnati population in the 1800s⁠

America’s current population (2025): 333.3 million

Current number of American physicians (2025): 1,044,734

⁠Population of Philadelphia 1830 ⁠

⁠Desilver’s Philadelphia Directory (1831)⁠

⁠Doctors in Philadelphia ⁠

⁠The Millennial Harbinger (Feb 1835)⁠

⁠Demon Of Unrest by Erik Larson⁠

⁠James H Hammond⁠

Philadelphia & Virginia

⁠The Millennial Harbinger, 1834 ⁠

“A Review of the Defence of Dr. John Thomas" (Email ⁠[email protected]⁠ for a digital copy)

⁠The Apostalic Advocate, May 1837⁠ pg 18-19

Dr. Thomas: His Family and the Background of His Times’ by Charles Blore

⁠Inflation Calculator⁠

⁠Payment of Doctors⁠

⁠Doctor Fee Bills⁠

⁠Millennial Harbinger, Feb 1838 ⁠

⁠Take Back Your Life by Janja Lalich and Madeline Tobias⁠

⁠John Thomas M.D. Newspaper⁠

The Christadelphian Magazine, April 1886

⁠A Muppet Christmas Carol⁠

LAL Podcast: S1 Ep 6: Christadelphian True Crime 

⁠Rush Medical College⁠

The Christadelphian Magazine, April 1886 “Dr. Thomas’s Professional Status”

⁠Formation of the AMA⁠

⁠Incorporation of the S&E College March 1st 1847⁠ 

⁠1847 “J Thomas M.D.” ⁠

⁠1846 Oct Classes⁠

⁠The New England Botanic and Medical Journal, 1848⁠ “Biography of John Thomas M.D.”

⁠Nov 1847 “Virginia Institute" ⁠

⁠Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati⁠

⁠Philadelphia Diploma Mill ⁠

 ⁠Degree Mills by Allen Ezell and John Bea⁠r

⁠Dr. John Buchanan⁠

⁠The Rise and Fall of Dr John Buchanan⁠

⁠Alexander Campbell on the S&E School⁠

⁠Worcester, MA school⁠

⁠S&E College to Send Diplomas to MA⁠

⁠The History of Medicine by Alexander Wilder⁠

⁠Eclectic Medical Journal 1844-1848⁠

⁠Eclectic Medical Journal 1849-1850⁠

⁠August 1848 Ad⁠

⁠THOMSONIANISM IN VIRGINIA by JAMES O. BREEDEN ⁠

*email ⁠[email protected]⁠

⁠“Medical Training in the United States Prior to the Civil War”⁠

⁠Harbinger, 1853 “Dr of Opinions”⁠

⁠Harbinger 1854 “not D.D. or M.D.”⁠

⁠Impeachment & John Thomas’ Farewell⁠

⁠Eclectic Schools⁠ 

⁠Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati ⁠

⁠The Early Development of Medical Licensing Laws in the US ⁠

⁠Herald 1851, p 279⁠