Understanding the Role of the Clergy Project: Misconceptions and Realities of a Support Network for Nonbelieving Clergy

Abstract

This study examines The Clergy Project (TCP), an online support network for current and former religious leaders who no longer hold supernatural beliefs. Through in-depth interviews, surveys, and the analysis of over three hundred participant profiles from more than twenty countries, this research explores the experiences of nonbelieving religious professionals. While existing literature on organized nonbelief (Blankholm 2022; Cragun et al. 2017; LeDrew 2016) acknowledges the diversity of nonreligious organizations, each with its own mission and agenda, little is known about the specific role of The Clergy Project within this broader landscape. In particular, the motivations behind clergy members joining TCP and the organization’s distinct position within the nonreligious sector remain underexplored. This study addresses these gaps. Drawing on grounded theory methodology, the findings reveal that TCP functions not as an anti-religious front but as a supportive community for individuals navigating the complex process of deconversion. Participants exhibit a wide range of identities and perspectives, with nearly half (47%) of respondents avoiding identification with the term “atheist” altogether. This research contributes to ongoing academic debates regarding the nature of secularism, nonbelief, and the intersection of religion and identity, offering a critical perspective on the TCP and its participants.

Keywords

• atheism
• clergy
• the clergy project
• new atheism
• deconversion
• apostasy