The Divorcing Religion Podcast · Janice Selbie

Timmy Joe Gibson - Former Tongue Talkin, Holy Rollin, Bible Thumper

·59 min·5 clips

A former pastor reveals how 48 years in evangelical Christianity felt like living in a delusional Truman Show.

Host Janice Selbie introduces Timmy Gibson as a former tongue-talking, Holy Ghost-rolling pastor recommended by Seth Andrews. Gibson recounts his 48-year immersion in fundamental evangelical Christianity, which he now sees as a delusion, comparing his escape to Truman leaving the Truman Show. He details his religious upbringing, attending Bible college, and getting kicked out for drinking half a wine cooler. Gibson pastored for decades, starting his own church that grew to 300 people, while secretly struggling with cognitive dissonance over biblical literalism versus scientific facts like the age of the earth. Reading 'Sapiens' by Yuval Noah Harari helped him recognize his beliefs as cult-like, leading him to identify as an atheist. His deconstruction caused his church to shrink, and he eventually shut it down, transitioning to a wedding officiant business in Kansas City. Gibson discusses the personal losses, including friendships, but maintains some Christian relationships by avoiding religious topics. He reconnected with Seth Andrews, who had also deconstructed, and now runs a YouTube channel and Facebook group called Timmy's Deconstruction Community. The conversation touches on religious trauma, with Selbie noting clients' issues like fear of hell and purity culture. Gibson shares his views on death as a non-believer, referencing resources like The Mortal Atheist website. Selbie promotes her book 'Divorcing Religion' and resources for talking to kids about death and sex. The episode ends with Gibson inviting listeners to his online communities.

As heard by us

A former pastor traces how leaving evangelical certainty changed his faith and his sense of self.

Timmy Gibson describes a long break with the evangelical certainty he spent 30 years teaching. He moves from Bible college and the pulpit to therapy, deconstruction, and a view of Christianity as a made-up story, and Janice Selby lets that arc unfold without crowding it.

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Why you'd press play

You want a former evangelical pastor's deconstruction story with therapy, tattoos, and a lot of unlearning.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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