Shadle
From Religion to Reason: My Journey
By Carolyn Shadle
FROM RELIGION TO REASON: MY JOURNEY is a thought-provoking memoir that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, belief, and identity. In this narrative, the author reflects on her personal path from a deeply rooted Fundamentalist Protestant upbringing to her eventual transition to non-theism.
SYNOPSIS
From Religion to Reason: My Journey is a captivating tale of Carolyn Shadle's religious journey, a memoir transcending personal experiences to touch upon universal themes of self-discovery and identity formation.
A Childhood Faith As a Fundamentalist Protestant
The memoir delves into Shadle’s childhood faith as a Fundamentalist Protestant, providing a poignant glimpse into her early beliefs and convictions, rooted in Sunday School, Billy Graham, and a Presbyterian College.
Subsequently, it chronicles her educational journey at the progressive Union Theological Seminary in New York City, a pivotal period that lays the foundation for her evolving beliefs.
Self Exploration and Questioning
As an adult, Shadle grapples with her faith, shares her reading of useful writers who have explored their own doubts. She embarks on a journey of self-exploration and questioning. She eventually takes the brave step of rejecting her childhood faith. In the process she shares her commitment, her doubts, and her awakening and the decisions the made along the way. Throughout, the narrative is skillfully interwoven with the societal events of the time, offering readers a broader context to understand the author’s choices and challenges.
An Inspiration for Readers
The memoir serves as an inspiration for readers to reflect on their own quest for meaning and understanding, urging them to revisit their own paths of self-discovery, offering insights into the conscious and unconscious decisions made along the course of life.
Gain a Deeper Understanding of Your Own Life’s Journey
In this powerful and introspective memoir, readers will find themselves resonating with Shadle’s struggles and triumphs, and they may gain a deeper understanding of their own life journey. From Religion to Reason is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of faith, identity, and the complexities of decision-making, sure to leave a lasting impact on its readers.
ABOUT CAROLYN SHADLE
Carolyn Shadle is an experienced writer and trainer in interpersonal communication. She studied at the University of Geneva, Switzerland and earned a bachelor’s in history from The College of Wooster in Ohio. She obtained a master’s in religious education from Union Theological Seminar in New York City and a Ph.D. in interpersonal communication from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has completed the Leadership Denver, Leadership San Jose, and Leadership Long Beach programs.
Doubts About Her Religious Faith and a New Direction​
Carolyn’s dream job was to serve as a Director of Religious Education which she did following her theological training at a Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, New York. As life progressed Carolyn grappled with her fundamentalist Christian faith. Her doubts about her religious faith led her to leave her plan of work in the church.
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Carolyn worked for more than two decades in higher education, where her service was recognized by the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education for exemplary service in the field.
A Passion For Civic Service​
Alongside her professional pursuits, Carolyn has been actively engaged in the civic activities. She served as president of Housewives to End Pollution, vice president of her local political club,facilitator for Great Decisions, chair of Concerned Seniors Making a difference, and helping others through improved communication.
REVIEWS
“It’s not unusual for a believer to cherish the goodness in Religion, while reasoning with our mind that we don’t need the promise of heaven or the threat of hell to compel us to do good. Dr. Shadle takes us on an inspiring journey unpacking the myth of God while celebrating the capacity to serve others.”
WM RAFF, AUTHOR OF GO AND PREACH NO MORE
“If you love truth and seek justice, this is the book for you. Carolyn Shadle’s amazing journey on the enlightened road from Damascus shows how one “church lady” has finally embraced a life of real meaning, love, joy and reason as well as integrity within the natural world., the only world that matters.”
​DAN BARKER, AUTHOR OF LIFE DRIVEN PURPOSE AND CO-PRESIDENT OF THE FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION
"Seasoned by grace and kindness, this memoir looks back on a purposeful life, lived energetically in the midst of many societal and cultural changes. Some of the most profound transitions – indeed, radical shifts! – also occurred internally, in the author’s perceptions of faith, meaning, and personal identity. She was brave in every new circumstance, and always empathetic towards others and generous in her outlook. Every reader will learn a lot, not just about her, but about the past century, and most of all, about themselves. The writing is spiced with many delightful anecdotes and vignettes. This book deserves a wide reading!"
DR. NICK OVERDUIN, PHD THE VOICE FROM THE CLOUD: A FRESH LOOK AT THE GOSPEL OF MARK
PUBLICATIONS
Communications Case Studies
by Dr. Carolyn C. Shadle
Communications Case Studies: Building Interpersonal Skills in the Veterinary Practice This book deals with common communication challenges that arise among all veterinary practice team members. It contains a communication skills overview, guidelines, questions for discussion and quizzes to test understanding.
Available on
Building Communications Skills: An Experience in Effective Communication
by Dr. Carolyn C. Shadle
Six communication skills give players new ways of listeninig, communicating and affirming others. The six essential skills are: reflective listening. ownership of the problem, "I" statements, problem solving, stroking, changing the environment. After introducing the skills, students can draw cards and use the situations described on the cards to practice their communication skills. Use the response cards in the game context, for discussion, or for writing topics.
Available on
The Changing Outplacement Process: New Methods and Opportunities for Transition
By John L. Meyer and Carolyn Shadle
With downsizing, layoffs, and other retrenchment measures afflicting both public and private sectors, outplacement consulting has grown from a minor specialty among human resources firms and practitioners into an important industry. Meyer and Shadle explore changes that have occurred in the outplacement process--as well as its practice--to provide a clearer understanding of what it is and what it offers organizations and their employees.
Available on
Justice or “Just Deserts”
by Dr. Carolyn C. Shadle
A four-session adult study of the Restorative Justice Approach, a system of bringing together, when possible, victims, perpetrators of the crime, and representatives of the community in an attempt to create solutions that are agreeable, reparable, constructive to all parties.
Available on
CONTACT
Carolyn Shadle welcomes responses from her readers.
Email Carolyn at cshadleauthor@gmail.com or complete the message form below.