Excerpt from the book Copyright © 2025 by Karl Forehand
Are We Addicted to Religion?
“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.” – Eugene Ionesco
As a young adult, I developed an interest in skydiving. Determined to confront my fears, I signed up for lessons and took several solo skydiving jumps. The club offered various experiences, but I could enroll in the full skydiving curriculum and gradually learn more about the sport with what I had left on my new credit card. More than any other activity, I found it an exhilarating and adrenaline-pumping experience.
Several former military personnel and professional skydivers shared the drop zone with us novices. One day, I stood on the ground watching their descents. The more experienced jumpers skillfully maneuvered their parachutes into spirals as they neared the ground. At the last moment, they adjusted to gliding into the wind for a soft landing. Immediately, they rushed to repack their chutes, eager to board the next flight and relive the exhilarating experience. They were hooked on it!
This was my first experience with someone struggling with an addiction that wasn’t connected to alcohol or drugs. I had witnessed individuals desperately searching for a cigarette right after class to calm their nerves and ease withdrawal symptoms. At that time, I was also using smokeless tobacco, so I understood the nature of cravings. Reflecting on my experiences during the deconstruction process, I recognized instances when I was attracted to certain activities, such as my brief fascination with skydiving, video games, hunting, and religion.
From a young age, I learned about the dangers of addiction, though not in depth. Karl Marx stated, “Religion is the opium of the masses.” He argued that religion alleviates immediate suffering and creates comforting illusions, functioning somewhat like a narcotic. It was fascinating to observe this form of addiction after examining Christianity from a broader perspective.
When we ask people why they go to church, they often find it challenging to explain their reasons. Upon honest reflection, they frequently realize that their attendance stems from a sense of obligation or the comforting escape it provides from their current struggles. Religion’s relief is temporary; otherwise, people wouldn’t keep returning for a “fix.” It creates a regulating, but not a healing, effect.
Of course, it feels good! It’s meant to. Over time, it has been refined to deliver the maximum effect. The cadence of the sermon, the key changes in the music, and the comfortable atmosphere are all meticulously planned and orchestrated for maximum impact. Even in church, they discuss the feelings they experience, which fade by Monday. Much like drug users, church members often begin to “pre-use” during the week until they return to feel that sensation once again. Those who struggle with other addictions frequently shift their dependencies, with religion being the most common substitute.
Like other addictions, the relief and purpose provided by drugs are temporary, leading to repeated use. Likewise, the more we experience the sensations associated with religion, the more frequently we seek them out again. This is why religious leaders organize conferences and retreats to satisfy their congregations. If the church is a sanctuary, I wonder why we would need to retreat from it unless it reflects other forms of addiction, where one constantly craves more. In a broader sense, some individuals renew their addiction by changing churches. Meanwhile, those with limited choices realize that the excitement has diminished, continuing to mourn that it wasn’t like it used to be.
Someone encouraged us to take a year off around the time we left church, and we also recommend this to others. Once the habit and allure of the dopamine rush from church services fade, people often realize that their desire to attend these services resembles more of an addiction than a genuine connection with God or the Spirit of God. It becomes a religious version of “If it feels good, do it!” Yet, they continue to participate.
I’m currently losing weight and overcoming my late-night sugar addiction. While I enjoy eating sugar, which provides a fleeting sense of pleasure, it’s not the best fuel for my body. Breaking this habit is challenging, and indulging in a no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookie feels heavenly, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for me. Just because attending church feels fulfilling and creates the illusion of something magical doesn’t imply it’s necessarily the best for us spiritually. It’s entirely possible that we’ve become dependent on it.
Questions About Questions
What belief(s) did you inherit concerning this question?
How is your response to this question changing?
Learn to be Where You Are (Presence)
Learn to be Who You Are (Authenticity)
Finding Regulating and Somatic Healing
Are you genuinely committed to deconstruction and seeking more profound answers?
If that’s the case, this book was created for you. As a former pastor, I made the mistake of deconstructing a bit and then trying to start something new, as I was trained to do. The problem with that approach is that I wasn’t ready to begin something new.
I hadn’t delved deeply enough or asked enough questions. The first stage of deconstruction typically includes assessing our beliefs regarding hell and the afterlife, supporting queer individuals and women in their fight for equality, and achieving a better understanding of racism and privilege.
Many people in deconstruction communities expend significant effort criticizing Evangelicals and attempting to gain a following. While I believe they deserve intense criticism, this strategy fails to effectively tackle the problem because they generally don’t listen to us!
Our tendency to punish our former organizations sometimes overlooks the challenging process of healing and growth. It is the same trap we fell into in our former associations.
Campfires occupy a special spot in the mosaic of history. They act as communal hubs across different cultures and faiths. The campfire’s circular design fosters equal participation within the collective group. The flames at the center draw our focus and encourage face-to-face interactions as we exchange experiences, wisdom, and insights about the world beyond. It is where legendary myths and tales are born.
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This book is named Campfires in the Desert as it stems from nearly 400 discussions we held with individuals on our podcast, The Desert Sanctuary, and our aspiration to improve.
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Karl Forehand Campfires in the Desert – A Soft Book Release. Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward, Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop, and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity. He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community. He has been married to his wife Laura for 35 years and has one dog named Winston. His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply! You can read more about the author here.
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