On Wednesday, Humanists UK’s Faith to Faithless programme hosted the Apostasy Conference 2025 in Covent Garden in London. The event was a huge success, welcoming nearly 100 attendees including academics, therapists, activists, journalists, and people with lived experience of leaving high-control religious groups and cults.
This year’s theme focused on the mental health of those who leave high-control groups, exploring how isolation, stigma, and coercively controlling practices such as mandated shunning can have profound psychological effects. Speakers included leading international researchers and service providers such as Dr Darrel Ray founder of Recovering from Religion, Dr Travis McKie-Voerste director of the Secular Therapy Project, Dr Heather Spooner, Dr Gillie Jenkinson, solicitor Kathleen Hallisey, and former Jesus Army activist Phillipa Barnes, alongside many others.
The conference combined rigorous research with deeply moving personal testimonies, sparking powerful discussions on how institutions, service providers, and wider society can better support so-called ‘apostates’. Attendees praised both the quality of the talks and the supportive, welcoming environment of the event.
The event also echoed the findings of the Bloom Review from two years ago, which called for greater government investment in academic research and dedicated services for those affected by religious abuse.
Terri O’Sullivan, Apostate Services Development Officer, said:
‘It was heart-warming to be in a room full of people who care deeply supporting people who have suffered as a result of religious abuse and coercive control within religious communities.
‘Our speakers all highlighted different case studies where former religion and cult members had initially struggled to find appropriate support. I was also pleased to hear from many of the therapists and safeguarding leads in the room who said they felt they would leave the day better able to support this unique population – important, life-saving work.’
Faith to Faithless is grateful to all speakers, volunteers, and attendees who made the day such a success. The conversations started at the conference will continue to shape future work to raise awareness of apostasy and support those who have experienced harm from high-control religions and cults.
Faith to Faithless helpline
The Faith to Faithless helpline is a groundbreaking service dedicated to supporting people who have left high-control religious groups. So called ‘apostates’ often deal with social isolation, mental health issues, discrimination, and estrangement from their communities and families. The helpline, operating three days a week and staffed by trained volunteers, offers bespoke assistance, resources, and empathetic support to a diverse group, including ex-Muslims, ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses, ex-evangelicals, and ex-Mormons. It aims to bridge the gap in understanding and support for apostates, providing a crucial lifeline for those navigating the complexities of leaving high-control religious environments.
Calls are free from all mobiles and landlines and won’t appear on itemised bills.
Wednesday 10:00 – 13:00
Thursday 16:00 – 19:00
Friday 08:00 – 11:00
Freephone: 0800 448 0748
You will also be able to email helpline@faithtofaithless.com for support, and emails will be replied to during our usual opening hours.
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about Faith to Faithless and our work supporting people leaving high-control religions.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
About Faith to Faithless
Faith to Faithless is Humanists UK’s support programme for people who have left high-control religious groups. As well as supporting so-called ‘apostates’ through a dedicated helpline and provision of peer support from trained volunteers, it also provides expert awareness training to professionals in frontline services. Its work is funded entirely by charitable donations.