On the one hand, I feel free. I don't have to cross my fingers when reciting doctrines that make no sense. I don't feel pressure to fall in line with incompetent religious leaders.
I'm not worried about using precise language to appease denominational authorities.On the other hand, I've lost a major form of my identity.
I'm no longer part of a community that greatly shaped my sense of self. Rather than belonging to a team, I'm now a religious-free agent.
This loss of identity is a bigger deal than I expected it would be.What I feel most strongly is self-respect. I'm proud to have stood for love.