The ache i felt when watching the new show, paradise, explained
The new Hulu show Paradise has captivated audiences with its unsettling premise: a group of people living in a utopian community, only to slowly realize that their paradise may not be as perfect as it seems. As I watched, I couldn’t help but notice the striking parallels between the storyline of Paradise and the experience of deconstructing from religion.
If you’ve ever been on a journey of religious deconstruction, you know the feeling. You were once part of something that felt like it had all the answers, the blueprint for a perfect life. It promised community, security, and purpose. Much like the characters in Paradise, you entered the space with hope, only to eventually notice the cracks in the facade.
The Illusion of Perfection
In Paradise, the community is presented as a haven, a place where all your needs are met, where purpose is clear, and where the rules protect everyone. Sound familiar? Many of us were handed a version of faith that promised the same: answers to life's biggest questions, community with like-minded people, and a clear moral compass.
But just like in Paradise, there comes a moment when you start to see the inconsistencies. In religion, this might look like realizing certain doctrines don't align with your own values, witnessing hypocrisy among leadership, or being told to suppress your questions for the sake of unity. In Paradise, the unsettling undercurrent of control mirrors the control often present in high-demand religious environments.
The Fear of Leaving
One of the most powerful elements of Paradise that I noticed is the palpable fear of leaving. Even when the characters start to realize something is deeply wrong, there’s hesitation. Where would they go? What if the outside world is worse? They’ve been conditioned to believe that Paradise is the best (if not only) option.
This fear is incredibly familiar to those deconstructing their religious indoctrination. Leaving religion often comes with an intense fear of the unknown. Many of us were conditioned to believe that outside of our belief system, there was only chaos, despair, and meaninglessness. Choosing to step away feels like walking into the darkness with no guarantee of light.
The Social Isolation
In Paradise, the community uses social isolation as a form of control. If you question too much, you risk being ostracized. Sound familiar? Many of us who deconstruct our faith experience this very thing. Friendships dissolve, family relationships become strained, and the community that once felt like family now feels hostile.
This is intentional in both worlds. In high-control religious environments, social belonging is a powerful tool to keep people in line. When you deconstruct and step outside of those lines, the social cost is often enormous. It’s one of the most painful parts of deconstruction, and it’s also why many stay longer than they should.
The Journey to Freedom
What makes Paradise so compelling to me is that despite the fear, some characters still choose to leave. They choose freedom, even when it’s terrifying and unknown. This mirrors the experience of those who walk away from organized religion. At first, it feels like free-falling. But eventually, you realize that there is life, vibrant, beautiful, autonomous life, outside the confines of what you once believed.
Deconstructing religion is not easy. Like the characters in Paradise, you may face opposition, fear, and profound grief. But there is also hope. On the other side of deconstruction is the opportunity to rebuild, but this time on your own terms, without coercion, fear, or obligation.
So if you’ve been watching Paradise and feeling a deep, inexplicable ache, you’re not alone. It’s a story that, in many ways, mirrors the journey of waking up from a belief system that no longer serves you. It’s a reminder that freedom is worth the risk and that Paradise is never found in a place of control, but rather in the messy, beautiful wilderness of self-discovery and curiosity.
