Tyler Deaton: "The Community's" charismatic leader | Forensic Files

In the course of 10 days, I lost Bethany first to death, which is worse than the
other ones. Um because it's so absolute. Um and then I lost all my friends. They
like went from being really supportive to gone. And um I lost the church that I was a part of, people I trusted in in
leadership. They were gone. I would describe myself now as someone who still loves God. Um, someone who still
thinks God is and a relationship with God is so worthwhile. I literally wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't
for my relationship with God. Um, it's the only one who didn't bail when everybody else did. But I also am
someone who doesn't who sees the world a lot more complexely than I did before. Um, I think absolutes are a lot more
dangerous than I used to and I have a really different idea of how to go about being a part of transformation for other
people. Just looks really differently. Um, it's a lot more themled, them directed instead of Tyler Deon
charismaleled or like Tyler Deon you know insight directed or something stupid like that. I mean the last two
years have been really really painful. One of my authors I loved reading in the last two years said, "Really devastating
loss is going to change you one way or the other. It's just you deciding how are you going to get changed?" And I
like to think that it's made me a more empathetic and understanding person.

"The Community" dissolved shortly after Bethany Deaton's mysterious death in 2012. Tyler Deaton, the leader of the small prayer group, talks about how this has affected him and what he has learned.

Brief Summary

A guest shares their journey of loss and faith after losing friends and a church community.

Key points

The Impact of Loss. In just ten days, I lost my friend, my support system, and my church.
Faith as a Lifeline. Despite losing everything, my relationship with God remained steadfast.
Transformation Through Pain. Devastating loss can lead to profound personal change and empathy.

Episode highlights

Faith as a LifelineDespite losing everything, my relationship with God remained steadfast.“It's the only one who didn't bail when everybody else did.”0:44Feb 22, 2015

Episode quotes

I wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for my relationship with God.

Importance of faith during tough times

0:40WatchFeb 22, 2015

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