Podcasts > American History Tellers > Listen Now: Liberty Lost

Listen Now: Liberty Lost

By Wondery

This American History Tellers episode explores the practice of coerced adoptions within evangelical Christian communities, focusing on the story of Abby and Nathan, who were pressured to give up their newborn son during a ceremonial process. Through their experience, the episode examines how religious beliefs about premarital relationships and family structure can influence reproductive choices within these communities.

The episode also provides historical context for these adoption practices, tracing their roots to the 1950s and 1960s when unwed mothers commonly faced pressure to give up their children. It examines how institutions like the Liberty Godparent Home continue these practices today, facilitating adoptions that align with specific religious values and beliefs about family structure.

Listen Now: Liberty Lost

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jun 24, 2025 episode of the American History Tellers

Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.

Listen Now: Liberty Lost

1-Page Summary

Coerced Adoption Within an Evangelical Community

In a heartbreaking account, Abby and Nathan face the forced adoption of their 11-day-old son through a ceremonial process designed by their evangelical Christian community to place children with what they consider the "right kind" of families. During the ceremony, Nathan experiences intense anger and grief while being forced to hand over his son, while Abby struggles with feelings of unworthiness imposed by her community.

Religious Beliefs and Their Impact on Young Parents

At the center of this story is 16-year-old Abby, whose pregnancy conflicts with her devout Christian upbringing. In their evangelical community, premarital sex is considered a sin, leading to their baby being deemed "unfit." The community's beliefs strongly emphasize controlling female sexuality and reproduction, with the goal of fostering what they consider "Godly" relationships and families.

Historical Context of Forced Adoptions

This practice of forced adoption has deep historical roots, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s when unwed mothers were commonly pressured to give up their babies. Today, institutions like the Liberty Godparent Home continue this practice within conservative Christian communities, facilitating the placement of children from unwed mothers with couples deemed "deserving" within the Christian faith. Abby and Nathan's story reveals how these practices persist as part of broader efforts to shape society according to evangelical Christian ideals.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore the impact of forced adoption by volunteering as a mentor for teen parents, providing them with emotional support and practical resources to help them make informed decisions about their futures. By becoming a mentor, you offer a counter-narrative to the pressure and unworthiness they may feel from their communities, and you help empower them to make choices that are right for them and their children.
  • Start a book club focused on novels and memoirs that deal with themes of reproductive rights and the history of adoption practices to foster informed discussions and awareness in your social circle. Reading and discussing books like "The Girls Who Went Away" by Ann Fessler or "American Baby" by Gabrielle Glaser can provide historical context and personal stories that illuminate the complexities of adoption and the experiences of birth mothers.
  • Create a digital storytelling project where you invite individuals affected by forced adoption to share their experiences through short videos or written narratives, which can then be shared on social media to raise awareness and humanize the issue. This project can serve as a platform for those who have been silenced or marginalized to speak out, and it can educate others about the ongoing consequences of these practices.

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Listen Now: Liberty Lost

Coerced Adoption of Abby and Nathan's Newborn by Christian Couple

Abby and Nathan face an agonizing ordeal as their newborn son is taken from them in a coercive adoption ceremony designed to place children with "right kind" of families within their evangelical community.

Abby and Nathan's Turmoil During the Adoption Ceremony

Abby and Nathan Dread as Son Taken Against Their Will

In a heart-wrenching ceremony, Abby and Nathan are forced to relinquish custody of their son, born just 11 days prior. The dread and terror they feel are palpable, with Nathan holding his baby, gripped by the horror of what is about to happen. As he hands over his son to the chosen couple, he is overwhelmed by a burning desire to destroy the venue that is witnessing this act against his will.

Abby Felt Unworthy Of Being Her Son's Mother

Abby is engulfed by feelings of punishment and unworthiness during the ceremony, an emotional toll that accentuates the cruelty of the situation. She struggles with the notion that she is being deemed unfit to be the mother of her own child simply because of someone else's judgment and values.

Nathan Saw the Ceremony as a Cruel Joke and Wanted to Burn Down the Place

Nathan views the ceremony as a twisted form of cruelty, a cruel joke being played at their expense. The pain of the forced gesture of giving away his son is so intense that it evokes in Nathan a primal urge to lash out and incinerate the venue hosting such an egregious event.

Ceremony to Transfer Baby ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Coerced Adoption of Abby and Nathan's Newborn by Christian Couple

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can write a letter to your future self reflecting on your values and how you would handle difficult situations, using the emotional intensity of the story as a catalyst for deep introspection. Imagine facing a challenging scenario that tests your principles and write down how you would ideally respond, ensuring that your actions align with your core beliefs. This exercise can help solidify your personal values and prepare you for potential life challenges.
  • Create a personal code of ethics to guide your decisions, drawing inspiration from the emotional turmoil experienced by the characters. Consider what you believe to be right and wrong, and how you would apply these beliefs in various aspects of your life, such as family, work, and community. Having a written set of ethical guidelines can serve as a compass during morally ambiguous situations.
  • Volunteer with a local organization that suppo ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Listen Now: Liberty Lost

Evangelical Christian Beliefs on Premarital Sex Affecting Abby

Abby, a 16-year-old girl, faces the challenges of becoming pregnant, which conflicts with the teachings of her devout Christian parents and community.

Premarital Sex a Sin in Evangelical Homes

In evangelical homes, premarital sex is often considered a sin. This belief has profound implications for young people like Abby, who find themselves in situations that go against these teachings.

Abby, 16, Pregnant Against Devout Christian Parents' Teachings

Abby is 16 years old and has grown up in a devout evangelical Christian home where premarital sex is strictly prohibited. Despite her upbringing, Abby finds herself pregnant, in direct contradiction to her parents' religious doctrine and teachings.

Abby and Nathan's Baby Deemed Unfit by Community

Furthermore, the evangelical community surrounding Abby deems her unborn child unfit, challenging her standing within the community. This puts pressure not only on Abby but also on Nathan, the father of the baby, as they grapple with the community's perception of their situation.

Evangelical Beliefs Prioritize Controlling Female Sexuality and Reproduction

Evangelical beliefs often focus on controlling female sexuality and reproduction with the goal of fostering what they consider "Godly" relationships and families.

Goal: Foster "Godly Husbands" in Christian Homes to Raise "Right" Children

These religious doctrines advocate for the creation of "Godly husbands" who will lead Christian homes and raise children with the correct religious values. Abby's predicament highlights the tension between these ideals and the complexity of real-li ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Evangelical Christian Beliefs on Premarital Sex Affecting Abby

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • Premarital sex being a sin is not a universally held belief and varies greatly among different cultures, religions, and individuals.
  • The notion that Abby's baby is deemed unfit by the community may not reflect the views of all members within that community, as there can be a range of opinions and levels of acceptance.
  • The focus on controlling female sexuality and reproduction can be seen as a gender-biased approach that does not equally address male responsibility in sexual behavior and parenting.
  • The concept of fostering "Godly husbands" might be criticized for perpetuating traditional gender roles that may not align with modern views on equality and partnership in marriage.
  • The idea that Abby's pregnancy and potential adoption align wi ...

Actionables

  • You can explore the impact of religious beliefs on personal choices by journaling your thoughts and experiences related to sexuality and faith. Write down your beliefs, how they were formed, and how they influence your decisions. This self-reflection can help you understand the role of religious teachings in your life and may lead to a more nuanced perspective on topics like premarital sex and family planning.
  • Engage in open dialogues with people from different backgrounds to gain a broader understanding of the intersection between faith and sexuality. Start conversations with friends, family, or members of your community who hold different views. This can foster empathy and provide insights into how various beliefs shape attitudes toward sexuality and reproduction.
  • Volunteer with organizations that support ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
Listen Now: Liberty Lost

Forced Adoptions in Conservative Christian Communities: History and Practice

Forced Adoptions of Unwed Mothers Common in '50s, '60s

In the 1950s and 1960s, it was common for unwed pregnant young women to be forced to secretly place their babies for adoption. This practice was part of a larger effort to "correct" what was seen as the "mistake" of unwed pregnancy.

Forced Adoptions Continue In Conservative Christian Communities

The experiences of Abby and Nathan reveal that forced adoptions still occur within some conservative Christian communities. The ceremony they were part of aimed to address the "mistake" of their baby being born outside of marriage, resonating with past adoption practices.

Abby and Nathan's Story Reveals Ongoing Efforts to Reshape the Country With Evangelical Christian Ideals

Abby and Nathan's story highlights ongoing efforts by certain segments of evangelical Christian communities to reshape the country according to ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Forced Adoptions in Conservative Christian Communities: History and Practice

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • Forced adoptions are not exclusive to conservative Christian communities and have occurred in various social, political, and cultural contexts throughout history.
  • The term "forced adoption" may not accurately reflect the full spectrum of experiences, as some women may have felt pressured but still made the choice to place their child for adoption.
  • The practice of adoption within religious communities can also be seen as an effort to provide children with stable, loving homes, rather than solely as a means to "correct" unwed pregnancies.
  • Efforts to reshape the country based on evangelical Christian ideals could be interpreted by some as a form of religious freedom and expression, rather than an imposition of beliefs.
  • The Liberty Godparent Home and similar institutions might argue that they offer support to unwed mothe ...

Actionables

  • Educate yourself on the history and current practices of adoption to become a more informed advocate for ethical adoption processes. By reading books, watching documentaries, and following organizations that work in ethical adoption advocacy, you can understand the complexities of adoption and the importance of consent. This knowledge will enable you to support policies and organizations that prioritize the rights of birth parents and children.
  • Volunteer with local support groups for unwed mothers to offer practical assistance and emotional support. By providing childcare, transportation, or simply being a listening ear, you can help these women explore all their options and make informed decisions about their pregnancies without feeling pressured or judged.
  • Start a ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free

Create Summaries for anything on the web

Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser

Shortform Extension CTA