Dan Reynolds and the Spiritual Freedom of His Children: A Shift Away from Mormon Upbringing… See more…
Dan Reynolds, the powerful voice behind Imagine Dragons, has often used his platform to speak on issues of mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and religious freedom. But one of the most personal decisions he has ever shared with the world is his choice not to raise his four children in the Mormon Church—a departure from the way he was brought up in a devout LDS family in Las Vegas.
This choice is more than just a personal rejection of tradition; it’s a carefully considered parenting philosophy born from years of self-discovery, spiritual questioning, and a deep desire to protect his children from the guilt and confusion he faced as a young man navigating faith and identity.
From Devotion to Doubt
Dan Reynolds was raised in a large Mormon family—he’s the seventh of nine children. In his youth, he fully embraced the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), even serving a two-year mission and later attending Brigham Young University. Religion was a central part of his early life. But things began to change in his twenties.
“I started to feel a disconnect between what I was being taught and what I felt in my heart,” Reynolds said in a 2024 People magazine interview. He was particularly disturbed by how the church treated LGBTQ+ individuals and how rigid belief systems contributed to mental health struggles among young people—including himself.
Reynolds later admitted that the pressure to conform to Mormon standards, especially regarding sexuality and perfection, led to a deep emotional struggle. He fell into a period of depression, plagued by guilt and confusion. The cracks in his faith grew until he ultimately decided to step away from the religion entirely.
Cultural Identity, Not Religious Doctrine
Even though Reynolds no longer practices Mormonism, he has clarified that he still sees it as a part of his identity. “I still claim Mormonism because it’s my culture,” he said in a 2022 interview with The Salt Lake Tribune. “But I’m not raising my kids Mormon.”
Reynolds doesn’t see this as a rejection of his heritage, but as a conscious decision to create space for his children to explore their own spiritual paths—without the weight of dogma or expectations. “I give them my thoughts,” he shared, “while also making sure they have freedom and agency to choose whatever they want.”
His four children—Arrow (11), twins Gia and Coco (7), and Valentine (4)—are being raised in an environment where curiosity is encouraged, and belief is a personal journey, not a family obligation.
Parenting Without Manipulation
At the heart of Reynolds’ parenting philosophy is a simple but powerful principle: do not manipulate your children. He believes parents often unintentionally (or intentionally) force their beliefs, fears, and limitations onto their kids. He wants to break that cycle.
“My greatest goal every day is to not manipulate my kids,” Reynolds said. “I really don’t want to try to tell them what their spiritual path should be.”
Instead of lectures or rigid rules, he encourages open dialogue. Faith is not off-limits in the Reynolds household—but it’s just one of many subjects explored without judgment. The children are free to learn about religion, ask questions, and make their own decisions as they grow older.
A Father Forged by Experience
Reynolds’ decision to step away from Mormonism has deeply shaped his public advocacy. In 2017, he launched the LOVELOUD Foundation, an initiative aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ youth, especially those navigating life in religious households that may not accept them. The foundation has hosted benefit concerts and partnered with mental health organizations to promote acceptance and dialogue.
He has also produced the 2018 HBO documentary Believer, which chronicles his journey as a former Mormon and how he came to support LGBTQ+ rights. It’s not just activism—it’s personal. Reynolds has said he wants his children to grow up in a world that accepts them for who they are, without religious or societal judgment.
Respecting Faith—Without Forcing It
Despite his personal break with the LDS Church, Reynolds isn’t hostile toward religion. “If something works for someone, that’s really wonderful,” he said. He understands that faith brings comfort and structure to millions around the world, including his own family members. His issue lies not with belief, but with coercion, shame, and intolerance.
That’s why his approach with his kids is rooted in respect and freedom. He doesn’t teach them that religion is wrong—he teaches them that it’s personal. He wants them to choose, not conform. “They need to know their truth matters,” he emphasized.
The Bigger Picture: A Spiritual Awakening of a New Kind
Dan Reynolds represents a growing wave of modern parents who are rethinking how to raise children in a post-religious, yet morally guided world. Instead of dogma, they lean on empathy. Instead of strict spiritual discipline, they offer exploration and freedom. Reynolds’ story resonates with parents who love their heritage but feel the need to break the cycle of shame, guilt, and rigid expectation.
For Reynolds, the goal is simple: raise children who are authentic, emotionally strong, and free to be whoever they want to be—in faith, in love, and in life.
“I want them to feel safe,” he says. “Safe to ask questions. Safe to be different. Safe to be themselves.”
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