Aaron Rodgers, a 41-year-old NFL quarterback, has opened up about one of the most significant aspects of his life - the differences in religious views within his family and how it has affected their relationships over the years. In a new Netflix project, "Aaron Rodgers: Enigma", PEOPLE was given an advanced look at the three episodes that delve into his career and recent controversies.

Discovering the Impact of Religion on Rodgers' Family Ties

Religious Upbringing and Its Shift

Rodgers points to the moment he started "questioning" his Christian upbringing as a turning point. After coming across lectures by Rob Bell in 2011 and culminating in 2014, he found a new way to look at the stories of the Bible. Bell's approach of loving everyone without judgment was a big help for Rodgers to unravel the religion of his youth. He made sure to attend one of Bell's lectures in Green Bay, Wisconsin.This led him to start looking into other ways of thinking and spirituality. He began reading a wide range of books like philosophy and self-help ones, which gave him the courage to express his feelings better. He started to stand up against the institutions of his youth, including organized religion, his parents, dogma, and ideology. This change definitely affected the dynamics within his family.

Family Dynamics and Religious Disagreements

In the second episode of the series, Rodgers ponders his relationships with his parents Ed and Darla and his brothers Jordan and Luke. He realizes that their different opinions on religion have played a major role in their estrangement over the years. Rodgers grew up attending church every Sunday with his family, but his views on organized religion changed.In a 2020 podcast episode with his then-girlfriend Danica Patrick, he criticized organized religion, saying it can be a "crutch" and that some people use it to make themselves feel better. His comments left his immediate family "dismayed", as one insider told PEOPLE. They saw his remarks as a slap in the face to their beliefs.

Spiritual Journeys and Family Reconciliation

The new Netflix project focuses on Rodgers' spiritual beliefs and practices, including his use of "plant-based" medicines like ayahuasca and holistic spiritual trips. In a 2023 darkness retreat, he spent time reflecting on his relationship with his family.Rodgers says there is hope for reconciliation. He doesn't want his family to struggle or have any issues. He views their differences as different steps on the timeline of their own journeys. All episodes of "Aaron Rodgers: Enigma" are now streaming on Netflix, offering a deep look into his life and the impact of religion on his family.