Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds opens up about his complicated relationship with religion

Dan Reynolds, the lead singer of Imagine Dragons, opens up about his complicated relationship with religion in this week's issue of PEOPLE. Raised in a conservative Mormon household, Reynolds attended Brigham Young University and served a mission, but in his early 20s, he began to question his faith.

Now, at 36, he's no longer a practicing Mormon and is focused on raising his four children with ex-wife Aja Volkman outside the church. He emphasizes the importance of allowing his children to choose their own spiritual path, saying, "My greatest goal every day is to not manipulate my kids. I really don’t want to try to tell them what their spiritual path should be."

Reynolds also discusses his struggles with the Mormon church's stance on LGBTQ+ issues, stating, "There’s obviously parts of the Mormon religion that I feel pretty strongly are harmful, especially to our gay youth." Despite this, he maintains a close relationship with his family, who remain active in the church.

In addition to his personal life, Reynolds shares his excitement for Imagine Dragons' upcoming Loom World Tour, which kicks off on July 30. He describes the tour as a "party" and a "cathartic" experience, promising a mix of emotions and tempo.

The "Eyes Closed" singer reflects on his journey with religion, admitting he was "really angry" in his 20s and early 30s, feeling "duped" by the church. However, he's since come to terms with his past and respects the choices of those who find solace in religion.