My Deconversion Story

Your story, is more powerful than anything I have heard any atheist say about why to question religion. I've listen to hundreds of hours of debates, debunkings, seminars, and you did the one thing that none of them ever do. You said what you had to say, without bringing science into it. That is a turn off for so many people. They might be smart, but they sometimes talk like they are better than others. That doesn't win anyone over. But what you said, came right from your life, and heart. And you never talked about science. I think people of all religions can relate to what you said. Without being made to feel inferior. Good job!

Thanks for this. I can really relate. It’s funny how they say being a Christian “sets you free” but I’ve never felt more free than letting go of all those beliefs.

That moment where you transition from "questioning" to "not believing" was probably the most liberating moment in my life. I hope more people get the chance to be honest with themselves

You’re not alone. I’m a former Christian (extremely devout) myself. I wanted to become a pastor and dove into apologetics and it actually lead to my deconversion.

Thank you. As a Black woman in my 50s I am glad you discovered the truth sooner than I did (about 2 years now). There is no way I can go back to a system that was based so deeply in fear, guilt, and shame. I remember that all to well and constantly wondering "what am I doing wrong." It is such a sick mind game when you look at it from the other side. I am in a good place now!

My maturity level was essentially stagnate while I was a christian. Since becoming an atheist I've become so much more inspired to be a better person. The world feels so finite, dull, and ritualistic when apart of the church. Now the world feels infinite, exciting, and novel.

"Once you realize how much of religion is based on fear and guilt, it's impossible to go back to." This is so relatable and true. I didn't realize until a couple of years after my deconversion just how much of my constant anxiety was a result of religious dogma that had been drilled into me from infancy. But we're not allowed to acknowledge just how fear-based faith is because god is supposed to be love, and "perfect love casts out fear" as 1 John says. Towards the end of my time as a Christian, that was one thing that was getting harder and harder to understand. If everyone in the world that didn't believe in the Bible was going to hell, how could I bear to pass anyone who might possibly not be a Christian without at least trying to save them? It's so nice to not have that constant urgency to save everyone around me, now that I realize we're all just human beings doing our best to live our lives and be happy. Truly freeing.

Wishing you the best on your journey through life. I opened my eyes when I was 25 and now I'm 60 and haven't regretted or missed the silliness of religion.

My first time doubting Christianity was when I was a teenager reading the Bible from cover-to-cover and I came across something in the Old Testament that basically said, "if you rape someone, you should purchase her from her father." "Seriously?" I thought, "for a moral book, that's pretty messed up." There's a ton of garbage in the Old Testament, but whenever I asked my parents about it, they'd just say not to question God. For example in Job, why did God make a bet with the devil in the first place? My grandma said, "He didn't make a bet because he's God and knows everything, therefore knew what the outcome would be. Fair enough, but if he already knew the outcome, why bother arguing with the devil in the first place? Why not just ignore him. Why did he have to prove anything? My parents used to tell me, "it doesn't matter if people call you names because you know that's not what you are." If God knew the outcome, why did he care so much what the devil was saying? Insecurity? Maybe, but my parents would get mad at me for using such adjectives to describe God, so rather than address the argument, they'd just yell or make me ask God for forgiveness or both! If you wanna know why I hate religion, look no further than my religious family.

I started questioning when I was about 11 years old and heard the Noah's flood story. It didn't make any sense to me that god would kill everyone, even innocent animals. Also how did polar bears get on the ark in that area ? Then Rock and Roll hit me, and I became free from religion.

I had God's message of peace, love, mercy, and forgiveness beat into me quite vigorously, and repeatedly. Somehow, I just wasn't buying it.

Childhood indoctrination is the main reason people remain religious/Christian. Once you start asking yourself why you believe what you believe and are serious about the truth it's just a matter of time until you leave any religion.

"Has anyone else ever had this experience? The more that Christian Apologists tried to explain the Bible to me, the less sense they made!" - Seth Andrews

"When I realized how much of my faith was based on faith ... " That is very well put.

I had a friend who was an atheist. I didn't disagree with his beliefs, but he was so argumentative that it made it hard to listen to him even when he was right. You make your points so honestly and gently, that everything you say becomes compelling. Thanks for sharing your story.

To lead a happy life , you don't need to be a religious person. What you need is that you have kindheartedness .

As a 19 year old who is going through the process of deconversion , this means a lot to me.

"With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion" -Steven Weinberg

I’m a Christian and i truly do appreciate your honesty and care in making this video. You didn’t come off as arrogant nor snobbish, you were genuinely simply telling your reconversion story. Thank you!

A few years ago I met an active catholic priest, he was around 60 years old. After a few beers, he told me his whole life, he talked about the seminary, about half of all his colleagues were gay, and at the end of their studies, Most doubts about their decision, many became teachers of religion, he was ordained as a priest and is still responsible for 3 parishes today. He said he feels like an actor, but his job is not difficult, all roles repeat themselves again and again, baptism, , wedding and funeral. His parishioners have no idea that he has been an atheist for ages ... he said he was looking forward to his retirement. and he doesn't fear one hell ... all just humbug Wishing you all the best