Confessions of an Ex-Pastor (with Timmy Gibson)

Timmy Gibson was a Christian minister for three decades. He is a Christian no more. Check out his fascinating story.
Podcast conversation from later that day: www.spreaker.c...

[@timmygibsonkc]

It was so great to be on your show Seth! Glad we reconnected after all these years! What a journey life is… it’s nice to be free from the bondage of religion.

[@Columbo-r4z]

I love listening to deconversion testimonies.

[@stevenfortier6436]

I can tell you from a personal experience of losing my mind and going into Psychosis after seeing a Ram horned huge entity "a hallucination" or whatever you want to call it. There is a Hell and there is evil and I believe the only thing that saved me was Jesus. I ended up in a mental ward seeing hallucinations and hearing and feeling things while battling through it. It's super rare to come out of something like that and definitely know I don't want to be like that ever again or worse for eternity. God bless you.

[@XinwylFumudaiski]

Timmy, I can't imagine the level of blowback you probably still relive and experience, dude. Good luck in all you do.

[@dr.sheiladonnell6616]

With a few exceptions, THIS is my story.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@XinwylFumudaiski Yes! It’s fascinating! 😂

[@mikehopkins2625]

I admire this man’s courage and his willingness to be genuine. He’s an inspiration.

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you so much Mike!

[@Ferris4Wheel]

I deconstructed in 2022 while in the hospital after cancer surgery. As I walked the halls of the hospital, I could not believe that the sick and dying on my floor would go to hell if they didn’t “believe.” I started researching hell and that was how everything crumbled. I too have been so much happier even in the face of chronic illness. Church was abusive in so many ways.

[@christophergibson7155]

What happened to your love for Jesus?

[@kellydalstok8900]

@@christophergibson7155 How can you love someone for whose existence there is no credible evidence, just the writings and a couple of anonymous men who weren’t contemporaries, lived in a different country, and never met the guy? That’s even sillier than loving a movie star or a pop artist.

[@christophergibson7155]

@@kellydalstok8900 "How can you love someone for whose existence there is no credible evidence," Where did you get that idea? There is lots of proof and evidence. The writers of the gospels were all eye witnesses to all that Jesus said and did. And the resurrected Jesus was seen and appeared to over 500 witnesses. Unfortunately, you have fallen for the lies of some ungodly Anti-Christ scholar who went to great lengths to debunk and discredit the Word of God to you. Jesus told us this would happen..."I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive." (John 5:43)

[@digitalspecter]

@@christophergibson7155 "The writers of the gospels were all eye witnesses to all that Jesus said and did. And the resurrected Jesus was seen and appeared to over 500 witnesses." None of the writers were eye witnesses. None. They were writing stories someone told them or they copied from other writers or invented themselves. But sure, bet your life on that :D

[@ManokJanik]

@@christophergibson7155 they explained what happened and you still question. lol. you have to be so delusional by your faith that you did not see. you came off poorly instead of Christ-like here simply because you did not approach this with care for the individual but to defend your faith. Hope it was worth it.

[@Niko-777]

It’s tragic that sweet innocent children are taught that they’re born evil. That’s child abuse.

[@timmygibsonkc]

Agreed!

[@josephno1347]

or just the concept of being watched all the time

[@joshmo675]

@@josephno1347 They do want to put the fear of god and you and that's considered a good thing. Having grown up in church hearing there's a demon behind every rock and under every stone if think they have god on their side then atheist speaks up and ostracizing and alienating doesn't stop them then what ?

[@richardmatias8106]

They grow up and still think they are evil and not good enough…with causes depression and other mental health problems . If anything religion is evil 😈

[@narellepayne1455]

Great advice to not go to your pastor about doubts. The advice will be "do more" - more prayer, more Bible reading, more church, more serving. I think the best advice is really to "do less", strip it all away for a time and just be, think on your own without anyone's voice (real or imagined) in your ear. This kinda happened to me during COVID and it was the best thing ever. Church is suffocating (by design in many cases). You don't need anyone's permission for a time out. I love Timmy's response to those who told him to just "fake it" - this is my character we are talking about here - how can Christians just outright tell people to be duplicitous. It comes down to fear and power in the end, often fear of losing power.

[@rosemarymceathron4037]

I realized when I was 12, am now 75 years old, that there was no way I could live up to what the catholic religion expected of people. From that time on I decided to be the best person I could be without all the guilt and shame. Life is so much easier without all the unrealistic expectations.

[@JamesRichardWiley]

You nailed it. I am 76 and I came to the same conclusion.

[@richardmatias8106]

Same , I thought I’m going to be a good person without god. Why do people need a god to be a good person ? I asked myself . If you need a god to be a good person than you are not a good person. But somehow I was always evil to Christians.

[@andrealeduc8551]

Catholicism is corrupt and is works based. Jesus is not.

[@andrealeduc8551]

@@richardmatias8106 because GOd wrote the moral law (10 commandments ) on our hearts. He created them thats why. The point is not who is evil, we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God which is why we have a saviour who died for us to pay the wages of sin for you and me personally. He offers a FREE gift of salvation. Through belief and trusting in HIm we are saved.

[@Sulegibongtoo176]

Interestingly I never felt that from Catholicism (I am age 40) but felt it much more from Protestant fundamentalism. But i think Catholicism is fairly “mallow” in New Zealand 🇳🇿 whereas fundamentalists are fundamentalists everywhere in the world. I was taught by great priests etc at high school. I realise there’s a lot of valid criticism against Catholicism but I just never personally had a bad experience.

[@SteVibiana]

I'm an abortion rights activist in Kansas City. I've linked this video to my clinic defenders group because it's such an eloquent illustration of what some of our most vociferous opponents on the sidewalk are and have gone through. I grew up 4th generation RLDS myself and spent 20 years in that church and another 25 or so in the Lutheran and Catholic traditions. Left religion behind altogether at the age of 48. I'll be 60 next year and my last 12 years have definitely been the freest. I spent years in therapy before I realized that my self-esteem issues could be directly linked to religion. When you're taught that you're just a piece of s*** that can't accomplish anything on your own, you tend to believe it. Thank you so much for uploading this, and thank you to Mr Gibson for being interviewed. This will be very valuable to my colleagues in our work to defend patients.

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you so much!

[@feedingravens]

I am lucky, here in Germany christianity is way more institutionalized, churches of up to 1,000 years age all over the place, 10 years of religious classe in public schools (catholic, lutheran or ethics), our big conservate party is the Christian Democratic Union CDU (CSU, Christian Social Union in the semi-independent subsection in Bavaria). But that does not mean that you are more affected by religion... Maybe simply because when the preacher simply get a salary, their churches get a fixed budget, the incentive to become spectacular and then you become rich is lacking, and so this hysteria is missing. My mother was catholic, my father lutheran, the houses we lived in were in big cities and inhabitated by non-residents of this city, we rarely ever went to church, the people around us did not speak about going to church. I cannot remember anytime that anyone propagated that Judgement Day is imminent, that was a metaphor. No one ever told you that ALL humans are rotten to the core, are unable to live on their own, that your nation, your only urge that occupies your mind is to rape and kill at random. And that it is ONLY when you constantly fear day and night the eternal torture in Hell you can be a decent human being. All knowledge, all morals are coming direct from God and NOWHERE else. They are dictated, there is no logic behind that, as God created logic his dictate, his actions are beyond logic. It is so hilarious that the one living thing the bodiless God created in his own image with his perfect knowledge is way more evil than all animals that CANNOT know anything about God... I cannot remember that anything of this above dogma was pounded into us - and my areligious family life was not helping as well. The pragmatic aspect of german christianity is somewhat exemplified by the marriage of my cousin. My catholic uncle was more into christianity than my family, but his son wanted to marry a jewish woman from the US. Officially one of them would have had to convert to be married by the church, but really? So my uncle thought of a befriended, pensioned catholic priest, organized an unused church, and inscened a complete, totally fake church marriage. But all loved it. And no one cared that it was in principle blasphemy . There are hundreds of christian denominations, all differ in their opionions about God, Jesus, what God wants etc. Not a SINGLE list of indispensable essentials that EVERY christian MUST believe. But strangely, christians care surprisingly little what other christians believe. Even though, would they look closely, it might be necessary to correct a few errors of their fellow christians that would block their path to Heaven. Saving souls - is that not mandatory for a christians? Instead, they pretend to care about all these stubborn atheists, where they notoriously fail. Almost as if the whole is meant to confirm the BELIEVERS how right they are. That saving the souls of millions and millions of christians is not so important. Btw, I am 61. And my more or less deconversion began in 2016, on my quest for "Why Trump? How can anyone believe this buffoon?" and came over the idiocies of Flat Earth and Creationism. And the Idea to spend eternity with such bigoted, vain, arrogant, intolerant, self-delusional a§§holes made me ultimatively abstain from what had anyhow never played a role in my life. When you do not go to church, never pray, never think of God's Will in your deliberations, I was a de facto atheist for most of my life anyhow. Greetings from Munich.

[@karlb10024]

congratulations

[@snola-d2v]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

[@James1475561]

Knowing how Christianity is important in the Midwest, thank you for doing this work to help women have freedom with their bodies.

[@SouthernMenace]

He looks happy, and in the end of the day, that's what matters most. Thanks for the candid conversation.

[@andrealeduc8551]

no that is not what matters most.

[@tornaperinso1484]

I'm glad he is happy, but being honest and honest to yourself is more important.

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you!

[@robertheintze9413]

​@@andrealeduc8551Your family, friends and support base.... should be the most important things in your life. Not your pastor or DJT, who is anything BUT a Christian

[@andrealeduc8551]

@@robertheintze9413 interesting did I say a pastor should be the most important thing?

[@riparianlife97701]

I'm an ex youth pastor. First Presbyterian Church, Cambria California. I was a PRODUCER! They offered me a free ride scholarship to any divinity school(s) I wanted so I could get a hokey degree and replace the aging pastor. It was then that I truly heard and listened to God's silence for the first time.

[@sillymamacita3854]

Wowwwwwww 🙌 that's intense and I can't express enough respect that you left, even under those circumstances.

[@riparianlife97701]

@@sillymamacita3854 There's a great scene in "The Borgias" where the pope (Jeremy Irons) comments out loud that now that he's the pope, God is still silent. It surprises him.

[@brianw.5230]

Did you believe in predestination?

[@riparianlife97701]

@@brianw.5230 Yes! I was predestined to be able to avoid getting sucked into a cult for life, and to be wholly interested in superstition. Hallelujah!

[@brianw.5230]

@@riparianlife97701 atheism is a cult, too. I'm an ex-atheist. When you try to leave, they claim you were never really an atheist.

[@StevenWernick]

"Read outside your circle." Books were such a large part of my deconstruction. I'm not a fast reader or even a great reader, but the act of reading a book is very intentional for me. If I'm to digest or understand the information presented, I need to be focused. "I was like a kid again... I love learning" I very much relate to this message. The truth of the amazing world around us is endlessly fascinating! Thank you Timmy and Seth for this interview!

[@Loves_three_kitties]

As a recovered Mormon I remember that we were constantly warned to avoid, even more strongly warned, reading only Church-approved sources. Even not to expose ourselves to others who have lost faith or even are questioning Mormonism. It was the best way to ensure that members remained in the cult. If the only information allowed was church-approved, there was very little chance of ever learning the truth. I was fortunate to be a convert rather than being born into Mormonism. I joined at the age of 22 when some snippets of rational thought remained. Nevertheless, it required 47 years to break free. Any institution that restricts access to information is suspect. What are they trying so hard to hide?

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you!

[@peterprentice9179]

glad you saw the light pastor

[@TheLotusManFILMs.]

Amen

[@a_net5610]

Both Seth and Timmy are very charismatic (pun not intended). Thank you both for this conversation.

[@timmygibsonkc]

Appreciate that!

[@James1475561]

His closing remarks are extremely precious. There is no divine being. Our lives are the only one we got. I want to be good, do good, do charitable things, because this is it. What a poignant, simple and true statement. It is just so true.

[@alisonmiller2708]

You must remember that God gives you strength to overcome. God does not keep good from us. Also, remember that the devil is a liar. The devil wants us to give up on God because he knows what we stand to gain. The love of Jesus and the comfort and promises and helps of God is more than any theory can give more nourishing than trying to be your own god.

[@nerfzombie6242]

"And so, as I followed truth, it just lead me right out of X-tianity." That is precisely my deconstruction story! When I left my evangelical church of nearly 20 years, I had absolutely no plan to leave the x-tian god; never entered my mind. Quite the contrary, I was on a mission to seek it and only it, and so I spent the next decade studying the bible (and, eventually many other texts) like I never had as an x-tian. Somewhere along the way, the truth hit me like a Mack truck, and I struggled for a few years to shake it off! But, it stuck and I finally realized I had to follow the truth, not what I wanted the truth to be. Follow the truth!!

[@AJansenNL]

That's what happened to me as a muslim. Ironically because I took the Quran at its word where it say to think and reflect and seek knowledge. It lead me to read and scrutinise the texts in a way I'd never done before, and it was eye- and mind-opening.

[@timmygibsonkc]

Amen!

[@TipTheScales27]

Same thing happened to me. The subjugation of women and slavery really bothered me and the cultural context of the time kept coming up… it hit me that it was just written by man bc it doesn’t live up to modern day sentiment. We’ve moved past slavery and we’re starting to move past sexism. The Bible has continually held us back. And Christians have always been great at assimilating into the cultures they conquest and turning it into their own. This time however, culture is moving too fast for Christianity to keep up.

[@MrGibsn1960]

At 20 minutes… when I found myself being honest with myself it was liberating. Listening to this was great.

[@LMichaelL65]

I left the Christian faith after 25 years. Went to Bible college, involved in ministry and all that. My deconstruction started after I realized that everything I believed as a Christian just did not make sense anymore. I felt as if I was wearing a suit that did not fit any longer. Leaving something that had been a part of all my adult life was not easy. People assume that one day I just woke up and decided that I no longer believed. That was not the case. When a person leaves the only thing that they have ever known, they are not just leaving a set of beliefs, they are leaving their social group. They are ending relationships that they have had, in some cases, for decades. Some lose their families. It can be terrifying to lose that support group behind. I remember the day that the last domino came crashing down for me. I was walking down a road, and having that internal debate in my head - 'What if I'm wrong? What if hell is real?' The thought came to me, 'What kind of loving father would condemn and disown a child for being disobedient? Would you condemn your child to eternal punishment because they did not do something you asked of them?' It became clear to me that this God that I had believed in for 25 years was really a monster and hell was never real. That was it. The last domino came crashing down, and I have never looked back. That was 16 years ago.

[@centaur7607]

Thanks for sharing your story!

[@Rain-Dirt]

You did not leave the faith. Your faith vanished, just like mine did. There simply was no reason anymore for it to exist. So it does not exist anymore, only in memory. Saying to a christian that you "left it" is saying to them that you walked away to be sinful and that you can be "saved" again, by leading you back to .. where you left it. Think about it :) My path to freedom started when I confronted myself with all the ways humans experienced suffering, discrimination and death in a world that was supposedly created by a god who created everything for us, out of love... but when we screw up, holds us responsible for the reward or punishment that is claimed to be, after our time on earth is done. The actual moment of change happened when I could not bare it any longer not being myself after 3 decades and the decision to be 100% honest about what I believed in, was the best decision I ever made, and not one too soon. Now I feel more complete as a human being, see other people more as people who I'm part of, understand people more, am less judgy, hate less (including myself), more embracing the differences in the world that cause no harm... This is a freedom no religion can ever give. This feels like the real purpose for us on earth. To make it a better place here and now, not to expect it after we're no more. IF there is a good gracious fair god, this god will appreciate these decisions made, because it was in the benefit of everyone for all the right reasons. So either way, this is the most honest and best way imo. Enjoyed your little story.

[@superviola88]

25 years and it seems like you've missed the gist of the gospel. is it the father that abandoned the son? or the son that refused to recognise the father? (PS i wasn't born a christian and my family isn't christian either - in a way we travelled in the opposite direction)

[@centaur7607]

@@superviola88 So you like trolling the atheists, but you don't bother much with the Muslims and Hindus, do you? Why don't you check out their content and tell them to see the light, the true god, the good book, whatever. Or better yet, go argue with some Jewish people and tell them the Messiah already came. Get your scriptures ready, cause guess what? They've got their own scripture to counter yours. Fighting fire with fire, contradiction with contradiction? That will be a fun game. Tell me when you're going and I'll bring the popcorn.

[@Rain-Dirt]

@@superviola88 "is it the father that abandoned the son? or the son that refused to recognise the father?" I know the question was not directed to me, but I could not help but respond. The two questions imply that there is a belief that the "father" exists. When someone's faith has vanished, then those questions do not apply any longer in the sense that it can no longer be answered. What LMichael was pointing at - the way I understand it - was the imbalance of the morality of a being (god) that is ultimately responsible for the creation, yet leaves it's creation with the endresponsibility that is followed with a reward or punishment for eternity no less. (even in the case of ceasing to exist as a decision that is eternal, whereas others who were created differently gained everlasting life without the suffering, pain and worries). It asks of us to be not who we are, to go against nature in some cases, and failing to be not who we are, we receive punishment for. These things you also see in abusive relationships. "25 years and it seems like you've missed the gist of the gospel." Lol. Yeah... there's more to the gospels than just one or two gists that can not be ignored if one wants to be authentic about it. It's not honest to romanticize the Bible either and certain parts regarding morality in the Bible are not necessarily unique. F.e. treat others like you yourself want to be treated, is not unique.

[@allencampbell8308]

Guilt and shame. The overriding concepts of my Christianity. I'm free now but the scars remain

[@mar456k]

Timmy Gibson, you did the correct thing 100 percent... Thank you for you contribution towards making life here better... It will be nice to live in a world with you as a neighbor...

[@ImGoingSupersonic]

Wow, the way this man describes his old feelings to the ones now. Absolutely resonates with me.

[@mccsnackin]

Great guest, great interview. Thank you Seth 🤝

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you so much!

[@sandracampbell9822]

Thank you so much. Hearing your story helped me to heal from the brainwashing. If only I had made sense of the bs sooner. Christianity destroyed years of my life

[@Rain-Dirt]

Same. But we can now try to make it better with a better understanding of what is worth living for. Authenticity. Honesty. Care. Freedom :)

[@sandracampbell9822]

@@Rain-Dirt what to do. They have taken over selection boards in al swing states. They don’t mind stealing an election to get what they want and they plan to take away the rights of every person who disagrees with their dear leader. This will be as bad as nazi germany if we don’t stop them. They will even start a civil war to get their way and enslave every one of us.

[@robertheintze9413]

So is the Trump cult

[@jamesryan74]

I’ve been an atheist for a long time, and this was one of the most refreshingly honest interviews I’ve ever heard. So grateful for this

[@stephenrichie4646]

Enjoyed this very much. I left the faith 46 years ago. I was a VP of a bible college at the time. So much of what Timmy expressed sounds so very familiar. The key, as he said, is to be authentic, to simply be honest with yourself, and to read, read, read.

[@Rain-Dirt]

"I left the faith 46 years ago" I wouldn't say you "left" anything, you just weren't able anymore to uphold it. The faith vanished by itself. Saying you left it is somewhat aknowledging that "faith" is an external thing that can be given to you through "grace"... and in such feeding the confirmation bias and circular reasoning of those who still believe.

[@stephenrichie4646]

@@Rain-Dirt Okay, well, either way I’m a recovering Christian, 46 years sober.

[@Rain-Dirt]

@@stephenrichie4646 I'm not sure what you're saying :) back to christianity or recovering from being one? 46y without alcohol or without christianity? idk..

[@stephenrichie4646]

@@Rain-DirtI need to quit trying to be clever. I mean I’ve been rid of Christianity. To me, that is sober. Fortunately, I’ve never been addicted to alcohol and do enjoy a timely tot of good bourbon. 😉

[@Rain-Dirt]

@@stephenrichie4646 Lovely :)

[@DRayL_]

A part of his story I can resonate with. I wasn't a preacher, but I was an involved member of the "worship team". Near the end, I began to feel hypocritical because I was mentally exiting out. I eventually did leave to live an actual honest life. But Mr. Gibson's situation was different. The "worship team" wasn't my job. Glad he found another path.

[@DRayL_]

I wouldn't be able to "go back to Christianity", mostly because the very core doctrine, IMO, is extremely evil. It is dumbfounding that Christian people cannot see what's right in front of them. I suspect most of them "believe" because of a fear of "what if Hell is real". Then they will play the Jesus game, pretend they're being filled with the spirit", will bring themselves to the point of tears, express a "joy unspeakable and full of glory", and "peace that passes understanding", but I would bet that it is all just an aspect of simulacrum.

[@djron26]

This is one of the best interviews Seth has ever had. Thank you Timmy for your insights! The Neil DeGrasse Tyson quote at 24:10 is one of the best arguments against religion I've ever heard.

[@aaronparker1221]

I thought the exact same

[@heatherbates8798]

"The peace that passes all understanding " That made me smile. I've often thought of that verse leaving the faith. It's a beautiful freedom ❤

[@ronmarkell4436]

I really related with this guy’s deconversion story. I never had the “Peace that passes all understanding” UNTIL I left the faith.

[@simonkoster]

Lovely, genuine person. He reminds me of Dave Warnock (and that's quite high praise in my book).

[@timmygibsonkc]

Well thank you very much! Very kind of you!

[@kennymcdowell]

This was so good to listen to Timothy- really helped me to know I’m not on my own here as I’ve stripped away old beliefs to live in a world of science, evidence based rational thinking

[@user-sw7my6kp7g]

Thanks for this one Seth. Very interesting and Mr. Gibson is easy to listen to.

[@jamgill9054]

Really great discussion. I hope Mr. Gibson finds success and happiness no matter where his path takes him.

[@barbienostrant11]

I'm so excited for this!

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you!

[@TheDeletedFile]

I’m undergoing my own deconstruction journey and I’m happy to have heard your words and hear you had similar experiences on journey thank you for sharing

[@MuftiMasala]

What a lovely person

[@timmygibsonkc]

Awe. Thank you!

[@mccsnackin]

I love that a Neanderthal video was something that helped “break the spell”. For me it was a series on Noah’s Ark and the different studies of science that disprove a global flood myth. And I also had a renewed interest in evolution videos after my deconstruction. I also love how he calls it a “reconstruction”, because that is very much true.

[@timmygibsonkc]

All that stuff helped me too!

[@SandySez]

I'm 62, when I heard Timmy say that, I immediately recalled that by the time I was probably 10 yrs old, being raised in Deep South , by generations of Southern Baptists ... I was already calling 'BS', wondering (in my 10 yr old chronic realist mind), '"Why would God" have uncivilized tribes in the Amazon jungle (or anyone anywhere, for that matter!), doomed to HELL for just living their lives in the only framework they know?" ... Well, yay for me. But the problem with that is, it's basically child abuse (imo) how these doctrines are shoved down children's throats at the most impressionable age ... and having to exist in that culture with the ONLY people they love and love them, and grow into adolescence struggling with all the conflict it embarks on innocent minds. Sorry ... mild rant there.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@SandySez I hear ya!

[@Lisafreeflyer]

I have seen similiar things that resonated with me more than the church teachings (brainwashing). I recently came across Ammon Hillman. Ancient greek translator who is setting the record straight. He is an odd duck but what he found and shares is mind-blowing.

[@lucaszuz1459]

"One can be sincere, while also being sincerely wrong." Wow, how eye-opening was that statement!😮

[@doggedout]

As a 60^ year old, raised Okie boy, it is so interesting to see you guys discuss your experiences. I knew guys like you growing up! With the somewhat important exception that I never believed any of it. But as a pscyo / socio phenomenon, religion in this country is an almost addictive intellectual line of interest. I have recently fallen into a KZbin rabbit hole of ....ex=Normans. Most of them are women and they describe how they slowly came to the realization that they had been fooled and groomed their entire lives. That the religion they have been in for literal generations was basically created as s sex cult. And man are they pissed off about it! Great interview. This guy seems like he would be a great person to have a long conversation with.

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you!

[@centaur7607]

Johnny Harris is an independent journalist who is also ex Mormon. His work isn't focused on that, but he has a video about why he left the Mormon Church, and he has another video, much more recent, about the history of the Mormon Church.

[@dwdei8815]

That was a fabulous conversation. Fresh, open, generous, empathetic, engaging, witty...

[@TofinoRider]

I’m the son of a pentecostal missionary and remember that movie. I was a latch key kid and more than once I had anxiety because I thought Jesus came back and forgot me, because no one was home. At my age of reckoning (age 9), i reckoned they were are all batshit crazy.I seriously had a shitty childhood because of it. At least by the 1990’s it was already in my rearview mirror. For reference I was born the same year as Seth.

[@Dan16673]

Yeah I question starting in teens and at 16 left catholic.

[@PorchPotatoMike]

Fantastic interview, Seth. Thank you!

[@richardmatias8106]

Why would god give me a brain if I can’t use it to be rational .

[@skyDN1974]

My grand pawpaw (RIP 1891 - 1974) used to say “Church is like a possum who ain’t got time to build the fort for the storm” and this video is EXACTLY what he meant! THANK YOU for sharing. I am on a Spiritual path every day of this life

[@MandyMichels]

This was really great! Thank you for putting the hard work into producing this. Timmy seems incredibly humble and kind.

[@antitheistvegan]

Loved this! Timmy seems like such a nice guy! Well done sir, you found your way out when so many couldn’t.

[@curtisrobinson4000]

I don't normally stop to listen to testimonials like this, but this is a good one. Heard a few things that hit me deep. My deconstruction has left a bit of confusion. This video is worth my while. Thank you.

[@commandermark5254]

Watched A Thief in the Night recently. Still holds up!

[@timmygibsonkc]

It’s so creepy! Ha ha

[@deannarichie7487]

Billy Graham had doubts late in life. I read Sapien . Excellent read.

[@deeparks1244]

Good interview, I really enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you for watching!

[@WolfenBluestone]

I really appreciate this video. Timmy seems like such a genuinely great dude. Thank you both for making this!

[@AJansenNL]

Such an interesting guest. I watched Timmy Gibson on Cults to Consciousness and Apostate Aladdin. Every time I learn something else. Btw, could you invite Apostate Aladdin on your channel? He is an ex-muslim with a very unique approach.

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you so much!

[@starpenta]

Congratulations on 'seeing the light'! 🥳You do seem to be very happy (and kind).

[@darksun1632]

What an amazing conversation! This was a delight to listen to.

[@alexmckenna1171]

Yep - they catch them young.

[@leegiff412]

What a genuine, thoughtful guy to listen to. Great video, Seth! Would love to see more videos with ex pastors!

[@shaniasmith284]

His childhood experience is so similar to mine. Glad to see us both free my friend❤

[@Scorned405]

The rock band Pantera had a bus driver on one of their tours that had driven for a lot of bands and a lot of religious churches etc. He said the religious people party just as hard as the bands. Drugs, sex etc.

[@timmygibsonkc]

I know this for an absolute fact! Stryper partied just like any other secular rock band! Again, I know this for an absolute fact!

[@Scorned405]

@@timmygibsonkc Absolutely. It’s nothing but a business. Lol.

[@MGhobbyroom]

Awesome! Been looking forward to this interview!

[@vls3771]

Thanks so much tim for stepping forward you guys are the real deal !

[@daCALI]

What a great conversation,thanks guys!

[@gleidhold]

Great interview and conversation! Thanks for sharing.

[@DrDotarSojat]

I thought this was a very enlightening interview. What an honest and thoughtful reflection on life from the pastor. I also think that the interviewer asked incredibly insightful and meaningful questions.

[@CindyBuhr-h3b]

That did it for me too! The "gay" agenda!! I grew up in a Baptist Church and as I got older, I never agreed with the philosophies and hatred of the church!

[@ariannahjustinenarmstrong9390]

I listened to the first part on the podcast and then watched this. Thank you so much for these great interviews!

[@atilathesonofdanubius4277]

Amazing story. I admire your honesty, courage and wisdom.

[@Phlegethon]

This was really brave. It showed a lot of courage that’s needed to walk to the other side. Because he also needed to reject the notion of heaven and the afterlife

[@benwpersonal]

Brilliant. As an ex pastor, thank you. Brilliant 🎉

[@EmpatheticSage83]

Constant guilt and shame and repentance, oh how I remember the horror

[@richardmatias8106]

I hated it

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

Right? I hated myself so much when I was a christian. The self-talk you internalize, when every tiny thing you do is a potential "sin", is NOT healthy!

[@sarahjudith8433]

Authenticity and honesty is what led me to deconstruct and deconvert as well. Values my family and religion taught me but now my parents suddenly arent so happy about me living these values...

[@Harper_Kit_]

I used to watch trans creators here on youtube like samantha lux or others and then delete the history and go pray and cry and hope no one would find out, glad I since deconstructed, but I still feel like I'm always being watched no matter what I do...

[@Anne--Marie]

That eerie feeling of always being watched is not helpful to you. You are not always being watched by some spirit in the sky. You have privacy. You are an individual. You were born precious and perfect and you still are precious and perfect. You deserve happiness every day!

[@joshlonon2614]

Really enjoyed listening to Timothy! Seems like a really cool guy.

[@snola-d2v]

Thank you doe spreading the TRUTH.

[@MindEscape-g7r]

I was right. It’s Timmy. 😂 Cool dude.

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you!

[@sekkhiaakare7701]

This was great. I liked how he describes himself now.

[@DonaldTruss]

Wow, talk about a rebirth! Congratulations Mr. Gibson - you survived.

[@appnzllr]

I was a licensed minister in the Assemblies of God. Went to seminary and got a MA. Then I became disillusioned and walked away from it all. Eventually I watched a video by Dr. Carrier, and I realized the truth.

[@prettyaddictedcult]

This was incredible, thankyou for this! 🖤

[@heatherbates8798]

Thank you so much for this story. Subscribed ❤

[@EonVoidia]

Thank you Gentleman. For helping me confirm that I need a proper deconstruction from these destructive thoughts.

[@DennisFernandes-SG]

Hey Tim, love your story. Welcome to the club man!

[@MrEmpireBuilder0000]

Mr Gibson's advice about reading books resonates deeply with me. I read a LOT of books from many authors. I had a religious uncle I looked up to when I was a kid. As an adult, I saw his wall of books. It was all Christian stuff. Understanding the bible. How to Christian this... or that... Right there, I realized just how small his world was. It was no wonder when we first had a moral discussion about abortion... his views were sadly narrow. His world was all Christianity. There was no Shakespeare. Tolstoy, Mark Twain... no other authors of the world. No history. No science. No biology. I felt sorry for him then. Felt sorry for a lifetime of just slaving away as a corporate tool, going to Sunday service every week without fail. No wonder his world was so small. He knew very little outside his job, family and Christianity.

[@SandySez]

Great guest! Don't tell Seth, but I dont' always catch ALL of his podcasts , lol... I'm SO glad I got to hear this one,. Great job Timmy. I want to hear more. I paused about 15 mins before the end to leave a comment, hopefully you give some info in the end on how to keep up with what you're up to.

[@merbst]

This guy was too good to be a Christian!

[@aaronparker1221]

Well said

[@mortenrevheim3224]

This is the only "no true Scotsman" I've ever liked

[@wizquinn8021]

My church raised pastors who were at least 90% controlling manipulative narcissistic egomaniacs. Only a handful genuinely care for people inside and outside their church walls. It's a mess. Then these pastors turn around and raise the same type of individuals as him.😢😢. And in many ways worship the head pastor. Pastor pleasers. Yes men. They wanted to be pastors for all the wrong reasons. And the saddest thing is they are still pastoring!!!!!😢😢.

[@jamesexline689]

"You weren't really a christian!" Holy crap, I get that often. (I'm a former pastor, now atheist.) And just as Timmy said, I believe that the reason is more about them than the person they're saying it to, in order to put a safety net between the one who's strayed from their faith and their faith. They are basically painting it in a more palatable light, lest their own faith come into question and fall under the same scrutiny that the one who left the faith did, thereby leaving their own faith vulnerable, and therefore, they themselves capable of losing faith just as the one they are screaming this nonsense to did.

[@Joe-of2ji]

Beautiful inspiring story ❤

[@timmygibsonkc]

Thank you Joe!

[@IKE5021]

Seth, that's one of your best guests because his story and how he was thinking his way out of the mental prison of Christianity can be so helpful for those current Christians with doubts. I wasn't a preacher or even a serious Christian, but I was raised in evangelical churches, attended 3 times a week, had a whole social life based on church people, and my father was and is a pastor. Tim's story really echoes my way out.

[@Scorned405]

Kirk loves Jesus because his acting career has tanked and now he makes money off religion

[@timmygibsonkc]

😂

[@lshed28]

Jesus delivered me from demons so I know he is real

[@adamplentl5588]

​@@lshed28no he didn't.

[@lshed28]

@@adamplentl5588yes he did and you can’t tell me what happened in my life.

[@lshed28]

@@adamplentl5588 every knee will bow to Jesus one day.

[@JesseJerdak]

Freaking great stuff here! Proud of your courage and commitment to truth, Timmy!!

[@orlandoruizrivera]

Great episode!

[@neilclaypoole7529]

Another great show Seth

[@CaveWang]

Great conversation, really enjoyed that!

[@combobreaker1059]

Glad he found a way out of the brainwashed Bubble, Christians usually stuck in!❤

[@timmygibsonkc]

Me too!

[@goodpplz123]

I was too much of an inquisitive child and I pissed off my parents and pastor because I wouldn’t stop asking simple questions about simple contradictions. Young Earth, dinosaurs, other religions, etc. I walked away after I was 16 and I got married to kind of escape. College finished that off. The last 28 years have been filled with knowledge, and not having to be told I’m a piece of dirt . Most of the super religious people I’ve known are/were super judgmental, duplicitous, and acting like they are morally superior. It’s like the difference between Pastor Houston Douche and Mattress Mack. One pretends to be holy, while Mack walks the walk.

[@Lisafreeflyer]

I always wanted to know why a loving god was jealous and full of anger and wrath. Nobody could explain to me why I was born "bad".

[@tattedcat4234]

One of my favorite verses: The truth shallset you free. And once I figured out that the bible was not truth, the real truth did set me free! ❤❤❤❤

[@NickGagnon-u1v]

Great interview.

[@Monipenny1000]

Living your truth sets you free, it allows you to live authentically. I can't imagine pretending to be something I'm not, (a believer) after deconstructing for fear of backlash or criticism. That would be hell. Nice interview. Glad to see ex-preachers being honest as they come out.

[@TheNordicharps]

Phil Collins' "Jesus He knows Me" popped into my head about a third of the way through.

[@jackpine62]

Thank you so much for this conversation. I'm working on a 25-year long deconversion - really - and this may have taken a couple of years off the process.

[@jewelsbarbie]

Another really good channel that has helped me is Brandon’s channel called ‘Mindshift’. He was an extremely devout Christian who was involved in the church for 30 years. He is well spoken and very thorough.

[@Giantfloatingballoonhead]

Such a great interview and conversation. I’m sure Timmy made a wonderful pastor when he was a Christian. He speaks well and clearly has a heart for people. I’m glad you made it out. Lucky us.

[@mikemaas82]

Great interview - maybe your best. Timmy’s deconstruction mirrors so many stories from my own life. The same exact books changed me. My thirst for knowledge has made me feel like a kid again, etc. Thank you for sharing and keep doing you, Timmy.

[@Scorned405]

This is really cool. You both are cool. Christianity is based on unhealthy emotions like guilt and fear. That is the chopping block either way.

[@ObservantHistorian]

Agreed. And, given that "Christian values" run the gamut from far-right to far-left - so that "Christian values" has no meaning whatsoever - the ONLY thing Christians agree on (even the most liberal) is the primitive and barbaric belief in the efficacy of human sacrifice to appease a blood-thirsty god that is the theological foundation of the religion. It truly represents two of humanity's worst traits: believing in transparent nonsense like gods, and wallowing in our primitive emotions.