I Left Because

[@cuzinevil1]

I left because; My wife died 3 months after we were married. Six months later my younger brother died in a car crash. I was 20 years old. My Mother pushed me to go to confession and when I did the Priest asked me if I was sorry for marrying out of the faith. This was my last day as a Catholic. January 14, 1979.

[@eveharris30]

I was born that year.

[@melanieahrens6739]

I am so sorry you went through all that.

[@sharonsmith1203]

Go back and show that priest his own bible. Then ask him if he's sorry for teaching immoral doctrine of a fictitious thug God his entire career? Lmao

[@theinherentfloyd3393]

Fuck that priest so goddamn much.

[@jimdandy2024]

The fact that you remember the exact date says everything. This clearly and correctly had a huge impact on you. Through the heart ache you were going through, the priest attempted to make you the evil one. Disgraceful.

[@jmg94j]

I grew up in the church. My dad was a pastor, and everyone around me just assumed that I was a believer. When they would find out that I'm an atheist, the first thing they ask me is, "How did you lose your faith?". I respond by telling them that I never had faith. My earliest recollections are of skepticism. When I was about six, or seven, I made the mistake of questioning what I was being told, and I painfully learned that you don't ever question God, or the bible. Right then I knew that I was being lied to.

[@wesstubbs3472]

You were a intellectually precocious child. Typically children develop the ability for abstract reasoning around 12. I remember praying every night on my knees at bed and then, one night, out of the blue, a voice asked me, "What if no one is listening to this?" Every adult I approached with the question either ran away from me or reacted like satan was talking to them. I've since learned that most of the underlying mythical foundations of American culture are complete bs.

[@jullemoe]

Just left the Jehovas witnesses with my husband and 2 kids. I'm 38 yrs old. Hardest / best thing ever. Thank you for your hard work! Cheers from Denmark 🇩🇰

[@Ronnymikkonen2686]

Hello Julie, I have listened to Theramin Trees! It's wery good psychology! Hilsen fra Sverige. Regina.

[@willmack3308]

I grew up as a JW. Left as soon as I went to college but then jumped right into “mainstream” Christianity, even becoming a pastor. I think it was my JW upbringing that kept me blind to the nonsense of religion in general.

[@sandrastott9933]

I left because I finally started to realize that, as a woman, I would never be considered a worthwhile human being. It took me a few extra years to completely leave, but I made it.

[@yenziwemotha6020]

I left because of a combination of science and the lack of a relationship between African parents and their children. Being an atheist in a country where they still burn witches is kinda scary not to even mention that I am a teenager which makes it 10 times worse. But your videos are always a ray of sunshine in a dark tunnel Seth. So thank you for doing your work. Don't stop

[@tkenglander6226]

Stay safe!!!!

[@yenziwemotha6020]

@@tkenglander6226 I will. Thank you for your concern

[@juliaabadi6812]

I hope that you are able to go to school/college and expand your horizons.

[@mikehawes2]

I would encourage you to consider that bad religion is not a reason to ignore the very good rationale for the existence of a creator. 😊

[@mikehawes2]

There’s a great video series called ‘The Chosen.’ Everybody here would watch this series, before you come to any conclusions. 😊

[@CCpro83]

For me, critical thinking made it very difficult to remain religious.

[@ericb9804]

I left when I realized that the story of Christianity was indistinguishable from the stories of every other religion ever. It’s only special feature was that it had been given to me, like a disease.

[@eddieclark9802]

It's like divine herpes. 😁

[@rain3743]

The cycle of abuse doesn't stop until we start calling abuse, abuse. We know better, so we must do better.

[@authorcourtneywashburn]

Grew up without religion. Met my husband and really tried to get into it, but realized after about 3 years that it was not right... so many things didnt add up for me. Lots of things went against the open mind I had always had growing up. It was too difficult for me to really commit, and so I stepped away respectfully.

[@jameslyons1624]

Always be true to yourself

[@sharonsmith1203]

My father religiously abused us! He would threaten us constantly that God was coming to punish us for being such bad children. My brothers and I had religion beat into us. Two of us got out of religion, but two older brothers are still walking in my father's footsteps preaching all this shit to their kids. One brother's kids have disowned him because kids have the internet these days. You can't beat religion into self informed kids.

[@SimianJack]

I was never there. When I started hearing about God and the Bible, it was no different than the legends and fantasies from Ray Harryhausen movies, only a lot less satisfying. Took a few years before the unsettling realization that people actually believed this nonsense and expected me to believe it too.

[@rahowherox1177]

Tis funny how "studying" the bible in a Christian sense doesn't include reading the thing.

[@svenred6eard757]

@HappyCamper91 Yes, I've never heard of a study group doing Exodus 21. That would be interesting to go to

[@rahowherox1177]

Your mate JC said this, by the way.

[@JDdr86]

@LuthAMF Who are you?

[@JDdr86]

@LuthAMF What were those comments about?

[@JDdr86]

@LuthAMF Wait, so the biblical doctrine isn't supporting or condoning slavery and genocide?

[@TheRobdarling]

As young children my siblings and I were encouraged to read. We all quickly learned to recognize fiction.

[@rojh9351]

Anyone who claims “God's love is unconditional” didn’t read the small print.

[@rahowherox1177]

Nor (most of) the large print ...

[@rojh9351]

@LuthAMF We’re not really interested in going down the rabbit hole of theology. You similarly don’t need to know all the Harry Potter fan fiction to know it’s made up.

[@sgleblanc]

@LuthAMF We don't have to know anything about theology. We just don't believe.

[@sgleblanc]

@LuthAMF How can I have a theology when I'm don't believe in any god? Atheism is not a belief.

[@rojh9351]

@LuthAMF Yeah, sorry. Partly it was the realisation that theology may explore aspects of, among other things, moral guidance arising from the Biblical texts, but that those purporting to follow that guidance still end up being witless gobshites like you, who mistake ill-informed arrogance for religious fervour. The other realisation was the premise for the canonical determination of the Biblical texts around Jesus as the eschatological act of God meant that Christianity was only ever a death-cult under the thin cover of “little Jesus meek and mild”. But I’m sure you understand all that, yeah? Because your theology isn’t just whatever garbage your Mega-Church preacher fed you while picking the pockets of the poorly educated, yeah? Go on, without looking it up, explain to me the significance of the Shepherd of Hermas to Biblical canon. That’s about as simple as it gets with theology. And no cheating, Jesus is watching you!

[@dj_tika]

When people say "I'll pray for you", I reply "Get in line and good luck with that"

[@conversion721]

I had chronic depression because of mental physical sexual financial torture.. Your videos helped me seth

[@TurtleTimeVoiceOvers]

Hopefully Seth will invite more people to tell their horror stories. I just saw this. My sister and I were talking a few days ago about our southern baptist upbringing. Like being forced to watch an end times movie as children that has permanently traumatized us. It’s a movie that many adults probably shouldn’t watch, much less kids in grade school. Another form of cruelty I remembered while listening was this. When I lost my very best friend (and when other friends passed away) many Christians I knew asked _was she a Christian?_ If I answered _no_ or _I’m not sure,_ they would make a sad face and say, _oh... that’s too bad._ So I started saying yes just to avoid that response which would usually send me off in tears and worsen my grief.

[@stacimarie3]

My mother grew up southern baptist and I recall her telling me about a terrible end-times movie they were made to watch. It literally scared her into being a Christian, which she still is today.

[@TurtleTimeVoiceOvers]

@@stacimarie3 Yes. It was really bad. Like watching the American Horror Story series at church.

[@barnabyjonesdangerdog758]

I grew up with a psychologically abusive mother, but at least she didn't force me to believe in a sky daddy. And I thank her for that.

[@jimdandy2024]

I grew up with a psychologically abusive father. Again he did not force religion on me. He was not religious at all. However, now that his health is failing in his twilight years he appears to be turning to religion. I'm prepared to forgive him for his abuse. I will not bring it up to him. I want him to stay alive and enjoy life as long as possible. It is ironic as a life long atheist I am able to turn the other cheek. No religion required.

[@ereal44]

I left because I felt stupid and out of place in the Catholic church. I really tried to believe, but I had too many questions that no one could answer. My mom’s answer was always “it’s a mystery.” Wasn’t good enough for me... My last day as a Catholic was during the retreat for confirmation. The whole weekend the mentors tried to reinforce the idea of “faith” and tried to make us teens have a spiritual moment but for me it was just plain out creepy. That’s when I knew, I was done with religion. Oh and also, I started reading the bible for fun and that definitely reinforced my stance on why religion is was not for me

[@realskepticalstoic9704]

I taught the bible to young people and young adults for more than ten years. Read the bible from cover to cover more than five times and memorised whole books. Then I realised that everything I ever believed was a scam.

[@jimneysweep9810]

Do you believe the end times the book talks about is referring to this scam going on and needing the mark of the beast to buy things as cash will be gone because this plandemic ?? So many Christians pushing the end times story because of what we are in now

[@sharonsmith1203]

@@jimneysweep9810 wait, ya mean there's no mark of the beast? Ha ha.. all those year of not buying any groceries with a bar code on it. Lmao Do you know how difficult it is to just eat grapes?

[@jimneysweep9810]

@@sharonsmith1203 i get your point ! But the Christians believe bill gates vaxine and possible chip on the arm to buy stuff is the mark of beast and the end is near . Damn they are pushing scary shit and tell us we go to hell unless we follow Jesus . Horrific stuff they are pushing

[@maxp9598]

@@jimneysweep9810 talk to the hand✋

[@derreckwalls7508]

I left for a diversity of reasons, but what was particularly influential was studying both the Bible and comparative religion. I was having problems with the stories in the Bible and the barbaric character of a duplicitous god, but comparative religion in college made me understand what the Bible was and gave a fully plausible explanation for why it said the ridiculous things it did. Once I understood the origins and foundations of religions both old and new, I had to ask myself a simple but revealing question. It was this: Of all the religions of mankind past and present, long dead or in contemporary practice, what distinguishes mine (Christianity) as being true any more than any other? Didn't the Sumerians and Egyptians believe just as devoutly in their "false" gods as I did in my "true" god? What, then, makes my god true? The answer I came to after four years of reflection was "nothing". Christianity had no more claim to validity than Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, or the Greek Pantheon. Also I learned about the evolution of religion and realized that belief in a god was no longer relevant as a means of cultural preservation or as a science substitute. For me, mankind had outgrown any use for religion, and my god became just one of innumerable myths.

[@blackice9088]

I left Christianity and religion behind after reading the holy bible...

[@conversion721]

@i o one is tumor another cancer

[@JDdr86]

@i o You are either joking or being a nutjob.

[@2l84me8]

@i o Islam is just as bad as christianity.

[@ridenourbikewithdystonia5888]

The 2016 election was the breaking point for me as well like the 2nd caller. I realized I can't do this any more.

[@celiamoreno5117]

Even if the intention was not to hurt the kids, the results are that it did. So, it is child abuse, is like involuntary murder. It was not the intention, but what counts is the results.

[@dionettaeon]

I once heard about a Missouri abduction case where a boy's relatives were worried that he was too trusting around strangers, so they staged kidnapping him, bound and stripped him, and threatened to torture him and sell him into sex-slavery. CPS took him into custody of course, but his relatives' lawyer tried to argue that the whole thing was out of love and a concern for his safety, which thankfully didn't hold up. Even suggesting the idea of a Hell is mentally no different if not worse, fearmongering children into thinking something like that and worse could happen to them for eternity, and even worse when they're being told that they _deserve_ it. Like you said, good intention isn't enough when the result is unnecessary trauma.

[@svenred6eard757]

Like Jewish and Muslim circumcision, which literally hurts an innocent baby that didn't ask for it.

[@rosettabennett5687]

I always thought the Bible stories were silly but scared of a place called (HELL ) by the time I was 21 I got over it!! 40 years ago Proud Atheist ❤️

[@Venusbabe66]

At age 7, I realised I knew what the word "contradiction" meant without ever even hearing the word. The confusion that my cognitive dissonance created due to religion during childhood meant the confusion always bugged me and I filed it away in my mind under something to be verified. It was verified - to be false. And to be dangerous to personal growth and abusive to children. It does truly poison everything!

[@marciwilliams8654]

I left because of the cruelty that they called "love".

[@jhill4874]

Having been raised in a secular household, I never had to deal with leaving.

[@evinchester7820]

Been an ashiest since the age of 7. Girl sitting next to me in class said she did not like the jets flying through the clouds because that is where the angels lived. I said to myself, "That's ridiculous. Clouds are made of mist..." I never looked back. Years ago I was at an atheist gathering. Met this girl who had come to the realization that there was not a "hell" and then a week later, there "is no 'God' ". The best way to describe her was "FREE". My heart went out to her. I'd never lived like that. Nor did I live with the fear of being watched and judged 24 hours a day. I knew then that I was a very fortunate person.

[@thedarknessthatcomesbefore4279]

Always a pleasure listening to you Seth. Thanks 👍 and thanks to all the callers sharing their stories.

[@thomasg627]

I left because of a whole host of reasons, but it might not be one of the stories you're looking for. - When I was a kid my whole family (3 generations) would go to church every sunday and some time around my 6th bday I noticed my dad was always missing, my mom said he's standing somewhere at the rear end, but I checked and he wasn't there, so I went outside and found him in the bar next door, having some beer ..... that was the last time I've seen a church from the inside, from that day on I was sitting in the bar with my dad having some fruit juice. - Around my 13th bday I figured out even without going to church the entire rest of all religious stuff is BS as well. - Around my 14th bday my school (in Germany) implemented a new law making it possible not to attend religion class anymore, where I instantly made my parents sign the required declaration. - At the precise day of my 18th bday I officially signed the required declaration in my city office, declaring my termination of church membership. End of story, by now almost 40 years ago.

[@rain3743]

I left because I didn't see any "transformed lives or minds" happening. No one was demonstrating "greater things in His name," so I figured it was BS. Also, so much hate towards scapegoated groups from the pious and religious, so I decided I wanted nothing to do with it, anymore. I slowly evolved out of the need to gaslight myself. I had worked on my own inner healing and self-esteem. I finally learned I AM ENOUGH. So, I just don't believe it.

[@StripperLicker]

I relate 100%. I was sincere about "applying scripture" in my life, especially meaning "love for others" in heart and deeds. Over time I became aware that the more pious my fellow believers were the less loving behavior they expressed, especially within leadership. Conversely, those who were the kindess ans most selfless in helping others most often had the reputations of being "spiritually weak." This pattern was the same in a variety of churches and denominations. Funny enough it was applying scripture at 2 TIM 3:5 thar provided the foundation for my realization of the impotence of belief.

[@rain3743]

@@StripperLicker It's funny. That was the scripture verse that screamed at me ALL the time.

[@StripperLicker]

@@rain3743 Thank you for sharing that! I gave me a big smile to know there is a least one other person who thought this way when applying that scripture honestly. 🙂 Best wishes to you 👍

[@rain3743]

@@StripperLicker Likewise, Friend.

[@pockydreamer]

I left because the praise and worship thing didn't makes sense to me as a kid. The adults avoiding certain questions or just replying with "Just believe" or some variation. The fact that the people around me who were "devout Christians" be hateful and patronizing towards things they didn't agree with or people because of their sexuality. Being told that my interests "didn't please the Lord" and everything had to be glorifying to God. As an adult being written off as being "angry at God" for pointing out the horrendous things their "loving God" have done in the Bible. I fully lost faith in 2018 and have been so much happier than what I have been while still believing.

[@jinglejazz7537]

I left decades ago. A brother died suddenly in 1976, reasons I was given didn't make sense. He died to punish your dad for the terrible things he did to my mom, that didn't make sense. my bro dies to teach dad a lesson, that's when I realize that people use religion to find a reason that makes them happy. I was 15 when that happened. Started to make me think. At the funeral the pastor asked us to say a prayer for my brother, dear lord take his soul sort of thing. I thought. he's been dead for 3 days, hasn't god already done this....I was told it helps his soul move upward. 'bullshit detector went off. lIfe went on...the more I studied it the more I realized its BULLSHIT. Plus I live in Canada. Religion is not a relevant in society as it is in the USA. Then years later, along came HUBBLE!

[@danniealexander4131]

I left because I started to read the bible and realized the things that were in it. But previous to that I started questioning after my dad fell asleep on the couch watching a Muslim man talk about religion and I heard him say that he didnt believe Jesus was devine or that he died for our sins and 14yo me was shook. Full on crying hysterics talking about how ungrateful this guy on tv was that he wouldn't accept jesus's sacrifice. But then that started me onto research about who jesus really was and that also lead to me trying to read the bible and let's just say problems started popping up from the very beginning....did this book just say that plants were created before the sun?......and when I asked my parents they couldnt explain a single thing. Which confused me because they profess to be believers so what exactly are you believing if you cant explain the book that's the source of their belief. Then i realized that they never fucking read it. And that kind of pissed me off. Cuz to this day they still profess faith in jesus but never read the book in its entirety. And the dumb things they would say in defence of the crazy stories usually amounted to "God magic did it" and I couldnt wrap my brain around that.

[@fpe1207]

Just the INTJ in me. I informed my parents there is no God and no Santa Claus when I was 4. I had to go to bed without seeing Candid Camera that night.

[@tkenglander6226]

Aww, that's an unfair punishment for a little kid!!! :-(

[@kevinhead5795]

@@tkenglander6226 Santa gives ya gifts ,god wants to be worshipped or else,bummer on the Santa thing.

[@upbeatatheist9556]

I left the faith (and a job in music ministry) because I allowed myself to think about it. Thought: the end of religious belief.

[@seedhound]

Thank you for your work Seth.

[@dankrauz1036]

It all begins with asking questions. Love ya Seth.

[@redrobin3942]

Let's face it..I never really joined. I think I was probable around 6 or 7 when at Bible camp, I remember thinking..."this sounds really dumb."

[@WilbertLek]

I never left. Because I never arrived...

[@95mudshovel]

1:09:00 I deeply enjoyed talking to you, Seth. thanks!

[@paulhause9040]

I grew up under the influence of Jack Hyles of Hammond IN, who was probably the meanest human being I'd ever seen. I'm glad I finally got away from religion as an adult, because I saw at a young age just how toxic and vile it is. I saw more "sin" and villainy at church than I ever did in "the world".

[@venlakirahvi]

My family is evangelic lutheran. I distinctly remember thinking already at 6 or 7 that this "god" is really a jerk. (However I first felt safe saying that I'm an atheist in my late teens, I was too afraid for their reaction. I'm 27 now and they still don't accept it. But I'm getting better at drawing boundaries lol.) I was also scarred by what you touch on in this podcast -- facing a problem or worry, and bringing it to my parents: if they couldn't think of an immediate, easy solution, they directly jumped to praying, and said I just need to place my trust in their god. Me considering their religion to be a horrible fairytale, I felt insulted and completely abandoned. I wanted to avoid that situation as much as possible, so I stopped sharing the things that would have been most important for me to share and get support for.

[@Phoenix0F8]

I had the same problem trying to talk to my dad, who is also a Lutheran pastor! I realized after a while that no matter what problem I came to him with, he would always just pray about it and not give me any actually useful advice or help. It got so frustrating to have a pastor instead of a dad! Add to that the fact that he had a 'Charismatic' bent (read: crazy Christian belief in literal spellcasting and magic supposedly powered by the Holy Spirit, reliant on words, gestures and magical artifacts like crosses and anointing oil) and a lot of mundane problems would turn into forced confessions, exorcisms and an insistence that I verbally "Renounce" certain things or else I would be held under a curse. Growing up I thought that shit was normal! It's crazy what a sincere belief in 2,000 year old myths will do to people's sense of 'Normalcy'.

[@venlakirahvi]

@@Phoenix0F8 I'm so sorry you had to endure that. If I may ask, how are you doing now with your family, has it gotten any better?

[@Phoenix0F8]

@@venlakirahvi I appreciate that, thank you. I came out as agnostic to my mom about two years ago, although I kept going to church for almost a year after that pretty much from force of habit. I went away on a hiking trip and did some quick math while I was walking around one sunday about just how much of my life I had already wasted sitting in the pews at church, enduring that awful corporate confession (where we all literally said out loud, over and over again, that we deserve eternal damnation) and the same hymns over and over again, the grating messages about what a bunch of rotten sinners we are- but don't worry, God killed himself for some reason and that makes it better... The increasingly creepy 'Communion' of eating and drinking the body and blood of a man who died 2,000 years ago. I realized that I could get back an extra three or four hours every week (Accounting for our absurdly long two hour services, the meetings, the luncheons, and the half hour car ride both ways) and I would be much happier doing quite literally anything else. So I haven't been to church since Christmas of 2019, and that was my first time going in months. The way people reacted to me being there that day made me quite certain that I never wanted to set foot in a church again. They were civil enough, I suppose, but it was very clear that I was now an outsider just from the way they looked at me and the tones they took when talking to me. At this point my dad is the only one I haven't actually had a full conversation with about the fact that I've lost my faith. He still occasionally tries to pray with me, or tell me weird stories about supposed miracles he's seen and heard of, but I've shut him down enough times that he really doesn't even try to do that anymore... and it's honestly a relief. I know it must be surreal for them to think that their son is going to hell. Well, if heaven is anything like those church services they forced me to attend for over 20 years- I frankly wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near heaven, anyway.

[@Irishmule169]

@@Phoenix0F8 I say the exact thing .. if heaven is real “ which in my belief it’s not “ I’d rather go to hell than be around religious types for eternity !!

[@loki6626]

Great call from Michaela. I'm not surprised she found some comfort in christianity after that traumatic childhood but so pleased she saw right through it. Kinda love her.

[@jacketrussell]

Never been religious. Could never fathom why people bought into it.

[@michaelruther3275]

Being raised into it and immense tribalism.

[@loki6626]

You're English too aren't you Jack. I went to a church of England school. The religion classes were just so boring and obviously just fiction even to my 5 year old brain. Asked dad why they were teaching us that rubbish, he said "take no notice."

[@jacketrussell]

@@loki6626 Yes, much the same story here.

[@TH_2212]

Indoctrination from an early age by family and friends with good intentions is powerful thing.

[@Hustada]

Family. That’s why.

[@42percenthealth]

I left twice. First, I left my family because they (well, my mom mostly) wanted to tell me what career to pursue, whom to marry, what to do with my free time, how to invest my money, etc. I was still a Christian at the time, but I left because I thought that the family's religion was not in line with "true" Christianity. A few years later, I left Christianity mostly because of the problem of divine hiddenness. It began bothering me that I couldn't tell which prayers were answered by God, and which ones were mere happenstance. Also, why did God feel the need to hide? Why was he always in the background, working in the shadows like he didn't want to get caught? Why did he talk to people by "pressing matters on their heart" instead of talking face-to-face, like one would expect of someone who wants a relationship. It all made no sense. I also saw Seth's "Christianity Made Me Talk Like an Idiot" talk during this time, which helped to put things in perspective.

[@carol648]

I left because I experienced too much cognitive dissonance trying to believe in the imaginary friend. Science and social science based books helped me along the path to freedom from the cult of Catholicism. It wasn't easy to tell family members for a long time, but once I started to, it was so liberating. I do not feel anger toward individuals for their beliefs, but most church practices and doctrines upset me: the othering and bigotry, hypocrisy and Johnson Amendment violations to name a few. I really despise the religions that indoctrinate children before they are old enough to make the choice for themselves. Thanks, TA, for your podcast!

[@buck_maize111]

This was incredibly helpful to me.. thank you! Please keep this kind of thing going.. it's helping ppl like me 👍

[@aliceelaine1387]

Amazing Grace was written by a man who had a slave ship. The nightmares and guilt he would he the people cry in his dreams. He became a preacher. He also started the course to end slavery in England. He truly was a wretch. That is a redemption song. Begging his forgiveness. Look it up. Or as our generation says," GOOGLE IT" love to listen Seth and thank you

[@lynnegreen2002]

Indeed. The thing about Amazing Grace is that it's widely sung, but it only refers to the writer himself!

[@Dudchy]

Beautiful keep this content coming

[@davidlang9939]

BE GOOD, DO GOOD THINGS, MAKE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN!!!

[@realskepticalstoic9704]

Thank you Seth.

[@doctorheadblog]

Death Cab For Cutie... that song... and that lyric in particular broke me down in tears. The abuse is real. I held my tongue, as she told me, "Son, fear is the heart of love." So I never went back. Please listen to this song, Seth. And listen to the rest of the album. The whole collection is amazing. The album is "Plans" by Death Cab For Cutie. It's a beautiful depiction of the human experience in real terms.

[@FredHarvey779]

The story my mother tells is that when I was about seven years old my parents asked me if I wanted to continue Sunday school and I said no because the stories they read weren't as good as the stories at the Library. I don't think my parents were ever strong Christians, neither was I, my older sister still is though, she chose to stay with it. I'm 60 now and I'm an Australian, religion is a factor in society here but not as strong or influential as in the U.S.A. I don't think the God concept has ever seemed real to me, I have looked into Christianity, because of my sister, but it, and beliefs like it, all just seem a bit silly really, like a role playing game that has been taken too seriously.

[@Ronnymikkonen2686]

Yes, the are pretenders! Don't buy in to that BS.

[@Phoenix0F8]

Having endured several botched "Exorcisms" I can confirm that Christianity is just live-action roleplaying with even worse spells and costumes.

[@FredHarvey779]

@@Phoenix0F8 Exactly!

[@AkoSiFrance]

I left because: When I was still a Christian, I had doubts here and there about the bible. I could not reconcile an all Loving god and the eternal punishment or torment in hell. I became a Christian Universalist for awhile, coz I thought an all knowing, all powerful, all loving god can and will save everybody. A year past after learning more about the historicity of the bible and Christianity. I came to the conclusion that there's nothing left for me hold on. I completely left my Christian faith.

[@Phoenix0F8]

Similar story here, universalism was able to bolster my faith for about an extra decade after I started to have my first doubts. But then I reread the bible and realized that, as many passages as there were that seemed to support universal reconciliation ("The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end. *Surely he will not cast off forever* nor does he willingly grieve the children of men" according to Lamentations) there were also plenty that seemed to point toward eternal damnation. ("The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever in the presence of the saints" according to Revelation) I realized that surely an all-powerful and all-knowing God with perfect morality would be better at writing his scriptures than to leave so much confusion on such an important point. Now I read about Jesus' parable of the Rich man and Lazarus, in which Lazarus' torment in hell is literally close enough to heaven that the damned and the blessed can see and speak to each other across a chasm... and I'm just thinking, why? Why would God design the universe in such a way that guarantees the eternal existence of suffering and evil right next to his eternal garish worship service to himself? These eternally burning, writhing soul-carcasses are going to be cursing his name forever... But then again, maybe the Christian God is so sick that he would actually get off on that. The whole thing honestly creeps me out the more I think about it. The fact that I spent many years thinking that this was all perfectly normal. Glad to hear I'm not the only one whose journey away from the faith started out by doubting hell.

[@AkoSiFrance]

@@Phoenix0F8 When I was still a Christian I always look at people everywhere and asked myself who are going to hell. It saddens me, especially for my family. I feel so sad before often times knowing a lot of people are going to hell. Its liberating to know hell is just human concept and not real.

[@orphanblackops4608]

@36:00ish, the dude who left and his brother who is a pastor and mom are on his case. I would just tell them, it’s all part of gods plan. If he wants me in hell separated from both of you then that is the way he wants it. Praise god.

[@RickRomig]

I didn't leave religion, I left the presumption of religion behind. Until my mid-fifties, I took a basic belief in God and Jesus for granted. Then I started a journey to "find my faith" by reading the Bible. The presumption began falling apart by the second chapter of Genesis and was completely unraveled long before I finished my reading. I abandoned the presumption of religion as well as the need for it.

[@juliocasim4330]

Religion is all about money.

[@wesmahan4757]

Not for most individual believers, even though it might be for some TV evangelists. I didn't know ANY Christians who were in it for the money, after 46 years as a believer. Most of us actually were willing to give up being wealthy, for "giving up all for Jesus".

[@juliocasim4330]

Wes Mahan well maybe your blind open your eye all religion are shit the only purpose they want are to earn a very huge money,wealth and power.By the way if your god is the creator why there are more than 5,000 gods and goddess all over the world as well as religion.Have you ever think that it should only have one god and no religion he should speak to his creation,he will not use human to talk to his creation.why they need 10% or donation does god need money.who are one of the richest leader in this world preacher,priest,imam etc.Lastly where is your god in this time of pandemic?science 24/7 doing their best to invent a vaccine to this virus.Your god is very powerful why he never do anything to stop this?More than a year religious people are praying to stop this virus but it is mutating,Vatican has billion and billion of wealth and money.If that money will be use to save Africa i think poverty will stop and africa and other third world will.

[@kindredbr1932]

I left because darwin. Ok obviously isn't just because of that, but he's good

[@kindredbr1932]

@God الله Allah I mean, i didn't say it had holes? I fully agree on him. Or are you just self asserting?

[@AbandonedMaine]

@God الله Allah Darwins theory was preferred above the others because it fits with racist anti-human imperialist policies of the British empire not because it's an actual method of describing the universe.

[@kindredbr1932]

@@AbandonedMaine doesn't mean his theory for the most part is wrong, and yes they used it to enslave, but at the time every european was racist in the light of contemporary world today

[@edwincasimir28]

@@AbandonedMaine Maybe try reading Darwin next time, instead of echoing creatard pamphlet quote mines. Darwin rejected the very idea of race, held that it had no value in biology, and even commented that people are probably better off interbreeding with others from phenotypes that they're least similar to. Nice try though.

[@AbandonedMaine]

@@edwincasimir28 Then why did he use Thomas Malthus' Theory on Population as the basis of his study then? Face it, he only exists because the eugenic lunatics of the British Empire promoted him over actual scientists like Alexander von Humboldt.

[@realskepticalstoic9704]

I left because of the bible. It didn't add up.

[@thedarknessthatcomesbefore4279]

If the goat herder's guide to the galaxy made sense there would be no need for apologetics to exist.... but since it doesn't... they do🤦

[@sharonsmith1203]

The problem is all the anecdotes of people who say they saw angels or witnessed a miracle, or prayed and God listened, or those NDE's. They all convinced me that God and Jesus were real. I was amazed how many books out there on all these supernatural events are all just greedy liars!!! I just couldn't imagine that this many people are con artists.

[@Phoenix0F8]

It's weird how many Christians vehemently deny the existence of aliens, ghosts, bigfoot, the loch-ness monster and all that when a lot of their proof today is on a similar level of "My uncle had a friend who saw some guy in a mall whose mom had a profound Jesus experience... no, nothing was caught on camera, no one else experienced it and there's no proof. Believe me!"

[@theunholinesswithin70]

For Sharon: What if the believers want others to also believe, which causes them to relentlessly preach and harass-Refusing to ever stop?

[@jhill4874]

"I believe that eating immigrant children is the way to grace." Hey, Sharon, no harm?

[@enaroos4608]

Maybe I was born a skeptic. I was raised Hinduism and went to the temple now and then. Stories told were just that, stories. I then started paying more attention to all Religions and that did it for me. I knew without a shadow of a doubt, I was an Atheist all along.

[@elkinsuaza6394]

I went to church but I never understood anything the priest said. So, I guess I left but, I wasn't even there. It was just a social thing.

[@darrynreid4500]

I left simply because my extreme curiosity and raw determination launched me out with irrepressible force into the life I wanted as a scientist and mathematician, from what was the intersection between relentless authoritarian bullying and abuse and an authoritarian religious framework that justified and systematically enabled it.

[@kevinhead5795]

How do woman worship a God who will torture those who don't believe,but would run far away if a guy told her love me or else?????

[@amypieterse4127]

I haven't come out as an atheist to my family yet. But speaking to the battered bride of christ, I just came from church where we read a passage in the Bible where it reads along the lines of 'god is love. And that to know love is to know god and that we should fear god.' (I think it was Deuteronomy) Why do we need to fear the god that loves us? Why does fear drive it? Why not respect? It just reminded me of the battered partner syndrome thing.

[@erichodge567]

1:33:30 Priest wouldn't bless the house and its occupants because the unemployed man's wife couldn't come up with an offering. Man, that's gangsta.

[@ATH-nj6oe]

Religion is the true speedhump of humanity.

[@thedarknessthatcomesbefore4279]

😂👍

[@sheldonmurphy6031]

The 2nd person, my deconversion mirrors his 100%!

[@mulletsandmustaches8656]

I left because after 13 years in a Christian church with my now ex husband. Years deeply involved in the women's ministry, raising and dedicating our children, my ex husband's whole family big members of the same church we went too. It was the mental abuse in my marriage that I started to break free from, to have the pastor gaslight me in a meeting with my exs parents and step parents at this meeting, where it was asked that they would take our children so we could work on our marriage. I ran out of that meeting. I had scripture used against me. That didn't make sense because of the abuse I was enduring. I was shamed, shunned, and the bad one for ending our marriage. I began writing poetry on PTSD, and other important issues. I met people all over the world I connected with in the most beautiful way.

[@lewkor1529]

As an evangelical christian with a few Muslim friends, I used to love watching Christian apologetic specifically aimed at Muslims. I enjoyed watching David Wood, late Nabeel Qureshi and Jay Smith's videos. That was a lot of fun!!! I was a true fan and a supporter until I watched a debate between David Wood and Annah Dababoy (an atheist). David got clobbered. That led me to question my own beliefs using similar arguments as the ones used against Muslims. And before I knew it I became an atheist at age 45. within weeks I found my way out of Christianity, out of religion

[@heavymetalzombiepilot4049]

I left religion very slowly but being a witness to the madness of the “Satanic Panic” in the 2010’s I remember the creepy grins and the clear psychopathy gleaming in their eyes when they were destroying my childhood and tainting those memories with my own parents who I love very much being at home bullies.

[@rain3743]

I know I commented a bunch but I need to add this: I remember the smirk on my Religious Grandmother's face, when, as a teenager (years before I became a "born again" believer) I rejected her constant proselytizing, and she said, "Well, you're just gonna burn in a lake of fire!" And she smirked, as if she was satisfied, smug and almost glad about it. It was SO sick! That kibd of wickedness and superior attitude was another reason I left. I was raised a total CA Heathen, became a Christian in my mid 20's after a very vivid dream about Jesus, and then years later...concluded that I had sought after reliving my own traumas and playing out my narcissistic family dynamic through a relationship with a "withholding God." I was very codependent(which I healed myself of) and aware that my family of origin traumatized me. I became religious to play that out over and over. It was hard to find a therapist without a Christian counseling bias, too. It took years.

[@jazzyjointz6864]

I understand your entire experience; went through it myself. There’s definitely a huge closet of hypocrisy here. Glad you got some relief through all this.

[@strezztechnoid]

There is a level of irony that is unmatched by religious "philosophy" and theism. Any origin story, though Buddhist philosophy is less problematic, fails to both be testable or verifiable to any degree beyond "Having to take it in faith." To me that seems completely odd and disconcerting--people will argue that from these texts their lives are directed. Sounds like taking driving lessons from a person with an acute visual impairment.

[@machintelligence]

I left the church because the indoctrination didn't "take." Bible stories all looked just like "stories" i.e. fiction. The idea that an omnipotent God would want to be worshipped seemed to be absurd. By the time I was 11 years old I thought that the existence of God was debatable, but worship was senseless. I continued in the Church until I was confirmed, and therefore responsible for my own behavior; then I never went to church again (except for weddings and funerals.) As I learned more about the world I finally said I was an atheist.

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

Make your own mind up about things don't let anyone influence you.

[@wesmahan4757]

What was the deadline for submitting "leaving" video stories? The above link only applies to written essays. I was an evangelical missionary in Europe for years, and at the age of 60, after 46 years as a "born-againer", I shed my faith and became an atheist.

[@alifmuhammadchicago]

I think the main reason people obsess over the king James version is because its public domain and the church doesn't have to spend money on books. Trying to get a bunch of people in rural society to understand something from the John Wycliffe English Is just a lot more contestable. Besides, the king James was the version that was spread around the most during the height of the British Empire, so you can spread your message cheaply in more areas of the world.

[@patriciabeard5521]

I left way too late. I was a Christian till I was in my early 50s. My world view changed and then two people went through difficulties (they are still hectic Christian) and I figured No. Not for me. I feel desperately sorry for my husband because had things been reversed, I'd have been devastated. My adult children don't believe I've changed. #Ileftbecause

[@dwentlandt1022]

I love my mom, she’s a really wonderful loving mom, however, when she found out that I am an atheist she just couldn’t understand how and why that happened. I had to explain to her this simple thing. All while I was growing up, I’m 48, not one time did either of my parents take me and/or my sister to church. I had never been in a church until I was 18. My parents never went to church, ever, when I was growing up, nor has she gone in my entire 48 years of life. I wasn’t actually ever exposed to the Bible or a church so I was never brainwashed into a religion. I had to ask her why she believes in a god and why she’s never gone to church. She still, 2 years later, has not been able to answer my questions. It does prove one thing, unless they can pound religion into a small child’s head that god this or god that, if parents and churches have to wait until a kid is 18 before any religion can be put in front of them, most people would literally be capable of making a determination about religion on their own and they would most likely be atheist themselves. My daughter was raised as I was, never been in a church, not exposed to religion. Except behind my back by a couple EX friends. She is atheist. She said at 14, how can people believe in something or someone that can’t be proven? She was asking me why my friends keep trying to get her to go to church with them. She also had computer and internet access. She did some research and came to her conclusion and then asked me what I believe. Kids should not be exposed to religion until they can form concrete thoughts and decisions. Or until they are capable of rational thoughts and ideas.

[@Superman679]

"When a heart breaks, no it don't break even. Just prayed to a god that I don't believe in"

[@brotherga977]

I was an ordained minister for 6 years. I literally waited for God to show up. I was a tithe paying on my knees praying devoted Christian thinking that God would really reveal himself. The Bible says he spoke to Moses from a burning bush. It says he spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend. It says the holy spirit came as a loud mighty rush of wind. Finally after 7 years of being the praying tithing Bible studying Christian I was I figured out God wasn't coming. It's nothing more than make believe fairy tales. I was waiting for the invisible man in the sky to show up with his magic powers. But it's just simply not real

[@melindajudy8742]

I've found that most people who say that the Bible is the word of God either haven't read it or have read it and somehow justify or ignore all of the contradictions, atrocities, and absurdities that are in it. If going to heaven means spending eternity with that monster of a God, I don't want to be there.

[@Superman679]

"God is interested in what goes on in the bed room, doesn't make sense to me " ????? Makes perfect sense to me ! It's an extension of the food laws in the bibble. If god is interested in what food we are and aren't allowed to eat, it makes perfect sense that he would be interested in what goes into our body and not just what we do or do not swallow in our mouth. lol

[@hokiturmix]

I left because the right does not seems to be right for me 😃

[@SteveJones379]

If you believe in God, you should consider that God would want you to use your reason and logic to their fullest. Be fully human. Do not sacrifice your reason to fantasy.

[@AssassinoJake]

There was a time, in my childhood, where i actually believed that God hated me. This was before the concept of atheism was in my head, yeah its not really good for a child to believe that their supposedly all loving father has a thing out for them. I think that was the spark that helped me start my journey. I honestly wished I broke out of it sooner, like before high school.

[@geraldtomkins5545]

While transporting the Ark of the Covenant the oxen stumbled. Uzzah instinctively reached up to steady the Ark. But the letter of the law said that no one was ever suppose to touch the Ark so God struck Uzzah dead. I couldn't reconcile the injustice of that event.

[@tonybuk70]

this is an important podcast, favourited :)

[@kathyheitchue2022]

I left because of the way religion keeps women in submission

[@tabeathahall8246]

I left because I sat down and read the whole bible. At first I thought maybe I didn't understand what I was reading, so I read it again. Then I thought that can't be right. So I started studying the history of the bible and that was it. I was out.

[@johnobrien6415]

The "Death Cab for Cuties" name was taken from a song by the "band' Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. It was performed in the Beatles movie "Magical Mystery Tour".

[@pdxdonkey553]

I Left Because. In my instance I was a big fan of Cosmos (Carl Sagan) when I was in high school. Growing up I was quite religious and was confirmed as a Lutheran. At the age of 19 I was starting to doubt religion and the possibility of God. The multitude of religions and Hell just seemed not possible if there was just one “Loving Christian God”. Then my dad died suddenly when I was 21 and our pastor, who never really liked my dad, gave a fire and brimstone lecture during my dads funeral service. That was the last time I went to church and I have been an Atheist ever since. 5/3/1985. “For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.” - Carl Sagan

[@sunflowerhelen9933]

I read the Bible all the way through over a dozen times by the time I became an adult and in spite of seeing many inconsistencies I didn't get out at that time. I was in my early thirties by the time I escaped. My husband has likely never read the Bible completely and still believes. He claims Southern Baptists are more moderate than how I was raised (fundy Baptist) and that's probably why I deconverted and he hasn't.

[@bgoodnow]

I’m late to the game, but… I left because: It’s hard to name one thing! I had been moving away for so long! I was raised Independent Fundamentalist Bible Believing Baptist, KJV only!! It was great, I got saved every Sunday, because I didn’t want to go to hell, or get “left behind”!! I kept being told I needed to seek assurance, and trust God to keep me, but I never got it! I couldn’t believe that I wasn’t manufacturing those assurances! I couldn’t shut off the questions! I was a mess!! In my second year of college I took an astronomy course, and it was so subtle! The science was so beautiful, and the notion of the possibilities came into focus! I’m not a scientist, but I could appreciate how fantastic the cosmos were, without the necessity for a creator! Then I took an entire year of philosophy and could engage in good faith with things like determinism vs. Free will, and I think that was the beginning of logic-ing my way out of faith! In my fourth year of college, I came out as bisexual, and I wasn’t willing to be in the closet about it, so I just stopped going to church! It was very lonely to begin with, even now I miss that community sometimes, but at the same time, I didn’t need to pretend anymore! I still struggle sometimes, the deprogramming is ongoing! I love your podcast, it’s helpful! I really enjoyed your commentary of The Thief in the Night movies! That sh*t really messed me up as a kid, so it was really cathartic! Renegade Cut also did an amazing deep dive into Tribulation doctrine, and it was really helpful!!

[@montymartell2081]

I've been an atheist since I was 7 years old. Yes people believe in what they want to believe is extremely dangerous.

[@BoneySkylord]

When I was 16 my vicar said he “completely accepted evolution - evolution guided by God to produce humanity.” And so I realised religion requires you to distort science to make it fit your beliefs.