Why Are So Many Christians Deconstructing their Once Deeply Held Beliefs? Are We in the End Times?

[@lynnefox4892]

I am delighted to find your channel. I tried to hold on to my faith, putting doubts aside, but the pile of doubts eventually was too big, and my faith was crushed. Much to my surprise, it wasn't a horrible thing, but freeing. I can keep the good parts, the kindness parts, the loving parts, without divinity. My world is a better place, and I am a better person.

[@floccinaucinihilipilifications]

Well said

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@lynnefox4892 thank you so much for your comment!

[@mender722]

I crossed paths with a person as we went onto a local establishment. I happen to be 280, 6 feet 4, and was wearing a kilt. The other man said he might be scared if he met me in an ally. I told him he shouldn't be, because I am a nice guy. I was also wearing a t-shirt that read UNABASHED ATHEIST. I got it at an FFRF conference.

[@sharang747]

Good luck. Demons are real sweetie pie. I mean that from a place of love and absolute serious place of mind. I have battled with darkness and CHRIST saved me and freed me when drs couldn’t! I’m telling you be very careful listen to Fr Carlos Martins. I was an atheist played with tarot cards for fun and boy did it fuck me up. Hey the bible may be incoherent but the coherent parts as you say hold on and have faith JESUS Christ is absolutely real and will save you, even in this place you are now! Don’t follow this absurd doubts. Follow your faith have the connection watch Padre pio you all followed some random charismatic crap. Just please go to a no bones nonsense no selling you shit kinda church.

[@LuisGonzalez-oy3ku]

Beautifully stated and almost exactly mirrored my deconversion journey, especially the 'freeing' aspect.

[@billkeon880]

I’ve been an atheist since my first breath as a baby (which all babies are, without theism) and feel so fortunate to have lived 64 years that way. But what makes me really happy is people who figure things out and free themselves, with the with the honesty and strength it must take. It’s heroic

[@tinyshepherdess7710]

It took me 3 decades to deconstruct and another half decade to fully deconvert. I had all the usual doubts... why all the suffering, why all the differences within Christianity, what about overwhelming evidence of evolution, no proof of miracles, resurrection or virgin birth and so on. But through all of that, I thought evangelicals were good people who wanted to do the right thing. The absolute final straw for me was how they embraced Trump. I saw him as a total charlatan the moment he came down the escalator - knew he was a fraudster, misogynist and racist. I thought if he's who they respect, they're not who I respect. Total dealbreaker. I was out for good.

[@shelzp7272]

@tinyshepherdess I know what you mean and I’m glad you’ve been able to step away from former beliefs. Isn’t the trmp era the damndest thing the church has gotten involved with and I think it has really hurt their reputation with non-Christians

[@lwaggoner7293]

Having grown up in the Charismatic church, the church as a whole chases a feeling. It's like an addiction. Everyone goes to all the conferences and all the events to get an experience that was better than the last. If you miss an event or conference, you feel guilty that missed something incredibly important.

[@thomcarr7021]

The main reason people are leaving "the church" is because the people who are "deeply religious" are now seen for what they are, no better than anyone else.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@thomcarr7021 So true!

[@dan_m7774]

Illogical statement

[@Yce_Take]

Who said they were better than anyone else, atheist? Clearly, you’re mixed up as is the author of this channel

[@thomcarr7021]

@@Yce_Take They do. I never heard any " religious leader" say "Do as I say, not as I do" because that would be too honest. They want you to believe they are following "god's laws" because that is what they are selling.

[@Yce_Take]

@@thomcarr7021 I've never heard a single preacher claim to be better than you, atheists, out there. The message is always the same: that we are all lost sinners and it is only through Jesus that we can become righteous and holy.

[@floccinaucinihilipilifications]

Confirmation bias is a thing… we’re so unaware of it until we are. Then we can’t unsee it.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@floccinaucinihilipilifications Absolutely!!! It was for me! Until I really looked at things objectively, I believed the lies.

[@unknownx7252]

Same

[@Uncanny_Mountain]

Pythagoras means 'Heart of the Serpent', he was born in Sidon, a fishing Port in Phoenicia. His mother received a prophecy from the Oracle at Delphi that he would become a great Leader & Teacher. Sidon means 'Kingdom of the Fish', & the Essenes, who wrote the Dead Sea scrolls, worshipped Pythagoras. The Sarcophagus of Eshmun III found in Sidon names him as the 'Widow's Scion', aka Hiram Abiff, Founder of Freemasonry, of which Tyre was the premier Capital (at least equal to Thebes). In 911BC Rameses II married the Queen of Sidon, home of Jezebel (Daughter or consort of Baal, ie "Queen") founding Neo Assyrian Babylon, an alliance between Egypt & Hiram, Father of Jezebel, & King of Assyria; forming the Phoenician colonies, & building the Temple of Melqart to commemorate their alliance. The Si in Sidon is the basis of the Latin Exe, or X, and is the basis of the Cross, or Chi Rho that Constantine painted on his shields. Also known as the Cross of Tyre, or Cross of Baal, being Ra-El, or Ba'El. Using Euler's number to map irrational numbers also produces a Templar Cross: ie where Eclipses are most likely to occur, called the 'Saros' Cycle. This cross can also be seen around the neck of Nimrod in Assyria, consistent with the Union Jack, & Solstice Calendar found in the Vatican's Shiva Lingam. Shiva is the Hebrew word for 7, & their culture also found its way to Korea & Japan (via the Philippines) ultimately becoming Shintoism. It was the Phoenicians who gave their name to the Pole Star, _Phoenice,_ which they used to Navigate the Oceans using the Zodiac, that's what the Antikythera mechanism was for, & with it they wrote the Byblos Baal; what we now call the Bible. The first form of the Bible was written in 325BC & called 'Vaticanus Graecus', or 'Son of the Sacred Serpent', ie Sirius, the basis of the Sothic Calendar, which uses a Hex Decimal & base 60 system found in all Megalithic sites around the world. In the second century AD the Astronomer Valentinus Vettori transcribed it into a Lunar chart of 13 houses, what we now call the Zodiac. Horoscope means 'Star Watcher', or 'Time Keeper' & the Phoenician word for Saturn, or El, was *_Israel_* or _El,_ (Fruit) of Isis (Ishtar) & (Amin) Ra. Equally El is the 'Father' of Ra the Sun, & Consort of Isis the Earth Mother, ergo _'El Ptah'_ is the *Moon* or Set, the Stranger. Phoenicia was the interim between Egypt & Greece, with artisans & culture exceeding that of the Greeks, whom literally adopted the Phoenician Alphabet, which we still use to this day; sounding out words phonetically. 'Phoenician' is alliterated in 'Venetian', & 'Vikings', being Kings of the Sea, [Sea Pharoahs] El is the primary God of the Phoenicians, representing the offspring of Egypt, & his consort Astarte or Ishtar represents the Assyrian half of the alliance. Such lineages & alliances can be traced (through the naming of gods) to Ireland & the Vikings, Indonesia, the Americas; even as far away as Australia, & New Zealand. It denotes Sirius as 'Son' of Orion & Pleiades, which sits at 33 degrees of the Zodiac. The basis of the Sothic (Seth) Decan Calendar of the Egyptians. The New Moon in this position marks Rosh Hashanah, the Egyptian, Celtic, Phoenician, & Assyrian New Year, with the first New Moon of September, so called as it's the 7th House of the Zodiac, when the Sun is in Ophuichus. 'Phoenix', 'Benben', or 'Bennu', is Egyptian for 'Heron', or Feathered 'Serpent'. It baptised itself in frankincense & myrrh at Baalbek, then alights atop the Great Pyramid, upon the Holy Grail, or Altar of Ra, every 630 years to take three days off the calendar; during the course of the first New Moon of Nisan, which means 'Prince'. The Capstone of Pyramids is even called the Benben or Bennu. The Phoenix is found in all religions, which are all Astrological Allegory for the Moon traversing the Constellations as a soul migrating from body to body. Thus is the basis of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth, or 'Hero's Journey' with the cycles & orbits of the planets serving as portents, omens, allies, etc. Thus Astrology was the Science of the Bronze Age & Reincarnation was the early teaching of the Gnostic Christian Church, & relates to the lineage of Kings: "The Pan is Dead! _Long live Pan!"_ The Bennu is the Egyptian Phoenix, to Phoenicians the Hoyle, Etruscans saw birds as sacred too, as did Celts, & Picts. Hebrew & Iberia have the same root; meaning _'over'_ ie _'overseas'_ or 'those [whom travel] over [the] sea'. A colony called Iberia also appeared on the Eastern shores of the Black Sea, with the same Dolmen & Megalithic culture originating in Ireland and Brittany circa 4500BC. _Phoenician_ means 'Scion of the Phoenix', the first Bible: Vaticanus Graecus; 'Scion of the Sacred Serpent' (Prince). Then there's the Essenes; :Sons of Light', the Tuatha De Danaan; Sons of Light, Anunnaki; Sons of Light, Arthur Pendragon; Arthur [Thor] 'Son of the Dragon'. Chertoff is Russian for "Son of the Devil" & Dracula also means 'Scion of the Dragon'. Masons call themselves the "Brotherhood of the Great White Serpent", & the Ziggurat of Anu denotes her as a great white Serpent too, while at New Grange & the Bru na Boinne, Ireland (4000BC) the white quartz ramparts also denote the Moon. The Moon itself travels either side of the Solar Elliptic by 5 degrees through specific constellations in a serpentine fashion that is always changing, but repeats every 19 years, the time it took to train a Druid or Magi, Magi meaning 'Teacher'. The Phoenix is also associated with this sacred number 19. "Pharoah" means 'Great House' or 'House of Light' & Cairo used to be called Babel. Pharaohs were called 'Commander in Chief' & wore a hooded crown representing feathers, as do Native American Chiefs, ie the Feathered Serpent. Aztecs also had 'Serpent Kings', (Canaan means Serpent Kings, & Sidon was a Son of Canaan & Great Grandson of Noah) who were called to lead with "cunning & guile" being the virtue of their "right to rule"; being seen as "just" in public, while shrewd in private. "As wise as Serpents, (while appearing as) _gentle_ as Doves." The old Egyptian flag of an Eagle holding a Snake is also reflected in the Modern Mexican flag, denoting the Constellations of Serpentis (13th sign of the Zodiac) and Aquila. The dimensions & 12 mathematical constants of the Great Pyramid are also found in New Grange, & Stonehenge, as well as in Watson Brake, (2500BC) & Teotihuacan, which correlates to the Phoenician/ Sumerian Seximal system, which is what our modern systems of time are based on, unlocking a fractal pattern reflected in the musical chord, electrical resistance, relative Planetary orbits, indeed; throughout _all_ creation. Officially no one knows who invented Astrology, the Zodiac, navigation by the stars, or time keeping. But whoever built the pyramids, & pioneered the 24hr clock in Egypt 5000 years ago already knew the exact dimensions of the Earth, & the speed of light. Because these can all be calculated using these Megalithic sites as a Surveyor use a Theodolite. Specifically at Teotihuacan; 230 degrees opposite Cairo, & with the exact same footprint. The ideal positions to determine the speed of light using the transit of Venus, allowing for accurate Longitude for Maritime navigation. Capt Cook did the same thing in 1774 when he 'discovered' Easter Island. The only culture that fits the bill was wiped out "not one stone upon the other" by the Romans in 146BC. Tyre, the capital of Phoenicia (Israel) sat just offshore from Ursu Salaam: City of the New Moon; City [or 'Rock'] of Peace; root of the name _'Jerusalem'_ & was also seized by Rome in 70AD after a 3.5 year siege. The gap between is 216 years (6x6x6). Greek Dionysians built the Temple of Solomon (now called the Temple of Melqart) representing the Solar Lunar (Solomonic) Metonic Calendar on which this system is based. They also carried mirrors, same as Magi, Druids, Greeks, & Egyptian scholars. These Mirrors are Astrological charts called 'Cycladic _Pans'_ & record the cycles of the planets. The first Temple of Melqart ( Phoenician Horus, Hercules, Pan, Thor) represents the 13th Constellation of Ophiuchus or 'Serpent Bearer' (hence Orphic Serpent worship) & had pillars of Emerald (Jasper) & Gold, ie Isis (Tree of Life) and Osiris (Tree of Knowledge). The Jerusalem Temple only took payment in "Shekels of Tyre" a currency minted during the Israelite rebellion against Rome, hence _"give that which is Caesar's unto Caesar"_ When Alexander sacked Tyre in 332BC they relocated to Carthage meaning "New City" or New Jerusalem, & built a second temple with Pillars of Bronze. Nebuchadnezzar also sieged Tyre for 13 years, taking the City captive in 573BC: the same time as the biblical account, & again the Romans in 70AD after a 3.5 year siege, also consistent with the same biblical accounts. Palaset was the name of a tribe of the Sea Peoples, Pallas _Set_ denotes the New Moon of Ammun Ra rising in Gemini, the *Pallas* Constellation of the Twins "that stand before Orion", due West of the Temple between the Gates [Pillars] of Gibraltar; "Gabriel's Altar", ie 'Pallas Stein', or Pallas Stone, 'Phallus' or Philosopher's Stone: the _"Rising Son"._ So 'Wormwood', like 'Tyre' means 'Bitter Rock', for the same reason; as the Son rising from the 'Bitter' [Salt or 'Black'] Sea of the Underworld; The 'Black Rock' or 'Gatestone' 🌑 The Cross of Tyre or Ba'El ❌ represents Lunar maximums & minimums & correlates with the Cross Quarter days of the Solstice Calendar. Align the Cross ❌ Chi Rho Christian ✝️ & Star 🔯 to the Zodiac, & you have a Compass & Timepiece that correlates to the Nautical Mile; allowing for global Maritime navigation. It is in fact an Astrological allegory for a Sothic Metonic Saros Zodiac Calendar using Accusations in a Mirror 🪞 *A Phoenix **_Cypher_*

[@tomdavis9236]

😂I just started rolling with laughter and almost spilled my coffee when you grabbed the mike , thanks for all you do for those of us who made our exit, I left 10 months ago, my mental state is great and I'm much happier now , I always look forward to your vids , your sense of humor , like mine is off the scale 😊

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@tomdavis9236 😂😂😂😂

[@sarahb2618]

Hilarious! Probably because of how many times I experienced hearing those 'testimonies'

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@sarahb2618 Me too! That “grabbing the mic” thing wasn’t in my plan, which is why it almost knocked my camera off the stand 🤦🏼‍♂️😂

[@Lenergyiskey358]

Comedy works because it is, in its foundation, true 😂😂. A sense of humour is a gift to mental health.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@Lenergyiskey358 It makes me happy!

[@penknee4yrthoughts]

Thank you. I'm deconstructing right now. For me I was sick and tired of being looked at as strange because I started reading the history of the Christian, Jewish and Roman culture. I started piecing things together. I was excited to share this info with my womens group. Needless to say it did not go well. I saw myself out the door. 30 years in and I am alone and a little bit scared because this is all I have ever known.

[@cmrsnowflake]

I love the vibrant plant life around you, it adds such a sense of calm and well being to your videos

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@cmrsnowflake Thank you! I love them too!

[@MyContext]

I actually stunned a church leader who was commenting on my being an atheist with the statement "There have always been atheists in church, you are just finding out now."

[@One-z6y]

Dang!

[@saywhatnow57]

Why would there not be? The most atheist person I know told me last week that he misses church. Doesn't change is beliefs. But he admitted that he found value in it.

[@freeman8759]

I bet there are a ton of pastor who preach but dont believe. People who say you never were a Christian are lazy. Its like saying you were never really married, if you got a divorce😂

[@martinelzen5127]

George Carlin's skit about praying to Joe Pesci was brilliant indeed. Keep on keeping on TG!

[@jameschapman6559]

As someone who was in the ministry for many years. I started deconstructing when I could no longer lie to myself or others about what the Bible actually says.

[@daniellepyle5844]

I’m still battling. I think civilization has been wiped out several times and knowledge has had to start from scratch again and again. Our existence is so complex I struggle not to believe “someone “ created it, even if it’s an alien species. Just the beauty and diversity of life is so wonderous I can’t grasp that evolution is the only answer. Organized religion is not the answer either. Like I said, I’m still battling, but enjoying the precious moments while I can. Thanks for giving us this platform to share on.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@daniellepyle5844 Of course! Couldn’t agree more, I clearly don’t have the answers to the questions you mention… who knows how all this truly got started! Clearly the Bible doesn’t know, that’s obvious! Maybe we’ll never know, but with time we’ll discover more and more. I’m okay with not knowing, but I’d like to know! But that’s just it, no one knows!

[@ryanrevland4333]

I'm Ok with not knowing as well! But the way science works, there may be a generation long after us that figures it out

[@harryhagman6063]

❓️👀

[@giuseppesavaglio8136]

Basically, Smart phones coupled with the internet information. Game changer.

[@amygrowls]

You’re a breath of fresh air, brother! Thank you for sharing your experiences. A takeaway for me leaving my faith is I feel like I am a more ethical and grounded person now that I am allowed to be in touch with myself…rather than always comparing myself to the impossible yardstick of ‘God’. I really didn’t like myself when I was a Christian. That’s how I knew I was on the ‘right path’. Because as soon as you start feeling good about yourself, you better repent and do something about that prideful attitude.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@amygrowls Thank you so much!

[@kelelizabeth]

I came from where you did (charismatic word of faith) and I'm still trying to work through it. Thank you for having this conversation. It's really hard when my entire family is still in it and believes I'm leaving the "truest church" by asking questions and looking elsewhere.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@kelelizabeth I so understand Elizabeth! Gosh, it’s been 6 years for me and I’m still finding areas I need to deconstruct and reconstruct! Stay with it! I’ll keep the videos coming!

[@inspectordesigns]

I was also active in a charismatic church when I first became a believer. It wasn’t until I actually picked up my Bible to read it for myself that I began to clearly see how false the charismatic movement really is. ​​⁠​​The charismatic movement places heavy emphasis on the miraculous gifts of the spirit; tongues, healing, etc. They place their faith primarily in feelings through artificial experiences, over the truth. The miraculous gifts of the spirit ceased with the final apostle, which was the author of Revelation. This is evident throughout the New Testament. The miraculous gifts of the spirit were proof to a generation that did not have the complete word of God. God no longer speaks through His people with the miraculous gifts of the spirit since His word is complete through the Bible. I’m not saying supernatural healings or someone speaking in a real unknown language can’t happen, or any other miraculous event can’t take place, but to place your ministry and beliefs on a false experience over the truth is a grave miss-judgement. For example, anytime an apostle or disciple in the Bible activated a miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit it always achieved its purpose. When is the last time you saw someone raised from the dead? Does everyone get healed when pastors claim to lay their healing hands on the sick? Is the gift of tongues used in the way the Bible states? The Bible clearly states that tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22). Additionally, there needs to be a translator present to confirm the language, or it’s completely useless. How is the modern day gift of tongues edifying to the body of Christ or a sign to non-believers when no one has any idea what their incoherent babbling means? It’s so good to ask questions and seek the truth. God is clearly stirring your heart. Don’t give up on the truth, and earnestly pray that God would give you the wisdom to seek the truth and understand it. He will answer this prayer if you ask it and I will keep you in prayer. God may be calling you to help guide your family away from the false charismatic movement and to the truth laid out in His divine Word. Much love and peace in Christ.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@inspectordesigns Thank you for sharing!

[@tammiebrown8317]

All of this!!! ​@@inspectordesigns

[@inspectordesigns]

@@timmygibsonkc Hey Timmy. If you don’t mind me asking, what was the primary reason you turned away from the gospel?

[@sarahb2618]

Thank you for being willing to open this forum and platform of discussion. The 'letting go' of my religious upbringing was a slow burn. The first step for me was realizing that it was ok to use my common sense and mind and to begin setting aside the ideologies and guilt for being human that had been instilled in me since birth. It was the single most freeing moment in my life when I realized it was ok to let go. I'm a good person with morals and values and do not require a faith to stand on in order to be so.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@sarahb2618 Amen!

[@melaniehassler2405]

I know why I left: The round peg just would not fit in the square hole, no matter how hard I tried. No longer could I ignore my own mind, which consistently put a singular God at the center of all things with no equals, no associates, no "sons." Prayers for all the messengers, known and unknown.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@melaniehassler2405 me too!

[@Ricky_Lee7]

one of the biggest thing for my deconstruction. the problem of evil. when good things happen god gets all the glory and praise but when something bad happen its the devil, freewill or the enemies fault? the almighty powerful god can not crush the devil? god gets too much credit but not enough blame. Timmy is correct it's all a bull shit story.

[@floccinaucinihilipilifications]

Yes… humans trying to make sense of the world when it doesn’t make sense.

[@whiskeredtuna]

@Will_Roman7, I respectfully disagree. I think the whole concept of evil is much harder for the atheist to explain than it is the theist. More specifically Christianity because evil is a part of the Christian story as Christians we fully expect evil to exists until Christ puts an end to. However, the atheist has to explain evil in light of random mutations and natural selection. When one talks of evil they’re suggesting that there is something wrong with the world but within atheism there can’t be anything wrong with the world it just is! By the way Jesus agrees with us there is something wrong with the world.

[@One-z6y]

I still struggle with that. The evil things I've experienced are a part of my experience and who I am. But I often wonder why if god is so mighty, why not call it a day on this bullshit world? Too much suffering. I leave it to mystery and identify as Gnostic.

[@markbradford4814]

It's possible that churchgoers get burnt out after years of giving their time and finances. Disappointed and disillusioned. I t's the 20/80 rule. Twenty percent of the same people perform 80 percent of the support and financial resources. I recently read that Barna Research reported only 12% of born again christians tithed. Harder to imagine churches keeping the doors open. The forecast is grim with the younger crowd turned off to religion.

[@trentonjennings9105]

I enjoyed your video. You didn't really expound upon your question, "Why Are So Many Christians Deconstructing their Once Deeply Held Beliefs?" Very briefly, I will posit that the reason is we have so much information now. I'm middle-aged. When I was growing up in a rural community there is no way I could have found information and influences to question my faith. Some people do it on their own, taking the inquisitive path wherever it may lead and using reason. But now we have the internet and the profound explosion of information and sharing of ideas. For example, a person may read mention of a Bart Ehrman book and get curious enough to read one. They find out we have no original manuscripts at all, just copies of copies of copies... the Bible is chock full of errors and inconsistencies, there are no eye-witness accounts of the resurrection, the Gospels were written decades after the fact, etc. The ending of Mark was added later. And etc. Then you read about science (true age of earth vs. humans, evolution, etc.). You do a little thought experiment and supposing there is a God would he have really made such lousy humans? And if the Holy Spirit is really in a person as emphasized by the NT then we should be able to have a real actual two-way conversation with it. But no. And you read places in the Bible you either missed or glossed over, like God condoning or even ordering rape, slavery and genocide. And on and on, things add up. And its like coming out of a dream...

[@One-z6y]

Same. Middle aged. Raised RCC, got saved, started going to Baptist churches and then many other Protestant churches and found, they all have the same RCC threads so why not just be Catholic???? Why all the in fighting? And then there was the massive lack of accountability I witnessed. I haven't thrown the Baby out with the massive amount of dirty bath water though. Im still on a spiritual journey. Still believe in CHRIST. Thank you for sharing!

[@LuisGonzalez-oy3ku]

Well said, but it's more like coming out of a nightmare and realizing it was a delusion 😊. Cheers!

[@SparklyCoconut-le3fu]

You have very nice tattoos! Also you have great energy and enthusiasm for being 55-60. It doesn’t surprise me either that there are preachers who don’t even believe anymore. Thank you for your analysis I can’t wait to see more from you

[@Tacamojoe2]

This is prophesied and must come to pass.

[@MrCanis4]

Here in Northern Europe religion just faded away. Because it is not needed at all in a society.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@MrCanis4 So true!

[@ziploc2000]

In the UK about 1% of the population go to a church (of England) service every week. About 38% claim to be Christian (Church of England). Of the 1% that attend, 36% are 70 or older. The Church of England is going to need a closing down sale very soon.

[@natsukitatsumakiniji]

I'm glad to have found your videos. I've been on my deconstructing Christianity journey since 2005. I recently wrote a short story (fiction or scifi) dated for 2100 CE from the perspective of the unnamed woman that Jesus theoretically cured of blindness. The story goes: being healed by Jesus meant she could not only see in that life, but also have 'second sight' where she could see all of her past lives with every reincarnation. This meant she remembers the rapture as it happened over centuries before the novel's setting. Jesus had offered to take her and her wife in the rapture, but she chose to stay because she wanted to help guide the people left behind and the future generations who would be born after. She had also asked Jesus to gift the remaining people forgetfulness so they wouldn't suffer from being left behind, and he agrees. She's set in a climate dystopia, but her research (that she's built on with the last few reincarnations under different identities)--with the help of many people from all walks of life in each life--is finally being put into use to save the planet. It was a fun way to help me deconstruct one of the heaviest remnants of my former religion.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@natsukitatsumakiniji love it!

[@booksquid856]

Really cool😊!!

[@booksquid856]

@@natsukitatsumakiniji I've just subscribed to your channel in hopes that I get to hear about your book release date!

[@Yce_Take]

@@timmygibsonkcAtheist, So now you believe you evolved from a primordial hot soup, right?

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

i studied my way out of christianity. so glad i got free from that bondage

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@narcissistinjurygiver2932 Me too!

[@frederickporter9051]

I studied my way out of Christian Science...now several years later I'm studying my way out of Christianity altogether. It shocked me when I realized when I left a cult that I was still in one.😂Now I'm becoming paranoid. What other cults am I unknowingly a member of?

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

@@frederickporter9051 any religion is a cult

[@bradgoldman5053]

Preach it Bro I can so relate to what your saying . I was in it for over sixty years. One of the things that always got me was you could never do enough bible study, prayer,church witnessing etc. Just got tired and sick of it .

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@bradgoldman5053 I can totally understand brother!

[@adamrspears1981]

Ex-Christian, here. The bible just doesn't add up. Here is just one of many examples: According to the bible, after Jesus' resurrection he appeared to people on & off for 40 days & showed (at least one person) "Doubting Thomas" the holes in his body. Now if Faith is in part "the evidence of things UNSEEN, then why did Jesus show people physical evidence, if he wanted them to have Faith?

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@adamrspears1981 good point! There’s just so much that doesn’t add up! Clearly a work of fiction!

[@adamrspears1981]

@@timmygibsonkc Clearly!

[@johnelliott5859]

Because when you allow yourself to honestly question those beliefs they don't withstand scrutiny.

[@heatherclark8668]

I loved it when our church had guest speakers We would have a conference all day on Saturdays, and break for morning tea, dinner then afternoon tea. Afterwards, the young people would go out for tea afterwards and then spend the evening together. All that fellowship! And it was something to do.

[@Plethorality]

Am not desconstructing deep beliefs , so mucu as the social crap that went on in the Name of God. Especially the unquestioned misogyny.

[@canwelook]

In countries where there is freedom to choose: Increased modernisation => Decreased religiosity.

[@TM2086]

Yep, disillusionment will do it, I remember in one life group, mens group etc... We were asked why we thought people were struggling with God. I said I think it could be that when we don't see God move we can feel disillusioned. The pastor at the end of the meeting said maybe God feels disillusioned with us when we don't do what he has commanded us to. Years later I remembered God is (meant to be) Omniscient. 😂🥁

[@josephpurdy8390]

Ending idol worship is a humbling experience, yet those whom do shall not have access to this video.

[@jamesgossweiler1349]

My faith is as strong as ever. And it always will be.

[@canwelook]

Faith = Make belief

[@One-z6y]

Same! I have been deconstructing for over 15 years. Left going to any church. But still have a strong relationship with CHRIST and fellowship in lots of different ways.

[@AdmiringGardeningTools-dy2rz]

Most of them never made efforts to really understand .... neither their clueless leaders . One must desperately want to find the truth, before its revealed to one

[@ovirago8314]

Besides all the logical fallacies that abound with the doctrine, and the misinterpretation and manipulation by man on a theosophical and practical level, who would want to serve a god that created us with the sole purpose to…worship it? And if we don’t, we suffer in an eternal hell that was also created by it? That’s the part that always gets me and was truly the breaking point for me; realizing that even if this whole theory is true, would I really want to bow down to a being like that? For me, the answer is no, I don’t. That’s not love. That’s not truth. That’s not purity. That’s a man-made, egoistic, power-obsessed projection of what a higher power is.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@ovirago8314 You are correct!

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

yep. I think the character depicted as "god" is a very evil psychopath

[@ovirago8314]

@narcissistinjurygiver2932 In my personal studies into paganism/esotericism, I have come across the theory that the christian god hails from ancient Saturnian blood cults. All of that to say…you’re not way off base 🤣

[@joshuaxjxwood]

None of us can truly imagine what it was like to live in the ancient world. They needed a way to cope with their humanity and consciousness, to explain what was happening, and thus Gods and religion was invented as explanation. Yet, as we have evolved intellectually and have made discoveries in the sciences about ourselves, our world and the galaxies beyond, religion has become antiquated and unnecessary. But there are still those who hold on to the God explanation because they don't want to believe we are evolved specimens that can forge our own destinies and instead want a predetermined fate given by a God, and because of that, really want an "I told you so" moment of the second coming they can rub in your face and will do anything to get, and that is scary. To accomplish this, they are creating all of these conditions that need to be met, that they also made up and are still making up, before this second coming apocalypse event can happen that involves a return to Puritanism they want to force on the population with morality laws forced with morality police while taking away freedoms of choice that have been more hard wired into our culture than anything else, and when people realize this, they are either thrilled by the opportunity to hold extreme power over the "sinners", or they are sickened by the thought of living under a fascist theocracy and reject what religion, church and God have become and deconstruct. And we need more rejection of theocracy, rejection of "thoughts and prayers", and more conscious evolution that God is imaginary, more intellectual revolution that humanities problems will only be solved by humanity. People are poor because of greed and wealth inequality, not because you don't pray hard enough or don't believe 100%, even by Christian logic, you only need a mustard seed of belief to move a mountain, so why then doesn't everyone have what they want? Because religion has become a mechanism of control, not a mechanism of safety and community. Megachurch preachers aren't handing out 100K checks to their poorest members, no, they are taking their member's life savings and spending it on mansions and private jets for themselves while their members drown in bills, overpriced health care and inflated food prices, if they show up to that mansion, private security might shoot them on site. If this is what religion is, then why would anyone want to be a part of it?

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@joshuaxjxwood so true! So true!

[@One-z6y]

Much of what you say is true! I think many have experiences that go beyond traditional Christianity, so there is still a spiritual journey for many and think we need to be respectful of how people walk through this world, especially if they are not hurting people.

[@agreeablegraylife]

People say the same thing about people who started eating meat after they noticed their health tanking : You were never vegan in the first place. Meanwhile, they actually were all in for years or decades, bought all the stuff, ate all the foods, talked all the lingo, did all the things... but somehow, never ever were that. Face palm.

[@thomcarr7021]

In a double-blind study for medicine, one group receives the product and the other a placebo. The double blind part is that the administer of the product/placebo also does not know who is getting what. The reason is if the administer knows, subconsciously they "telegraph" this to the patient. And this can affect the end result. I mention this because most "religious" leaders "telegraph" a message of personal disbelief about most of "Christianity".

[@kriegmesserdclxvi2833]

Most Christians have only ever gotten the curated version of the scriptures. Once you begin to dig in to the context and hisorisity, the picture of the cobbled cult emerges.

[@jgilbertson636]

The mike!! I love your impersonations!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@jgilbertson636 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@zaczach6213]

Thanks for this. My issue now is my choice to say that outwardly ruined my ALL my personal relationships and if anything just proved my point if your friends and family will cut you off for struggling to believe what they believe despite the fact that I agree we should still love our neighbor and be selfless the only seem to care that I believe not what I do its odd. Now I have no friends no faith but I'm not at war with myself and I'm not around all the hate and hypocrocy. Maybe I can meet some folks like you and get some true friends.

[@canwelook]

Ain't no hate like Christian love.

[@One-z6y]

Im not sure what is happening in the world, that so many are lonely. I think its a combo platter of things. I hope you get to meet some folks with same interests and enjoy friendship. I totally get what you said about friends and family.

[@zaczach6213]

​@@One-z6y I agree it's a combo thing but one thing is it's almost impossible to meet people in an organic way. I've always been different then people my age. I don't use social media or want a smart phone. I work alone. I don't have to leave the house to do anything. I knew that I had to end my relationships for my sanity and I knew I'd be alone. To be honest I haven't felt lonely. I think a lot of people end up making a choice between shallow relationships that aren't true friendships just to avoid being alone, to avoid loneliness and for people like me I'd rather just be alone. Don't get me wrong I long for deep meaningful connection and for me personally I don't want to put into effort into anything less than that and it's hard to find that in an organic way.

[@saywhatnow57]

We believe less in God and Church but wonder why we're in the middle of an anxiety and loneliness epidemic. We're in the middle of a dating crisis. A marriage crisis... As church attendance declines, we need more therapists. Regardless of what we believe, the numbers don't lie. Church attendance has declined, and the other things have increased. Also, the divorce stats are interesting because the divorce rate among church going Christians is significantly lower... And regarding AA, a significant number of members are court ordered. AA works if you do the program. Christianity works if you actually participate in true Christ and Love centered Christianity (which I'm sorry, you were not a part of).

[@Chris-op7yt]

here's the real answer, and i dont need to hear more apologetics or insults. people are finding out that religions/gods are nothing more than political fiction invented by elites for their own use, and the morality virtue signalling from religions is absolute junk untethered from actual morality.

[@StephenGrover-zc4hp]

One of the greatest signs of the end times as stated in the Bible is that before the end there will be a great falling away from.the faith. It's getting more apparent every day!

[@RobertJones-gq3jq]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@carolebingham7262]

Sorry about typo I ment how do you find the lectures of Dr Darryl ray and Seth andrews

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@carolebingham7262 They are both on KZbin! Thinking Atheist is Seth’s channel! I’m going to be on his KZbin show next week.

[@Scorned405]

I think learning more about science and evolution really is what did it for me. Knowing that the Genesis is not historically accurate and learning how the biblical stories are very similar to other works of mythology

[@Pootycat8359]

In a psychology class I took, the professor described how "re-hab" programs, in general, may be quite successful, short-term, which is why so many people report that they've been "cured." But several years later, 90% or more, of those individuals will relapse.

[@TheOliveTreesTheBranchMinistry]

The decline of the Assembly, THE CHURCH, is Eternal. And She is Amazing!

[@One-z6y]

Ok which church? Orthodox? Catholic? any number of Protestant? Special 'chosen ones' folks???

[@whitemountainapache3297]

I go to a bible class every thursday evening. Ive been going for years, the more I go, the less I believe.

[@canwelook]

Surveys repeatedly show that, on average, atheists score higher on tests of religious knowledge than Christians.

[@Elysiel_cherub]

I've never been a Christian in this life, and when my teacher showed me what is really being said within the Bible, it made me realize that Christians, and humanity as a whole, have been greatly deceived into believing things that are not true, while a select few understand what the esoteric teachings actually mean. So in a way, it creates this reality built upon the delusions of the populace. The Habitus of humanity changes with what is being popularized. We live in a simulated reality where so many people truly are background characters that fill the scenes. Religion here often acts as a cage. The matrix is full of those that will fight to protect it.

[@One-z6y]

Interesting statement. Thank you for sharing!

[@tommihail2178]

Love Goerge Harrison so much he really knew about our mortality being but a small vapour on earth..All of these gentlemen are legends..

[@winros]

Cracker Jack palace, I welcome you!!😊

[@supertrooper8801]

Love your channel and stories. Just curious how you navigated being tattooed and a pastor? I found evangelicals to be against any tattoos in general. I’ve had my first tattoo done last year and love it! Been out of faith for 6 years now and have not looked back.

[@darlenehernandez2867]

i started this journey when i was very sure that the church folk were not adhering to the teachings of Christ and how i felt like i had it right n they have it wrong

[@notyourtypicalcomment2399]

I mean, in the Bible it talks abt ppl who start out seemingly humble or Godly, but then later on doing drifting from serving God. King Solomon is an example. We are talking abt human beings here.

[@LuisGonzalez-oy3ku]

Timmy, I believe the quite famous, radio Bible teacher/preacher you alluded to is Dr. Tony Evans, former Senior Pastor at one of Dallas' largest non-denominational churches, regularly heard (at least before his "inappropriate relationship" revelation, pun intended 😅) throughout Christian radio. I wonder if he's still being broadcasted, despite his recent 'fall', given that perhaps most audiences aren't privy to his downfall. Truth, after all, can be quite disturbing and disruptive 😊.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@LuisGonzalez-oy3ku Yes! That’s him. I loved listening to Tony Evans back in the day!

[@Iamopen2U]

YES! Another deconstructor here! Went to ORU with my then husband who attended Rhema Bible School. Heard of it? 1982.......ouch! Both of us were scouted by several of the big churches there at the time. Like yourself, deconstructing is a process that is continual. P.S. Carlton Pearson was a pastor that I leaned into as I was deconstructing. He lived in Tulsa at the time and went through his own deconstruction.

[@mkshffr4936]

Because of the lack of depth in American Evangelicalism, literally rife with false converts.

[@carolebingham7262]

Hi Timmy how do I find recovering from religion and Dr Darryl ray the god virus

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@carolebingham7262 www.audible.com/mk/t/title-3?asin=B009XFW57E&source_code=GO1PP30DTRIAL54703142491H0&ds_rl=1261256&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrKu2BhDkARIsAD7GBovpju4LY0F1HM9LOHgBy3Ask9R6LJ81JamJ4uyrCCNm7qsl6Cgs6GIaAoOzEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@gullettr1]

I left because of Donald Trump. I started to question my faith. I discovered that God forgives people in the old testament without Jesus. I'm still working through the rest but I still believe in God.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@gullettr1 We’re all on a journey! Keep asking questions!

[@canwelook]

White evangelicals, in voting 80%+ for Trump have effectively trashed the brand of Christianity, alongside any claims of moral superiority. And so Christians are increasingly being seen as anti-social weirdos.

[@One-z6y]

There always seems to be something that just starts the journey. Leaving Institutional Religion is great! But don't ditch your spiritual journey!

[@pierrelabounty9917]

Because of Trump? What has he got to do with you? Trump did it syndrome. A major contagion.

[@glacey4906]

How many revivals has there been in the past? Apparently we're on the cusp of another one. Here in Australia the awakening revival is big.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@glacey4906 Australia? So cool! Thanks for watching!

[@canwelook]

Another Aussie here. It seems to me that the Australian 'awakening revival' promotion of Christianity hasn't yet had any noticeable impact overall in stopping or slowing the progressive drift away from Christianity. e.g. The 2021 census found, for the first time, most Aussie adults do not identify as Christian. And the trend downwards seems to be increasing. In addition, only a very small proportion of those identifying as Christian attend church on any given Sunday.

[@JR954]

So happy you are enjoying being stardust like myself. Life on earth can be the most beautiful. ❤

[@michelleheltz6116]

Raised Catholic then went evangelical. One reason why I left evangelicalism is everything was just in a black and white or red page. No beautiful churches. No statues to remind one of God. Then found out Sola Scriotura - scripture alone- did not work. Also, the evangelicals were always telling people how to act and what to do. I left all that. So much happier in the Catholic Church. I go to Church, go home, and no one telling me what to do!

[@mtbiker4life918]

You craxk me up! Great video.

[@Moopapa7]

while I was an unbeliever, I did actually experience 'praying in tongues', it was a lady in Taiwan with no Spanish background praying in Spanish without realizing it. This led me to convert to Christianity. However, institutionalized religion has left a great distaste in my mouth. I am still trying to find 'the way', so to speak, but I have serious doubts that God, as described in the old Testament, is this way. I suspect that unfortunately, the Bible is a flawed book written by flawed humans, but there is some spiritual world out there that this flawed book does cover (such as the power to pray in a language not your own) but it would be unwise to rely on human institutions, especially 'religion'. Even Christians say 'it's not a religion but a relationship' (even though that's clearly not the case in practice).

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@Moopapa7 Thank you for your comment!

[@2610paul]

What will you say to people who had tremendous spiritual experience when they had faith in Jesus and the bible?

[@JamesRichardWiley]

I was raised Catholic but never really believed in the faith based doctrines and dogma. The talking snake and Hebrew god Yahweh in Genesis didn't make it any easier. I prefer science and Nature that doesn't require faith to find out what is true.

[@canwelook]

Faith: Pretending to know what you don't know.

[@TexMarque]

Paganism and pop culture are so much more alluring.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@TexMarque Indeed!

[@One-z6y]

Of course they are, but are they indeed better? or beneficial?

[@glacey4906]

Christianity does not free us. I feel guilt and shame and not enough because of the church. Never say I enjoy a glass of wine occasionally I then get the lectures about drunkenness, addictions. I've been in chains although they say jesus will set us free. Sets us free from what?

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@glacey4906 I hear ya! I feel more free now than ever before when I was a Christian! But that’s just my story.

[@One-z6y]

Great questions! The word Religion means 'to bind again'. JESUS came to set people free! HE was mostly wroth with .....RELIGIOUS LEADERS!!! The Holy Spirit is given to a person to show them righteousness and evil. To Help you as your journey in this world. All things are just material: wine, have some, weed, smoke one, watch a movie, go ahead. YOUR heart will teach you is it too much booze? Is the weed one toke good to relieve anxiety or does it trip you out and now you need it all the time? I used to celebrate xmas bc its tradition and it was a big pain in the ass in reality. So much obligatory crap. And its not 'Biblical' at all! LOL!! I felt so free to NOT HAVE to celebrate it. Now, if I wanted to throw up a tree and buy a present or have an xmas party, I am free to do it if I want because it has no power over me. Religion never deals with the inner Why of things. Like why did I chain smoke? Because I was stressed! and I thought it would help me. But when I was seeking CHRIST, I didn't want a little cigarette to have so much power over me. I asked GOD to help me. And I was able to quit. I chose to do other things to relieve stress. People need to Support each other not lecture each other.

[@physnoct]

In my church, they used to say: "Put legs to your prayers". Then how do we give glory to god?

[@tonymiller3788]

I'll go out on a limb, THERE ARE NO "TRUE" CHRISTIANS, PERIOD. And NO ONE HAS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS. So in that sense, Timmy, you were never a "true" Christian and neither was I. We just THOUGHT we were. People also replace one addiction with another. Maybe addiction to religion is slightly better than addiction to drugs and alcohol. Maybe.

[@GodEqualstheSquaRootof-1]

People are leaving religion because it’s obsolete.

[@One-z6y]

Im about to read Jungs "Answer to Job". I heard a podcast with some scholars from different denominations who all agreed the age of "Religious Christianity" is over. I agree with that. I think the Institution of Christian Religion is done. Sure there are still folks going to church, but the Institution has run its time out. I think Christianity, in its spiritual journey form is still going to continue. I myself am more Gnostic than the above. I haven't been in a church in over 15 years. I guess I started deconstructing after I got saved! Instead of Religion (which means 'to bind') to Relationship. And I think the relationship with CHRIST is rather mysterious. Just like Tim says, he believes 'something' is out there. And I bet he is still applying the good things of Christian teaching like loving your neighbor on the daily.

[@emmanuelpiscicelli6232]

I have never liked being around religious people the're just plain creepy.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@emmanuelpiscicelli6232 😂😂😂

[@canwelook]

Last week a neighbour's gardener heard my ankle was shot, so he asked if he could pray for it, to "lay hands" on it. Creepy indeed. I just prefer Christians would do some scientific studies before claiming to have magic prayer powers.

[@kathleenwharton2139]

Jesus Loves me..God is Within me..He Comes FIRST as the commandment says..I no longer listen to mens regurgitation of a book 😊❤

[@dottedrhino]

"You were never really a christian" - they say that because they can't process a christian becoming an atheist, because if they would, they would have to scrutinize their beliefs AND acknowledge that there is no God if the convert is right!

[@Lenergyiskey358]

I do not think it is a bad thing that some of the Pastors you mentioned are still preaching because it is their livelihood. I think it is no different to any other job. A used car salesman is doing similar. When you are out, you realise it is just telling a story that helps the people who believe, feel better. Therapists do that all the time. Judgmental thoughts are so much less frequent once you are out of ideologies. It is a beautiful place to be. I also smile at the 'you were not a real Christian'. Vegans say the same to people who leave veganism, or any other ideological belief system. It's like saying to a divorcee "oh. you just weren't really married'. 😂😂. People make me laugh, not at them, but at the human mind and how it works and once you get to that stage peace is yours. Everything becomes less heavy and less drastic. I'm not perfect, but much better than I was chasing belief systems.

[@tomfrombrunswick7571]

The more interesting question is why is America so Christian. In the United Kingdom Christianity is in a minority. South Korea and Japan are mainly non religious. So it seems if you have a free society and reasonable prosperity religion fades away. But in America every politician has to indicate a commitment to religion and atheists are mistrusted. In America it appears there are bubbles of deeply religious people. An industry has been created of apologetics. This industry consists of "educational institutions" which train people to produce endless videos and books justifying an odd ball Christianity. The doctrines of inerrancy and the rapture are American inventions. The apologetics industry has fought bitterly to keep people in the faith. One of their triumphs is that a very high percentage of people reject the idea of evolution. In the context of the world this is simply odd. The fact that religion is declining is not odd but the surprising battle put up by the Christian rear guard is very different from the rest of the world

[@canwelook]

America is merely behind the rest of the modern world in the trend to abandon Christianity. In 1992 90% of US adults identified as Christian. By 2022, this had dropped to 63%. Similar trends are evident in church attendance. This drop of around 1% a year seems to now be accelerating.

[@keithanderson3476]

I thought I deconstructed and left religion, FB. Now I'm struggling with converting to Eastern orthoxy.

[@One-z6y]

Hi there. I was raised Catholic. Its very similiar to the Orthodox church. I think you should try it out. The reason I say this is because everything in this world is just material and fading fast. You may not be better nor worse for going into the Orthodox church. You may find community, and presence of the Holy Spirit, for CHRIST is everywhere. Some of the worship services are quite moving and positive. The struggle is wanting validation to feel that we belong to something. That is everyones struggle. Religion can create that feeling of community. I too have deconstructed a bunch, but I am not throwing everything out the window. Im old enough now, to recognize that it is true: ALL have fallen short of the glory of God. Lets say all have fallen short of showing love. Right? Like most times I am goodly person. But there are times I have been pathetic, sinful, angry...and I know that I have the potential (I hope not, but being realistic) of being very yucky. So I don't think atheists are somehow better than Christians or Buddists or Muslims... What church is supposed to do is REMIND the community that we are ALL flawed, that we CAN do better, that we need to meditate on Truths and Beauty and try to overcome the flesh. If we want to see real power, we need to see the leaders HUMBLE themselves. Many years ago, I was debating on going back to the Catholic church and had a little meeting with a local priest, who was also a dear friend of mine. He was very gentle with me. Not accusatory at all for my leaving the church. And at the end, he said, "Would you do me a favor please?" "Sure what is it father?" "Would you please pray for me to overcome my addiction to cigarettes?" Man, I was so moved. Like here is the older man putting me on the same level and asking ME to pray for him! I said yes, but I kind of regret not doing it right then and there! See that is the church: where two or more are gathering in CHRIST; organically, humbly, gently and respectfully. The Institutional Church is materialistic: it has fallen away from its true purposes. Now there may be a few (very few) churches that are debt free, really preach the Gospel, help its members and are humble. Blessings for your journey.

[@ckvarnmass]

You say that divorce rates are the same for Christians as for those who are not. My reason for divorcing was because I could not stand his fake Christianity. He was so over the top in front of church people and treated me and his kids like dirt, but no one saw that, but me. I have always felt that those church goers, most of them, were all hiding behind religion. I was right!

[@shaunigothictv1003]

Christianity is a strange religion because of its weird concept of sin. The sin argument is an interesting one. Christian apologists claim that Adam and Eve were created perfect but they had freewill - hence why they sinned. The problem with this claim is that if they were created perfect then they should have always made perfect decisions. Imperfection does not give birth to perfection. That goes against the rules of logic. PERFECTION BEGATS PERFECTION. IMPERFECTION BEGATS IMPERFECTION. Logic always wins. Therefore, the Christian apologists claim is completely wrong from a logical standpoint - of course, that is if we are using the same logical parameters to assess this topic in the same way we would assess everything else in life. Of course, the Eden story is entirely mythological - but Christian apologists interpret the story literally - thats the problem. You see, All the geographical locations in the bible are actually real - so are the various people groups mentioned in the bible. But all the stories are entire mythological and consist of allegory and metaphor. In fact, all the worlds organised religions are actually the same in this manner. Ancient Humans were simply trying to understand the world around them and their greater purpose - so they wrote what they SURMISED was Gods nature and mixed in their own folklore tales with it. They then put these ALLEGORICAL hybrid tales into books and the resulting end products are what you would call the so called "holy books" from the various people groups around the world. There is nothing surprising about this. Thats just human beings behaving like human beings. Throughout the thousands of years people groups from around the world have done this. The trick is to make the various resulting religions work for YOUNG. Rather than YOU working for these religions. Hell was not taught as a lake of eternal torture by fire in the Old Testament. The greek idea of hell in the New Testament is very easy to explain. Let us first examine the Jews. The orthodox Jews claim that both Christianity and Islam are actually BASTARDISATIONS of orthodox Judaism. The orthodox Jews do not believe in hell as a place of eternal torture by fire. That would explain why greek ideas of hell have been put in Jesus's mouth by the greek writers of the New Testament. Especially, considering that in order for any person to learn greek 2000 years ago the only greek writings actually available to actually PRACTICE learning the greek language were greek mythological epics which documented precisely greek ideas of hell. For example, Hades and Tartarus are terms for hell copied straight from the greek mythological epics which contained these concepts and ideas. People simply learnt these Greek epics as a way of practicing reading and writing greek as the main greek writings were all mythological works. The New Testament writers then copied these greek ideas of hell into the greek New Testament they were writing and assigned Christian concepts to them. The New Testament is a fusion of Judaism and Greek mythology. Hellinistic Judaism is well documented by Orthodox Jews themselves. It was eventually suppressed - but It re-emerged as New Testament Christianity in 325ad. The difference is that this time it was backed by the state of Rome in what became known as Roman Catholicism. ALL, the various protestant denominations copied these doctrines as they branched off from Roman Catholicism. They left out other doctrines and took the main doctrines into their new Protestant version of Christianity.

[@alfaisaac024]

Brother... You're literally my brother from another mother. I made this exact argument 4 years ago when I woke up. I mean it's like you damn near stole it.. the wording and everything 😂 "Perfection begats perfection" Ahem -me 😂😂

[@alfaisaac024]

I Also say "Mere Freedom is Neutral" It does not give sufficient explanation as to why Bad was somehow chosen over Good, other than precedent badness/imperfection (which would inescapable lead back to the creative hand and source of all things. YHWH) Most Christians will circle this drain and only povide this circular response, "because God gave them Free will" blah blah

[@shaunigothictv1003]

@@alfaisaac024 Exactly brother. I left Evangelical Christianity in the 90's for the reasons i (and you) stated. And one more thing brother. The Australian aborigines were living in Australia thousands of years before Jesus was born. They had never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ - in fact they never even heard the name of Jesus Christ - not even one time. Same thing with the native Blacks in the African Congo. They were living there tthousands of years before Jesus was born. They had never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ - in fact they had never even heard the name Jesus Christ - not even one time. The Evangelicals always try to use Romans 1 v 20 to claim that God revealed himself to these people who have never heard of Jesus through nature. Thats what that verse states. There is ZERO evidence that the ancient aborigines of Australia or the ancient Blacks of the African Congo were running around in their native environments talking about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As i already said, these people live thousands of years before Jesus ever existed. They had never heard of Jesus Christ - In fact, they had never even heard the name Jesus Christ - not even one time. The Evangelicals call me a heretic!

[@agreeablegraylife]

Ask hard questions, get hard answers. In a nutshell, it is how I found the door. ❤

[@karenabrams8986]

I’m happier without it. Volunteering at food drive for 4 hours every Monday is my new group. Love it. People need groups but everything Abrahamic SUCKS.

[@jdnlaw1974]

Toy gifted to you, early years, made you mind, and eased your fears, taught you how to bow and pray, hold it tightly, be okay, I won’t take your toy away, don’t you think, to give it up, without it, you’re not enough, gives you hope and strength each day, so I won’t take your toy away, yours is right, this much is true, for millions out there, have one too, though not the same, to hold and feel, with different faces, weights and build, you just smile, you know the deal, for unlike theirs, your toy is real, talking to it, every night, in your bed, by your side, there against you when you wake, never take your toy away, though you’re older, ain’t it strange, knowledge comes but you remain, burdened by religious chains, yet never care to prove a thing, about that toy to which you cling, but don’t mind me, for it’s okay, will never take your toy away, I’ve been around, and seen enough, learned that some things, mean too much, and faith stomps out, the will to know, like a favorite toy, you won’t let go, still I’m here, got your back, with my life, be sure of that, stand beside you, right or wrong, however hard, however long, always here to ease your hurt, when despite your faith, that toy don’t work, at this point, it’s safe to say, no one can take your toy away… Jarrod Nichols

[@henrywilson_2422]

My opinion is that the brain hemisphere determines how we perceive reality. The right hemisphere is more emotional, expansive and fanciful. The left hemisphere is more rational, logical and gasping. From birth until puberty, we are right brained. We begin to become left brained around 28 year old. In between we are more balanced brain. So deconstruction may happen around age 14 and 28 years old. It can happen before 14 years and after 28 years My opinions only

[@canwelook]

Put another way, we are born totally dependent, with an instinctive, evolutionary, emotional need to believe whatever we are told to believe. At some point, increasing feelings of independence might lead us to investigate and critically challenge those beliefs.

[@henrywilson_2422]

​@@canwelook😎👍🤨🧐😎I agree.

[@Scorned405]

I don’t think Jesus is up in the sky watching us with a book of names in his hand. How is Jesus breathing in outer space??

[@EremiasRanwolf-d6z]

If I eat traditional southern food and my friend eats Italian food and stays healthy, it wouldn't follow that food is irrelevant or unimportant.

[@chrisr3592]

I like your jovial vibe :)

[@arnelnaca702]

ever read the parable of the sower?read it on Matthew chapter 13.it aptly described people's faith.

[@bungalobill7941]

With God there is process and purpose. Without God there is only process alone. Process alone is not purpose. If someone claims that it is they are only gaslighting themselves. But people have to lie to themselves or no one would get out of bed in the morning. Why the only consistent atheistic worldview is Nihilism. I said consistent.

[@StudentDad-mc3pu]

I enjoyed the blurb at the top of the video.

[@lisathrasher540]

The internet helps find information and book suggestions. In the 70's would be hard to know what to do if you had doubts. People would have said talk to your pastor, lol

[@theonlyway5298]

*At **3:01** in the video, Timmy admits that his 'faith' wasn't "producing any kind of fruit in his life,* like this isn't true as he had been 'told' ". What this actually indicates is that what he had been 'told' was false teaching. There are only 2 possibilities for Timmy's statement: *1)* The person is following poor or wrong teaching *2)* The person isn't actually following scriptural teaching When considering the current (and becoming popular) trend of "de-converting" (actually historically understood as being backslidden from the faith), it is significant to realise that Christian faith has been alive and well and highly successful in transforming both individual lives and entire societies, for the last 2000 years! Its significant to compare the 'portrait of Christian faith', being presented by people "de-converting" today, with the picture represented by millions of devoted Christians worldwide throughout 2000 years of history. For the devout Christians of history, the faith was not _"contradictory", "disillusionment", "hypocrisy", "contradictions to science"_ , but the very centre of their lives, purpose and hope. Something also very significant to consider is this: The current popular trend of "de-converting", is taking place predominantly in prosperous, liberal Western culture and societies. There is good reason to see this trend as one part of the general decline in Christian adherence and practice in Western society, rather than it being a uniquely intellectual or spiritual response to the Bible and to the faith....and further that this takes place in economic prosperity that has provided scientific and technological advances that have greatly increased our longevity and health. Our 'old' is no longer 70, but 100! The length of our lifespans, means that consideration of our eternity is postponed often by some decades, whereas historically one would be 'in old age' at age 40, 50 or 60! Infant mortality was also very high, as was death of mothers in childbirth. All this has meant that our present western culture in general, has felt a liberty to chose an independence from Christian faith, in preference for self realisation, individualism, relative moralities and self gratification. Exactly in parallel to the above, western society has been witnessing significant shifts in 'moral codes' that are not consistent with the Bible and which alienate many Christians. Examples of this are the massive growth of 'abortion on demand' (only a percentage of which is truly for medical reasons), which numerically runs into the most shocking figures of millions of babies; the cultural change and practice of 'living together' instead of traditional marriage with the evident insecurity for any children; the rise and growth of LGBTQ; and the significant decline in reproductive fertility. Alongside this we have also witnessed a sickening growth of knife crime and gun crime, with copycat mass killing events and of course the infamous Islamist jihadi violence in the last couple of decades. Obviously we could add so much more to this list of observations, but I draw attention to it because the decline of Christian adherence is not happening in a vacuum, but on the contrary, all of these changes are happening in parallel to this decline. To return to Timothy's list of complaints, all of this must be seen in the context of the above society in which we now live! So what I am saying is that Timothy's 'list of complaints' (as I listed in the beginning), is not really a cause of his 'de-conversion', but is more a symptom of the society in which he is living! Here's the reality: Timothy's list of complaints ( _"contradictory", "disillusionment", "hypocrisy", "contradictions to science"_ ), should equally have been the opinion of people during the last 2000 years of Christianity, IF, it was truly valid. .....but it was not!! The reason that people didn't historically have this list of complaints and opinion, is not due to people today being 'more clever' or 'more moral' or 'more analytical' or even 'more informed', but it is due to the cultural environment in which we are living today. There are two things which play against each other in this regard: a) We have access to a great deal of knowledge of historical documents, manuscripts, academic textual criticism b) We interpret ancient scriptural writings, with today's western cultural eyes, expectations, poor language abilities, little knowledge of ancient Israeli Jewish religious culture and hebraisms. Few trouble themselves to attempt to learn and read biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek and few take the time to seriously learn about this ancient culture. Lastly but not least, few even read the Bible and meditate every day on its riches! ...so while on the one hand, yes we have the benefit of access to much knowledge, most often by our technical devices, unfortunately, we are not accessing the scriptural depths and wisdom of the Bible or the teachings of Jesus and neither are we seriously devoted in prayers of faith to receive from Jesus. The result of all of this, is Timothy's list of complaints, because this what happens when you aren't following it! ....and when you multiply this by thousands and millions, then the kind of society and cultural change you will get, is exactly what we are seeing today in our own time! As I speak, riots are taking place all over the UK, by people without any thought of the teachings of Jesus - they are 'free spirits liberated from Christian faith'.

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@theonlyway5298 🤦🏼‍♂️ Goofy thoughts!

[@theonlyway5298]

@@timmygibsonkc - good, I'm glad it has provoked you to thinking and reflecting on the current popular trend of 'de-conversion' and why it is really happening.

[@kellydavid7408]

Why was Jesus arrested in a public park at 4am with a naked boy? Mark 14:51 to 52

[@thomcarr7021]

. Based on fear of hell , a small group of "leaders" chosen by God himself, will help you get to heaven. God talks to them and they will talk to you if you have some money. It is part of regional culture and the result is the same.

[@essie8332]

Because God is not and never was there. He is calling them out. Beware the Beast of Tarsus. He is now exposed.

[@totonow6955]

Cuss and discuss. 😁

[@timmygibsonkc]

@@totonow6955 😂

[@mattd.4133]

There is no hate like christain love!