Ive never been to a church since.
Religion undoubtedly plays a significant role in many people’s lives.
He then instructed his believers to pick up their bats to destroy things that oppose God.
Everyone around me was screaming violent threats against Muslims and other groups.
And that led me on my path to question my faith and eventually become an atheist."
toot-toot-mcgee
2.
Even the youth director was such a snob he wouldn’t acknowledge the non-rich kids."
“I joined a small Baptist church in high school and loved it because there was no snobbery.
I was quickly accepted even though I had no family there.
Another fish out of water was a 10-year-old Black boy who also had no family there.
He was also the only black person.
I adopted him as a little brother, and we always hung out.
Everything was great until one day, the Preacher told a racist joke during his sermon.
(The punchline was ‘a bad negro.')
Everybody in the congregation laughed.
I looked at my friend, who was shuddering, trying not to cry.
I asked if he wanted to leave.
He grabbed my hand, and we left.
Neither of us ever went back, and I was officially done with that denomination.
The pastor meant no harm, but the fact that everybody laughed did it for me.”
kelani_x
3.
We grew up very poor.
I started working at age 12 to help pay for my school clothes and supplies."
That was the beginning of the end of my relationship with organized religion."
Age 49, currently in Nevada
4.
“Im a bisexual man married to a woman.
Their bigotry in the name of religion has made me turn from religion as a whole.
“Josh, 34, Wisconsin
5.
“I dont know if you could call me ‘devoted.’
I was young, but figuring out he was talking about my people wasn’t hard.
I grew up in a very, very rich white community.
Im Polynesian (Maori and Tahitian).
I couldnt believe no one said anything.
I thought church was all about love and acceptance until that day.
I have never felt so alone and isolated.
Ive never been to a church since.”
tiiarexox
6.
“We were Southern Baptist.
Our marriage was stressed due to careers and deployments.
I called our pastor to request counseling, and he said, ‘You cant do that.
Only your husband can request that.'”
Never mind the fact we were both officers in the military.
We spent every spare day and night volunteering with that church.
It was refreshing to live in the real world again.”
deliciousmatcha323
7.
I made friends with a lovely Muslim girl at my school during the school year.”
“She was the oldest of three or four siblings, the only girl.
She loved soccer and music and making jokes.
I asked him, ‘What about my Muslim friend?
She’s a sweet girl who takes care of her family.
Does that mean she would go to hell because she doesn’t believe in Jesus?’
officialtrash88
8.
“I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school for 13 years.
There was one final nail in the coffin for me, though.”
“I had gotten married when I was very young, and the relationship was not particularly healthy.
After he cheated on me for the third time, we decided to separate.
Quickly after that, I met someone else that I fell deeply in love with.
I burst into tears and left the rectory.
47, Pennsylvania
9.
“I left my former faith when I was 21-22.
They all died because their parents withheld blood donations.
That was the last straw.
Beth, 48, Illinois
10.
“I was raised in a Presbyterian home.
I got victim-shamed at seven years old.
After that, I attended church out of obligation to my family.
Misty, 43, Washington
11.
33, Texas
12.
I started emotionally separating a bit in high school before coming back to it in college and early adulthood.
I even explored the idea of becoming a missionary and dedicating my life to it.”
In 2008, there was a ballot measure to outlaw same-sex marriage in California.
Looking back, nothing good came from it, just a lot of destruction.”
45, California
13.
“My husband and I had tried for years to have a baby.
Why give that family so many children but yet not give any to others?”
“It made me walk away from religion completely.
It is so insulting for people struggling with infertility that do not receive the gift.”
44, Wisconsin
14.
I had NO idea this pop in of abuse was going on behind the scenes.
She told me that’s why she and her entire family left the church.
Anon
15.
“I grew up in a very religious family.
I remember the exact moment I was done with the church.”
“We were standing in line to speak with the pastor on Easter.
He informed me that, as a woman, I wasnt worthy of receiving God’s blessing directly.
It would have to go through the head man in the family.
I then asked what would happen if my father wasnt there to give me God’s blessings.
He said it would then be my brother’s responsibility.
I’m out!”
Rhoni
16.
Trump is one of the most unethical, ungodly, and narcissistic politicians who have ever lived.”
The Trump phenomenon led me to question whether Christianity is what I always thought.
It turns out that my questioning resulted in a falling away from the Christian faith.”
Age 70, TN
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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