I once asked my dad "mom likes to go to church, but you don't." He said "because it is not the truth." He never explained to me why it is not the truth, but I later found out that he could do out of body experiences also known as soul travel. There are many things we don't understand, but it is clear to me that God is a loving God and not a hateful, condemning God as is usually preached in many churches.
@@fotodoktor42God tortured David's baby for a week. Letting the baby writhe in agony. And after a week he decided to end the child's life. So God killed a baby. God is a child abuser.
"thoughtful"? He can't read. He can't even get past creation. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
@@fotodoktor42 That's so awesome! I used to be Catholic, and then explored my own spirituallity through meditation (Buddhist, Hindu, Western Mysticism etC) and eventually I had a few out of body experiences from deep meditation! Some I was able to verify (meaning I went somewhere while out of body and confirmed the events later with the people involved when I woke up). I once had an experience where I "Became a WHOLE nebula/Galaxy". Like Cosmic conscioussness. From then on out, I realized the only way to TRULY know "God" or "Divine" was through personal experience. There are many books on Out of body experiences. I suggest anyone who wants to know the direct truth themselves read some books on that. There isn't really an excuse for ignorance when the tools and methods of knowing are available to us :)
@@Rizz407 They didn't say anything about making people believe in your God? She said her Father has out of body experiences (and therefore he has first hand experience of the higher realms) so he doesn't need to go to church. Why listen to someone elses stories (The Bible) when you have direct access to God?
I don’t think I could enjoy heaven knowing that billions of other people are burning in hell just because they were born in the wrong place at the wrong time. If that God wasn’t powerful enough to save every single soul, he’s not worth worshipping. I’m thankful that I don’t believe in any of that nonsense anymore.
I take great comfort in this video, thank you. One of the most crushing cognitive dissonances was seeing “worldly ppl” be so much kinder, positive & balanced, and me thinking that my perception was flawed because how could ppl with God living in them be more problematic? The comfort I get from your msg is im reminded i can grow into that integrated & positive & true person, show kindness with zero transactional intent behind it, and meet ppl just where they are at. It’s just struck me how hopeful that actually is
This was very helpful, as I’m on my own deconstruction journey. I was raised in church, my grandfather was a pastor for over 30 years and I attended church religiously until I moved away from home for college. It’s been so difficult to unlearn/relearn, but so so worth it bc I’ve seen insurmountable growth in my relationship with God. I genuinely see and feel his presence everywhere now. It’s truly beautiful to form a personal relationship with him that’s not just based on what’s expected of you as a Christian- going to church every Sunday, upholding the traditions set in place, etc.
I also believe in the belief outside of religions. I was raised Catholic and upon coming out as gay early in my teens I obviously felt very disenfranchised. I am however devoted to finding God in my own way throughout my life.
Just so you know, our minds are perfectly capable of creating these experiences of meeting and talking to a supernatural being, these experiences happen for people of all faiths around the world and are not a way to know this specific God exists. You can have a strong impression and belief that this God is the real deal, but it could also be autohypnosis or a related phenomenon.
It’s interesting that in the video all the reasons for leaving were all emotional ones 🤔 But that’s not enough for me. I can’t ignore the facts ⬇️ Jesus fulfilled hundred of prophecies written hundreds of years before his birth, he claimed to be God and backed it up by historically rising from the dead. ONLY HE is reliable to answer the big questions of life. You, me, and others are only guessing. When someone else rises from the dead then I’ll listen to what they have to say in regards to the answers to questions like: Where did I come from? Where am I going? What is the meaning of my life? How am I to live? Until then…I’ll stick with Jesus!! ✝️
Best of luck to you. I am a PK & a couple of my great-granddads were evangelical preachers also. I am older-48 but have just recently started my own deconstruction journey because I could not take the hate & hypocrisy of the congregation I left. The only option I had was deconstruction so I could love like Jesus because so much was about hating others who are different. "Love the sinner, hate the sin is such bs, they never loved the sinner only hated both the sin & sinner. I hope you find peace in your new relationship with Jesus.
@@trafficjon400 imagine you had $1M and the next day it was gone. Thats how people are with their identity. They’ve invested their lives (emotions, friends, politics, etc) into it. Its hard to let go of that.
@@davidthehudson yes of course many believe ". Emagen Doing research of what happen to your hard earned millions noticing the new Paint job and Limo's wile poor rising daily starving Homlessness. Gave my patron Points and Suits to any one who wanted it and did advise my family not to take my Suite with a month left on it. Loosing 150,000 in a month and more be for on Black jack in MGM Casino's Giving away around 25,000 in points and suite to break the addiction ten years ago. Tithing is like a Gamble when it proves no one really became rich in any way shape or form. i also Gave the Church a hefty amount in the past my SDA church . taking a life time to figure i been scamed is not loving Faith and possible trip to lake of fire after because Jesus loves you. why he builds the lake of fire just in case we can't figure it out . though Cathlic give out 10% of the riches church in the universe Mormon tabernacle next. i don't see how the powerless of people like ants who can be steped on are forced to hold so much responsibility wene they can't even get out of there own back yard if they ever had one. only a rotten evil giant Monster would have the nerve to treat humans this way. Besides humans today are not commiting the evil Acts of Scriptures history today and yet get treated worse with the most ridiculous sensless Faith that never fed a bull dog. Every single happening or thing that fallows it is only Negative but promises the big possitive that never came except an inside psychosses of Delusions.though i hope a loving honest Creater exist some place but might be fighting in a war trying to protect us from becoming worse than what we are now sounds all ready maxed out. lol we can't though have the ability to fathom but what Science it makes just as many mistakes.
I dont think it's losing identity as much as being afraid of what friends and family will say and how they will judge. It is so much better on the other side. They just don't know it. Although, there are people for whom Christianity just simply works but if it doesn't, the risk is well worth taking. Life of being free without religious doctrines that limit us from living to the fullest is the mist precious thing that ever happened to me.
@@airbornemike380 You are free to renounce your faith if you so choose. Many have already, and I'm sure many more will. What will become of your soul is for God to decide.
I really appreciate this video. I had a horrible experience in church growing up and it still affects me to this day. The people I've met outside of church are much more genuine, generous and overall great people. There was so much pressure to only be friends with people that are in our youth group because no one else was "really saved." Such a toxic culture. Now that I am more enlightened, I have learned that one of my key values is community. This explains why I was so attracted to the group with regular meetings. But when I left, I lost all communication with those people. Being in church significantly contributed to my depression and anxiety. Now that I've decided to no longer be part of that, I feel much freer and happier. Freedom to live this life and make the most of it. Freedom to be kind to and accept others, simply because we are human, Afterall, every human has the same needs, no matter their age, economic status, race nor religion.
that's actually not true. the world is evil inside church and outside church. church is a building of sinners and sinners sin. church does not save you. only Christ can.
Thank you so much for explaining how I've felt for the past 3 years!! Also raised in the pentecostal church, as a PK. So much of my devotion came out of fear and not feeling enough. You are so brave for putting this out here and speaking your truth. Hope that I can find that strength with my family and community too.
I was raised in 6:55 Christian family". I went to Sunday school and church religiously. By the time I was in my teens, I started to see the hypocrisy of the church and their members. For me, it was "Don't do as I do, do as I say." It took a few years after that to see. I was in a precarious situation once, and I prayed for relief and peace of mind. Not too much to ask for. Nothing happened. In fact, things got worse. I felt that a loving God wouldn't let me suffer like that. That's when my mindset changed. I feel so much freer and closer to myself.
@@joedaniels1597The Israelis are delusional psychopaths. They're above it all. Death from above to the Palestinian people and children….care of the AMERICAN taxpayers AND “THEIR” MAINSTREAM US M ASS MEDIA. The PARASITIC, deranged, and degenerate mainstream US mass media spells disaster. They are totally behind the apartheid, murderous, and racist colony called Israel. Expect things to CONTINUE to get worse and worse and worse for the Israelis AND the Americans IN GENERAL. We are losing OUR country. It's POLITICAL corruption. It's corruption on the grand scale. Think war criminal/crook Netanyahu. Think OPEN BORDERS crooked senile Israeli psycho Joe. They're nuts. War is inevitable in the USA AND Israel. Joe is the message: WE CONTROL YOU: You really don't have a President; AND expect things in general to continue to decline. By Frank Martin DiMeglio I'm a genius
It’s interesting that in the video all the reasons for leaving were all emotional ones 🤔 But that’s not enough for me. I can’t ignore the facts ⬇️ Jesus fulfilled hundred of prophecies written hundreds of years before his birth, he claimed to be God and backed it up by historically rising from the dead. ONLY HE is reliable to answer the big questions of life. You, me, and others are only guessing. When someone else rises from the dead then I’ll listen to what they have to say in regards to the answers to questions like: Where did I come from? Where am I going? What is the meaning of my life? How am I to live? Until then…I’ll stick with Jesus!! ✝️
Hi Trent, all of what you say speaks directly to my heart. I agree 100% because my background is almost the same. But I am now 70 years old from Germany , being a teenager I got “born again” and became part of the evangelicals. The teachings of Bart Ehrmann and the channel “Myth Vision” had helped me a lot. I believe also Jesus wouldn’t be a Christian today. His teachings had become corrupted and misused. Stay tuned to the Love.
BART Ehrmann & Derek Mythvision helped me lots too, and Paulogia and others. I studied apologetics to win others from “cults” when I wasn’t brave enough to look at my own faith. Congratulations on your freedom, best wishes from Scotland
What do you mean born again? Are you fill with the holy Spirit? Speaking in tongues, did ( mark 16:16-18?? ) Did you lose your passion, believe, faith??
Firstly, thankyou for sharing your story, and be assured that nothing you said offended me. I have heard this same story many times, always from Americans raised in a closed "evangelical" bubble. My life experience was very different. I live in the UK and grew up in a culture that had little time for God. No one taught me about "original sin" or "Hell," and by my early twenties I had totally rejected Christianity. I than embarked on a personal spiritual journey that culminated in a life changing encounter with God at the age of 30. At the same moment I realised for the first time the depth of my personal sin and the love of God that paid the price for my sin on the cross of Calvary. I have no doubt that I was deserving of Hell, but am now fully forgiven. Maybe the rest of humanity is born into sinless perfection, in which case you and they do not need Jesus . As for me, I cannot go back or unsee what I have seen. In the words of the hymn, "the dungeon flamed with light , my chains fell off, my heart was free". I have never felt any separation from those who don't believe (for most of my life most of my friends have been atheists), even while wishing now that they could see what I have seen. I love them all dearly and value the way they have enriched my life. As for good people who seem most righteous than self-confessed Christians, I believe Jesus dealt with this in the parable of the Good Samaritan. It was clear from your closing comments that your experience of "Christianity" was something you needed to move way from., but please keep an open mind as to where you go from here.
Hi Chris. I love your respectful response. You are clearly happy where you are and can't unsee what you've seen but keep in mind. We've seen things that we can't unsee and we just simply can't live live the way you do. It makes us miserable. We are all hard-wired differently. So please doing the Christian thing and task questions like ' where do you go from here?' We no longer care, life for us is better that way. It's happy, fulfilling and free. There's nothing in this world that can turn up back to the life we once lived. Does Trent urge you to turn away from Christianity? No, because the life he lives is the life that he wants to live and the life that makes him fulfilled. I think you should do the same. Let others be hiw they want to be, especially if they live a goodand fulfilling life their way.
Chris, I had a very similar experience to you. I found that the issue is religion and self righteous Christians who really don’t understand or know the Love of God. I have many issues with Christianity as a religion, but I have zero issues with Jesus, his death on the cross for ME, and the Bible. Like the song amazing Grace says “I once was lost, but now I’m found. I once was blind but now I see.” God has opened my eyes To the spiritual realm and to his love for humanity, and also the truth of the Bible and his reasons for avoiding sin. Everything God says to do or not to do is solely for our benefit and our protection. That’s true love. Most of my friends are atheists, and I love all of them and pray for all of them. I don’t blame them or judge them for their beliefs- I once held some of their beliefs too. But God has opened my eyes, and like you said, I will never be able to unsee it. I was never 100% sure about God’s existence until now, and even tho life is still very hard, I’m sure happy that I have Jesus to help me through it.
@@airbornemike380 Exactly! Everyone is sharing their own subjective perceptions and emotions and personal experiences as if it is EMPERICAL PROOF of something. Belief in deities and theological claims are FAITH-BASED, not fact-based. Faith is about being personally convinced of something. What personally convinces most to believe in Christ are not things that can stand up in a court of law or science lab (the two areas where we determine what is TRUE enough to make critical life and death decisions). Hearsay is not valid testimony. Feelings are not valid testimony. Those of us who have left religion did so because of insufficient reasons to believe and/or lack of any tangible emotional or mental benefits of believing. I am personally much happier not being Christian. If someone is happier being Christian and believes they were personally given enough evidence to convince them, good for them. But it has ZERO relevance to me. The only thing of any ACTUAL, REAL LIFE importance is how humans treat other humans and treat the planet. People's mental conversations and personal philosophies and perceptions really aren't anyone's concern UNLESS they are the causation of them harming other people and the planet.
I became a Christian when I was 12. I’m now 48 and still doing my best to love God and treat others as I’d like them to treat me. As I see it, that’s the main teachings of Christ. I’ll leave the other details to Him. I wish you and your family all the health and happiness. You are clearly a kind-hearted gentleman and those virtues are of primary concern importance in this life.
Actually loving your neighbor as yourself Leviticus 19:17-18... You should probably study the old testament and remove any indoctrination from your brain.
Hell was a big one for me too. I just posted my story of leaving Christianity. I could no longer hold into the idea of an infinite consequence handed for a finite being... thanks for sharing!
it makes complete sense, cause God created time, so when you die time doesnt exist anymore, and the last state you were just a millisecond before you die is an unbeliever, then repentence is no longer possible cause to repent is to change over a certain period of time which your soul doesnt have access anymore. Any decision made outside time is eternal so every sin has to be punished so no time = eternity (which is the only option) if you don't believe it or if you are to prideful... just ask God at the great white throne..but again it will be too late
@ redemption is while you are alive...cause God is all loving but his all justice too so you gonna pay for your own sins if it's not paid by Jesus.Imagine if all sins has no consequence, when Jesus ah to die to pay those? you think that a jusge will says you didnt accept the Jesus plea bargin and all criminal will be release without any consequences?
I couldn’t agree more! I came grew up in India in a non Christian upbringing where original sin was not something I even thought of. It didn’t make sense. When I came to the US, I did accept Jesus but I didn’t even know much about the Bible or the doctrines. I just believed because God answered my prayer. Still as a Christian, I didn’t feel right that my family and millions of people of India and other nations that have never heard who Jesus is, would go to hell, even my ancestors, who have no idea about Christianity. But, I still kept my faith for myself. But, almost a decade later, it started bringing separation between me and my family due to my faith ( I became a little extreme in my view points and started fearing for their eternity). It was very sad and affected me mentally, almost consumed me, in fear. I had to step out and separate myself from the church, just to live a normal life, without that anxiety. I tried going back to church (not a fire and brimstone message church.. lol) but there were still hidden messages based on fear and it would trigger me. I couldn’t not hear those messagings in the sermons. I completely took a break and started listening to other people’s deconstruction journey and it has been so helpful. It’s not easy as my whole life and identity was based on Christianity. It felt like I didn’t know who I was and Howe ti make sense of the world, very disoriented. But, slowly trying to heal from the trauma and religious PTSD. Videos like yours are such a blessing! Thank you for your honesty!
I feel the same as you. There are very few Christians in my country and yes, you said fear in your message. so my church doesn't talk much about fear. but still i am getting away from church and i am so bored being christian and i have some problems in church but there are not many churches here and i am afraid to find a new church and go but anyway if i leave this church i will not go to another church also i still don't understand why i have to go to church on sundays
It’s interesting that in the video all the reasons for leaving were all emotional ones 🤔 But that’s not enough for me. I can’t ignore the facts ⬇️ Jesus fulfilled hundred of prophecies written hundreds of years before his birth, he claimed to be God and backed it up by historically rising from the dead. ONLY HE is reliable to answer the big questions of life. You, me, and others are only guessing. When someone else rises from the dead then I’ll listen to what they have to say in regards to the answers to questions like: Where did I come from? Where am I going? What is the meaning of my life? How am I to live? Until then…I’ll stick with Jesus!! ✝️
Thank you for this video. It’s felt lonely . I grew up Christian and was a PK. My dad told me ha can’t respect me and it was very hurtful and all my family is Christian and not very nice people. But even after all of this I have true peace and joy now and no longer in fear of death. I’ve also stopped forcing my kids to believe. My little one thanked me . I remember when I was a kid I would accept Jesus almost everyday and asked for forgiveness constantly and had nightmares about hell and the end of times. It was horrible. Plus I’ve always experienced things that the church would consider “ demonic “
It’s interesting that in the video all the reasons for leaving were all emotional ones 🤔 But that’s not enough for me. I can’t ignore the facts ⬇️ Jesus fulfilled hundred of prophecies written hundreds of years before his birth, he claimed to be God and backed it up by historically rising from the dead. ONLY HE is reliable to answer the big questions of life. You, me, and others are only guessing. When someone else rises from the dead then I’ll listen to what they have to say in regards to the answers to questions like: Where did I come from? Where am I going? What is the meaning of my life? How am I to live? Until then…I’ll stick with Jesus!! ✝️
But I don’t believe they are facts. They are stories handed down through time to teach moral and obedience. These stories I believe were distorted over the years. So not facts to me.
They have thought about it but were too afraid to address it. I even told my story to my pastor's daughter, to which she replied that she questioned her believes many times but doesn't want to rock the boat. Sad but true. What a waste of a lifetime at a full potential.
Thank you so much for sharing your video. I grew up pentecostal and this year I am no longer a Christian... I totally agree with you and can relate to what you've shared.
What he is referring to is reformed doctrine, which unfortunately is so prevalent in the west. It's a distorted theology and I totally agree with him. I recently discovered Orthodoxy doesn't teach these things so I've started my journey toward Orthodoxy. Don't leave the faith, leave the false teaching.
I’m 24 and I started questioning a lot of things about Christianity when I was about 18-19 and I walked away from church for 11 months and it was DEFINITELY an eye opener. I went back for a while and I definitely am NOT satisfied with the religious system of church. I still believe in God and stuff, but am definitely not radical with it or anything. I’ve always known I was different and that I have a higher calling and Christianity definitely does NOT resonate with me. I will still read my word every now and then for guidance for certain things though. Coming back to church “seemed” good for a little while, but quickly showed me why it’s not for me, It has been PURE HELL, NEVER AGAIN!
At age 21 I didn’t believe in Jesus. I was a Buddhist. I was going through a nightmare situation and no amount of yoga or meditation could detach me from the reality I had to deal with. When you finish meditating you still have to open your eyes and face reality. My situation was so awful that I had the continuous thought that the only thing I could do was end my life. No one knew I was planning to end my life. But Jesus knew. I had encountered in a dream in which he saved me from a spirit that was pursuing me in the dream whilst I walked through a dark graveyard. That spirit I thought at first was good because it was white (it was fog like-without a human shape) and it wasn’t very close to meat that point. As it got closer I realised that thing spirit wasn’t good in fact it wanted to not just kill me but that if I died I would be tormented by it. I was told in my spirit to cry out for Jesus. I had no idea that the bible says we are told to call out to Jesus to save us. Well that’s literally what He did. When I woke up my situation was the same I had to face something that was awful but Jesus had filled me with a Peace that meditation or anything on this earth could ever compare to. This peace came with an internal serene sense of joy. He has transferred his spirit in to me and His love has the ability to love others even when they do wrong towards us. Although I had to go through what I experienced, I would never change it bc I met Jesus. I also wish that everyone could encounter Him in their time of trouble. Please ask for an encounter with Him. I don’t know why He granted me His presence but I am forever grateful. No life is not easy just bc I had that encounter. My sense of peace and joy lasted to get me through my situation but unfortunately this world can cause you to become shaken again. It can’t shake the fact I had that encounter - meaning I’ll forever KNOW Jesus is real and is alive. However, being a Christian is not easy. It comes with challenges and heartache still. But Jesus said that would be the case but to take heart bc in Him you can overcome it all- bc one day you will be with Him in an eternal life that is rid of the evils of the world we presently experience. Please call on Him xx
@user-fq7bm6bo3z so ur saying that jesus spirit that saved him is evil too right? Cause my nightmares and fear of demons all went away after I decided Jesus himself was a demon after 20 years of following him…I sleep better now thanks to myself
I really feel like you didn’t listen to him at all. Like you decided he just walked away without a lot of thought and prayer even though he lived with and grew up in the church. I am glad you found God and Jesus, but his decision to walk away should be just as acceptable as you walking into the church. We are free in Christ. If I were to venture a guess, I would say that he followed Christ out of the church.
There are lots of people who have asked Jesus for an encounter with Jesus and Jesus refused to oblige. Trent here, his wife and his brother are three of them. Clearly you did not listen to the video.
Hi Trent I'm on the same page as you I was once a christian but no longer believe God is angry at me everyday and makes me feel bad about myself all the time always feeling condemned by him. Kind people like you make me feel loved and appreciated.
The main point of Christianity is that Jesus died for our sins on the Cross. A true Christian cannot be condemned. A true Christian will also do their best to turn from sin out of gratitude for Jesus and by the Grace of God. Being convicted by the Holy Spirit is what draws us to repent and turn away from sin, it does not condemn. The devil will try and make a Christian feel condemned. I hope you realize that turning away from Jesus is turning away from God. Jesus said to take up our cross daily and follow Him. Its not easy being a Christian, but it is worth it. Mathew 16:24-26 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Thanks for this video. First I want to say that it takes a lot of courage to leave an environment that is the only thing you know, you should be so proud of yourself. I am the daughter of a late-evangelical preacher. Growing up in that environment is so toxic except you don't know it is at the time because you think it's like that for everyone. My dad was very strict, no wearing pants to services, no bathing suits (unless I had a shirt over it , and this was when I was little). Absolutely nobody should have to live thinking everything is a sin. Your 3 points are what I think about a lot now in my deconstruction process so I can love more like Jesus because I was taught to hate the sin, love the sinner-such BS they never loved the sinner they hated anyone different, and also some things they consider sins are not. I went to services 3 times a week, plus gospel meetings and if I dare miss a service it was the end of the world. Looking back so much, if not everything was about control and they scared you into salvation. I don't remember many sermons of love, but so many fire & brimstone sermons. I have found peace with my own relationship with Jesus as I left my congregation in 2021, I left hate & hypocrisy not Jesus. Again thanks for this video, I think it can help a lot of others who are considering this!
12:13 its not about being a better person, we cant save ourselves. God tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves and God taught me how to love again after i forget. Its not all about emotions, sometimes doing dishes or complimenting someone.
I went through a horrible church experience and trauma last year. I then spent nearly everyday for the last year fixing my relationship with God. The relationship with God which the church had destroyed. I spent every ounce of effort, energy, time and even money going through Christian therapy, prayer, pushing through, battling depression, anxiety, anger, unforgiveness, hardship, trial, suicidal thoughts - all so that I could still hold on to my beloved Jesus. I tried Everythig I could with the little strength I had left, to hold on to Jesus. Was I happy through that? Absolutely not. Am I happy now? Sometimes. I don't think with Christianity we are asked to be in a place where we are the most happy and most fulfilled people. I think it's suffering trials and tribulations yet being filled with the divine peace and joy of Christ even in the toughest of times. Jesus... was worth it all. He was worth all of the above and more and continues to be worth it all. Not because I get major happiness in return but simply because I want God.
I really appreciate your candour. I grew up a Christian and still am. It is a big deal. I have no window on another''s soul. That is all. Thank you again.
I always appreciate these testimonies because they provide a window into the psychology of faith. From my perspective, it has always been obvious to me that religion is total bunk.
Thank you for your story man. Everything you said resonates with me. I’ve been literally questioning everything recently and even digging into how we got the Bible, history of Christianity, ect… and it’s making me even more skeptic! Did your wife have the same journey as you? Did she decide to leave when you left? How did that all go?
No she did not - it was pretty tough for a while navigating this. But she is more on the same page as myself now. She had to take her own journey and I gave her space. She would occasionally ask me a question and I would answer. Eventually she dropped most of it as well.
You don't question, you hate thinking. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
Good on you! I walked away from Christianity and religion 'officially' nearly two years ago. Quarantine allowed a time of introspection to realize I had been drifting away. I'd been drifting away because of critical thinking. I left Christianity for reasons about the veracity and historicity of the Bible. I considered many of the same things you did. I'd also thought about why I'd remained an avowed Christian for so long - some 40 years - and realized it whittled down to expectation. Leaving the community is hard, disappointing family is harder. It's been a relief, a breath of fresh air in many ways.
@ Some One.. Agreed and understood how you feel and sorry. nothing is more wicked than being treated like a slave from a profit making business to Control the Human being just to become Rich enormously. These empires who started this never Got the Punishment they so well deserved. Today these Demons still control us over a true loving Honest Creater that seems to Void it. Fustrated an't the word for this.
If you are having questions about those things, check the writings of Josh McDowell and Dr. John W. Montgomery. There is so much evidence for the historicity and veracity of the Bible, it is amazing.
@@originalmamagrizzly2478 alternately, go check out any number of actual biblical and historical scholars that aren't Christian apologists. If you start from the presupposition that the Bible is true, then everything you study, interpret, and expound on will be tainted by confirmation bias. Instead, let the actual evidence take you where it will. Many scholars like Josh Bowen started out as strong Christians until they actually learned about our history and that the Bible didn't line up.
@@originalmamagrizzly2478 No there's not. This is why scientists keep making videos contradicting that idea because the bible never took place historically. There were no talking snakes, donkeys, nor anything of the like. The flood never happened, Noah's ark doesn't exist, and no records outside of the bible reflect any claims that the bible makes.
The tape analogy was spot on. I started realizing this: how can this one life you get, where you don't get to pick your race gender social status time period etc. determine where you go for eternity?
The bible does say Jesus gives lights to ever man(human) that enters the world. We will be judged by what we know, and what we willingly and freely chose to believe. We can look at nature and see there is Something much bigger than us at work. God is able to reach a person who seeks Him even if that is just through curiosity from what they observe. He knows the heart of every man. No one is seperated from God eternally for not knowing, they are seperated for rejecting the truth. There are horrible false beliefs about God within Christian Churches. Not everyone believes the same. Reading the bible for yourself and asking God to show you is a good start. But you would also have to ask yourself the hard question of if it is true, would you be a believer and follower of Christ? That will show the true intent of your heart. God, knowing all things, is not going to cast His pearls before those who would tramble on it. That too is an act of mercy in my opinion. Never stop questioning your own beliefs. It is super important to know why we believe what we believe.
because your race gender social status will all be irrelevant when it comes to your soul. that's why your eternity is important. or you can spend the rest of your life being confused about your race gender social status and be confused till you die.
Thank you for not only taking the time to share your story but also being vulnerable & being your true authentic self. I am in the process of accepting the fact that I no longer want to be a Christian & or believing in the Christian God & it truly feels like a break up. It is a process of having to deal with the emotions just like any other break up but nevertheless, I feel free & not going back.
What i get frustrated about is Constantine and King james ordered the New Testimonials New Covenant 800 years after the Old test Covenant. Constantine the Empire Ordered King James to create the New Christian Law and if any one disagreed with frustration and have not become Christian were blamed of being witches and ordered to be burned or Hanged. Sounds man made and why would it not. Christians today will fight to the death to keep this whether it might be faults beause Profit is in the Billions. Scary it is as i being Christian feeling like a fool. and not the Fool they love to call you. if your being honest doing a little research is called Sin . Scriptures tells you to keep from knowledge . i get confused about the knowledge it tells you to stay away from. Science is considered sin and wicked. is the Man who searches truth full of sin and wicked . Faith to believe Blindly with no proof what so ever. Sounds pretty Damn Flawed . again i all way's wanted a true Honest loving Non Manipulative Creater but truly have not found one yet. Blessings blessing blessings but who and where. o i've been living in a Delusion all my live ? what could be more wicked than living in a Delusion.
@@trafficjon400 How will one get through something like this? Is that the question? If so I believe if you continue to search, love, listen, and be open to the idea of never truly knowing, you will find peace. I think its in the letting go of finding an absolute truth. At least that is where I have found to most peace and joy in life. The fact that I don't have to prove there is or is not a God. Rather I can freely be myself and love others while not having all the answers. At the end of the day, what makes you the best version of yourself, what gives you the tools and ability to love your neighbor, to love yourself. Find that path and you'll find peace. ✌
@@Trentenjoel Depends of what kind of peace your referring to? my life is set as it is and keep my standards as they are. i have tools skills buzzy daily from Piano keyboardist auditor to building tractor cabs and renovation RV Motor Vintage homes for people who may need a temporary shelter. Buzzy most of the time and not worried about a relationship at the Moment. Not going to dwell my life away on any thing over my ability . Some people might have other issues in life than just getting along.i do a lot more listening than you may think i can identify with your Concerns' . ✌
I am a ex hindu..I had a rough life..no one told me about Christ..I thank God for my cultural belief in ways that God does exist...but I was at times thinking which one shall I pray to todayto help me watching my dad abuse my mother and scare us half to death🤔..eventually at 12..i bypassed my gods of my forefathers...and went directly to the real God. My heary felt there was One greater. Anyway..I gave my life 2 Christ..my family disowned me etc. Thing is you need to fight..its a wrestle...every day. You will experience the emptiness...your children will need Christ. At the end of the day its your choice. I made a choice leaving my parents religion..I am glad I did. I can tell the difference..as the real 😅God does help. I learnt to be patience and loving and forgiving in Christ Jesus. I seen that world...the numbness without Christ..of course I had probs before Christ..but after receiving Christ its manageable. You been taught about hell fire and stuff growing up. I pray you will seek Christ as your personal Saviour. Sin is sin..i am not perfect..I messed up too in ways but God is merciful..he loves us. Its your choice we know..but I have noticed and concerned many church children growing up have been wounded and scared up by the message of how certain preachers and pastors delivered it. Christ is about love and gentle. We know the Holy Spirit is the comforter the one who will teach us about truth. Sadly as a prodigal child realised he made a wrong choice..I pray you will eventually return back in heart to Christ. Take care,🙏🏼💜
I've been wronged by churches a LOT. I no longer go to any. Still, I can read, study, and research on my own. I don't need churches telling me things and feel as if they're telling me the truth. God says don't do that. It's up to US to see how truthful it is. Just hearing Trent shows his studying is horrible so he makes all these silly excuses like so many do. I just want to know the truth and see reasonable evidence to back it. God has ALL the evidence and unbelievers have NONE. YOU are not only a blessing to yourself but to your family that depends on you for guidance.
Thank you for sharing. I'm hoping to build a community/portal for people losing their faith to discuss these hangups without it having to be the typical debate style. Would love to see people like yourself share your story in depth to help people feel connected rather than isolated.
Respectfully, whatever u said described my teenage years in a nutshell. I was the go to Church participant n Church was a secondhome. However one thing....i never knew God truly. All i was doing is following practices and feeling what i thought i was meant to feel. Once i encountered God, my whole perspective changed. I met him in my room after i stopped going to Church. N i realised he never meant for me to change but to heal. I don't worship the God my pastor and family talks about but the God who pulled me out of my darkest moment, held me, and gave me unmatched peace and love. So no, unless a person absolutely hasn't heard of him, everyone has an equal chance to get to know him. Especially in this modern age.
I grew up an atheist who hated Christians. Then, through a series of events, I ended up giving my heart to Christ. I read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in about a month and half. Then I intentionally read Genesis to Revelation two more times over the years. Each time I read it, the amazingly beautiful and simple message of God, YHVH, came through loud and clear and I chose to obey what is written in the Bible to the best of my understanding, to love Him and to honor Him and to love one another even as He loves me (or at least I am trying to..). God has blessed me TREMENDOUSLY for my heartfelt effort to love Him and to honor Him by learning of His good, right and just ways and walking in them as best I understand. Recently, I have been focusing on now to distinguish between what is truly, truly DIVINE and what is MAN-MADE. Many churches, synagogues, etc have a great deal of MAN-MADE rules and instructions which, pretty much by definition, are NOT found in the DIVINE word of God, YHVH. This is "religion", a man-made construct that may produce good fruit or it may produce bad fruit. I think what you saw is the bad fruit of man-made doctrines and traditions (aka "religion") that Jesus vehemently rebuked in a number of accounts in the Bible such as Matthew 15:1-9, 20, Mark 7:1-13, Matthew 23:1-39. Please prayerfully consider reading Genesis to Revelation a few times. I know it is a TON of reading, but I think you will then be able to distinguish between the man-made doctrines and traditions of "ism"s like Roman Catholicism, Rabbinical Judaism, Episcopalian-ism, Mormonism, etc and the PURE Milk of God's Word that produces good fruit, fruit consistent with repentance and love for others, the fruit of considering others more important than yourselves (1Peter 2:2, Mt 18:3, Acts 24:14-16, James 1:17-18, John 1:12-13, 1Peter 1:23, 1John 2:29, 1John 3:9, 1John 4:7-5:5, Philippians 2:3-4, etc).
Was this one of the verses you read? Leviticus 25:44-46 44 “‘Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. 45 You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. 46 You can bequeath them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly.
Totally agree with you. Just to piggy-back though, the Church is the institution of Christ (see Acts1:8 and Matt 16:18) Man-made religion is bad, but there is a right way to do it, Christ's way, and we are called into it to be a part of His body. So be careful not to reject the church - we must be a part of the local church - but do discern between good and bad doctrine.
@@wheat3226 You must understand the civil laws of who these were preaching to at the time. Leviticus 25:44-46 is an ancient text that reflects an ancient social institution. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, as the saying goes. Perhaps this is also how you tackle the vexing problem of slavery in the Bible: one text at a time. In fact, that is exactly what I intend to do-examine one Israelite slave text in the Pentateuch: Leviticus 25:39-55. This text and its reception are fraught with difficulty. Indeed, I like to compare it to a vast field littered with active landmines. A reader might wonder if this text allowed the ancient Israelites to abuse their foreign chattel slaves. Leviticus 25:44-46 states as you typed it. Jeffrey Stackert makes the following comment about this text, “Just as the Israelite slave was treated ruthlessly in Egypt, so may the foreign slave be treated ruthlessly in Israel.” But is Stackert correct? Did this ancient Israelite slave law permit the Israelites to mistreat and oppress their foreign chattel slaves? Equally problematic is the mere permission of chattel slavery in this text. Why was chattel slavery permitted in ancient Israel? In this article, I attempt to answer these two questions first, by acclimating the reader to Leviticus 25:39-55 and second, by reading Leviticus 25:39-55 within the larger moral framework of Leviticus 17-26. The Israelite slave laws in Leviticus 25:39-55 neatly divide into three sections. Leviticus 25:39-43 prohibited the Israelites from enslaving one another because the Lord delivered them from Egyptian slavery. They belonged to him alone as his slaves (25:42). This section ends with a prohibition of abuse: “You shall not rule over them [fellow Israelites] with harshness, but shall fear your God” (25:43). Leviticus 25:44-46 permitted the Israelites to purchase and own foreigners and resident aliens as chattel slaves because of their ethnic and social status (i.e., they were not redeemed Israelites) and because they (often) did not own land. This section also ends with a prohibition of abuse of one’s fellow Israelite (but no such prohibition regarding the treatment of the foreigner!): “but as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness” (25:46). Leviticus 25:47-55 allows an impoverished Israelite to sell himself (and his family) to a land-owning foreigner. Unlike the case of the foreign chattel slave in Leviticus 25:44-46, a family member can redeem the indebted Israelite by paying off their debt. In the worst-case scenario, they may be released in the Jubilee Year (every 50 years). Near the end of this section (25:53) we encounter the now-familiar prohibition of abuse one more time: “who shall not, however, rule with harshness over them [i.e., one’s fellow Israelite] in your sight.” Leviticus 25:39-55 is a collection of three (related) slave laws. These slave laws contain one overarching message: don’t abuse your (Israelite) neighbor. This prohibition of abuse is the glue that holds these three laws together. It shows up at the two major turning points in this text (25:43 and 25:46) and again towards the end of the text (25:53). Before moving from one law to the next, the author reminds the audience that they are absolutely forbidden from abusing their (Israelite) neighbor: “You shall not rule over them with harshness.” The three slave laws and their relationship with one another may be graphically represented as follows: Leviticus 25:39-42: Israelites, do not enslave one another. -> Leviticus 25:43: Israelites, do not oppress one another. Leviticus 25:44-46a: Israelites, you may have foreign chattel slaves. -> Leviticus 25:46b: Israelites, do not oppress one another. Leviticus 25:47-52, 54-55: Impoverished Israelites may sell themselves to foreigners, but they may be redeemed or, at least, be released in the Jubilee year. -> Leviticus 25:53: Israelites, do not oppress one another. Did Leviticus 25:44-46 Permit the Abuse of Israel’s Chattel Slaves? The answer is no. However, Stackert answers this question in the affirmative because of the strong contrast between Leviticus 25:44-46b and Leviticus 25:46c. Notice the contrast between these verses. Leviticus 25:44-46b: As for the male and female slaves whom you may have, it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves. You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you, and from their families that are with you, who have been born in your land; and they may be your property. You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property. These you may treat as slaves. Leviticus 25:46c: But as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness. (NIV) The contrast is indeed stark. The Israelites are permitted to purchase, own, and bequeath foreigners and resident aliens as permanent chattel slaves. Moreover, they are only explicitly forbidden from mistreating their fellow Israelite. In Stackert’s view, the contrast in these verses intentionally allowed the Israelites to abuse their chattel slaves as a form of repayment for the abuse that the Israelites experienced in Egypt (Exodus 1:13-14). In his view, the Israelites can, in some sense, avenge themselves for the wrong done to them by the Egyptians by oppressing the foreigners in Israel. Stackert, however, has taken a wrong turn. The larger context of Leviticus 25:44-46 (i.e., Leviticus 17-26) demonstrates that the Israelites were forbidden from abusing their chattel slaves. Leviticus 19:33-34 reads, “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (NIV) Leviticus 19:33-34 forbids the Israelites from mistreating foreigners based on their sojourn in the land of Egypt. Since the same author wrote both texts, it is highly unlikely that he would forbid the Israelites from abusing foreigners based on their Egyptian sojourn in one text (19:33-34) and then permit them to abuse foreigners based on their Egyptian sojourn in another text (25:44-46). Leviticus 19:33-34 informs our interpretation of Leviticus 25:44-46: the Israelites were not permitted to abuse their foreign chattel slaves. Leviticus 25:44-46 must also be read in its immediate literary context. Leviticus 25:47-55 envisions a situation in which a foreigner or resident alien obtains wealth, climbs to the top of the social ladder, and becomes the creditor to an Israelite debtor. Although foreigners and resident aliens could be subjected to permanent chattel slavery, they did not have to be subjected to this status. Although the foreigner and resident alien did not inherently belong to YHWH as his slaves (Lev 25:42, 55), chattel slavery was not necessarily their lot in life. Of course, one could contend that chattel slavery is inherently abusive and, therefore, Leviticus 25:44-46 necessarily permitted abuse in Israel. By modern standards, this assertion may be true. However, Leviticus 25:44-46 is an ancient text that reflects an ancient social institution. This social institution normally allowed for the abuse of chattel slaves, but Leviticus 25:44-46 (and its larger literary context) forbade such abuse. Although limited space prevents a thorough exploration of this text, an earlier Israelite slave law in the Pentateuch (Exodus 21:23-27) also supports my interpretation of Leviticus 25:44-46. Exodus 21:23-27 forbid the Israelites from abusing their slaves. If an Israelite master chose to abuse his slave, then the slave was automatically freed. It seems that Leviticus 25:44-46 builds on the already-existing law and coheres with its prohibition of abuse. Loving prayers and blessings, in Yeshua’s name!
To anyone who believes in God, I respect you for having some sort of faith, and yes, you don’t have to see something to believe in something, but you need evidence that it’s real. The main reason I don’t believe in God is because science constantly proves otherwise. For example, there is evolution, and there is creationism (which is what believers in God would believe in). There is so much evidence that evolution is how humans were formed. First of all, the fossil record shows a gradual evolution of life forms over billions of years, rather than a sudden appearance of fully formed organisms, which creationism suggests. Second of all, there is genetic evidence. DNA sequencing and comparative genomics provide strong evidence for common ancestry among all living organisms, meaning that all life on Earth gradually evolved into the organisms we see today from one common ancestor, supporting evolution and rejecting creationism’s idea of the sudden appearance of life on Earth. Next, there is radiometric dating (a method of dating geological or archeological specimens by determining the relative proportions of particular radioactive isotopes present in a sample), which consistently shows that the Earth is over 4.5 billion years old, not thousands of years old, which creationism would suggest. Lastly, there is Embryology, which demonstrates similarities in early developmental stages among different species, reflecting shared evolutionary ancestry rather than separate creation events. Now these are just a few examples of scientific evidence that contradicts the idea of creationism and supports the theory of evolution, and what’s also important to mention is that science is basically impossible to disprove, since in science, we come to conclusions based on facts and repeated tests that constantly prove a theory correct, meanwhile, in most religious ideas like creationism, people come to conclusions first, and make up false evidence based on myths that were spread to them in society. Science shows the true facts, and it has disproved creationism too much for the concept of creationism to even have an ounce of validity. Btw, I’m not trying to sway you away from your beliefs, I’m just trying to show you why some people like me don’t believe in God. Yes, I have a lot of free time right now because of a sickness, I just want to use some of my TH-cam time to share my beliefs. I don’t mean any disrespect to you or your God at all, and I’m sorry if my fellow non-believers ever did you any wrong, as I don’t support people who try to hurt others in any way.
Separation from others is what I noticed the most. It shows up even more clearly when you examine your own self as a member of a religious cult. Good to see you enjoying life and pursuing authentic Love. @Dono
I really resonated with the point you made about separation. Looking at others differently and thinking they're not living a full life when in reality it was me who wasn't living a full life. That can be a lot to realize but having that realization can be so meaningful and it has been for me. Thank you for putting into words a lot of what I've been feeling in my deconstruction process!
I do have a doubt sister. Sometimes when you pray , coincidentally miracles happen and people cling to faith and don't think rationally. How do they deconstruct then ?
My question is why did people sacrifice their lives for Christ. If this was all a lie, then why would Peter, Bartholomew, Matthew, etc be tortured killed for their faith. If Christ was not the King of Heaven and Earth then what would these people have to gain for sacrificing themselves for Christ? I encourage you to look more into the issues you have with Christianity. As a Catholic I have heard nasty Protestants and Catholics and Catholics and Protestants who are on their fire with with their faith. Those who are on fire with their faith truly understand at a level deeper than just reason. There is a glow about them that is not just spiritual, but also physical. Those who truly understand what it means to live with Christ would give their life for those they love. They are steady and moral. The Greeks have many words for love and one had to be made up to describe Christian love. This is called “agape”. St Thomas Aquinas defines this love as willing the good of the other. This ultimately means doing what you can to bring someone in union with Christ. To all my fellow Christians and Catholics understand that we alone cannot convert, but conversion only happens with the heart of the person is moved in such a way that brings them to the faith. Our job is to catechize and pray for their conversion. Viva Cristo Rey, we are gonna make it! God bless everyone.
Hello Trent, First, I can tell you are a loving person, your words and your face express love and peace of mind. No shade of antagonism, criticism, or hatred at all. Any open-minded person will enjoy listening to your talk. (Please bear with my English since my native language is Spanish - I’m Mexican). As I listen to you, I’m on the same page, so I understand perfectly what you are saying. I came out of a similar belief system. Now, Christianity is a loaded word since not all Christians believe the same, too bad… or maybe thank God! I mean thank God not all Christians believe or behave the way you described on your video. Now, your Christian friends are obviously not on your same page; their page is that belief system you just left behind. But that belief system is not what Christ meant His movement to be. Not at all. When I tell you I’m on the same page with you, what I mean is that what you describe your life being like now as opposed to what it was like when you were involved in that belief system, that’s basically what following Christ should be like. You are living a Christlike life, your Christian friends are not, I say it with sadness. Man, I wish I could not extend too much with my comments, but there is so much to say. Let me comment why I agree with you on those three issues that prompted you to leave Christianity. And, after that, let me bring an element that I would invite you to add to the equation. Original Sin. There is no such thing as original sin, at least not according to God’s Word. When God finished His physical creation, He declared it (“ALL”) to be “VERY GOOD” (Genesis 1:31). Adam’s sin did not cause God’s creation (man and woman created after God’s likeness - Genesis 1:26) to become ontologically BAD. A sinner is like a dirty diamond, it’s dirty but still a diamond. We humas are God´s children. We live in a fallen world, I mean just look around, we humans do bad things but it’s not because we are bad per se, it’s just that we have been contaminated by sin. God exhort us to cleanse ourselves of sin, and staying away from sin leads to a joyful and abundant life. That’s the kind of life you and your beautiful family are enjoying. Hell. OK, there is no Original Sin we are born with, but to a higher or lesser degree, there is sin in our lives. It’s just the way it is since humankind rejected God, but that doesn’t mean God will send unrepented sinners to hell. God did not create this flaming place of eternal torment so many Christians believe in. That’s totally incongruent with the fact that God IS LOVE. Yes, the Bible speaks about hell, but you need to recognize allegory in Bible writing. If God is love, hell must be an allegory. Hell is real, but it’s more of a mental state of mind of being alienated from God, of being full of bitterness, hatred, envy, and so on. Separation. Certainly. Well intentioned but misinformed Christians want to change you since they think you are wrong and headed to hell, and they want to prevent you from going to hell. And if you don’t let them change you, they separate from you, so sad. And they cannot see they ARE in hell, that they are in bondage, that they are not free. And you could not stand being there, you left, and you are free to love others no matter if they are believers or not. So, Trent, about leaving your faith, please consider that leaving a belief system does not necessarily mean leaving your faith. Well, you did not mention if you no longer believe in God. Do you? Let me tell you something: the love you enjoy with your family and your friends (those friends that enjoy your company) IS GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOU (and them, of course). “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and WHOEVER LOVES HAS BEEN BORN OF GOD AND KNOWS GOD.” (1 John 4:7). So, according to the apostle John YOU are born of God, and you know God - you love because God is in you. Sad to say so many Christians don’t know God. Being a Christian is not the same as being a follower of Christ. You can tell, right? Finally, I’m just sharing what I have learned from others. Jesus preached: “believe the GOOD NEWS”. Original sin is not good news, hell is not good news, separation is not good news. There’s a lot of reading I could recommend to you. For now, I just want to recommend you check on Google for William P. Young (author of The Shack), Baxter Kruger and Brad Jersak (A More Christlike God is a must read for you, I think). These guys speak like you, but with Jesus in the equation to say it that way. You can find them on TH-cam too. Thank you for sharing your experience on TH-cam. And thank you for your patience on reading my long comment.
As someone who journeyed through something very similar but came out the other side still a Christian, a completely different one than I was before but one nonetheless, thank you for sharing Trent! It’s not easy to share a faith transition like that (heck after mine when I would say deconstruction, some friends/pastors would shriek lol) and conversations like the one you’re having will lead to more loving and less separate people! Something we could all benefit from!
Thanks for sharing Trent. This helps me to understand why many are leaving the church. I’m currently in Catholic biblical school to help understand salvation history and how I fit into the story. Just before losing my dad, an incredible man of faith, his final words to me were “keep the faith”. If you’ve ever talked with someone you believe is on the doorstep of heaven, you listen. I’d struggled understanding many teachings of the church but out of obedience and deep love for my father I began seeking to grow in my knowledge and understanding of the faith. It’s been an incredible journey. I no longer live in fear of hell (which I absolutely believe exists…there are people who have “died”, experienced hell and shared about it; likewise there are those who have glimpses of heaven in all its glory), but in JOY of eternal life. Jesus opened the gates for ALL people so it’s my mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus in my little part of the world…and to do so with LOVE. I’m sad that so many Christians are grumpy but pray that one day we all may be united 🙏🏼 God bless you and your beautiful family…even though you don’t believe in him I believe He created you and loves you all so much (even more than we love our kids…which is crazy to imagine!) ❤
16When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny- psaml 73:16-17 hi i speak this from respect and good intention, we somethimes go trough our christian path without building solid prayer life. ofcourse that when doubts come we can drift away. i had maaaany questions like yours. people called me scribe for carrying few copies of bible.why, 'couse i didn't want another person to influance me, so i would allways go deep in prayer, never saying amen to something if not complitely sure, and it took time for some questiones . some things you are doubting here will ONLY be removed if you go sincerely to God and ask him, he removed avery one for me.
Seriously, i remember being like 5 and continuously accepting jesus in my heart cuz i was scared. I feel like most people do it because they are afraid to go to hell, not really because they find the religion to be life changing especially when you are brought up in it. I do think the teachings of christ do help people become better but every religion teaches good things and your conscience knows right from wrong.
Hey Trent, thank you for sharing your experience. I’ve felt this way, praying for a true encounter with Christ despite hurt from humans and ideologies that seem impossible to believe, encountering Christ changed everything for me, despite how rain falls on the just and unjust, and how living in a fallen world can make us feel wayward, I have to constantly choose faith and not feelings, and faith over understanding.
Great question to ask, it’s more than just a voice, although the way I experienced hearing the Lord was through a supernatural knowing, for example, He placed things on my heart I’ve never thought of on my own, like forgiveness and apologizing. Also though, I experienced grief, anxiety, depression, and shame taken off of me..which doesn’t just happen on its own. I experienced a genuine love and good fear of the Lord. When I read scripture I actually believed it and it made a difference in my demeanor and trust. So much more but I hope this helps a bit 🙂
@@trainingrifle Jesus loves you. Believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, confess it with your mouth and you will be saved. Ask God to show that He is real to you if you really don’t believe yet.
Thank you for sharing your truth. Leaving main stream religion is the best move I made. Like you, the separation from others, fear of hell & damnation was enough to open my eyes to the control the church has over its people.
This is only natural, wise, honest men and or thinkers have always have doubts throughout history. Luckily, we now live in a time where we aren’t burnt to death because we don’t believe in nonsense.
@ Shane Lebeau ? Found a site of History in cave platlets about King James burning and Hanging Millions who decided the old version was Good enough. they did not want this new King James Version 800 Years long after the Old Covenant Testimony. Why would God decide to write a new book 800 years later sounds Flawed .
@@trafficjon400 why would god use a book? Why won’t he show up and tell us what he wants? Why didn’t he tell the primitives that black people are humans too and maybe that would have avoided slavery? Why didn’t he show up and catch the twin tower planes? Why won’t he show up and end the war in Ukraine? Why didn’t he tell the primaries that diseases are caused by microorganisms and not demons? That would have prevented people from being burnt to death. I could go on for hrs and this is how I am confident there is no god…
@@shanelebeau5891 Your honest understanding is about as Good as mine. Verses in the Bible could turn some instant atheist just by reading it . but excuse is knowing the entire scripture in context wich i dougt any one honestly could or would have completed because its to baffling.
Me leaving was a huge deal too. My family are Christians on both sides. I was dedicated, went to Christian schools and sang worship in college and church. Thank you 🙏 for sharing.
And you came out shallow like Trent. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
@@2fast2block Wow. You like to sound smart. Responding to my story like that. And throwing an insult on top. Whatever you are, I want to be the opposite of that.
@@Emceemami it does not take much to show how little you want to think, then on top of that, you want nice titles for not thinking. Face it, you are not honest with the evidence. I no longer go to churches since they're so messed up, but I didn't make that an excuse to stop thinking.
@@Emceemami why do you act as if you're honest. I gave evidence and you just totally ignored it. I can go on and on with other things but once you ignore one, it bothers you nothing to keep on ignoring. I stay out of churches and for good reason, but I didn't let that stop me from wanting truth.
It’s clear he was never born again. As famous rabbi that came to faith recently said, if you have ever experiencing regeneration, it’s impossible to deny Christ. He said a sinners prayer at an alter when he was a kid but was never truly regenerated. My son did the same. He thought he was saved when he was a kid but was truly saved years later. Regeneration is explosive and turns your world upside down. Believe me, you have no doubt it’s real - zero doubt.
This video is fantastic! Thanks for posting - I was raised fundamentalist pentecostal, felt the call to preach - went to school to become a pastor and lost my faith when I saw the kinds of people who were in my classes, who were also looking to become leaders. The lowest of any students I ever encountered in the non-religious public schools. It is like a huge cult. Appreciate your thoughts on this important subject to those of us who lost all our family and friends over this nonsense.
I might be a month or so in finding your video,but I have been seeing so many young people doing theses videos on why I left the church and dealing with the same issues, not only that but ,but I have experienced anxiety,and different things, because you feel your not good enough. Your children looks happy and content. I passed on a part of your video,maybe some will get something from it and let their children grow up and learn to think for themselves and not make them feel the guilt of going to hell !
My state of mind greatly improved after leaving religion and Christian beliefs. One thing I learned and seek to practice is 'not judging' people. I had what is called an "Ego Death". I think being a believer prevented me from having that experience. As a non-believer, I was in a position to go there. It's a long story. Partly it involved sequestering in a totally dark room for up to a week while fasting.
I left churches but you people left your brain too. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
Enjoyed this. I have a slightly different perspective. Maybe I just give it my own spin? 1. I've always seen original sin as the fact that we all have a sin nature as a propensity to sin. (Once my kids grew up it became pretty obvious: "That's mine!" "I didn't really punch him." "I hate you..."Our course if taken to the extreme it becomes "I want your country" "Your race does not deserve to live" etc. Unfortunately this happens on a massive scale. 2. Hell - I really struggle with this too. That being said, I do believe God is totally fair and would never send someone there without good reason. Perhaps it's the flip side of God's love for his creation. Perhaps how we see Hell depends on our experience and context. I have a daughter whom I love deeply. If someone kidnapped her, used her as a sex slave and then cut her throat as they laughed. I would want them to experience Hell. I would long for a day of justice. 3. Sin and separation. Well, true follower of Jesus are called to love one another no matter what they believe or don't believe. We don''t look down on others because we are all broken and have the same need. We've received Grace and we pass that on to others. The Good News of Jesus is one beggar telling another where to get bread. I grew up on a grace filled church. I'm still grappling with the big questions of the faith but the message of God's love towards me (and the world) is central. I hang on desperately to to God's love revealed to us in Jesus. Without that I think I would still be building my own kingdom rather than reaching out in service to the least of these.
Dear Brother, Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences so openly. I see where you’re coming from, and I want to address some of the points you’ve raised-especially about original sin, hell, and the nature of faith. I share this with you out of love and a deep desire for you to see the true heart of Christianity. You’ve expressed doubts about the concept of original sin and how different cultures might interpret such teachings. I understand why this might feel confusing or even unfair at first glance. But the reality of original sin is not about cultural bias or human interpretation-it’s about the universal truth of human nature. Sin isn’t tied to one culture or tradition; it’s a condition of the human heart, something we all inherit as descendants of Adam. It’s not a doctrine of oppression but a truth that humbles us and reveals our need for God’s grace. You mentioned how, back in school, kids believed in God out of fear of hell. I want to lovingly clarify something here: fear of hell should not be the foundation of anyone’s faith. If someone believes in hell, they’re already acknowledging the truth of the Bible, which speaks of hell as real. And if the Bible is true about hell, then it is also true about the way to avoid it. That way is not complicated-it’s not about being perfect or living in fear. It’s simply about repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus Christ with all our heart. When we turn to Him, He forgives us completely and removes the fear of condemnation. Hell is not a punishment from an unloving God; it’s the consequence of choosing to live separated from Him. God is love, and His desire is not for anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). His love is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take on the punishment we deserve. Through Christ’s sacrifice, God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him, to live free from fear, and to experience true peace. Brother, I think you’ve misunderstood the heart of Christianity. It’s not about living in fear of hell or trying to earn God’s approval through good works. It’s about recognizing that we are sinners who cannot save ourselves and accepting the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. God’s love is unconditional, and He is ready to forgive you the moment you turn to Him. There’s nothing to be afraid of when you put your trust in Him. I want to encourage you to reflect on this: God is not a distant judge waiting to condemn you. He is a loving Father who wants to bring you home. The Bible is not a set of rules designed to control you-it’s a love letter from God, showing you the way to eternal life. The message of the Gospel is simple: repent, believe in Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of grace. It’s not about fear; it’s about love. I share this with you because I care deeply about your journey. I’ve been where you are-questioning, searching, and feeling distant from God. But I’ve come to know the truth of His love and forgiveness, and I pray you will too. Remember, God’s voice is always calling you, and His arms are always open. With love and encouragement,
Really great thoughts. As a christian it surprises me how little many in the church have thought through these types of questions. Many of my piers think im not a christian simply for the types of questions i consider. Which is fine with me because i think figuring out the right questions to ask is more important, whatever that makes me. Anyway thanks for sharing in such an effective and well spoken way.
@@Trentenjoel Never heard someone's testimony whence they say that THEY LEFT CHRISTIANTY. It is always have been about catholic religion from which they left and not a CHRISTIANTY. Every soul who have come out with "Why I Left Christianity" ends up speaking about catholic religion. And souls know it and understand it that: Christianity is found only in the BIBLE, as a soul takes a bible, sits down and reads it and then start studying it in order to understand it, or we end up misreading the whole bible. Coming to repentance and born again is each soul`s individual CONSCIOUS decision, which child (0 - 20 years) cannot do. It is the CONSCIOUS decision for the adults. No child goes to hell to burn, GOD is not unjust, HE IS JUST JUDGE. Hell fire waits us when we being adults and remain sinners. The keys to understand the BIBLE are: - hunger for truth - THE COMFORTER. Christians are expected to live out the BABYLON and expose the wicked (masons and their death club, freemasonry), yet all of your stories are about being in the Babylon, and very deeply in.
..Due to a head injury I passed away and entered the spiritual word for a short period of time (due to that head injury) -I was in the hospital for 20 days and 20 days. I became partially blind in one eye and lame (I could not walk). During the actual event I experienced and encountered Jesus who then lifted me up by my hips and put me back in the physical world. Through the grace of God it was then I realized I was offered a glimpse of the heavenly eternal life and it is peaceful. I actually didn't want to return it was so peaceful but I saw and experienced Jesus and He gently placed me back in the physical world. To finish my earthly duties. The term "Christian" is a human term. There is a living God and I experienced it and my family and doctors can testify to this experience. This does not mean I am perfect.I am very imperfect. I believe in God the Almighty. Amen.
Tonight I joined a live chat with a Dr. who taught a course on scripture at a university. He was sharing the word and answering questions or reading through comments. I expressed how I don’t go church due to feeling judged and out of place. I felt not good enough. He responded by telling me to grow up. He doesn’t pat anyone on the back or give out sympathy. He doesn’t play the snowflake card. Then went on to say how he was the poorest person at his Bible college and yet nothing deterred him from going. He asked me “how many times did you say ‘I’ in that comment. It’s not about you, it’s about honoring God. I felt shamed into attending church. I cried and felt like a failure that God despises. I gave into the idea that God may want me to feel this pain and praise him anyway. Perhaps that’s all Christianity may be.. silently suffering while telling people how awesome God is. Shaming yourself into faith until you’re a good enough Christian in Gods eyes.
Trent, you had questions which is good. You asked and sought, also good. I don't know where you got your answers, but the Bible (and historical theology) addresses all of your concerns. Please keep seeking - but don't cherry-pick your sources. Read the Bible, read ancient theologians (Highly recommend Augustine). It is not always easy to fully understand these concepts, but you can't just stop in the middle of your search, keep going. Your Faith is your own, not your dad's, not your church friends'. You must arrive at it yourself. On Original Sin: Your daughter as an infant had not yet sinned, but Original Sin is not talking about what she has or hasn't done. It is the general state of separation from God that we are all born into, and the very thing Christ overcame on the Cross. My children are beautiful, I love them, and I teach them this truth that they would come to Faith and be saved as well. On Hell: Hell is described as a place that is ultimately created for the rebel angels, but a place that those who deny God actively choose over Him. When we choose not to trust in Christ (or in ages past, choose not to acknowledge the True God) we choose hell over Him and He honors that choice. God loves us and gave us free will to choose. He honors our choices in the end. If you are presented with a warning of what is to come, and the way of escape from that outcome and choose to deny it, God has done you no wrong. We are given a short time in this life, but we are given enough time. God knows the heart. He knows if you will ever come back to the Faith or not even now. I pray you will. On Changing Beliefs: We do change but the Truth does not. If you reject objective truth, that truth is still there. You can't change it by rejecting it. This is actually crucially important to understand. We live in an age of relativism, but none of that changes the external, unchanging truth. If you seek the Truth you will find it. If you simply reject it because it's unpopular or is not your preference, you reveal that you do not actually want the truth. The truth is difficult and challenging and it should be because it alone can effect real change. On Separation: We are called to love our neighbors indeed. Ask yourself this, if a car was barreling toward your neighbor, would you warn them or let them be struck? Which would be the more loving thing to do? I am not condemning you or judging you but I implore you not to stop seeking. Truly if you conclude that The Way of Christ is not true, then certainly own that belief but do not be lazy in this, this has eternal consequences for you and your entire family. Your children are depending on you as a father to be an example of Truth to them. Will you be? Or will you be an example of a dying world? Peace to you on your journey!
Thank you for enlightening this man. I am so happy that someone speak up about the Truth. We’ll pray that he will not lose his Faith as the days are coming, Jesus is coming very soon. God Bless you and bless this man to finally read more and seek more about the truth. ❤❤❤
Lotta great points you bring up! I can relate with most and have my own spin on those 3 concepts but something you brought up that's extremely important when it comes to Gods love is becoming a parent.. Because you see the world differently! The last year has been a tough one for me spirtually but i started reading the Bible with the perspective as our "Father" while taking these stories a little more as methaphors and it makes way more sense now. Im able to follow Jesus alot closer and really see what it means to love others. But instead of getting into all of that, just wanted to say God bless and i wish you well on your journey ✌️
Hi Trent, hope you don't mind my commenting. I'm 70 years old, came to faith when my children were small when I was in my thirties. Admittedly I've only listened to some of your reasons for quitting Christianity, my first reaction is sadness. I wonder if you knew Jesus. Was Jesus obscured in your growing up by religion? Im leaving it there. We are in the last days when many believers will fall away, my heart aches. X.
Pauline, I longed to write something for precious Trent, to have words, wise words, and I was stuck. I saw what you wrote just now, and oh, my. Yes. Just what you said to this man was the perfect thing to say. The cross has been obscured-and I deeply appreciate your choice of the word-by the modern church system. I pray Trent transcends the smoke-and-mirrors of the modern church culture-and meets Jesus. Once we’ve truly met Jesus, there is no turning back.
Thanks for sharing. It's been inspiring in a way, because I would usually only discuss this in atheism forums or would have an alternate profile if posting on regular social media. I wouldn't want people to be pissed. You say offended, but they are really pissed of or turn hateful. I have a some questions I'd like to know about your experience. May be material for a few videos. 1. I was actually looking for videos from people describing what led them to stop believing. My earliest memory about this, is when I was 4-5 years old, in church with my mother and I saw all these people praying and having this demeanor of total submission - while they're looking at a statue in the wall. I was a very smart kid and my mother, a college professor, had me reading, writing, taught me some science by then, etc. I thought, there's no one there but a statue in the wall, what are these people doing, are they crazy? It also came as a shock to see my mom, who I looked up to as a very smart woman, involved in this. My disbelief comes from lack of evidence, from evidence that many cultures shared these similar mythologies and everybody made up or interpreted their own version. I am a bit astounded that most people lose their belief, not because of evidence or lack thereof, but because they feel the moral code or God's behavior makes no sense. Why do you think that is? 2. At 10:57 you talk about Separation, how when you were a Christian you thought you, were right, if people thought differently you thought they were wrong, they didn't know the truth and you looked at them differently. Now that you don't believe, is it the same feeling, only you're coming from the other side? 3. How has this affected your relationship with your friends and loved ones in general? 4. Your wife... Is she, was she a believer? how does she handle the change? Are you going to try to talk her out of belief? 5. Your father being a pastor...are you banished, looked down upon? Is he cool? 6. Have you told your children? (There's no way those 4 cute kids are sinners since they were born.😊) What are you saying to them now? Do you tell them it's not real but many people believe? Stay out of it and let your parents and or wife talk them into it? Both of these, hoping they decide correctly? 7. I notice you always say, I left Christianity...which could mean you are now Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist. Is it difficult to just outright say God doesn't exist? Or do you still think there's a God and it's just you don't agree with the a Christian system? (Should have asked this one first.🤔) Do you still think there is "some metaphysical higher power"? Is it you don't want to "offend" believers?
The fulfillment you experienced leaving Christianity was mirror image of my experience. I became a more fully human being…the way it should be for all. Thanks for the post.
Hey Trent. I loved your video. Your story is exactly the same as mine. I could have said it all exactly the same way you did. I was 12 when I gave my heart to Jesus. I thought that was the moment my life was going to change for better. Little did I know, all the questions, doubts, feeling if guilt and never being good enough in the eyes of God was going to lead me to just simply give it all up and set myself free in my mid 20's. From that day, I am truly free, happy, I love myself, I love my life and I love all people around me. One thing I have to give credit to my upbringing in a Christian environment is that it naturally makes me see people in need and wanting to help and love them. Having said that, many people I know have just as good values if not better and most of them didn't really believe in God in the first place so do we need to be Christians to be good people? Absolutely not. Thanks for sharing this video. I hope it leads many uncertain christian viewers to realise that if being Christian doesn't make sense to them, it's OK to let go. For those, life is so much better once they cut away from it all.
@@refreshingtime1991is there a place he said he wanted to sin? That's the stupid mentality you guys have. He simply didn't believe in jesus. But wait a minute, what is sin? See, it's a sin in islam not to wear a hijab. So, should i say that you're not a muslim because you want to sin (not wearing hijab) or you simply don't believe Mohammed was a prophet? I mean, stop the double standards. Stop judging people through your narrow mindedness. People quit a religion because they simply don't believe it is true. Period.
@@refreshingtime1991it's not all of us who are "gifted" with the ability of not thinking. Because you know what, a majority of the junk you believe lacks much thought. If you ever thought critically you all come to conclusion that it's false but because you can't accept you're living a lie, you simply dismiss the doubt by saying "god knows best." 😢Well, not all of us are gifted with that level of dumbness. I also deeply desire in my heart that i would be gifted the dumbness that religious people have, so that i could believe everything i'm told god told a guy living in an unknown century back. I wish i could also be that dumb so that i could find a community of fellow deluded people who we can together sing, pray and curse to hell all who do not believe as we do. But when i try, i can't. Everything passes through the channel of rational thinking and i find myself detesting religion. E.g, the stories of Moses and Joshua stamping, stabbing, burning, crashing and bruising infants, babies, women, men, all boys, all girls who are not virgins, but sparing the virgins ones for themselves. All this at the command of "god." You can decide to rationalize it. It's your cup of tea. As for me, this is disgusting and if God could have actually done that, the more i find reasons to stay far from such a bloody monster. I want to believe in christianity? No thanks! I'm good.
Mark 2:17 [17] And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
I left the Catholic Church back in 2014. When I was a Catholic, I was hateful, always stressed out and always financially broke. When I grew older, I started questioning things. Every religion claims that they’re god is the one true god. Why does Christianity, Islam and Judaism have so many denominations?! Every sect claims that their denomination is the true one?! If you don’t follow the god of the Bible in which there’s no evidence of existence, you’re going to hell in which there’s no evidence of existence. Same with every other religion. They threaten you with fear, don’t want you to have free thought. Ever since I left the Catholic Church, my financial status, my social status, life improved a lot. I’m no longer stressed out, no longer broke, no longer hateful, became a very successful person.
Congratulations ! I used to love hearing peoples testimony’s on how they came to Jesus, now love to hear people’s testimony’s on how they woke up and left Christianity. Getting out of the church has been the most freeing and liberating experience of my life and do you know why??? I can think for myself now!
Hi Trent, I realized many things I was taught as a young Christian was wrong. I married a man who became a pastor and left the church. Unfortunately he's very unhappy after around 10 years the fun ended. Stayed with God but went to a church that helped me understand better. Hell was not created for us, God created hell for Satan. Anyone who goes there goes on their own. Religion is taxing but a RELATIONSHIP with God is freedom. I respect what you feel. I'm praying for you. But I understand you. If things change remember God loves you. We are born in sin but there is an age of accountability God never send children to hell. Bless you
Totally feel you prayed my entire life God never answered me my life has always been heartache and sadness I want to finally let God go because I know in my heart he does not nor will ever hear see or care about me
Sometimes when we pray the answer we get is sometimes not what we are expecting or how we’d like it to be to the point where the prayer is answered but u don’t recognize it bc it wasn’t the exact way it was asked for and sometimes we pray for things that hurt us but we don’t see that so those won’t be answered even though we’d like them to be. GOD hasn’t given up on u and he cares but there’s one who doesn’t. If you have time Ephesians 6:12 explains that we constantly fighting with evil we must push forward knowing what’s true. Jesus loves you✝️
i completely understand where you are coming from Trent. growing up, all I knew was the rules and rituals of religion that made Christianity seem dogmatic and restricting. I actually grew up hating religion because of this, despite being raised in the church with constant "Christian" influence. however, as I got older, I started to wrestle with the idea of God in general. Not necessarily the Christian God, but if God/ a creator was real. As I studied, I found it hard to believe that the universe and our world's complexities were accidental, leading me to believe there was a creator/God. And from there I started questioning whether this God was personal with us. From the accounts of Jesus, and the historical evidence/ eyewitness accounts, I found it hard to believe that it was false. The idea that so many willingly gave up their lives for the testament that they knew Jesus and he was Lord but it all be a lie was hard for me to believe. Therefore, slowly I started to consider Jesus as truth, and I began to try to connect or communicate with Him as much as possible. From this, I have no doubt that He is real, and I have seen him completely change how I live and treat others. The ideas of sin and Hell are hard concepts to swallow, however, I think the way Western Culture teaches these things is not always correct. This leads many "Christians" to believe a false narrative of God and human nature. I believe all humanity is flawed, however, I don't believe if a baby dies it will go to hell, even if sin is "inherent". God judges wisely and with compassion. Also "hell" is interpreted differently among many Christians. I believe that if you make the decision to live away from God while on earth, God will respect that decision. Hell is simply just separation from God, no matter what that looks like. However, I think God judges people differently according to their circumstances. For the people that hypothetically have never been exposed to Jesus, I think God can make a just choice on where their heart was while living on earth.I don't know how God judges everyone individually, but its the fact that he DOES judge and see our circumstances. Many people think God having judgment is bad, however, it is actually fair and kind, as he makes decisions based off of our lives and not assumptions. Many Christians aren't always kind- maybe from false teachings or interpretations of Jesus that make them behave differently- however, neither is all non-Christians. Everyone needs work, even if we can't see it. For me, since knowing Jesus authentically, and having a relationship with God (not following rules or rituals like I was taught) I have seen my character and heart change. I am not perfect, and I still struggle so much, but I can only attribute my heart change to the love I have found with Jesus.
I came from an abusive church background with a father who was a minister that abused my mother and all of us and survived. But seeing the faithfulness of God through it all, and the dangers of Satan, has kept me in the faith. Especially when I’ve encountered satanist who has even confessed to not being able to attack me spiritually because of the blood of Jesus. And I will use my testimony to encourage others. DON’T GIVE UP THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH! No matter the circumstances! Sad. Imagine being so privileged in life that you can chose to leave God and faith whenever you want. The freedom God gives us to leave him when we don’t like something. I’ve seen the demonic and experienced the demonic to the point I have no choice but to stay with Christ even till my death. Christ has also SAVED me and my family as well as others from witchcraft, why would I leave?? When you truly experience evil, you’ll never want to leave the hope and power that’s in Christ. People in North Korea who hold on to their Christian faith even in prison and only have a page of a chapter from the bible as a torch light to their souls are one of the most INSPIRATIONAL people! Who hold on to God in the midst of uncertainty and suffering! That spiritual resilience is what ANY Christian pre or post faith should be aiming for! Whoever is reading this! Hold on to Christ! Hold. On.
I was not raised with religion at all. However when I was about 6 years old I thought maybe I should believe in god just in case so I don't go to hell. I almost immediately realized that if that were true then it would mean god is literally a monster and it would be our humane and ethical duty to oppose such an obscenity.
Shut up, you can't even make it past creation. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
I have only seen the title and not listened to the story- but if you're no longer a christian- it just means you were never a real christian in the first place, you never really knew Christ personally .. because once you meet the King of kings- there is nothing that could make you change your mind or turn your back on Him for good.. He is SO SO SO GOOD... PERFECT LOVE, PERFECT PEACE- PERFECT PRESENCE, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY are YOU LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!!
Wrong. I know it's hard to believe something that doesn't fit inside your box. I have literally been there. To assume you can know the beliefs and thoughts of another human is a dangerous game. Proceed with caution friend. Also, watch the video before you comment on someones post... it's the least you could do before asking them to read your opinion about it. Grace and peace.
@@Trentenjoel you can't 'un-child' from your parents. Romans 10:9 says to confess with your heart. God knows your heart and that you never confessed that in your heart. You can trick yourself but not God. I stay the hell out of churches but I don't just go and whine about them and act as if I'm now so smart. You don't even follow what the bible says, you just pretend you do.
@danielmullings3600 thank you for your questions. The reason I chose to believe Christianity is reasonably simple. I had already tried many different paths, philosophies and testing out different forms of spirituality in the New Age- but nothing filled this void I had or satisfied my desire to know what the meaning of life was all about. When I met some very full on lovely Christians who were very different from anyone Id ever met because they were full of love and joy and claiming to know and walk with God personally, they told me I could have a personal relationship myself and that Jesus was alive. I didn't know if this was true but I was very open and curious to find out if I could find Jesus for myself - and know whether He truly was risen from the grave and alive today.. so I went on a journey and asked Jesus to reveal Himself to me if He was true. I admitted to Him that I didn't understand how the cross worked or anything but I told Him if He was real and willing to help me change and live the way He wanted me to live- then I would follow Him. Everything began to change after I prayed that prayer and what started with a very subtle but profound experience- I ended up having a radical encounter with Him and got born- again- and filled with His Spirit. At that point, all of the scriptures came alive and God showed me they were all true. The bible says (in John 3:16) For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. I knew the moment I received everlasting life, that was when Jesus entered my heart, washed away my sins and filled me with His Spirit. There are many things that also happened in my experience that were in the word of God. It all just showed me it was true because what God said He would do for us, He was doing for me. He cleansed me, healed me, delivered me from darkness and poured out His love, joy, peace, goodness into my heart. I was radically changed and no one could ever make me doubt again because the miracle He had done was in my own heart and life. Q2. Jesus said to all of His disciples that they must go and spread the good- news of His gospel. That all who believe may repent of their sins and be saved. And for the last 2000 years the gospel has been getting shared and taken into all the world and all the nations , so every tribe and tongue, no matter what their background or religion- may hear the good news about Jesus and believe or not. Everyone is welcome- but not everyone will believe or enter the kingdom. We get saved by grace through faith, this is not of ourselves but the gift of God, not by works so that no one should be saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 💓💓💓 May God bless you and draw you into Himself, that you may know the Truth and that the Truth will set you free! 😘🙏🙏🙏💓
as a christian i wanted to lovingly show my opinion, and what i believe my response! 1. original sin. personally i believe eventually a child understands whats good and evil, thats why some people who have never heard of jesus are going to heaven, because they never had a consious to know whats right and wrong, eventually your child comes to that conclusion, some faster than others. 2. Hell you dont go to hell because you never believed in god, you go to hell if you choose to not want god. He doesnt rip people off like that on judgement day, you would think that everyone wants to go to heaven, but theres people who verbally say they dont wanna go to heaven. God allows free will, for us to choose god and spend eternity with him. hell is seperation from god, which you are already living without jesus 3. seperation from non believers. i personally have friends who are non believers, and i dont look down on them, i look at them with love, and if you truly love someone, you should spread gods love to them. I dont see my christianity as a border between us, but even if that were true, the most important thing is your relationship w god! this is not meant to be a attack to anyone. Jesus loves yall i love your honesty, and I believe that god has a plan
@@Trentenjoel Your welcome! I commonly have these questions as a christian. I had super big questions, i researched, and sometimes it took awhile to find my answers sometimes. So i hope that this isnt the end of the searching, that you would comtinue to search for answers. its perfectly normal to have big questions, and i believe that this is not the end
Thanks so much for this.. I relate so much to your story..and omg I still say this dumb prayer for forgiveness for no reason whatsoever other than I guess I was conditioned to be scared of going to hell. It's sad that not believing is still "taboo" in this country ...it's about time something changes....there are way too many kids still being indoctrinated...to live a shameful,hurtful,depressing life...traumatized into adulthood even. Im glad there are good people speaking out :)
The prayer is not what saves someone (I got tangled in that too). It is belief in Jesus Christ and His finished work that saves a person. Please allow me to quote Dave Hunt from the Berean Call: "The gospel is all about what Christ has done. It says nothing about what Christ must yet do because the work of our redemption is finished. “Christ died for our sins.” His was a past act, never to be repeated, for Christ triumphantly declared, “It is finished” (John:19:30)! Nor does it say anything about what we must do, because we can do nothing. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus:3:5); “for by grace are ye saved through faith...the gift of God (is) not of works, lest any man should boast...” (Ephesians:2:8, 9). Instead of works, the gospel requires faith. It is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans:4:5)...“that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John:3:16). The gospel is a two-edged sword. It declares, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” The same verse also says, “and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John:3:36). Right here we come to the most difficult part of the gospel to accept-that those who do not believe it are eternally lost, no matter what good works they do. The reasons for that fact are grounded in both God’s love and His justice. God’s justice requires that the infinite penalty for sin must be paid. In payment we would be separated from God forever, so He became a man through the virgin birth to pay the penalty for us. No one can complain against God. He has proved His love by doing all He could for our salvation. He has himself paid the penalty and on that basis can be both “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans:3:26). Christ pleaded in the Garden, “if it be possible (i.e., if there is any other way mankind can be saved), let this cup pass from me” (Matthew:26:39). We know that there is no other way, or God would not have required His beloved Son to bear the full brunt of His wrath against sin. The fact that men nailed Christ to the cross would only condemn us. But on the cross, when man was doing his worst to his Creator, Christ paid the penalty for our sins in full. Only if we accept that payment on our behalf can we be saved. “[T]here is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts:4:12); “what must I do to be saved?...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts:16:30, 31). To “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” includes who He is and what He has done. Jesus said, “...Ye are from beneath; I am from above...if ye believe not that I AM [this is God’s name, Yahweh], ye shall die in your sins” (John:8:23, 24). Jesus himself says we must believe that He is God, for He is; and no one less than God could save us. We must believe that the sinless One “died for our sins,” and was buried; and that He rose bodily from the grave. Only by believing this gospel are we saved. So says God’s Word. Why could not even a Mother Teresa get to heaven by good works? Because we are all sinners; and because once we have broken one of God’s commandments we “[are] guilty of all” (James:2:10); and “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight” (Romans:3:20). Keeping the law perfectly from now on could never make up for having already broken it. For God to grant salvation by any other means than faith in Christ alone would be an insult to the One whom the Father insisted had to endure His wrath as the sacrifice for sin. Furthermore, God would be breaking His own code of justice and going back on His Word. No, even God himself could not save earth’s most notable “saint.” Christ’s blood avails only for repentant sinners. Oswald Chambers warned lest, in our zeal to get people to accept the gospel, we manufacture a gospel acceptable to people and produce “converts” who are not saved."
Poor little you, whine because of screwed up churches but you won't think. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
Great video. I’ve been feeling the same lately. I can live by Christian values but my heart is not in it because a God wants us too. It just doesn’t feel authentic. So I became agnostic.
Hey Trent, just wanted to share a quick testimony with you. I was in an abusive home and very depressed as a kid. The house I lived in was falling apart and I was the only child so the focus of abuse was on me. Religion was not practiced, we did not go to church. I was around the age of 13 when we were going over the throws neck bridge into NYC. I didn't even look at the water. All of a sudden I fell over dead in the backseat. I was no longer in my body and a giant door or gate opened. Behind the door was a man that seemed to be made of light, he was transfixed. I felt an overwhelming feeling of love. He held his hand out to me but never said anything to me. I also saw a ball of light floating on his side. When I came back into my body, I could not move right away. It took awhile for my body to reconnect with my spirit. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I don't tell too many about it. But, I wanted you to know, it's all real bro. God, Jesus, angels, heaven all real. Many blessings to you Trent, I hope the justification of the saints in your family are taken notice by the Lord, that he might call on you one day, like he did me.
Thanks for sharing, and yes, it certainly is all real: Jim Woodford, Bryan Melvin, and Ivan Tuttle have incredibly trustworthy NDEs because neither of them believed Christianity was true, but each of their lives changed after what they saw. Kevin Zadai is another good name. He was Christian when he died, but the things he learned on the other side are eye-opening. Everyone has questions, but there's an answer to every question.
Your video was very sincere. I gave up on Christianity this year and share similar experiences with you. I remember when my first child was born and looking at him in my arms. How could this little boy who is holding my finger go to hell? How is he "a viper in a diaper"? I was a youth pastor, missionary and a bible college graduate to top it all off. It's been a process to find healing from the years of self-inflicted damage of indoctrination, but with some therapy, I have become a better husband and father because I now know I have meaning. It's not God who gives me meaning like how I was taught to believe, but I have meaning in myself. Years of self-hate through erasing myself to conform to the image of Christ led to loosing who I was and any relationship I had.
Thanks for taking time to share your personal journey with religion and church. I am sad listening to your story though. I will be praying for you to encounter Jesus for yourself, not as a religion or a set of church rituals but as a Lover, Saviour and Friend. There is no fear or lack of true faith when you do. The doubts and areas of theological disagreement you mention will no longer be sources of offence to you. Truly, perfect love casts out frustration and fear, doubt and disagreement. Meeting Jesus isn’t about avoiding hell but having a piece of Heaven here on Earth. When I listen to you, it seems your issue is more with religion, the church and religious “Christians” rather than Jesus, Himself. Thus, the sadness in listening to your story. And, just out of curiosity, what does the bunk beds have to do with the main message of your video?
God is separate from religion. I feel so sorry this happened to you. I felt this way before, always busy at church, I still go though very hard things as married to a Pastoral Family. It’s extremely hard, but I understand God is not church. Many sadly believe church is God. Many are doing so much work at church and not even spending 5mins alone with God. I was one of them for years, always at church but never with God. I separated from church, I almost became an atheist, I felt free to manage my time and schedule as I wished, also thought church was controlling and judgy I wanted nothing to do with their members. I’m at a better place right now, still a Christian, to me there’s no way to deny God’s existence.
I never 'left' christianity. I discovered and honed my critical thinking skills. Christianity became extraneous. It was just thrown away like many things as a child I loved but had no use for when I grew up.
Thank you. Idk what all of these people expect. Its usually the same excuses though. 1. They were there for the wrong reasons. 2. PEOPLE didn't meet their expectations. 3. They had no interest in learning Christs teaching and God's Word. (See #1) 4. They witnessed hypocrisy by PEOPLE (see #2) 5. They made no effort to study the teachings of Christ in their own time (see #1) 6. Fails to realize that they can have a personal relationship with but had to be dictated by other people. (See #2) 7. They depended on the people in church to make them feel better. (See #1 & #2) They got disillusioned easily so they turned their backs on God. Its ALWAYS the same excuses. I am 52 and have been to church services maybe 5 times. Ive been where they are, but chose to seek and serve God in Jesus' real church, which is myself.
@@HappyHermitt talk about blaming people when you say "they got disillusioned so easily." Do you even understand religious trauma and the path they have to travel and suffer so incessantly?
After all God has done for me in my life I could never deny him, I can't think of a worse thing to do...On top of that now is the worst time a person could do that with the end drawing near....
Yep. I always wanted my husband to change and always prayed for that. I can accept him so much more with all his imperfections now. Also as our baby was born my hubby always questioned - how can they say that they are born sinful? Look at this innocence. And sending people to hell just because they don't believe in you is very manipulative. Like someone mentioned. If God is truly loving, he would make 2 heavens, one for those who choose him and another one for those who don't chose him. That's true love and acceptance.
Allow me to quote Dave Hunt from The Berean Call: The gospel is all about what Christ has done. It says nothing about what Christ must yet do because the work of our redemption is finished. “Christ died for our sins.” His was a past act, never to be repeated, for Christ triumphantly declared, “It is finished” (John:19:30)! Nor does it say anything about what we must do, because we can do nothing. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus:3:5); “for by grace are ye saved through faith...the gift of God (is) not of works, lest any man should boast...” (Ephesians:2:8, 9). Instead of works, the gospel requires faith. It is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans:4:5)...“that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John:3:16). The gospel is a two-edged sword. It declares, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” The same verse also says, “and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John:3:36). Right here we come to the most difficult part of the gospel to accept-that those who do not believe it are eternally lost, no matter what good works they do. The reasons for that fact are grounded in both God’s love and His justice. God’s justice requires that the infinite penalty for sin must be paid. In payment we would be separated from God forever, so He became a man through the virgin birth to pay the penalty for us. No one can complain against God. He has proved His love by doing all He could for our salvation. He has himself paid the penalty and on that basis can be both “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans:3:26). Christ pleaded in the Garden, “if it be possible (i.e., if there is any other way mankind can be saved), let this cup pass from me” (Matthew:26:39). We know that there is no other way, or God would not have required His beloved Son to bear the full brunt of His wrath against sin. The fact that men nailed Christ to the cross would only condemn us. But on the cross, when man was doing his worst to his Creator, Christ paid the penalty for our sins in full. Only if we accept that payment on our behalf can we be saved. “[T]here is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts:4:12); “what must I do to be saved?...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts:16:30, 31). To “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” includes who He is and what He has done. Jesus said, “...Ye are from beneath; I am from above...if ye believe not that I AM [this is God’s name, Yahweh], ye shall die in your sins” (John:8:23, 24). Jesus himself says we must believe that He is God, for He is; and no one less than God could save us. We must believe that the sinless One “died for our sins,” and was buried; and that He rose bodily from the grave. Only by believing this gospel are we saved. So says God’s Word. Why could not even a Mother Teresa get to heaven by good works? Because we are all sinners; and because once we have broken one of God’s commandments we “[are] guilty of all” (James:2:10); and “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight” (Romans:3:20). Keeping the law perfectly from now on could never make up for having already broken it. For God to grant salvation by any other means than faith in Christ alone would be an insult to the One whom the Father insisted had to endure His wrath as the sacrifice for sin. Furthermore, God would be breaking His own code of justice and going back on His Word. No, even God himself could not save earth’s most notable “saint.” Christ’s blood avails only for repentant sinners. Oswald Chambers warned lest, in our zeal to get people to accept the gospel, we manufacture a gospel acceptable to people and produce “converts” who are not saved.
Original sin, the idea that we are guilty because of Adam and Eve’s isn’t biblical. We are guilty of our own sin. We are born with a sinful nature and so no one is perfect. But we are born innocent until we’re aware of right and wrong and we’ll fail at it and that’s how we end up guilty. That’s why we need Jesus. Anyone who really seeks truth God does reveal to them one way or another. So many stories like that. Good does not equal perfect, but our trust in Jesus is what saves us. I don’t know what you were taught growing up, but If you weren’t loving the lost or were asking Jesus “into your heart” everyday because you were afraid to go to hell, someone failed you. And that’s really heartbreaking. That’s not the gospel. Sadly, humans tend to screw it up with dogmatic doctrines that are not in the Bible. The gospel is good news and is very simple and is the most loving thing God can do and offers it to all. Many will reject it, but that’s their choice. And those who truly seek truth and God will find Him. Forget what you were taught and read the Bible for yourself with no filters. Ask God to show you the real gospel. There’s a lot I learned in church growing up that is not in the Bible and I was so happy that God wasn’t the way He was painted to me. He truly is love.
![Why I Left Christianity [Deconstructing Dubblup]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kRelMCB88Js/mqdefault.jpg)
![Why I Left Christianity [Deconstructing Dubblup]](/img/tr.png)
Seeing the guy that was once my youth pastor grow into an even kinder and considerate and thoughtful person is wonderful 🥰
I once asked my dad "mom likes to go to church, but you don't." He said "because it is not the truth." He never explained to me why it is not the truth, but I later found out that he could do out of body experiences also known as soul travel. There are many things we don't understand, but it is clear to me that God is a loving God and not a hateful, condemning God as is usually preached in many churches.
@@fotodoktor42God tortured David's baby for a week. Letting the baby writhe in agony. And after a week he decided to end the child's life. So God killed a baby. God is a child abuser.
"thoughtful"? He can't read. He can't even get past creation. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
@@fotodoktor42 That's so awesome! I used to be Catholic, and then explored my own spirituallity through meditation (Buddhist, Hindu, Western Mysticism etC) and eventually I had a few out of body experiences from deep meditation! Some I was able to verify (meaning I went somewhere while out of body and confirmed the events later with the people involved when I woke up). I once had an experience where I "Became a WHOLE nebula/Galaxy". Like Cosmic conscioussness. From then on out, I realized the only way to TRULY know "God" or "Divine" was through personal experience. There are many books on Out of body experiences. I suggest anyone who wants to know the direct truth themselves read some books on that. There isn't really an excuse for ignorance when the tools and methods of knowing are available to us :)
@@Rizz407 They didn't say anything about making people believe in your God? She said her Father has out of body experiences (and therefore he has first hand experience of the higher realms) so he doesn't need to go to church. Why listen to someone elses stories (The Bible) when you have direct access to God?
I don’t think I could enjoy heaven knowing that billions of other people are burning in hell just because they were born in the wrong place at the wrong time. If that God wasn’t powerful enough to save every single soul, he’s not worth worshipping. I’m thankful that I don’t believe in any of that nonsense anymore.
I take great comfort in this video, thank you. One of the most crushing cognitive dissonances was seeing “worldly ppl” be so much kinder, positive & balanced, and me thinking that my perception was flawed because how could ppl with God living in them be more problematic?
The comfort I get from your msg is im reminded i can grow into that integrated & positive & true person, show kindness with zero transactional intent behind it, and meet ppl just where they are at.
It’s just struck me how hopeful that actually is
That's beautiful. Good luck with your journey❤
This was very helpful, as I’m on my own deconstruction journey. I was raised in church, my grandfather was a pastor for over 30 years and I attended church religiously until I moved away from home for college. It’s been so difficult to unlearn/relearn, but so so worth it bc I’ve seen insurmountable growth in my relationship with God. I genuinely see and feel his presence everywhere now. It’s truly beautiful to form a personal relationship with him that’s not just based on what’s expected of you as a Christian- going to church every Sunday, upholding the traditions set in place, etc.
I also believe in the belief outside of religions. I was raised Catholic and upon coming out as gay early in my teens I obviously felt very disenfranchised. I am however devoted to finding God in my own way throughout my life.
Just so you know, our minds are perfectly capable of creating these experiences of meeting and talking to a supernatural being, these experiences happen for people of all faiths around the world and are not a way to know this specific God exists. You can have a strong impression and belief that this God is the real deal, but it could also be autohypnosis or a related phenomenon.
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It’s interesting that in the video all the reasons for leaving were all emotional ones 🤔
But that’s not enough for me. I can’t ignore the facts ⬇️
Jesus fulfilled hundred of prophecies written hundreds of years before his birth, he claimed to be God and backed it up by historically rising from the dead.
ONLY HE is reliable to answer the big questions of life. You, me, and others are only guessing.
When someone else rises from the dead then I’ll listen to what they have to say in regards to the answers to questions like:
Where did I come from?
Where am I going?
What is the meaning of my life?
How am I to live?
Until then…I’ll stick with Jesus!! ✝️
Best of luck to you. I am a PK & a couple of my great-granddads were evangelical preachers also. I am older-48 but have just recently started my own deconstruction journey because I could not take the hate & hypocrisy of the congregation I left. The only option I had was deconstruction so I could love like Jesus because so much was about hating others who are different. "Love the sinner, hate the sin is such bs, they never loved the sinner only hated both the sin & sinner. I hope you find peace in your new relationship with Jesus.
Changing one's mind when it risks your identity is too hard for most people to do.
Why because they have no right to be Honest?
@@trafficjon400 imagine you had $1M and the next day it was gone. Thats how people are with their identity. They’ve invested their lives (emotions, friends, politics, etc) into it. Its hard to let go of that.
@@davidthehudson yes of course many believe ". Emagen Doing research of what happen to your hard earned millions noticing the new Paint job and Limo's wile poor rising daily starving Homlessness. Gave my patron Points and Suits to any one who wanted it and did advise my family not to take my Suite with a month left on it. Loosing 150,000 in a month and more be for on Black jack in MGM Casino's Giving away around 25,000 in points and suite to break the addiction ten years ago. Tithing is like a Gamble when it proves no one really became rich in any way shape or form. i also Gave the Church a hefty amount in the past my SDA church . taking a life time to figure i been scamed is not loving Faith and possible trip to lake of fire after because Jesus loves you. why he builds the lake of fire just in case we can't figure it out . though Cathlic give out 10% of the riches church in the universe Mormon tabernacle next. i don't see how the powerless of people like ants who can be steped on are forced to hold so much responsibility wene they can't even get out of there own back yard if they ever had one. only a rotten evil giant Monster would have the nerve to treat humans this way. Besides humans today are not commiting the evil Acts of Scriptures history today and yet get treated worse with the most ridiculous sensless Faith that never fed a bull dog. Every single happening or thing that fallows it is only Negative but promises the big possitive that never came except an inside psychosses of Delusions.though i hope a loving honest Creater exist some place but might be fighting in a war trying to protect us from becoming worse than what we are now sounds all ready maxed out. lol we can't though have the ability to fathom but what Science it makes just as many mistakes.
I dont think it's losing identity as much as being afraid of what friends and family will say and how they will judge.
It is so much better on the other side. They just don't know it. Although, there are people for whom Christianity just simply works but if it doesn't, the risk is well worth taking. Life of being free without religious doctrines that limit us from living to the fullest is the mist precious thing that ever happened to me.
@@airbornemike380 You are free to renounce your faith if you so choose. Many have already, and I'm sure many more will. What will become of your soul is for God to decide.
Recovery from religion is possible, people. Organized religion is so massively full of holes
I really appreciate this video. I had a horrible experience in church growing up and it still affects me to this day. The people I've met outside of church are much more genuine, generous and overall great people. There was so much pressure to only be friends with people that are in our youth group because no one else was "really saved." Such a toxic culture. Now that I am more enlightened, I have learned that one of my key values is community. This explains why I was so attracted to the group with regular meetings. But when I left, I lost all communication with those people. Being in church significantly contributed to my depression and anxiety. Now that I've decided to no longer be part of that, I feel much freer and happier. Freedom to live this life and make the most of it. Freedom to be kind to and accept others, simply because we are human, Afterall, every human has the same needs, no matter their age, economic status, race nor religion.
that's actually not true. the world is evil inside church and outside church. church is a building of sinners and sinners sin. church does not save you. only Christ can.
Don’t let “ people who are flawed turn you away from God even non Christian’s will upset and hurt you ,put your faith in Jesus
Thank you so much for explaining how I've felt for the past 3 years!! Also raised in the pentecostal church, as a PK. So much of my devotion came out of fear and not feeling enough. You are so brave for putting this out here and speaking your truth. Hope that I can find that strength with my family and community too.
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I was raised in 6:55 Christian family". I went to Sunday school and church religiously. By the time I was in my teens, I started to see the hypocrisy of the church and their members. For me, it was "Don't do as I do, do as I say." It took a few years after that to see. I was in a precarious situation once, and I prayed for relief and peace of mind. Not too much to ask for. Nothing happened. In fact, things got worse. I felt that a loving God wouldn't let me suffer like that. That's when my mindset changed. I feel so much freer and closer to myself.
@@joedaniels1597The Israelis are delusional psychopaths. They're above it all. Death from above to the Palestinian people and children….care of the AMERICAN taxpayers AND “THEIR” MAINSTREAM US M ASS MEDIA. The PARASITIC, deranged, and degenerate mainstream US mass media spells disaster. They are totally behind the apartheid, murderous, and racist colony called Israel. Expect things to CONTINUE to get worse and worse and worse for the Israelis AND the Americans IN GENERAL. We are losing OUR country. It's POLITICAL corruption. It's corruption on the grand scale. Think war criminal/crook Netanyahu. Think OPEN BORDERS crooked senile Israeli psycho Joe. They're nuts. War is inevitable in the USA AND Israel. Joe is the message: WE CONTROL YOU: You really don't have a President; AND expect things in general to continue to decline.
By Frank Martin DiMeglio
I'm a genius
It’s interesting that in the video all the reasons for leaving were all emotional ones 🤔
But that’s not enough for me. I can’t ignore the facts ⬇️
Jesus fulfilled hundred of prophecies written hundreds of years before his birth, he claimed to be God and backed it up by historically rising from the dead.
ONLY HE is reliable to answer the big questions of life. You, me, and others are only guessing.
When someone else rises from the dead then I’ll listen to what they have to say in regards to the answers to questions like:
Where did I come from?
Where am I going?
What is the meaning of my life?
How am I to live?
Until then…I’ll stick with Jesus!! ✝️
@@joedaniels1597 I trustbinbJesus Christ NOT MAN... i keep my eyes on Him npt Man..
Hi Trent,
all of what you say speaks directly to my heart. I agree 100% because my background is almost the same. But I am now 70 years old from Germany , being a teenager I got “born again” and became part of the evangelicals.
The teachings of Bart Ehrmann and the channel “Myth Vision” had helped me a lot.
I believe also Jesus wouldn’t be a Christian today. His teachings had become corrupted and misused.
Stay tuned to the Love.
Jesus' teachings are not corrupted, the false teachers teaches lies because their hearts are corrupted that are same as yours.
Christ is king. you're just confusing yourself
@@bisdakpinoy3428 some people believe in the teachings of Jesus, some in the teachings about Jesus. It’s all about the teachings of Jesus.
BART Ehrmann & Derek Mythvision helped me lots too, and Paulogia and others. I studied apologetics to win others from “cults” when I wasn’t brave enough to look at my own faith. Congratulations on your freedom, best wishes from Scotland
What do you mean born again? Are you fill with the holy Spirit? Speaking in tongues, did ( mark 16:16-18?? )
Did you lose your passion, believe, faith??
Firstly, thankyou for sharing your story, and be assured that nothing you said offended me. I have heard this same story many times, always from Americans raised in a closed "evangelical" bubble. My life experience was very different. I live in the UK and grew up in a culture that had little time for God. No one taught me about "original sin" or "Hell," and by my early twenties I had totally rejected Christianity. I than embarked on a personal spiritual journey that culminated in a life changing encounter with God at the age of 30. At the same moment I realised for the first time the depth of my personal sin and the love of God that paid the price for my sin on the cross of Calvary. I have no doubt that I was deserving of Hell, but am now fully forgiven. Maybe the rest of humanity is born into sinless perfection, in which case you and they do not need Jesus . As for me, I cannot go back or unsee what I have seen. In the words of the hymn, "the dungeon flamed with light , my chains fell off, my heart was free".
I have never felt any separation from those who don't believe (for most of my life most of my friends have been atheists), even while wishing now that they could see what I have seen. I love them all dearly and value the way they have enriched my life.
As for good people who seem most righteous than self-confessed Christians, I believe Jesus dealt with this in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
It was clear from your closing comments that your experience of "Christianity" was something you needed to move way from., but please keep an open mind as to where you go from here.
Hi Chris. I love your respectful response. You are clearly happy where you are and can't unsee what you've seen but keep in mind. We've seen things that we can't unsee and we just simply can't live live the way you do. It makes us miserable. We are all hard-wired differently. So please doing the Christian thing and task questions like ' where do you go from here?'
We no longer care, life for us is better that way.
It's happy, fulfilling and free.
There's nothing in this world that can turn up back to the life we once lived. Does Trent urge you to turn away from Christianity? No, because the life he lives is the life that he wants to live and the life that makes him fulfilled. I think you should do the same. Let others be hiw they want to be, especially if they live a goodand fulfilling life their way.
@@airbornemike380 yo don’t be so offended.
Chris, I had a very similar experience to you. I found that the issue is religion and self righteous Christians who really don’t understand or know the Love of God. I have many issues with Christianity as a religion, but I have zero issues with Jesus, his death on the cross for ME, and the Bible. Like the song amazing Grace says “I once was lost, but now I’m found. I once was blind but now I see.” God has opened my eyes To the spiritual realm and to his love for humanity, and also the truth of the Bible and his reasons for avoiding sin. Everything God says to do or not to do is solely for our benefit and our protection. That’s true love. Most of my friends are atheists, and I love all of them and pray for all of them. I don’t blame them or judge them for their beliefs- I once held some of their beliefs too. But God has opened my eyes, and like you said, I will never be able to unsee it. I was never 100% sure about God’s existence until now, and even tho life is still very hard, I’m sure happy that I have Jesus to help me through it.
@@airbornemike380 Exactly! Everyone is sharing their own subjective perceptions and emotions and personal experiences as if it is EMPERICAL PROOF of something. Belief in deities and theological claims are FAITH-BASED, not fact-based.
Faith is about being personally convinced of something. What personally convinces most to believe in Christ are not things that can stand up in a court of law or science lab (the two areas where we determine what is TRUE enough to make critical life and death decisions). Hearsay is not valid testimony. Feelings are not valid testimony.
Those of us who have left religion did so because of insufficient reasons to believe and/or lack of any tangible emotional or mental benefits of believing. I am personally much happier not being Christian. If someone is happier being Christian and believes they were personally given enough evidence to convince them, good for them. But it has ZERO relevance to me. The only thing of any ACTUAL, REAL LIFE importance is how humans treat other humans and treat the planet. People's mental conversations and personal philosophies and perceptions really aren't anyone's concern UNLESS they are the causation of them harming other people and the planet.
@@c.m.8776 Nothing in his post indicates he was offended. Literally nothing. It was light and pleasant and very reasonable.
I became a Christian when I was 12. I’m now 48 and still doing my best to love God and treat others as I’d like them to treat me. As I see it, that’s the main teachings of Christ. I’ll leave the other details to Him. I wish you and your family all the health and happiness. You are clearly a kind-hearted gentleman and those virtues are of primary concern importance in this life.
The world we live in needs to see the love of Christ .. This is a great answer and what i expect from more "Christians"!✌️
Actually loving your neighbor as yourself Leviticus 19:17-18... You should probably study the old testament and remove any indoctrination from your brain.
Hell was a big one for me too. I just posted my story of leaving Christianity. I could no longer hold into the idea of an infinite consequence handed for a finite being... thanks for sharing!
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it makes complete sense, cause God created time, so when you die time doesnt exist anymore, and the last state you were just a millisecond before you die is an unbeliever, then repentence is no longer possible cause to repent is to change over a certain period of time which your soul doesnt have access anymore. Any decision made outside time is eternal so every sin has to be punished so no time = eternity (which is the only option)
if you don't believe it or if you are to prideful... just ask God at the great white throne..but again it will be too late
I just finished watching your story as well. I'm just a random person here saying thank you. I enjoyed it.
@@TheDorapapi321if any redemption would be too late we're all condemned. And would an all loving god really condemn all of us?
@ redemption is while you are alive...cause God is all loving but his all justice too so you gonna pay for your own sins if it's not paid by Jesus.Imagine if all sins has no consequence, when Jesus ah to die to pay those? you think that a jusge will says you didnt accept the Jesus plea bargin and all criminal will be release without any consequences?
I couldn’t agree more! I came grew up in India in a non Christian upbringing where original sin was not something I even thought of. It didn’t make sense. When I came to the US, I did accept Jesus but I didn’t even know much about the Bible or the doctrines. I just believed because God answered my prayer. Still as a Christian, I didn’t feel right that my family and millions of people of India and other nations that have never heard who Jesus is, would go to hell, even my ancestors, who have no idea about Christianity. But, I still kept my faith for myself. But, almost a decade later, it started bringing separation between me and my family due to my faith ( I became a little extreme in my view points and started fearing for their eternity). It was very sad and affected me mentally, almost consumed me, in fear. I had to step out and separate myself from the church, just to live a normal life, without that anxiety. I tried going back to church (not a fire and brimstone message church.. lol) but there were still hidden messages based on fear and it would trigger me. I couldn’t not hear those messagings in the sermons. I completely took a break and started listening to other people’s deconstruction journey and it has been so helpful. It’s not easy as my whole life and identity was based on Christianity. It felt like I didn’t know who I was and Howe ti make sense of the world, very disoriented. But, slowly trying to heal from the trauma and religious PTSD. Videos like yours are such a blessing! Thank you for your honesty!
*how to
I feel the same as you. There are very few Christians in my country and yes, you said fear in your message. so my church doesn't talk much about fear. but still i am getting away from church and i am so bored being christian and i have some problems in church but there are not many churches here and i am afraid to find a new church and go but anyway if i leave this church i will not go to another church also i still don't understand why i have to go to church on sundays
Hi
The almost the same thing had happened to me. At first it as soo cool butb then all fear alllll
The Catholic Church, the largest and oldest Christian church in the world, does not believe this. :)
It’s interesting that in the video all the reasons for leaving were all emotional ones 🤔
But that’s not enough for me. I can’t ignore the facts ⬇️
Jesus fulfilled hundred of prophecies written hundreds of years before his birth, he claimed to be God and backed it up by historically rising from the dead.
ONLY HE is reliable to answer the big questions of life. You, me, and others are only guessing.
When someone else rises from the dead then I’ll listen to what they have to say in regards to the answers to questions like:
Where did I come from?
Where am I going?
What is the meaning of my life?
How am I to live?
Until then…I’ll stick with Jesus!! ✝️
Thank you for this video. It’s felt lonely . I grew up Christian and was a PK. My dad told me ha can’t respect me and it was very hurtful and all my family is Christian and not very nice people. But even after all of this I have true peace and joy now and no longer in fear of death. I’ve also stopped forcing my kids to believe. My little one thanked me . I remember when I was a kid I would accept Jesus almost everyday and asked for forgiveness constantly and had nightmares about hell and the end of times. It was horrible. Plus I’ve always experienced things that the church would consider “ demonic “
You are all slaves of a fairytale.
praying for your family
It’s interesting that in the video all the reasons for leaving were all emotional ones 🤔
But that’s not enough for me. I can’t ignore the facts ⬇️
Jesus fulfilled hundred of prophecies written hundreds of years before his birth, he claimed to be God and backed it up by historically rising from the dead.
ONLY HE is reliable to answer the big questions of life. You, me, and others are only guessing.
When someone else rises from the dead then I’ll listen to what they have to say in regards to the answers to questions like:
Where did I come from?
Where am I going?
What is the meaning of my life?
How am I to live?
Until then…I’ll stick with Jesus!! ✝️
But I don’t believe they are facts. They are stories handed down through time to teach moral and obedience. These stories I believe were distorted over the years. So not facts to me.
your dad isn't God. come back to the true King Christ.
So helpful thank you 🙏 I resonate with the anxiousness, and the inability to love, because I wanted people to change. So good.
Fantastic points! It is very hard to start questioning things when everyone around you has never thought about things. You deserve much respect.
They have thought about it but were too afraid to address it. I even told my story to my pastor's daughter, to which she replied that she questioned her believes many times but doesn't want to rock the boat. Sad but true. What a waste of a lifetime at a full potential.
Thank you so much for sharing your video. I grew up pentecostal and this year I am no longer a Christian... I totally agree with you and can relate to what you've shared.
Right… what you let go of was legalism, not faith. Big difference. Been there, done that.
Religion kills but the SPIRIT gives life!
So... Your church doesn't believe in original sin, hell, etc? Or did you not listen to the things he said?
I agree with you 100%
What he is referring to is reformed doctrine, which unfortunately is so prevalent in the west. It's a distorted theology and I totally agree with him. I recently discovered Orthodoxy doesn't teach these things so I've started my journey toward Orthodoxy. Don't leave the faith, leave the false teaching.
@@craigweller3635 Same bro. I've spent my whole life not even knowing what orthodoxy is. Finally home :D
I’m 24 and I started questioning a lot of things about Christianity when I was about 18-19 and I walked away from church for 11 months and it was DEFINITELY an eye opener. I went back for a while and I definitely am NOT satisfied with the religious system of church. I still believe in God and stuff, but am definitely not radical with it or anything. I’ve always known I was different and that I have a higher calling and Christianity definitely does NOT resonate with me. I will still read my word every now and then for guidance for certain things though. Coming back to church “seemed” good for a little while, but quickly showed me why it’s not for me, It has been PURE HELL, NEVER AGAIN!
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You haven't yet met Jesus then. Ask Him for an encounter.
Amen
At age 21 I didn’t believe in Jesus. I was a Buddhist. I was going through a nightmare situation and no amount of yoga or meditation could detach me from the reality I had to deal with. When you finish meditating you still have to open your eyes and face reality. My situation was so awful that I had the continuous thought that the only thing I could do was end my life. No one knew I was planning to end my life. But Jesus knew. I had encountered in a dream in which he saved me from a spirit that was pursuing me in the dream whilst I walked through a dark graveyard. That spirit I thought at first was good because it was white (it was fog like-without a human shape) and it wasn’t very close to meat that point. As it got closer I realised that thing spirit wasn’t good in fact it wanted to not just kill me but that if I died I would be tormented by it. I was told in my spirit to cry out for Jesus. I had no idea that the bible says we are told to call out to Jesus to save us. Well that’s literally what He did. When I woke up my situation was the same I had to face something that was awful but Jesus had filled me with a Peace that meditation or anything on this earth could ever compare to. This peace came with an internal serene sense of joy. He has transferred his spirit in to me and His love has the ability to love others even when they do wrong towards us.
Although I had to go through what I experienced, I would never change it bc I met Jesus. I also wish that everyone could encounter Him in their time of trouble. Please ask for an encounter with Him. I don’t know why He granted me His presence but I am forever grateful.
No life is not easy just bc I had that encounter. My sense of peace and joy lasted to get me through my situation but unfortunately this world can cause you to become shaken again. It can’t shake the fact I had that encounter - meaning I’ll forever KNOW Jesus is real and is alive. However, being a Christian is not easy. It comes with challenges and heartache still. But Jesus said that would be the case but to take heart bc in Him you can overcome it all- bc one day you will be with Him in an eternal life that is rid of the evils of the world we presently experience. Please call on Him xx
@user-fq7bm6bo3z so ur saying that jesus spirit that saved him is evil too right? Cause my nightmares and fear of demons all went away after I decided Jesus himself was a demon after 20 years of following him…I sleep better now thanks to myself
which sect of Buddhism? Lemme guess... some BS like sokkai gekkai. Yoga is only prevalent in esoteric sects of Buddhism so stop lying.
I really feel like you didn’t listen to him at all. Like you decided he just walked away without a lot of thought and prayer even though he lived with and grew up in the church. I am glad you found God and Jesus, but his decision to walk away should be just as acceptable as you walking into the church. We are free in Christ. If I were to venture a guess, I would say that he followed Christ out of the church.
.... Aren't you a rotten liar 🤥
There are lots of people who have asked Jesus for an encounter with Jesus and Jesus refused to oblige. Trent here, his wife and his brother are three of them. Clearly you did not listen to the video.
Hi Trent I'm on the same page as you I was once a christian but no longer believe God is angry at me everyday and makes me feel bad about myself all the time always feeling condemned by him. Kind people like you make me feel loved and appreciated.
Yes exactly this love it
I think when I left the church and did my own thing I somewhat wavered but I did notice my relationship with my boyfriend got a lot better.
@@mariahconklin4150 glad to hear
The main point of Christianity is that Jesus died for our sins on the Cross. A true Christian cannot be condemned. A true Christian will also do their best to turn from sin out of gratitude for Jesus and by the Grace of God. Being convicted by the Holy Spirit is what draws us to repent and turn away from sin, it does not condemn. The devil will try and make a Christian feel condemned. I hope you realize that turning away from Jesus is turning away from God. Jesus said to take up our cross daily and follow Him. Its not easy being a Christian, but it is worth it.
Mathew 16:24-26 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
@@thomassteiber257Claim after claim that cannot be verified as truth. Standard procedure for every theist.
Thanks for this video. First I want to say that it takes a lot of courage to leave an environment that is the only thing you know, you should be so proud of yourself. I am the daughter of a late-evangelical preacher. Growing up in that environment is so toxic except you don't know it is at the time because you think it's like that for everyone. My dad was very strict, no wearing pants to services, no bathing suits (unless I had a shirt over it , and this was when I was little). Absolutely nobody should have to live thinking everything is a sin. Your 3 points are what I think about a lot now in my deconstruction process so I can love more like Jesus because I was taught to hate the sin, love the sinner-such BS they never loved the sinner they hated anyone different, and also some things they consider sins are not. I went to services 3 times a week, plus gospel meetings and if I dare miss a service it was the end of the world. Looking back so much, if not everything was about control and they scared you into salvation. I don't remember many sermons of love, but so many fire & brimstone sermons. I have found peace with my own relationship with Jesus as I left my congregation in 2021, I left hate & hypocrisy not Jesus. Again thanks for this video, I think it can help a lot of others who are considering this!
12:13 its not about being a better person, we cant save ourselves. God tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves and God taught me how to love again after i forget. Its not all about emotions, sometimes doing dishes or complimenting someone.
You've obviously never studied the old testament and remove any indoctrination from your brain
I went through a horrible church experience and trauma last year. I then spent nearly everyday for the last year fixing my relationship with God. The relationship with God which the church had destroyed. I spent every ounce of effort, energy, time and even money going through Christian therapy, prayer, pushing through, battling depression, anxiety, anger, unforgiveness, hardship, trial, suicidal thoughts - all so that I could still hold on to my beloved Jesus.
I tried Everythig I could with the little strength I had left, to hold on to Jesus.
Was I happy through that? Absolutely not. Am I happy now? Sometimes.
I don't think with Christianity we are asked to be in a place where we are the most happy and most fulfilled people. I think it's suffering trials and tribulations yet being filled with the divine peace and joy of Christ even in the toughest of times.
Jesus... was worth it all. He was worth all of the above and more and continues to be worth it all. Not because I get major happiness in return but simply because I want God.
I really appreciate your candour. I grew up a Christian and still am. It is a big deal. I have no window on another''s soul. That is all. Thank you again.
I always appreciate these testimonies because they provide a window into the psychology of faith.
From my perspective, it has always been obvious to me that religion is total bunk.
Thank you for your story man. Everything you said resonates with me.
I’ve been literally questioning everything recently and even digging into how we got the Bible, history of Christianity, ect… and it’s making me even more skeptic!
Did your wife have the same journey as you? Did she decide to leave when you left? How did that all go?
No she did not - it was pretty tough for a while navigating this. But she is more on the same page as myself now. She had to take her own journey and I gave her space. She would occasionally ask me a question and I would answer. Eventually she dropped most of it as well.
@@Trentenjoel Gotcha man! Thanks for your reply. We are all on a journey. Keep doing what you are doing!
i am also questioning...😶🌫️
@Iyas kelu no
You don't question, you hate thinking. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
Good on you! I walked away from Christianity and religion 'officially' nearly two years ago. Quarantine allowed a time of introspection to realize I had been drifting away. I'd been drifting away because of critical thinking. I left Christianity for reasons about the veracity and historicity of the Bible. I considered many of the same things you did. I'd also thought about why I'd remained an avowed Christian for so long - some 40 years - and realized it whittled down to expectation. Leaving the community is hard, disappointing family is harder.
It's been a relief, a breath of fresh air in many ways.
@ Some One.. Agreed and understood how you feel and sorry. nothing is more wicked than being treated like a slave from a profit making business to Control the Human being just to become Rich enormously. These empires who started this never Got the Punishment they so well deserved. Today these Demons still control us over a true loving Honest Creater that seems to Void it. Fustrated an't the word for this.
I read the entire Bible for myself and was disgusted. This was back in 2019 and once I was done I was just like fuck this crap.....
If you are having questions about those things, check the writings of Josh McDowell and Dr. John W. Montgomery. There is so much evidence for the historicity and veracity of the Bible, it is amazing.
@@originalmamagrizzly2478 alternately, go check out any number of actual biblical and historical scholars that aren't Christian apologists.
If you start from the presupposition that the Bible is true, then everything you study, interpret, and expound on will be tainted by confirmation bias.
Instead, let the actual evidence take you where it will. Many scholars like Josh Bowen started out as strong Christians until they actually learned about our history and that the Bible didn't line up.
@@originalmamagrizzly2478 No there's not. This is why scientists keep making videos contradicting that idea because the bible never took place historically. There were no talking snakes, donkeys, nor anything of the like. The flood never happened, Noah's ark doesn't exist, and no records outside of the bible reflect any claims that the bible makes.
The tape analogy was spot on. I started realizing this: how can this one life you get, where you don't get to pick your race gender social status time period etc. determine where you go for eternity?
The bible does say Jesus gives lights to ever man(human) that enters the world. We will be judged by what we know, and what we willingly and freely chose to believe. We can look at nature and see there is Something much bigger than us at work. God is able to reach a person who seeks Him even if that is just through curiosity from what they observe. He knows the heart of every man. No one is seperated from God eternally for not knowing, they are seperated for rejecting the truth.
There are horrible false beliefs about God within Christian Churches. Not everyone believes the same. Reading the bible for yourself and asking God to show you is a good start. But you would also have to ask yourself the hard question of if it is true, would you be a believer and follower of Christ? That will show the true intent of your heart.
God, knowing all things, is not going to cast His pearls before those who would tramble on it. That too is an act of mercy in my opinion.
Never stop questioning your own beliefs. It is super important to know why we believe what we believe.
because your race gender social status will all be irrelevant when it comes to your soul. that's why your eternity is important. or you can spend the rest of your life being confused about your race gender social status and be confused till you die.
Thank you for not only taking the time to share your story but also being vulnerable & being your true authentic self. I am in the process of accepting the fact that I no longer want to be a Christian & or believing in the Christian God & it truly feels like a break up. It is a process of having to deal with the emotions just like any other break up but nevertheless, I feel free & not going back.
It truly is difficult, but you will find your way through it. Thanks for sharing!
What i get frustrated about is Constantine and King james ordered the New Testimonials New Covenant 800 years after the Old test Covenant. Constantine the Empire Ordered King James to create the New Christian Law and if any one disagreed with frustration and have not become Christian were blamed of being witches and ordered to be burned or Hanged.
Sounds man made and why would it not. Christians today will fight to the death to keep this whether it might be faults beause Profit is in the Billions. Scary it is as i being Christian feeling like a fool. and not the Fool they love to call you. if your being honest doing a little research is called Sin . Scriptures tells you to keep from knowledge . i get confused about the knowledge it tells you to stay away from. Science is considered sin and wicked. is the Man who searches truth full of sin and wicked . Faith to believe Blindly with no proof what so ever. Sounds pretty Damn Flawed . again i all way's wanted a true Honest loving Non Manipulative Creater but truly have not found one yet. Blessings blessing blessings but who and where. o i've been living in a Delusion all my live ? what could be more wicked than living in a Delusion.
@@Trentenjoel How ?
@@trafficjon400 How will one get through something like this? Is that the question? If so I believe if you continue to search, love, listen, and be open to the idea of never truly knowing, you will find peace. I think its in the letting go of finding an absolute truth. At least that is where I have found to most peace and joy in life. The fact that I don't have to prove there is or is not a God. Rather I can freely be myself and love others while not having all the answers. At the end of the day, what makes you the best version of yourself, what gives you the tools and ability to love your neighbor, to love yourself. Find that path and you'll find peace. ✌
@@Trentenjoel Depends of what kind of peace your referring to? my life is set as it is and keep my standards as they are. i have tools skills buzzy daily from Piano keyboardist auditor to building tractor cabs and renovation RV Motor Vintage homes
for people who may need a temporary shelter. Buzzy most of the time and not worried about a relationship at the Moment.
Not going to dwell my life away on any thing over my ability . Some people might have other issues in life than just getting along.i do a lot more listening than you may think i can identify with your Concerns' . ✌
I am a ex hindu..I had a rough life..no one told me about Christ..I thank God for my cultural belief in ways that God does exist...but I was at times thinking which one shall I pray to todayto help me watching my dad abuse my mother and scare us half to death🤔..eventually at 12..i bypassed my gods of my forefathers...and went directly to the real God. My heary felt there was One greater. Anyway..I gave my life 2 Christ..my family disowned me etc. Thing is you need to fight..its a wrestle...every day. You will experience the emptiness...your children will need Christ. At the end of the day its your choice. I made a choice leaving my parents religion..I am glad I did. I can tell the difference..as the real 😅God does help. I learnt to be patience and loving and forgiving in Christ Jesus. I seen that world...the numbness without Christ..of course I had probs before Christ..but after receiving Christ its manageable. You been taught about hell fire and stuff growing up. I pray you will seek Christ as your personal Saviour. Sin is sin..i am not perfect..I messed up too in ways but God is merciful..he loves us. Its your choice we know..but I have noticed and concerned many church children growing up have been wounded and scared up by the message of how certain preachers and pastors delivered it. Christ is about love and gentle. We know the Holy Spirit is the comforter the one who will teach us about truth. Sadly as a prodigal child realised he made a wrong choice..I pray you will eventually return back in heart to Christ.
Take care,🙏🏼💜
I've been wronged by churches a LOT. I no longer go to any. Still, I can read, study, and research on my own. I don't need churches telling me things and feel as if they're telling me the truth. God says don't do that. It's up to US to see how truthful it is. Just hearing Trent shows his studying is horrible so he makes all these silly excuses like so many do. I just want to know the truth and see reasonable evidence to back it. God has ALL the evidence and unbelievers have NONE. YOU are not only a blessing to yourself but to your family that depends on you for guidance.
Thank you for sharing. I'm hoping to build a community/portal for people losing their faith to discuss these hangups without it having to be the typical debate style. Would love to see people like yourself share your story in depth to help people feel connected rather than isolated.
Respectfully, whatever u said described my teenage years in a nutshell. I was the go to Church participant n Church was a secondhome. However one thing....i never knew God truly. All i was doing is following practices and feeling what i thought i was meant to feel.
Once i encountered God, my whole perspective changed. I met him in my room after i stopped going to Church. N i realised he never meant for me to change but to heal.
I don't worship the God my pastor and family talks about but the God who pulled me out of my darkest moment, held me, and gave me unmatched peace and love. So no, unless a person absolutely hasn't heard of him, everyone has an equal chance to get to know him. Especially in this modern age.
I grew up an atheist who hated Christians. Then, through a series of events, I ended up giving my heart to Christ. I read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in about a month and half. Then I intentionally read Genesis to Revelation two more times over the years. Each time I read it, the amazingly beautiful and simple message of God, YHVH, came through loud and clear and I chose to obey what is written in the Bible to the best of my understanding, to love Him and to honor Him and to love one another even as He loves me (or at least I am trying to..). God has blessed me TREMENDOUSLY for my heartfelt effort to love Him and to honor Him by learning of His good, right and just ways and walking in them as best I understand.
Recently, I have been focusing on now to distinguish between what is truly, truly DIVINE and what is MAN-MADE. Many churches, synagogues, etc have a great deal of MAN-MADE rules and instructions which, pretty much by definition, are NOT found in the DIVINE word of God, YHVH. This is "religion", a man-made construct that may produce good fruit or it may produce bad fruit.
I think what you saw is the bad fruit of man-made doctrines and traditions (aka "religion") that Jesus vehemently rebuked in a number of accounts in the Bible such as Matthew 15:1-9, 20, Mark 7:1-13, Matthew 23:1-39.
Please prayerfully consider reading Genesis to Revelation a few times. I know it is a TON of reading, but I think you will then be able to distinguish between the man-made doctrines and traditions of "ism"s like Roman Catholicism, Rabbinical Judaism, Episcopalian-ism, Mormonism, etc and the PURE Milk of God's Word that produces good fruit, fruit consistent with repentance and love for others, the fruit of considering others more important than yourselves (1Peter 2:2, Mt 18:3, Acts 24:14-16, James 1:17-18, John 1:12-13, 1Peter 1:23, 1John 2:29, 1John 3:9, 1John 4:7-5:5, Philippians 2:3-4, etc).
Was this one of the verses you read? Leviticus 25:44-46 44 “‘Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. 45 You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. 46 You can bequeath them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly.
Totally agree with you. Just to piggy-back though, the Church is the institution of Christ (see Acts1:8 and Matt 16:18) Man-made religion is bad, but there is a right way to do it, Christ's way, and we are called into it to be a part of His body. So be careful not to reject the church - we must be a part of the local church - but do discern between good and bad doctrine.
@@wheat3226 You must understand the civil laws of who these were preaching to at the time. Leviticus 25:44-46 is an ancient text that reflects an ancient social institution. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, as the saying goes. Perhaps this is also how you tackle the vexing problem of slavery in the Bible: one text at a time. In fact, that is exactly what I intend to do-examine one Israelite slave text in the Pentateuch: Leviticus 25:39-55. This text and its reception are fraught with difficulty. Indeed, I like to compare it to a vast field littered with active landmines. A reader might wonder if this text allowed the ancient Israelites to abuse their foreign chattel slaves. Leviticus 25:44-46 states as you typed it.
Jeffrey Stackert makes the following comment about this text, “Just as the Israelite slave was treated ruthlessly in Egypt, so may the foreign slave be treated ruthlessly in Israel.” But is Stackert correct? Did this ancient Israelite slave law permit the Israelites to mistreat and oppress their foreign chattel slaves? Equally problematic is the mere permission of chattel slavery in this text. Why was chattel slavery permitted in ancient Israel? In this article, I attempt to answer these two questions first, by acclimating the reader to Leviticus 25:39-55 and second, by reading Leviticus 25:39-55 within the larger moral framework of Leviticus 17-26.
The Israelite slave laws in Leviticus 25:39-55 neatly divide into three sections. Leviticus 25:39-43 prohibited the Israelites from enslaving one another because the Lord delivered them from Egyptian slavery. They belonged to him alone as his slaves (25:42). This section ends with a prohibition of abuse: “You shall not rule over them [fellow Israelites] with harshness, but shall fear your God” (25:43).
Leviticus 25:44-46 permitted the Israelites to purchase and own foreigners and resident aliens as chattel slaves because of their ethnic and social status (i.e., they were not redeemed Israelites) and because they (often) did not own land. This section also ends with a prohibition of abuse of one’s fellow Israelite (but no such prohibition regarding the treatment of the foreigner!): “but as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness” (25:46).
Leviticus 25:47-55 allows an impoverished Israelite to sell himself (and his family) to a land-owning foreigner. Unlike the case of the foreign chattel slave in Leviticus 25:44-46, a family member can redeem the indebted Israelite by paying off their debt. In the worst-case scenario, they may be released in the Jubilee Year (every 50 years). Near the end of this section (25:53) we encounter the now-familiar prohibition of abuse one more time: “who shall not, however, rule with harshness over them [i.e., one’s fellow Israelite] in your sight.”
Leviticus 25:39-55 is a collection of three (related) slave laws. These slave laws contain one overarching message: don’t abuse your (Israelite) neighbor. This prohibition of abuse is the glue that holds these three laws together. It shows up at the two major turning points in this text (25:43 and 25:46) and again towards the end of the text (25:53). Before moving from one law to the next, the author reminds the audience that they are absolutely forbidden from abusing their (Israelite) neighbor: “You shall not rule over them with harshness.”
The three slave laws and their relationship with one another may be graphically represented as follows:
Leviticus 25:39-42: Israelites, do not enslave one another.
-> Leviticus 25:43: Israelites, do not oppress one another.
Leviticus 25:44-46a: Israelites, you may have foreign chattel slaves.
-> Leviticus 25:46b: Israelites, do not oppress one another.
Leviticus 25:47-52, 54-55: Impoverished Israelites may sell themselves to foreigners, but they may be redeemed or, at least, be released in the Jubilee year.
-> Leviticus 25:53: Israelites, do not oppress one another.
Did Leviticus 25:44-46 Permit the Abuse of Israel’s Chattel Slaves?
The answer is no. However, Stackert answers this question in the affirmative because of the strong contrast between Leviticus 25:44-46b and Leviticus 25:46c. Notice the contrast between these verses.
Leviticus 25:44-46b:
As for the male and female slaves whom you may have, it is from the nations around you that you may acquire male and female slaves. You may also acquire them from among the aliens residing with you, and from their families that are with you, who have been born in your land; and they may be your property. You may keep them as a possession for your children after you, for them to inherit as property. These you may treat as slaves.
Leviticus 25:46c:
But as for your fellow Israelites, no one shall rule over the other with harshness. (NIV)
The contrast is indeed stark. The Israelites are permitted to purchase, own, and bequeath foreigners and resident aliens as permanent chattel slaves. Moreover, they are only explicitly forbidden from mistreating their fellow Israelite. In Stackert’s view, the contrast in these verses intentionally allowed the Israelites to abuse their chattel slaves as a form of repayment for the abuse that the Israelites experienced in Egypt (Exodus 1:13-14). In his view, the Israelites can, in some sense, avenge themselves for the wrong done to them by the Egyptians by oppressing the foreigners in Israel.
Stackert, however, has taken a wrong turn. The larger context of Leviticus 25:44-46 (i.e., Leviticus 17-26) demonstrates that the Israelites were forbidden from abusing their chattel slaves. Leviticus 19:33-34 reads, “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (NIV) Leviticus 19:33-34 forbids the Israelites from mistreating foreigners based on their sojourn in the land of Egypt. Since the same author wrote both texts, it is highly unlikely that he would forbid the Israelites from abusing foreigners based on their Egyptian sojourn in one text (19:33-34) and then permit them to abuse foreigners based on their Egyptian sojourn in another text (25:44-46). Leviticus 19:33-34 informs our interpretation of Leviticus 25:44-46: the Israelites were not permitted to abuse their foreign chattel slaves.
Leviticus 25:44-46 must also be read in its immediate literary context. Leviticus 25:47-55 envisions a situation in which a foreigner or resident alien obtains wealth, climbs to the top of the social ladder, and becomes the creditor to an Israelite debtor. Although foreigners and resident aliens could be subjected to permanent chattel slavery, they did not have to be subjected to this status. Although the foreigner and resident alien did not inherently belong to YHWH as his slaves (Lev 25:42, 55), chattel slavery was not necessarily their lot in life. Of course, one could contend that chattel slavery is inherently abusive and, therefore, Leviticus 25:44-46 necessarily permitted abuse in Israel. By modern standards, this assertion may be true. However, Leviticus 25:44-46 is an ancient text that reflects an ancient social institution. This social institution normally allowed for the abuse of chattel slaves, but Leviticus 25:44-46 (and its larger literary context) forbade such abuse.
Although limited space prevents a thorough exploration of this text, an earlier Israelite slave law in the Pentateuch (Exodus 21:23-27) also supports my interpretation of Leviticus 25:44-46. Exodus 21:23-27 forbid the Israelites from abusing their slaves. If an Israelite master chose to abuse his slave, then the slave was automatically freed. It seems that Leviticus 25:44-46 builds on the already-existing law and coheres with its prohibition of abuse.
Loving prayers and blessings, in Yeshua’s name!
Zach, how do you know the Bible is the sole and inerrant word of God?
That’s a sad story, so you started your life in reality and now you live in fantasy.
Congratulations, you are now delusional and wilfully ignorant. 👏
To anyone who believes in God, I respect you for having some sort of faith, and yes, you don’t have to see something to believe in something, but you need evidence that it’s real. The main reason I don’t believe in God is because science constantly proves otherwise. For example, there is evolution, and there is creationism (which is what believers in God would believe in). There is so much evidence that evolution is how humans were formed. First of all, the fossil record shows a gradual evolution of life forms over billions of years, rather than a sudden appearance of fully formed organisms, which creationism suggests. Second of all, there is genetic evidence. DNA sequencing and comparative genomics provide strong evidence for common ancestry among all living organisms, meaning that all life on Earth gradually evolved into the organisms we see today from one common ancestor, supporting evolution and rejecting creationism’s idea of the sudden appearance of life on Earth. Next, there is radiometric dating (a method of dating geological or archeological specimens by determining the relative proportions of particular radioactive isotopes present in a sample), which consistently shows that the Earth is over 4.5 billion years old, not thousands of years old, which creationism would suggest. Lastly, there is Embryology, which demonstrates similarities in early developmental stages among different species, reflecting shared evolutionary ancestry rather than separate creation events. Now these are just a few examples of scientific evidence that contradicts the idea of creationism and supports the theory of evolution, and what’s also important to mention is that science is basically impossible to disprove, since in science, we come to conclusions based on facts and repeated tests that constantly prove a theory correct, meanwhile, in most religious ideas like creationism, people come to conclusions first, and make up false evidence based on myths that were spread to them in society. Science shows the true facts, and it has disproved creationism too much for the concept of creationism to even have an ounce of validity. Btw, I’m not trying to sway you away from your beliefs, I’m just trying to show you why some people like me don’t believe in God. Yes, I have a lot of free time right now because of a sickness, I just want to use some of my TH-cam time to share my beliefs. I don’t mean any disrespect to you or your God at all, and I’m sorry if my fellow non-believers ever did you any wrong, as I don’t support people who try to hurt others in any way.
Man, you just spent a lot of time on a false dichotomy. Evolution disproves God??? Talk about a non sequitur.
Separation from others is what I noticed the most. It shows up even more clearly when you examine your own self as a member of a religious cult. Good to see you enjoying life and pursuing authentic Love. @Dono
I really resonated with the point you made about separation. Looking at others differently and thinking they're not living a full life when in reality it was me who wasn't living a full life. That can be a lot to realize but having that realization can be so meaningful and it has been for me.
Thank you for putting into words a lot of what I've been feeling in my deconstruction process!
Couldn't agree more , as a former Christian for most of my life you really hit the nail on the head
th-cam.com/video/QeYqsfuW2zc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=RrFWmEamAW1QgrVc
I do have a doubt sister. Sometimes when you pray , coincidentally miracles happen and people cling to faith and don't think rationally. How do they deconstruct then ?
My question is why did people sacrifice their lives for Christ. If this was all a lie, then why would Peter, Bartholomew, Matthew, etc be tortured killed for their faith. If Christ was not the King of Heaven and Earth then what would these people have to gain for sacrificing themselves for Christ? I encourage you to look more into the issues you have with Christianity. As a Catholic I have heard nasty Protestants and Catholics and Catholics and Protestants who are on their fire with with their faith. Those who are on fire with their faith truly understand at a level deeper than just reason. There is a glow about them that is not just spiritual, but also physical. Those who truly understand what it means to live with Christ would give their life for those they love. They are steady and moral. The Greeks have many words for love and one had to be made up to describe Christian love. This is called “agape”. St Thomas Aquinas defines this love as willing the good of the other. This ultimately means doing what you can to bring someone in union with Christ. To all my fellow Christians and Catholics understand that we alone cannot convert, but conversion only happens with the heart of the person is moved in such a way that brings them to the faith. Our job is to catechize and pray for their conversion. Viva Cristo Rey, we are gonna make it! God bless everyone.
Why would the Muslims who hijacked those planes on 9/11 willingly sacrifice themselves for Allah if their faith was all a lie?
People sacrifice themselves for Allah, too, because they believe he is the one true God.
Hello Trent,
First, I can tell you are a loving person, your words and your face express love and peace of mind. No shade of antagonism, criticism, or hatred at all. Any open-minded person will enjoy listening to your talk.
(Please bear with my English since my native language is Spanish - I’m Mexican).
As I listen to you, I’m on the same page, so I understand perfectly what you are saying. I came out of a similar belief system. Now, Christianity is a loaded word since not all Christians believe the same, too bad… or maybe thank God! I mean thank God not all Christians believe or behave the way you described on your video.
Now, your Christian friends are obviously not on your same page; their page is that belief system you just left behind. But that belief system is not what Christ meant His movement to be. Not at all.
When I tell you I’m on the same page with you, what I mean is that what you describe your life being like now as opposed to what it was like when you were involved in that belief system, that’s basically what following Christ should be like. You are living a Christlike life, your Christian friends are not, I say it with sadness.
Man, I wish I could not extend too much with my comments, but there is so much to say. Let me comment why I agree with you on those three issues that prompted you to leave Christianity. And, after that, let me bring an element that I would invite you to add to the equation.
Original Sin.
There is no such thing as original sin, at least not according to God’s Word. When God finished His physical creation, He declared it (“ALL”) to be “VERY GOOD” (Genesis 1:31). Adam’s sin did not cause God’s creation (man and woman created after God’s likeness - Genesis 1:26) to become ontologically BAD. A sinner is like a dirty diamond, it’s dirty but still a diamond. We humas are God´s children. We live in a fallen world, I mean just look around, we humans do bad things but it’s not because we are bad per se, it’s just that we have been contaminated by sin. God exhort us to cleanse ourselves of sin, and staying away from sin leads to a joyful and abundant life. That’s the kind of life you and your beautiful family are enjoying.
Hell.
OK, there is no Original Sin we are born with, but to a higher or lesser degree, there is sin in our lives. It’s just the way it is since humankind rejected God, but that doesn’t mean God will send unrepented sinners to hell. God did not create this flaming place of eternal torment so many Christians believe in. That’s totally incongruent with the fact that God IS LOVE.
Yes, the Bible speaks about hell, but you need to recognize allegory in Bible writing. If God is love, hell must be an allegory. Hell is real, but it’s more of a mental state of mind of being alienated from God, of being full of bitterness, hatred, envy, and so on.
Separation.
Certainly. Well intentioned but misinformed Christians want to change you since they think you are wrong and headed to hell, and they want to prevent you from going to hell. And if you don’t let them change you, they separate from you, so sad. And they cannot see they ARE in hell, that they are in bondage, that they are not free. And you could not stand being there, you left, and you are free to love others no matter if they are believers or not.
So, Trent, about leaving your faith, please consider that leaving a belief system does not necessarily mean leaving your faith. Well, you did not mention if you no longer believe in God. Do you? Let me tell you something: the love you enjoy with your family and your friends (those friends that enjoy your company) IS GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOU (and them, of course).
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and WHOEVER LOVES HAS BEEN BORN OF GOD AND KNOWS GOD.” (1 John 4:7).
So, according to the apostle John YOU are born of God, and you know God - you love because God is in you. Sad to say so many Christians don’t know God. Being a Christian is not the same as being a follower of Christ. You can tell, right?
Finally, I’m just sharing what I have learned from others. Jesus preached: “believe the GOOD NEWS”. Original sin is not good news, hell is not good news, separation is not good news.
There’s a lot of reading I could recommend to you. For now, I just want to recommend you check on Google for William P. Young (author of The Shack), Baxter Kruger and Brad Jersak (A More Christlike God is a must read for you, I think). These guys speak like you, but with Jesus in the equation to say it that way. You can find them on TH-cam too.
Thank you for sharing your experience on TH-cam. And thank you for your patience on reading my long comment.
I can only tell you: those are valid reasons. Please, be happy. And thank you for sharing...
I left Christianity, because i learned it was Mythology.
Once a mind has been expanded, it is impossible to return it to its original dimensions.
As someone who journeyed through something very similar but came out the other side still a Christian, a completely different one than I was before but one nonetheless, thank you for sharing Trent!
It’s not easy to share a faith transition like that (heck after mine when I would say deconstruction, some friends/pastors would shriek lol) and conversations like the one you’re having will lead to more loving and less separate people! Something we could all benefit from!
Thanks for sharing Trent. This helps me to understand why many are leaving the church. I’m currently in Catholic biblical school to help understand salvation history and how I fit into the story. Just before losing my dad, an incredible man of faith, his final words to me were “keep the faith”. If you’ve ever talked with someone you believe is on the doorstep of heaven, you listen. I’d struggled understanding many teachings of the church but out of obedience and deep love for my father I began seeking to grow in my knowledge and understanding of the faith. It’s been an incredible journey. I no longer live in fear of hell (which I absolutely believe exists…there are people who have “died”, experienced hell and shared about it; likewise there are those who have glimpses of heaven in all its glory), but in JOY of eternal life. Jesus opened the gates for ALL people so it’s my mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus in my little part of the world…and to do so with LOVE. I’m sad that so many Christians are grumpy but pray that one day we all may be united 🙏🏼 God bless you and your beautiful family…even though you don’t believe in him I believe He created you and loves you all so much (even more than we love our kids…which is crazy to imagine!) ❤
16When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny- psaml 73:16-17
hi i speak this from respect and good intention, we somethimes go trough our christian path without building solid prayer life. ofcourse that when doubts come we can drift away. i had maaaany questions like yours. people called me scribe for carrying few copies of bible.why, 'couse i didn't want another person to influance me, so i would allways go deep in prayer, never saying amen to something if not complitely sure, and it took time for some questiones . some things you are doubting here will ONLY be removed if you go sincerely to God and ask him, he removed avery one for me.
Seriously, i remember being like 5 and continuously accepting jesus in my heart cuz i was scared. I feel like most people do it because they are afraid to go to hell, not really because they find the religion to be life changing especially when you are brought up in it. I do think the teachings of christ do help people become better but every religion teaches good things and your conscience knows right from wrong.
The first problem with religion is that we don't get a menu of religions at birth. Most people are of the religion of their culture.
Hey Trent, thank you for sharing your experience. I’ve felt this way, praying for a true encounter with Christ despite hurt from humans and ideologies that seem impossible to believe, encountering Christ changed everything for me, despite how rain falls on the just and unjust, and how living in a fallen world can make us feel wayward, I have to constantly choose faith and not feelings, and faith over understanding.
Great question to ask, it’s more than just a voice, although the way I experienced hearing the Lord was through a supernatural knowing, for example, He placed things on my heart I’ve never thought of on my own, like forgiveness and apologizing. Also though, I experienced grief, anxiety, depression, and shame taken off of me..which doesn’t just happen on its own. I experienced a genuine love and good fear of the Lord. When I read scripture I actually believed it and it made a difference in my demeanor and trust. So much more but I hope this helps a bit 🙂
What made you so special to meet Jesus how do we even know you did
so you relate to a self idol guru instead? ok.
@@trainingrifle Jesus loves you. Believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, confess it with your mouth and you will be saved. Ask God to show that He is real to you if you really don’t believe yet.
@@lexxiemmerling8599 Ask him to show Himself to you if you really don’t believe. You’ll be surprised.
Congratulations. I know where ur coming from. I left church 10 year ago and life has been amazing and beautiful
Totally agree with everything you’ve said. Gives me comfort to know you are out there. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing your truth.
Leaving main stream religion is the best move I made. Like you, the separation from others, fear of hell & damnation was enough to open my eyes to the control the church has over its people.
Leaving Christianity was a result of just reading the nonsense in the fairy tale book called the Bible
Exactly what happened to me once I read the entire book.....
🫢⚖️🙄😳☦️🔯🕎
This is only natural, wise, honest men and or thinkers have always have doubts throughout history. Luckily, we now live in a time where we aren’t burnt to death because we don’t believe in nonsense.
@ Shane Lebeau ? Found a site of History in cave platlets about King James burning and Hanging Millions who decided the old version was Good enough. they did not want this new King James Version 800 Years long after the Old Covenant Testimony. Why would God decide to write a new book 800 years later sounds Flawed .
@@trafficjon400 why would god use a book? Why won’t he show up and tell us what he wants? Why didn’t he tell the primitives that black people are humans too and maybe that would have avoided slavery? Why didn’t he show up and catch the twin tower planes? Why won’t he show up and end the war in Ukraine? Why didn’t he tell the primaries that diseases are caused by microorganisms and not demons? That would have prevented people from being burnt to death. I could go on for hrs and this is how I am confident there is no god…
@@shanelebeau5891 Your honest understanding is about as Good as mine. Verses in the Bible could turn some instant atheist just by reading it . but excuse is knowing the entire scripture in context wich i dougt any one honestly could or would have completed because its to baffling.
Me leaving was a huge deal too. My family are Christians on both sides. I was dedicated, went to Christian schools and sang worship in college and church. Thank you 🙏 for sharing.
And you came out shallow like Trent. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
@@2fast2block Wow. You like to sound smart. Responding to my story like that. And throwing an insult on top. Whatever you are, I want to be the opposite of that.
@@Emceemami it does not take much to show how little you want to think, then on top of that, you want nice titles for not thinking. Face it, you are not honest with the evidence. I no longer go to churches since they're so messed up, but I didn't make that an excuse to stop thinking.
@@2fast2block what evidence? I am happy to look at evidence.
@@Emceemami why do you act as if you're honest. I gave evidence and you just totally ignored it. I can go on and on with other things but once you ignore one, it bothers you nothing to keep on ignoring. I stay out of churches and for good reason, but I didn't let that stop me from wanting truth.
It’s clear he was never born again. As famous rabbi that came to faith recently said, if you have ever experiencing regeneration, it’s impossible to deny Christ. He said a sinners prayer at an alter when he was a kid but was never truly regenerated. My son did the same. He thought he was saved when he was a kid but was truly saved years later. Regeneration is explosive and turns your world upside down. Believe me, you have no doubt it’s real - zero doubt.
This video is fantastic! Thanks for posting - I was raised fundamentalist pentecostal, felt the call to preach - went to school to become a pastor and lost my faith when I saw the kinds of people who were in my classes, who were also looking to become leaders. The lowest of any students I ever encountered in the non-religious public schools. It is like a huge cult. Appreciate your thoughts on this important subject to those of us who lost all our family and friends over this nonsense.
I might be a month or so in finding your video,but I have been seeing so many young people doing theses videos on why I left the church and dealing with the same issues, not only that but ,but I have experienced anxiety,and different things, because you feel your not good enough. Your children looks happy and content. I passed on a part of your video,maybe some will get something from it and let their children grow up and learn to think for themselves and not make them feel the guilt of going to hell !
My state of mind greatly improved after leaving religion and Christian beliefs. One thing I learned and seek to practice is 'not judging' people. I had what is called an "Ego Death". I think being a believer prevented me from having that experience. As a non-believer, I was in a position to go there. It's a long story. Partly it involved sequestering in a totally dark room for up to a week while fasting.
I left churches but you people left your brain too. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
"What you see you cant unsee"--very true. Thank you Trent for sharing your testimony...have a great day 😊
Enjoyed this. I have a slightly different perspective. Maybe I just give it my own spin? 1. I've always seen original sin as the fact that we all have a sin nature as a propensity to sin. (Once my kids grew up it became pretty obvious: "That's mine!" "I didn't really punch him." "I hate you..."Our course if taken to the extreme it becomes "I want your country" "Your race does not deserve to live" etc. Unfortunately this happens on a massive scale. 2. Hell - I really struggle with this too. That being said, I do believe God is totally fair and would never send someone there without good reason. Perhaps it's the flip side of God's love for his creation. Perhaps how we see Hell depends on our experience and context. I have a daughter whom I love deeply. If someone kidnapped her, used her as a sex slave and then cut her throat as they laughed. I would want them to experience Hell. I would long for a day of justice. 3. Sin and separation. Well, true follower of Jesus are called to love one another no matter what they believe or don't believe. We don''t look down on others because we are all broken and have the same need. We've received Grace and we pass that on to others. The Good News of Jesus is one beggar telling another where to get bread.
I grew up on a grace filled church. I'm still grappling with the big questions of the faith but the message of God's love towards me (and the world) is central. I hang on desperately to to God's love revealed to us in Jesus. Without that I think I would still be building my own kingdom rather than reaching out in service to the least of these.
Dear Brother,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences so openly. I see where you’re coming from, and I want to address some of the points you’ve raised-especially about original sin, hell, and the nature of faith. I share this with you out of love and a deep desire for you to see the true heart of Christianity.
You’ve expressed doubts about the concept of original sin and how different cultures might interpret such teachings. I understand why this might feel confusing or even unfair at first glance. But the reality of original sin is not about cultural bias or human interpretation-it’s about the universal truth of human nature. Sin isn’t tied to one culture or tradition; it’s a condition of the human heart, something we all inherit as descendants of Adam. It’s not a doctrine of oppression but a truth that humbles us and reveals our need for God’s grace.
You mentioned how, back in school, kids believed in God out of fear of hell. I want to lovingly clarify something here: fear of hell should not be the foundation of anyone’s faith. If someone believes in hell, they’re already acknowledging the truth of the Bible, which speaks of hell as real. And if the Bible is true about hell, then it is also true about the way to avoid it. That way is not complicated-it’s not about being perfect or living in fear. It’s simply about repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus Christ with all our heart. When we turn to Him, He forgives us completely and removes the fear of condemnation.
Hell is not a punishment from an unloving God; it’s the consequence of choosing to live separated from Him. God is love, and His desire is not for anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). His love is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take on the punishment we deserve. Through Christ’s sacrifice, God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him, to live free from fear, and to experience true peace.
Brother, I think you’ve misunderstood the heart of Christianity. It’s not about living in fear of hell or trying to earn God’s approval through good works. It’s about recognizing that we are sinners who cannot save ourselves and accepting the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. God’s love is unconditional, and He is ready to forgive you the moment you turn to Him. There’s nothing to be afraid of when you put your trust in Him.
I want to encourage you to reflect on this: God is not a distant judge waiting to condemn you. He is a loving Father who wants to bring you home. The Bible is not a set of rules designed to control you-it’s a love letter from God, showing you the way to eternal life. The message of the Gospel is simple: repent, believe in Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of grace. It’s not about fear; it’s about love.
I share this with you because I care deeply about your journey. I’ve been where you are-questioning, searching, and feeling distant from God. But I’ve come to know the truth of His love and forgiveness, and I pray you will too. Remember, God’s voice is always calling you, and His arms are always open.
With love and encouragement,
Pray you find Jesus again, I’ve questioned my journey too, but God has always been good and faithful and given me answers I seek
We don't need superstition, no thanks.
Jesus is real and so is hell 🔥 he died for us😅
@@kortlancharmingI don’t think preaching hell is going to bring anyone back
Really great thoughts.
As a christian it surprises me how little many in the church have thought through these types of questions. Many of my piers think im not a christian simply for the types of questions i consider. Which is fine with me because i think figuring out the right questions to ask is more important, whatever that makes me.
Anyway thanks for sharing in such an effective and well spoken way.
Thanks Adam!
@@Trentenjoel Never heard someone's testimony whence they say that THEY LEFT CHRISTIANTY.
It is always have been about catholic religion from which they left and not a CHRISTIANTY.
Every soul who have come out with "Why I Left Christianity" ends up speaking about catholic religion.
And souls know it and understand it that:
Christianity is found only in the BIBLE, as a soul takes a bible, sits down and reads it and then start studying it in order to understand it, or we end up misreading the whole bible.
Coming to repentance and born again is each soul`s individual CONSCIOUS decision, which child (0 - 20 years) cannot do. It is the CONSCIOUS decision for the adults.
No child goes to hell to burn, GOD is not unjust, HE IS JUST JUDGE.
Hell fire waits us when we being adults and remain sinners.
The keys to understand the BIBLE are:
- hunger for truth
- THE COMFORTER.
Christians are expected to live out the BABYLON and expose the wicked (masons and their death club, freemasonry), yet all of your stories are about being in the Babylon, and very deeply in.
..Due to a head injury I passed away and entered the spiritual word for a short period of time (due to that head injury) -I was in the hospital for 20 days and 20 days. I became partially blind in one eye and lame (I could not walk). During the actual event I experienced and encountered Jesus who then lifted me up by my hips and put me back in the physical world. Through the grace of God it was then I realized I was offered a glimpse of the heavenly eternal life and it is peaceful. I actually didn't want to return it was so peaceful but I saw and experienced Jesus and He gently placed me back in the physical world. To finish my earthly duties. The term "Christian" is a human term. There is a living God and I experienced it and my family and doctors can testify to this experience. This does not mean I am perfect.I am very imperfect. I believe in God the Almighty. Amen.
Did you grow up in Christianity? People will see what they grew up in or the culture around them when they have near death experiences.
Your doctors can testify to it??? Why isn't it in a science journal, post evidence so we research.
You actually sound mentally ill
yeah this totally happened. and then everyone stood up and clapped
Why did Jesus choose you
Tonight I joined a live chat with a Dr. who taught a course on scripture at a university. He was sharing the word and answering questions or reading through comments. I expressed how I don’t go church due to feeling judged and out of place. I felt not good enough. He responded by telling me to grow up. He doesn’t pat anyone on the back or give out sympathy. He doesn’t play the snowflake card. Then went on to say how he was the poorest person at his Bible college and yet nothing deterred him from going. He asked me “how many times did you say ‘I’ in that comment. It’s not about you, it’s about honoring God. I felt shamed into attending church. I cried and felt like a failure that God despises. I gave into the idea that God may want me to feel this pain and praise him anyway. Perhaps that’s all Christianity may be.. silently suffering while telling people how awesome God is. Shaming yourself into faith until you’re a good enough Christian in Gods eyes.
Trent, you had questions which is good. You asked and sought, also good. I don't know where you got your answers, but the Bible (and historical theology) addresses all of your concerns. Please keep seeking - but don't cherry-pick your sources. Read the Bible, read ancient theologians (Highly recommend Augustine). It is not always easy to fully understand these concepts, but you can't just stop in the middle of your search, keep going. Your Faith is your own, not your dad's, not your church friends'. You must arrive at it yourself.
On Original Sin: Your daughter as an infant had not yet sinned, but Original Sin is not talking about what she has or hasn't done. It is the general state of separation from God that we are all born into, and the very thing Christ overcame on the Cross. My children are beautiful, I love them, and I teach them this truth that they would come to Faith and be saved as well.
On Hell: Hell is described as a place that is ultimately created for the rebel angels, but a place that those who deny God actively choose over Him. When we choose not to trust in Christ (or in ages past, choose not to acknowledge the True God) we choose hell over Him and He honors that choice. God loves us and gave us free will to choose. He honors our choices in the end. If you are presented with a warning of what is to come, and the way of escape from that outcome and choose to deny it, God has done you no wrong. We are given a short time in this life, but we are given enough time. God knows the heart. He knows if you will ever come back to the Faith or not even now. I pray you will.
On Changing Beliefs: We do change but the Truth does not. If you reject objective truth, that truth is still there. You can't change it by rejecting it. This is actually crucially important to understand. We live in an age of relativism, but none of that changes the external, unchanging truth. If you seek the Truth you will find it. If you simply reject it because it's unpopular or is not your preference, you reveal that you do not actually want the truth. The truth is difficult and challenging and it should be because it alone can effect real change.
On Separation: We are called to love our neighbors indeed. Ask yourself this, if a car was barreling toward your neighbor, would you warn them or let them be struck? Which would be the more loving thing to do?
I am not condemning you or judging you but I implore you not to stop seeking. Truly if you conclude that The Way of Christ is not true, then certainly own that belief but do not be lazy in this, this has eternal consequences for you and your entire family. Your children are depending on you as a father to be an example of Truth to them. Will you be? Or will you be an example of a dying world?
Peace to you on your journey!
Atheists don't believe in hell. Therefore they cannot be punished by a God to go to he'll. You die and you rot.
Thank you for enlightening this man. I am so happy that someone speak up about the Truth. We’ll pray that he will not lose his Faith as the days are coming, Jesus is coming very soon. God Bless you and bless this man to finally read more and seek more about the truth. ❤❤❤
Lotta great points you bring up! I can relate with most and have my own spin on those 3 concepts but something you brought up that's extremely important when it comes to Gods love is becoming a parent.. Because you see the world differently! The last year has been a tough one for me spirtually but i started reading the Bible with the perspective as our "Father" while taking these stories a little more as methaphors and it makes way more sense now. Im able to follow Jesus alot closer and really see what it means to love others. But instead of getting into all of that, just wanted to say God bless and i wish you well on your journey ✌️
Hi Trent, hope you don't mind my commenting. I'm 70 years old, came to faith when my children were small when I was in my thirties. Admittedly I've only listened to some of your reasons for quitting Christianity, my first reaction is sadness. I wonder if you knew Jesus. Was Jesus obscured in your growing up by religion? Im leaving it there. We are in the last days when many believers will fall away, my heart aches. X.
Pauline, I longed to write something for precious Trent, to have words, wise words, and I was stuck. I saw what you wrote just now, and oh, my. Yes. Just what you said to this man was the perfect thing to say. The cross has been obscured-and I deeply appreciate your choice of the word-by the modern church system. I pray Trent transcends the smoke-and-mirrors of the modern church culture-and meets Jesus. Once we’ve truly met Jesus, there is no turning back.
It's what is in your heart that matters not religion.
@@claireclaire238 Our hearts, on their own, are selfish, self-focused, and even often wicked. We need Jesus.
This is called "The No True Scotsman" fallacy. "He couldn't truly know God, since he left "The Church." Seems all Christians do it.
@@shelliecarlson7015 he did not know god. People who know god don't renounce Jesus
Thanks for sharing. It's been inspiring in a way, because I would usually only discuss this in atheism forums or would have an alternate profile if posting on regular social media. I wouldn't want people to be pissed. You say offended, but they are really pissed of or turn hateful.
I have a some questions I'd like to know about your experience. May be material for a few videos.
1. I was actually looking for videos from people describing what led them to stop believing. My earliest memory about this, is when I was 4-5 years old, in church with my mother and I saw all these people praying and having this demeanor of total submission - while they're looking at a statue in the wall. I was a very smart kid and my mother, a college professor, had me reading, writing, taught me some science by then, etc. I thought, there's no one there but a statue in the wall, what are these people doing, are they crazy? It also came as a shock to see my mom, who I looked up to as a very smart woman, involved in this. My disbelief comes from lack of evidence, from evidence that many cultures shared these similar mythologies and everybody made up or interpreted their own version. I am a bit astounded that most people lose their belief, not because of evidence or lack thereof, but because they feel the moral code or God's behavior makes no sense. Why do you think that is?
2. At 10:57 you talk about Separation, how when you were a Christian you thought you, were right, if people thought differently you thought they were wrong, they didn't know the truth and you looked at them differently. Now that you don't believe, is it the same feeling, only you're coming from the other side?
3. How has this affected your relationship with your friends and loved ones in general?
4. Your wife... Is she, was she a believer? how does she handle the change? Are you going to try to talk her out of belief?
5. Your father being a pastor...are you banished, looked down upon? Is he cool?
6. Have you told your children? (There's no way those 4 cute kids are sinners since they were born.😊)
What are you saying to them now? Do you tell them it's not real but many people believe? Stay out of it and let your parents and or wife talk them into it? Both of these, hoping they decide correctly?
7. I notice you always say, I left Christianity...which could mean you are now Jewish, Muslim, or Buddhist. Is it difficult to just outright say God doesn't exist? Or do you still think there's a God and it's just you don't agree with the a Christian system? (Should have asked this one first.🤔) Do you still think there is "some metaphysical higher power"? Is it you don't want to "offend" believers?
The fulfillment you experienced leaving Christianity was mirror image of my experience. I became a more fully human being…the way it should be for all. Thanks for the post.
Proverbs 22:15
*Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child* ; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
Hey Trent. I loved your video. Your story is exactly the same as mine. I could have said it all exactly the same way you did. I was 12 when I gave my heart to Jesus. I thought that was the moment my life was going to change for better. Little did I know, all the questions, doubts, feeling if guilt and never being good enough in the eyes of God was going to lead me to just simply give it all up and set myself free in my mid 20's.
From that day, I am truly free, happy, I love myself, I love my life and I love all people around me. One thing I have to give credit to my upbringing in a Christian environment is that it naturally makes me see people in need and wanting to help and love them. Having said that, many people I know have just as good values if not better and most of them didn't really believe in God in the first place so do we need to be Christians to be good people?
Absolutely not. Thanks for sharing this video. I hope it leads many uncertain christian viewers to realise that if being Christian doesn't make sense to them, it's OK to let go. For those, life is so much better once they cut away from it all.
Thanks Michal!!
@@refreshingtime1991is there a place he said he wanted to sin? That's the stupid mentality you guys have. He simply didn't believe in jesus. But wait a minute, what is sin? See, it's a sin in islam not to wear a hijab. So, should i say that you're not a muslim because you want to sin (not wearing hijab) or you simply don't believe Mohammed was a prophet? I mean, stop the double standards. Stop judging people through your narrow mindedness. People quit a religion because they simply don't believe it is true. Period.
@@refreshingtime1991it's not all of us who are "gifted" with the ability of not thinking. Because you know what, a majority of the junk you believe lacks much thought. If you ever thought critically you all come to conclusion that it's false but because you can't accept you're living a lie, you simply dismiss the doubt by saying "god knows best." 😢Well, not all of us are gifted with that level of dumbness. I also deeply desire in my heart that i would be gifted the dumbness that religious people have, so that i could believe everything i'm told god told a guy living in an unknown century back. I wish i could also be that dumb so that i could find a community of fellow deluded people who we can together sing, pray and curse to hell all who do not believe as we do. But when i try, i can't. Everything passes through the channel of rational thinking and i find myself detesting religion. E.g, the stories of Moses and Joshua stamping, stabbing, burning, crashing and bruising infants, babies, women, men, all boys, all girls who are not virgins, but sparing the virgins ones for themselves. All this at the command of "god." You can decide to rationalize it. It's your cup of tea. As for me, this is disgusting and if God could have actually done that, the more i find reasons to stay far from such a bloody monster. I want to believe in christianity? No thanks! I'm good.
Mark 2:17
[17] And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
As an atheist I’m curious. Any atheists here? Just getting a lay of the land.
I’m one
" If you fuck that up, eternity in hell ". Well said.
I left the Catholic Church back in 2014. When I was a Catholic, I was hateful, always stressed out and always financially broke. When I grew older, I started questioning things. Every religion claims that they’re god is the one true god. Why does Christianity, Islam and Judaism have so many denominations?! Every sect claims that their denomination is the true one?! If you don’t follow the god of the Bible in which there’s no evidence of existence, you’re going to hell in which there’s no evidence of existence. Same with every other religion. They threaten you with fear, don’t want you to have free thought. Ever since I left the Catholic Church, my financial status, my social status, life improved a lot. I’m no longer stressed out, no longer broke, no longer hateful, became a very successful person.
Good for you!
Congratulations ! I used to love hearing peoples testimony’s on how they came to Jesus, now love to hear people’s testimony’s on how they woke up and left Christianity. Getting out of the church has been the most freeing and liberating experience of my life and do you know why??? I can think for myself now!
Hi Trent,
I realized many things I was taught as a young Christian was wrong. I married a man who became a pastor and left the church. Unfortunately he's very unhappy after around 10 years the fun ended. Stayed with God but went to a church that helped me understand better. Hell was not created for us, God created hell for Satan. Anyone who goes there goes on their own. Religion is taxing but a RELATIONSHIP with God is freedom. I respect what you feel. I'm praying for you. But I understand you. If things change remember God loves you. We are born in sin but there is an age of accountability God never send children to hell.
Bless you
Totally feel you prayed my entire life God never answered me my life has always been heartache and sadness I want to finally let God go because I know in my heart he does not nor will ever hear see or care about me
Sometimes when we pray the answer we get is sometimes not what we are expecting or how we’d like it to be to the point where the prayer is answered but u don’t recognize it bc it wasn’t the exact way it was asked for and sometimes we pray for things that hurt us but we don’t see that so those won’t be answered even though we’d like them to be. GOD hasn’t given up on u and he cares but there’s one who doesn’t. If you have time Ephesians 6:12 explains that we constantly fighting with evil we must push forward knowing what’s true. Jesus loves you✝️
I have found that religion has a lot to do with controlling others.
💯
I left the faith because there’s nothing but disappointment and failure from god.
Thanks for sharing....faith is so personal and individual.... it's not one size fits all.
i completely understand where you are coming from Trent. growing up, all I knew was the rules and rituals of religion that made Christianity seem dogmatic and restricting. I actually grew up hating religion because of this, despite being raised in the church with constant "Christian" influence. however, as I got older, I started to wrestle with the idea of God in general. Not necessarily the Christian God, but if God/ a creator was real. As I studied, I found it hard to believe that the universe and our world's complexities were accidental, leading me to believe there was a creator/God. And from there I started questioning whether this God was personal with us. From the accounts of Jesus, and the historical evidence/ eyewitness accounts, I found it hard to believe that it was false. The idea that so many willingly gave up their lives for the testament that they knew Jesus and he was Lord but it all be a lie was hard for me to believe. Therefore, slowly I started to consider Jesus as truth, and I began to try to connect or communicate with Him as much as possible. From this, I have no doubt that He is real, and I have seen him completely change how I live and treat others. The ideas of sin and Hell are hard concepts to swallow, however, I think the way Western Culture teaches these things is not always correct. This leads many "Christians" to believe a false narrative of God and human nature. I believe all humanity is flawed, however, I don't believe if a baby dies it will go to hell, even if sin is "inherent". God judges wisely and with compassion. Also "hell" is interpreted differently among many Christians. I believe that if you make the decision to live away from God while on earth, God will respect that decision. Hell is simply just separation from God, no matter what that looks like. However, I think God judges people differently according to their circumstances. For the people that hypothetically have never been exposed to Jesus, I think God can make a just choice on where their heart was while living on earth.I don't know how God judges everyone individually, but its the fact that he DOES judge and see our circumstances. Many people think God having judgment is bad, however, it is actually fair and kind, as he makes decisions based off of our lives and not assumptions. Many Christians aren't always kind- maybe from false teachings or interpretations of Jesus that make them behave differently- however, neither is all non-Christians. Everyone needs work, even if we can't see it. For me, since knowing Jesus authentically, and having a relationship with God (not following rules or rituals like I was taught) I have seen my character and heart change. I am not perfect, and I still struggle so much, but I can only attribute my heart change to the love I have found with Jesus.
I came from an abusive church background with a father who was a minister that abused my mother and all of us and survived. But seeing the faithfulness of God through it all, and the dangers of Satan, has kept me in the faith. Especially when I’ve encountered satanist who has even confessed to not being able to attack me spiritually because of the blood of Jesus. And I will use my testimony to encourage others. DON’T GIVE UP THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH! No matter the circumstances!
Sad. Imagine being so privileged in life that you can chose to leave God and faith whenever you want. The freedom God gives us to leave him when we don’t like something. I’ve seen the demonic and experienced the demonic to the point I have no choice but to stay with Christ even till my death. Christ has also SAVED me and my family as well as others from witchcraft, why would I leave?? When you truly experience evil, you’ll never want to leave the hope and power that’s in Christ. People in North Korea who hold on to their Christian faith even in prison and only have a page of a chapter from the bible as a torch light to their souls are one of the most INSPIRATIONAL people! Who hold on to God in the midst of uncertainty and suffering! That spiritual resilience is what ANY Christian pre or post faith should be aiming for!
Whoever is reading this! Hold on to Christ! Hold. On.
1 Timothy 4:1
IYKYK
🙏🏽👑❤️⚔️
All Glory be to Jesus Christ
I was not raised with religion at all. However when I was about 6 years old I thought maybe I should believe in god just in case so I don't go to hell. I almost immediately realized that if that were true then it would mean god is literally a monster and it would be our humane and ethical duty to oppose such an obscenity.
Shut up, you can't even make it past creation. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
I was in the ministry .... I am now gone from it all
I have only seen the title and not listened to the story- but if you're no longer a christian- it just means you were never a real christian in the first place, you never really knew Christ personally .. because once you meet the King of kings- there is nothing that could make you change your mind or turn your back on Him for good.. He is SO SO SO GOOD... PERFECT LOVE, PERFECT PEACE- PERFECT PRESENCE, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY are YOU LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!!
Wrong. I know it's hard to believe something that doesn't fit inside your box. I have literally been there. To assume you can know the beliefs and thoughts of another human is a dangerous game. Proceed with caution friend.
Also, watch the video before you comment on someones post... it's the least you could do before asking them to read your opinion about it.
Grace and peace.
@@Trentenjoel ok- so are you telling me that you knew the KING then and had met/known Him personally?
@@Trentenjoel you can't 'un-child' from your parents. Romans 10:9 says to confess with your heart. God knows your heart and that you never confessed that in your heart. You can trick yourself but not God. I stay the hell out of churches but I don't just go and whine about them and act as if I'm now so smart. You don't even follow what the bible says, you just pretend you do.
@danielmullings3600 thank you for your questions.
The reason I chose to believe Christianity is reasonably simple. I had already tried many different paths, philosophies and testing out different forms of spirituality in the New Age- but nothing filled this void I had or satisfied my desire to know what the meaning of life was all about. When I met some very full on lovely Christians who were very different from anyone Id ever met because they were full of love and joy and claiming to know and walk with God personally, they told me I could have a personal relationship myself and that Jesus was alive. I didn't know if this was true but I was very open and curious to find out if I could find Jesus for myself - and know whether He truly was risen from the grave and alive today.. so I went on a journey and asked Jesus to reveal Himself to me if He was true. I admitted to Him that I didn't understand how the cross worked or anything but I told Him if He was real and willing to help me change and live the way He wanted me to live- then I would follow Him. Everything began to change after I prayed that prayer and what started with a very subtle but profound experience- I ended up having a radical encounter with Him and got born- again- and filled with His Spirit. At that point, all of the scriptures came alive and God showed me they were all true. The bible says (in John 3:16) For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. I knew the moment I received everlasting life, that was when Jesus entered my heart, washed away my sins and filled me with His Spirit. There are many things that also happened in my experience that were in the word of God. It all just showed me it was true because what God said He would do for us, He was doing for me. He cleansed me, healed me, delivered me from darkness and poured out His love, joy, peace, goodness into my heart. I was radically changed and no one could ever make me doubt again because the miracle He had done was in my own heart and life.
Q2.
Jesus said to all of His disciples that they must go and spread the good- news of His gospel. That all who believe may repent of their sins and be saved. And for the last 2000 years the gospel has been getting shared and taken into all the world and all the nations , so every tribe and tongue, no matter what their background or religion- may hear the good news about Jesus and believe or not. Everyone is welcome- but not everyone will believe or enter the kingdom.
We get saved by grace through faith, this is not of ourselves but the gift of God, not by works so that no one should be saved. Ephesians 2:8-9
💓💓💓
May God bless you and draw you into Himself, that you may know the Truth and that the Truth will set you free! 😘🙏🙏🙏💓
You are totally brainwashed. You sound exactly like what they teach at many churches
as a christian i wanted to lovingly show my opinion, and what i believe my response!
1. original sin. personally i believe eventually a child understands whats good and evil, thats why some people who have never heard of jesus are going to heaven, because they never had a consious to know whats right and wrong, eventually your child comes to that conclusion, some faster than others.
2. Hell
you dont go to hell because you never believed in god, you go to hell if you choose to not want god. He doesnt rip people off like that on judgement day, you would think that everyone wants to go to heaven, but theres people who verbally say they dont wanna go to heaven. God allows free will, for us to choose god and spend eternity with him.
hell is seperation from god, which you are already living without jesus
3. seperation from non believers.
i personally have friends who are non believers, and i dont look down on them, i look at them with love, and if you truly love someone, you should spread gods love to them.
I dont see my christianity as a border between us, but even if that were true, the most important thing is your relationship w god!
this is not meant to be a attack to anyone. Jesus loves yall
i love your honesty, and I believe that god has a plan
Thanks for this!
@@Trentenjoel
Your welcome! I commonly have these questions as a christian.
I had super big questions, i researched, and sometimes it took awhile to find my answers sometimes. So i hope that this isnt the end of the searching, that you would comtinue to search for answers.
its perfectly normal to have big questions, and i believe that this is not the end
Thanks so much for this.. I relate so much to your story..and omg I still say this dumb prayer for forgiveness for no reason whatsoever other than I guess I was conditioned to be scared of going to hell. It's sad that not believing is still "taboo" in this country ...it's about time something changes....there are way too many kids still being indoctrinated...to live a shameful,hurtful,depressing life...traumatized into adulthood even. Im glad there are good people speaking out :)
The prayer is not what saves someone (I got tangled in that too). It is belief in Jesus Christ and His finished work that saves a person. Please allow me to quote Dave Hunt from the Berean Call:
"The gospel is all about what Christ has done. It says nothing about what Christ must yet do because the work of our redemption is finished. “Christ died for our sins.” His was a past act, never to be repeated, for Christ triumphantly declared, “It is finished” (John:19:30)!
Nor does it say anything about what we must do, because we can do nothing. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus:3:5); “for by grace are ye saved through faith...the gift of God (is) not of works, lest any man should boast...” (Ephesians:2:8, 9). Instead of works, the gospel requires faith. It is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans:4:5)...“that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John:3:16).
The gospel is a two-edged sword. It declares, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” The same verse also says, “and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John:3:36). Right here we come to the most difficult part of the gospel to accept-that those who do not believe it are eternally lost, no matter what good works they do.
The reasons for that fact are grounded in both God’s love and His justice. God’s justice requires that the infinite penalty for sin must be paid. In payment we would be separated from God forever, so He became a man through the virgin birth to pay the penalty for us. No one can complain against God. He has proved His love by doing all He could for our salvation. He has himself paid the penalty and on that basis can be both “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans:3:26).
Christ pleaded in the Garden, “if it be possible (i.e., if there is any other way mankind can be saved), let this cup pass from me” (Matthew:26:39). We know that there is no other way, or God would not have required His beloved Son to bear the full brunt of His wrath against sin. The fact that men nailed Christ to the cross would only condemn us. But on the cross, when man was doing his worst to his Creator, Christ paid the penalty for our sins in full. Only if we accept that payment on our behalf can we be saved.
“[T]here is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts:4:12); “what must I do to be saved?...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts:16:30, 31). To “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” includes who He is and what He has done.
Jesus said, “...Ye are from beneath; I am from above...if ye believe not that I AM [this is God’s name, Yahweh], ye shall die in your sins” (John:8:23, 24). Jesus himself says we must believe that He is God, for He is; and no one less than God could save us. We must believe that the sinless One “died for our sins,” and was buried; and that He rose bodily from the grave. Only by believing this gospel are we saved. So says God’s Word.
Why could not even a Mother Teresa get to heaven by good works? Because we are all sinners; and because once we have broken one of God’s commandments we “[are] guilty of all” (James:2:10); and “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight” (Romans:3:20). Keeping the law perfectly from now on could never make up for having already broken it.
For God to grant salvation by any other means than faith in Christ alone would be an insult to the One whom the Father insisted had to endure His wrath as the sacrifice for sin. Furthermore, God would be breaking His own code of justice and going back on His Word. No, even God himself could not save earth’s most notable “saint.” Christ’s blood avails only for repentant sinners. Oswald Chambers warned lest, in our zeal to get people to accept the gospel, we manufacture a gospel acceptable to people and produce “converts” who are not saved."
Poor little you, whine because of screwed up churches but you won't think. 1LofT states that energy can't be created or destroyed, it can't happen naturally. One aspect of the 2LofT shows that the universe is winding down, usable energy is becoming less usable. Creation had to be done supernaturally at some point.
Great video. I’ve been feeling the same lately. I can live by Christian values but my heart is not in it because a God wants us too. It just doesn’t feel authentic. So I became agnostic.
Hey Trent, just wanted to share a quick testimony with you.
I was in an abusive home and very depressed as a kid. The house I lived in was falling apart and I was the only child so the focus of abuse was on me.
Religion was not practiced, we did not go to church. I was around the age of 13 when we were going over the throws neck bridge into NYC. I didn't even look at the water. All of a sudden I fell over dead in the backseat. I was no longer in my body and a giant door or gate opened. Behind the door was a man that seemed to be made of light, he was transfixed. I felt an overwhelming feeling of love. He held his hand out to me but never said anything to me. I also saw a ball of light floating on his side.
When I came back into my body, I could not move right away. It took awhile for my body to reconnect with my spirit.
It was the most amazing experience of my life. I don't tell too many about it. But, I wanted you to know, it's all real bro. God, Jesus, angels, heaven all real.
Many blessings to you Trent, I hope the justification of the saints in your family are taken notice by the Lord, that he might call on you one day, like he did me.
Thanks for sharing, and yes, it certainly is all real: Jim Woodford, Bryan Melvin, and Ivan Tuttle have incredibly trustworthy NDEs because neither of them believed Christianity was true, but each of their lives changed after what they saw. Kevin Zadai is another good name. He was Christian when he died, but the things he learned on the other side are eye-opening. Everyone has questions, but there's an answer to every question.
Your video was very sincere. I gave up on Christianity this year and share similar experiences with you. I remember when my first child was born and looking at him in my arms. How could this little boy who is holding my finger go to hell? How is he "a viper in a diaper"? I was a youth pastor, missionary and a bible college graduate to top it all off. It's been a process to find healing from the years of self-inflicted damage of indoctrination, but with some therapy, I have become a better husband and father because I now know I have meaning. It's not God who gives me meaning like how I was taught to believe, but I have meaning in myself. Years of self-hate through erasing myself to conform to the image of Christ led to loosing who I was and any relationship I had.
Thanks for taking time to share your personal journey with religion and church. I am sad listening to your story though. I will be praying for you to encounter Jesus for yourself, not as a religion or a set of church rituals but as a Lover, Saviour and Friend. There is no fear or lack of true faith when you do. The doubts and areas of theological disagreement you mention will no longer be sources of offence to you. Truly, perfect love casts out frustration and fear, doubt and disagreement. Meeting Jesus isn’t about avoiding hell but having a piece of Heaven here on Earth. When I listen to you, it seems your issue is more with religion, the church and religious “Christians” rather than Jesus, Himself. Thus, the sadness in listening to your story. And, just out of curiosity, what does the bunk beds have to do with the main message of your video?
God is separate from religion. I feel so sorry this happened to you. I felt this way before, always busy at church, I still go though very hard things as married to a Pastoral Family. It’s extremely hard, but I understand God is not church. Many sadly believe church is God. Many are doing so much work at church and not even spending 5mins alone with God. I was one of them for years, always at church but never with God. I separated from church, I almost became an atheist, I felt free to manage my time and schedule as I wished, also thought church was controlling and judgy I wanted nothing to do with their members. I’m at a better place right now, still a Christian, to me there’s no way to deny God’s existence.
I never 'left' christianity. I discovered and honed my critical thinking skills. Christianity became extraneous. It was just thrown away like many things as a child I loved but had no use for when I grew up.
Thank you. Idk what all of these people expect. Its usually the same excuses though.
1. They were there for the wrong reasons.
2. PEOPLE didn't meet their expectations.
3. They had no interest in learning Christs teaching and God's Word. (See #1)
4. They witnessed hypocrisy by PEOPLE (see #2)
5. They made no effort to study the teachings of Christ in their own time (see #1)
6. Fails to realize that they can have a personal relationship with but had to be dictated by other people. (See #2)
7. They depended on the people in church to make them feel better. (See #1 & #2)
They got disillusioned easily so they turned their backs on God.
Its ALWAYS the same excuses.
I am 52 and have been to church services maybe 5 times. Ive been where they are, but chose to seek and serve God in Jesus' real church, which is myself.
@@HappyHermitt talk about blaming people when you say "they got disillusioned so easily." Do you even understand religious trauma and the path they have to travel and suffer so incessantly?
After all God has done for me in my life I could never deny him, I can't think of a worse thing to do...On top of that now is the worst time a person could do that with the end drawing near....
Trying to put fear into people not working
Miss is right 😅
Yep. I always wanted my husband to change and always prayed for that. I can accept him so much more with all his imperfections now. Also as our baby was born my hubby always questioned - how can they say that they are born sinful? Look at this innocence. And sending people to hell just because they don't believe in you is very manipulative. Like someone mentioned. If God is truly loving, he would make 2 heavens, one for those who choose him and another one for those who don't chose him. That's true love and acceptance.
Allow me to quote Dave Hunt from The Berean Call:
The gospel is all about what Christ has done. It says nothing about what Christ must yet do because the work of our redemption is finished. “Christ died for our sins.” His was a past act, never to be repeated, for Christ triumphantly declared, “It is finished” (John:19:30)!
Nor does it say anything about what we must do, because we can do nothing. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus:3:5); “for by grace are ye saved through faith...the gift of God (is) not of works, lest any man should boast...” (Ephesians:2:8, 9). Instead of works, the gospel requires faith. It is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans:4:5)...“that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John:3:16).
The gospel is a two-edged sword. It declares, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” The same verse also says, “and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John:3:36). Right here we come to the most difficult part of the gospel to accept-that those who do not believe it are eternally lost, no matter what good works they do.
The reasons for that fact are grounded in both God’s love and His justice. God’s justice requires that the infinite penalty for sin must be paid. In payment we would be separated from God forever, so He became a man through the virgin birth to pay the penalty for us. No one can complain against God. He has proved His love by doing all He could for our salvation. He has himself paid the penalty and on that basis can be both “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans:3:26).
Christ pleaded in the Garden, “if it be possible (i.e., if there is any other way mankind can be saved), let this cup pass from me” (Matthew:26:39). We know that there is no other way, or God would not have required His beloved Son to bear the full brunt of His wrath against sin. The fact that men nailed Christ to the cross would only condemn us. But on the cross, when man was doing his worst to his Creator, Christ paid the penalty for our sins in full. Only if we accept that payment on our behalf can we be saved.
“[T]here is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts:4:12); “what must I do to be saved?...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts:16:30, 31). To “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” includes who He is and what He has done.
Jesus said, “...Ye are from beneath; I am from above...if ye believe not that I AM [this is God’s name, Yahweh], ye shall die in your sins” (John:8:23, 24). Jesus himself says we must believe that He is God, for He is; and no one less than God could save us. We must believe that the sinless One “died for our sins,” and was buried; and that He rose bodily from the grave. Only by believing this gospel are we saved. So says God’s Word.
Why could not even a Mother Teresa get to heaven by good works? Because we are all sinners; and because once we have broken one of God’s commandments we “[are] guilty of all” (James:2:10); and “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight” (Romans:3:20). Keeping the law perfectly from now on could never make up for having already broken it.
For God to grant salvation by any other means than faith in Christ alone would be an insult to the One whom the Father insisted had to endure His wrath as the sacrifice for sin. Furthermore, God would be breaking His own code of justice and going back on His Word. No, even God himself could not save earth’s most notable “saint.” Christ’s blood avails only for repentant sinners. Oswald Chambers warned lest, in our zeal to get people to accept the gospel, we manufacture a gospel acceptable to people and produce “converts” who are not saved.
Original sin, the idea that we are guilty because of Adam and Eve’s isn’t biblical. We are guilty of our own sin. We are born with a sinful nature and so no one is perfect. But we are born innocent until we’re aware of right and wrong and we’ll fail at it and that’s how we end up guilty. That’s why we need Jesus. Anyone who really seeks truth God does reveal to them one way or another. So many stories like that. Good does not equal perfect, but our trust in Jesus is what saves us. I don’t know what you were taught growing up, but If you weren’t loving the lost or were asking Jesus “into your heart” everyday because you were afraid to go to hell, someone failed you. And that’s really heartbreaking. That’s not the gospel. Sadly, humans tend to screw it up with dogmatic doctrines that are not in the Bible. The gospel is good news and is very simple and is the most loving thing God can do and offers it to all. Many will reject it, but that’s their choice. And those who truly seek truth and God will find Him. Forget what you were taught and read the Bible for yourself with no filters. Ask God to show you the real gospel. There’s a lot I learned in church growing up that is not in the Bible and I was so happy that God wasn’t the way He was painted to me. He truly is love.