Comment

Comment by William Billein Johnson on November 29, 2011 at 7:22pm

PK/MK: Relating to parents and family beyond superficiality is sadly problematic. I enjoyed a wonderful international and multicultural childhood and upbringing. I understand why overcoming tribalism and cultism can take generations, because it hurts so very much to discard and dismiss what people we care most deeply about hold most dear. Atheism is certainly not the absence of empathy amd sensitivity, and for those of us who care about and respect our Believing families and nurturers, the truth is aheavy burden. If atheism is to gain (as I hope) a public majority, then we must learn to support each other in every way as powerfully as believers in myth.

Comment by Nolan Warner on July 9, 2011 at 2:17am

I was raised in the Southern Baptist Cult since I was a little tyke.  Often me and my sister were the only kids our age in the sunday school class.  I was facinated by the history recounted in the Bible and the stories and eventually opted to become a minister.  I made it through Dallas Baptist College with a double major of Theology/History.  From there I went to Southwestern Theological where things began to unravel.  I didn't last long.  I could no longer keep up the lie.  I knew too much to subjugate my intellect for faith.  I left seminary and tried to reconcile my disbelief by finding a more intellectual church.  The First Methodist in Fort Worth was a pit stop on the intellectual journey.  It did not last long either.  I finally gave up trying to reconcile faith with facts.  I have never regretted abandoning the superstition.  In fact it is just an open embarrasment to me that I ever believed any of that nonsense. 

Comment by William Jackson on May 17, 2011 at 10:53pm

In the little Georgia town I came from, Raleigh White Baptist Church WAS my families church. If you went on any given night, you would find a Jackson family member teaching bible study. I use to go with my cousin to teach and help set up snacks for the other kids, I only went because I wanted delicious snacky cheese crackers and juice too!!

Comment by Laura Johnson on January 26, 2011 at 10:03pm

I was born into a very strict Southern Baptist family...I went "soul winning" every week. I lived with my mother and step-dad. At the age of 13, while I was on a teen trip to a Bible College in TX, my mom found my diary expressing my dislike of the church and their ridiculous rules and gave it to the preacher of our church..who shared it with the youth pastor.  Upon my return, I was called into the preacher's office, where the pastor proceeded to read me excerpts from my diary. I was then sent to the youth pastor's office where I was told what a horrible sinful person I was going to become if I were to live with my dad "out in the world". That night, I was sent to live with my dad. My mother and 2 younger sister's cut off all contact with me 4 years ago. Although it was a dreadfully embarrasing experience, I'm glad I made it out when I did.

Comment by Brooke Bender on August 26, 2010 at 1:37am

I remember the first sermon I attended at a SBC. The preacher used the old chesnut, "Adam and Eve, NOT Adam and Steve!" My family and I thought it was brilliant at the time. Now...not so much, to say the least! It was at that church that I began to doubt the bible.

Comment by Daniel Brown on May 14, 2010 at 2:08pm

My situation was opposite. One of my grandfathers was Methodist and one Pentecostal. I was raised Southern Baptist by my parents and believed every word I was taught. Obviously. Then, after years of skepticism, I gave up on religion, because it's utterly ridiculous.

Comment by Cara Coleen on May 14, 2010 at 11:44am

nah, it's not Southern Baptist... more charismatic, borderline Pentecostal! lol... both my grandfathers were Southern Baptist preachers though! I think there are millions of Bethels though. :) too bad I wasn't religion-free as soon as you were!

Comment by Daniel Brown on May 14, 2010 at 11:22am

@Cara I left the SBC in 2003. Around 2005, I had completely abandoned irrational thought ;-) I'm glad to be here and not there, too. I've heard of Bethel. That's not Southern Baptist though, is it?

Comment by Cara Coleen on May 14, 2010 at 11:15am

Heyyy Daniel, maybe you hung in my clique in Nashville! I was there for three years (2004-2007) and attended New Song for maybe a year and then The Globe, which was a sister church of Morning Star Ministries, or Bethel, downtown. Sooo glad you're here and not there!!!

Comment by Daniel Brown on May 14, 2010 at 10:16am

Hey, guys! I'm a former fundies/Southern Baptist. In fact, I worked for the Tennessee Baptist Convention for 3.5 years and the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee in Nashville for almost four. I attended and graduated from two Southern Baptist universities. Top that! Hahahaha...anyway, now I'm an atheists and so glad to find a group like this.

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