Andrews - Deconverted A Journey from Religion to Reason

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Deconverted

A Journey from Religion to Reason

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2013 Seth Andrews

v3.0

Cover Photo 2013 Seth Andrews. All rights reserved - used with permission.

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Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I want to thank Natalie, the woman who has been my friend, advisor, conscience, theological sparring partner and the person who has colored my life with joy beyond words. Despite our differences, she has been a constant source of support, and through thick and thin, she continues to encourage me to be my true self, to speak honestly and to pursue the things Im passionate about. Of the many successes Ive had in these recent years, the happy home weve built together is the one Im most proud of.

Despite our disagreements on religious issues, I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to my mother and father for their love, their strength of conviction and a genuine desire to see their children rescued from harm. Weve had our moments of pronounced division, but even though my particular apple has fallen far from the tree, I have no doubt that our bond as a family can cross all barriers. The differences between us can now be the brands of individuality that make life all the more interesting, and its my hope that my entire family will celebrate the desire of each child and grandchild to find his or her own voice.

The Thinking Atheist community was founded by a single person, but it has thrived because of the contributions of many volunteers and supporters. Their time, talents, wisdom, enthusiasm and passion have humbled me beyond words. To James, Meg, Marco, Hilary, William, Stacey, Thom and Gary, you make me look much better than I deserve, and Im infinitely grateful for each of you.

I also must acknowledge those who have inspired me throughout my journey. Richard Dawkins was one of the first secular biologists I had ever been introduced to, and his books were a game changer during a critical time in my life. Jerry DeWitt and Teresa MacBain have brought the kind heart of the pastor into the often harsh culture of non-belief. The speeches and books of Michael Shermer and Dan Barker have been hugely beneficial, and both men have been kind enough to appear on my radio show on several occasions. Darrel Ray has helped me to blush a little less whenever my radio show explores issues of sexuality before an audience of thousands. James Randi has helped to release my inner skeptic. Matt Dillahunty, AronRa, Thunderf00t, Cristina Rad, Evid3nc3, DarkMatter2525, DPRJones, Phil Hellenes, NonStampCollector, potholer54 and many other internet icons continually produce solid, thoughtful and often inspiring videos, and Im proud to be among their YouTube subscribers.

Perhaps the single most influential person in my journey was a man whose white-hot light was snuffed out far too soon. Christopher Hitchens rattled my cage, tickled my funny bone and sent hurricane winds through the cobwebs between my ears. I often grieve that this treasure of a man is lost, and then I give thanks that Im alive in an age where his books, his interviews, his speeches and his absolutely unique voice can be enjoyed and replayed for this generation and the ones to follow. I never had the opportunity to shake Hitchens hand, but to my last day, I will consider him a friend.

Foreword

by Teresa MacBain

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God is a classic sermon preached by Jonathon Edwards that led, in part, to the Great Awakening of New England in the early 1700s. Edwards sermon represents the classic turn-or-burn religious worldview that Seth Andrews and I were both indoctrinated with as children, and it helps to perhaps explain why it took both of us so long to gain the courage to challenge superstitious thinking.

I was first introduced to Seths website when I was an active Methodist pastor in the Deep South. As I taught from the pulpit, I was secretly coming to terms with my own non-belief, hungry for knowledge and desperate to know that someone else like me existed. Thats when I ran across Seths podcast at The Thinking Atheist. I cant remember the first episode I listened to, but I know that every subsequent episode had me glued to my iPod. The interviews, the stories, the callers, and Seths own comments were a lifeline that slowly helped me to emerge from the deep waters of doubt and arrive at the place where I was willing to admit that I had moved from faith to reason.

My first conversation with Seth occurred while I was still in the closet. I called in as a special podcast guest on a show titled, Pastors Who No Longer Believe. During the phone interview, I felt such a kinship with Seth. Our journeys seemed to parallel each other at every turn. After the interview, Ill never forget Seth asking to speak to me a little while longer. He offered encouragement and compassion to me, sharing his own struggles openly and honestly. His words gave me the courage to continue my quest for truth, regardless of the outcome.

I must admit that when I finally met Seth in person, I had a bit of the, Oh my God! I just met Seth Andrews! reaction. But Seth didnt seem to notice and certainly didnt have a star mentality. Maybe he didnt realize how important his story was to thousands of people just like me.

Seth Andrews is one of those people who walks into your life, and youre forever changed by the encounter. His book brings to light how religion indoctrinates and isolates people from the truth, often for a lifetime. He shares (with a refreshing sense of honesty) his own struggles on the road to freedom, and he is passionate to find the truth.

I am deeply honored to write the foreword to this book. I believe Seths story will be a beacon of light for many who are trying to find their way through the thick maze of doubt and confusion, just as his podcasts did for me.

• - Teresa MacBain
  Public Relations Director - American Atheists
  First female graduate of The Clergy Project.

Table of Contents

Introduction

You were never really saved to begin with.

I hear this charge almost weekly. On my website. On YouTube. On Facebook. A passionate Christian reads my story and exclaims that nobody whod experienced a legitimate encounter with the risen Savior could ever reject his love, his truth and his gift of eternal life. I obviously wasnt ever a true believer. I missed a step. I did it wrong. Jesus never actually entered my heart. My religious upbringing, my salvation prayer, my baptism, my Bible-based education, my years as a Christian broadcaster and my ultimate rejection of it all are null and void, because I had been a counterfeit.

Or perhaps I had once truly believed, but nearing my 40s, I had lost my way. I was going through a phase. I was neck-deep in the throes of a midlife crisis. Family and friends might assert that, instead of the sports car and hair plugs, Ive simply tried on a glamorous new worldview thats shocking, rebellious, edgy. It must make me feel like a teenager again. And they are probably convinced that, after a few years of sowing my wild oats (feeling all vigorous and sexy), surely Ill get it out of my system.