History and Science
The ‘Help-Rejecting Complainer’ (LSP #213)
Lord Snow Presides over the unique way that knowing how to describe something can help us frame problems—and solve them.
Analyzing Christianity
Fear: Why Hell succeeds as a Christian threat (Journey Into Hell #4)
Hi and welcome back! Lately, we’ve been talking about Hell—as a concept, yes, but also as a beloved threat by a large number of Christians today. As threats go, this one’s absolutely ludicrous. There’s not a chance in Hell (hehe) that any aspect of it could be real. But millions Read more
Codex Disbelievium
We’re made out of meat (Journey Into Hell #3)
Hi and welcome back! Lately, we’ve been talking about Hell—as a concept, yes, but especially as a beloved threat from toxic Christians. Constantly, such Christians deploy this threat to strong-arm new victims into complying with their various demands. Of course, they also use it to keep existing Christians’ butts parked Read more
Analyzing Christianity
The night my fear of Hell died
Today, I’ll tell you what happened the night I finally lost my fear of Hell.
History and Science
Weaponized pet names: Recognize this control-Grab
Recently, I spotted this story from Cheat Sheet about a TV show called 90-Day Fiance. In it, an unpopular star repeatedly calls his ex-girlfriend ‘sweetheart’ in one of this show’s ‘tell-alls.’ And the show’s fans exploded in outrage. They were right to take offense at his use of this pet name. If a target’s Read more
Analyzing Christianity
Deconversion: How Reality Drained My Faith Pool
Hi and welcome back! Lately, we’ve been talking about a Christian book called Atheist Overreach. In particular, yesterday we discussed the ways that Christians mangle and negate science — and even deny reality itself — to make their claims look more valid. That line of thinking led me to memories Read more
The Games We Play
Biff’s Freakout Over ‘Forrest Gump’ (Helped Me Deconvert)
Today, let me tell you about the time Biff fanboyed all over the movie Forrest Gump — and how his freakout helped me along the path to apostasy.
Analyzing Christianity
A Portrait of the Captain in That Lee Strobel List (#1-4)
With his book, Lee Strobel sought to teach evangelicals all about unchurched people — so they could more effectively pitch their product to these strange, alien creatures. Well, I deconverted right around 1994! So today, I want to look at his list in light of what I was like in 1993 and about to walk away from Christianity forever.
Analyzing Christianity
Biff and the Mormons: Scrubbing Toilets in Heaven
Years and years ago, some Mormon missionaries tried to sell my then-husband Biff on a Heavenly upgrade. And his reaction flummoxed them completely. Today, let me show you how those missionaries’ efforts backfired on them.
Analyzing Christianity
A Pastor’s Apology in Portland (Revealed Way Too Much)
On Sunday, I showed you something that happened to me in my freshly-deconverted days. That wasn’t the only thing that happened that day, however. See, the pastor of that church accidentally let slip something huge to me. It turned out to be a truth I really needed to hear. Today, let me show you what else happened, and what it revealed to me at a very critical stage.