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.
The Games We Play
Captain Cassidy and the Case of the Mother’s Day Geraniums
Whether those connections are bound to us by blood or by choice, they’re what matter most. Today, we celebrate Mother’s Day — and the real love that the day represents.
The Games We Play
The seduction of Susan Jacobson in ‘This Present Darkness’ (LSP #134, Ch. 19)
In this installment, we examine how one side character ended up joining the bad guys. Peretti presents it as an awful and bad thing, ominous and scary, but wow, it really struck me as a projection! Today, Lord Snow Presides over a recruitment that sure looks a lot more like an evangelist’s dream proselytization.
Analyzing Christianity
I Faced Persecution For Refusing to Deny My Beliefs (About Santa)
Christians love to boast about how they would totally never deny Jesus. No way! They’d stand strong and be brave! And in exactly the same fashion, I discovered that standing up for my beliefs could earn me shame and mockery from those who just didn’t understand the wonderful Good News… about Santa Claus.