[The below statement was originally posted on my Facebook page today. Its primary audience is anyone who knows me in “real life” but I wanted to share it with you as well].
I renounce Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, and I deny the Holy Spirit.
There. I said it. It’s done. Finished.
Some may think this is too deep, or TMI for a Facebook post. I somewhat agree with you, but despite that, I have specific reasons for doing so. This will also be posted on my blog and elsewhere. You are free to share with anyone who may know me.
This is frankly not the first time I’ve said those words out loud, but it is the first time I’ve said or written them publicly. Why now? Because I’m tired of hiding, stepping on eggshells, dancing around the truth, and generally not being myself. It’s making me miserable, and I want it to end. For various reasons which I’ll not go into right now, I feel the need to write this statement of de-conversion (and unforgiveable blasphemy according to Mark 3:29) from Christianity and all religion, and tell the world. Here. Now.
If anyone who still believes in and follows Jesus Christ (or other gods) wishes to un-friend me or otherwise cut me out of their lives, please feel free to do so now. It would be nice if you give me the courtesy of telling me you are doing this first, so that I do not expend any more emotional energy trying to be a friend to someone who will not or cannot reciprocate. Just know that I will be here waiting to accept you back if you choose to do the same for me.
I am open and more than willing to answer any question(s) anyone (theist and non-theist alike) has for me as long as they are stated with a true hope and desire to understand rather than to attack, condemn, or “save.” I ask that any attempts to “bring me back into the fold” die before they are tried. This is not something I came to overnight. My path of unbelief has been a long road that I’m still traveling. It is a road I am happy to be on.
I understand your sadness. I once believed deeply in Christ. This belief was not fake. I understand your concern for my immortal soul. Please understand, I do not share this sadness, or concern for my soul. I do not believe I (or you) have a soul. I am not afraid of spending eternity in hell, because I do not believe it exists. I did not “lose faith.” I am not angry with “god.” I have merely applied my (not unique) human gifts of reason, logic, and analytical thought to evidence as I have learned it. This is a constant cycle of growth and understanding. A cycle I’ll be on until my last breath. I do not wish to cause you any pain. I merely want to be who I am, and out from the shadows.
You do not have to agree with me or even like everything about me to be my friend (or family member), as I have, and hope to continue to have many friends who are believers. But you must respect, accept me for who I am, and not go out of your way to hurt me. If you cannot do this, I wish you well in your life, and hope you find what you seek. If you want to remain my friend, I would welcome your comments/messages in that regard as well (though not required whatsoever: This is not a fishing expedition of validation).
To anyone out there who (un)believes as I do – that no god(s) exist — or is on a journey in that direction, and wants to either comment here or send me a message, I would love and appreciate that more than I can express. Know that you have a friend here who understands you. Trust that I will keep your secrets, and/or support you in your public exposure, and quest to learn the universe’s truth (small “t” intended), whichever is your wish.
Thank you all for reading. I wish you all the happiness in the world. This life, this only life, is too short to be anything else.
Peace,
PersephoneK
See also an earlier blog post about my deconversion.
