I searched in vain for evidence of god's voice, power, and very existence - Rachael Robinson

T/W- brief discussion of rape _________________________________________ Today I spoke with Rachael Robinson, who grew up in a Pentecostal church environment and trusted Jesus as her Savior at a young age, but ultimately deconverted as the truth claims of Christianity fell apart. We touched on many topics, including: • Going to church 4-5 times/week and experiencing very strict modesty culture. • Focusing her life on serving god passionately. • Being told to expect the Rapture and to fear being "left behind." • Facing intense pressure to be "on fire for the Lord." • Seeing people at church falling on the floor and foaming at the mouth in their fervor for the Lord. • Having the church leaders put "blessed" anointing oil on her forehead when she made a profession of faith. • Feeling like she was one of god's "chosen ones." • Facing pressure to speak in tongues and to get baptized. • Attending emotionally intense tent revival services that emphasized "saving souls." • Continually repenting of her sins and thanking Jesus for everything that happened in life. • Fully believing that her mom was getting messages and confirmations directly from god, but observing that whenever her mom got the message wrong, the discrepancy was explained away as a deception of the devil. • Experiencing extreme homophobia from her mother, especially once she (Rachael) came out as a lesbian, while concurrently hearing her dad describe Christianity as an abusive worldview. • Seeing loved ones refuse to go to a doctor, but instead claiming a healing from god, yet not being healed. • Believing that her being raped was deserved because she was not living for Christ. • Feeling constant pressure to rededicate her life to the Lord. • Seeing her mom try to preach in church but hearing male church leaders shut her down. • Knowing that the act of ever questioning the "word of god" would send someone to hell. • Being given the consistent picture in her black church of Jesus being a white man. • As part of her deconversion, shifting to a worldview where rationality and the need for evidence becomes central. • Experiencing much more peace after deconversion than during her time as a Christian. Thanks to Rachael for sharing her story and insights! _________________________________________ Connect with Rachael!    / @thecuriousatheist247   _________________________________________ Please subscribe to my other channels (many more channels and videos coming soon!) https://linktr.ee/harmonicatheist _________________________________________ Tim may be reached by email at: [email protected] _________________________________________ Your support for my channel, Harmonic Atheist, is very appreciated. Monthly   / harmonicatheist   One time PayPal (preferred): paypal.me/harmonictim Venmo: @harmonicatheist Zelle email: [email protected] GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tim-s... Thanks! --Tim _________________________________________ Ending music by Eyal Raz, "Friends"    • Friends   _________________________________________