To summarize my experience, I will outline several challenges that many Christians face when trying to objectively evaluate the truth of their beliefs. It took me years to reach the conclusion that the faith instilled in me during childhood was not only untrue but also potentially harmful. This journey involved extensive reading and deep reflection, including multiple readings of the Bible over a two-year span and numerous works by influential Christian authors and apologists, all in search of justification for my beliefs. It's astonishing how long it took me to arrive at what should have been an obvious conclusion. (I will include footnote references for a deeper exploration of each topic.)

To clarify a common misconception, atheism does not equate to denying the existence of a deity; rather, it stems from a lack of evidence supporting such beliefs. Should credible evidence arise, many atheists would reconsider their stance. Despite being vilified and misrepresented, the majority of atheists I have met are genuinely seeking truth and are often compassionate individuals striving for a better, more equitable world.

Numerous individuals, including many evangelical ministers, have faced estrangement from their families, friends, and jobs for moving away from religious beliefs.

1) The Bible’s Internal Conflicts and Moral Issues Could No Longer Be Ignored There are numerous contradictions and instances of immoral actions sanctioned by God within the Bible. How could a benevolent and perfect deity inspire a text rife with ambiguities, leading to the emergence of countless denominations due to varying interpretations? A clearer mode of communication could have spared many lives from suffering and death. Why are there no simple commands against slavery or the dehumanization of women? Why was the flood necessary, resulting in the destruction of innocent lives? Phrases like “God works in mysterious ways” became increasingly unconvincing. This issue alone should have sufficed for me, but my fear of hell kept me tethered to my beliefs.

2) The Existence of Other Religions Raises Questions About God's Love I had been taught that Christianity was the sole truth and that my denomination was superior, with others, including Catholics, destined for hell. It struck me that we “true” believers represented a minuscule fraction of humanity. Why was I fortunate enough to be among the few? The vast majority of people, past and present, adhere to different faiths and worship various deities they believe to be true. Their sincerity and sacrifices should not be dismissed, given the monumental structures they erected in honor of their gods.

It seemed implausible that a loving God would allow such widespread deception affecting countless souls. Surely, God could have prevented the emergence of figures like Buddha or Muhammad, potentially saving millions.

Most people inherit the religion of their parents and the cultural context they are born into. If born in Saudi Arabia, many Christians would likely be Muslims, and vice versa. This indoctrination is akin to brainwashing, explaining why intelligent individuals might hold seemingly absurd beliefs and reject undeniable facts.

Cognitive dissonance is a significant reality worth exploring in detail.

While my parents meant well and genuinely believed in their teachings, they too were products of their upbringing. When remnants of doubt resurface from my subconscious, I remind those lingering thoughts of their origins.

3) The Argument of Creation: “Can Something Come from Nothing?” Apologists often assert that it’s impossible for something to arise from nothing, yet they seldom address where God originated. They claim that billions of years of evolution are implausible while simultaneously accepting an all-powerful deity who exists outside of time and space, knows everything, and answers countless prayers simultaneously. The more I pondered this, the more illogical it appeared.

The notion that God existed for trillions of years prior to creating humanity, with some asserting this occurred less than 10,000 years ago, is staggering. The scientific perspective, grounded in evidence and reason, became increasingly convincing compared to the fervent claims I heard in church. Yet, I tried to maintain my faith out of fear of damnation.

It struck me as cruel that, after eons of existence, an all-knowing God would create a world where over 99% of living beings must prey on one another for survival.

4) The Cruelty of Nature: A God Who Created a Food Chain of Fear If God did not derive pleasure from witnessing the suffering of his creations, why didn't He design a system where they could thrive without living in constant fear of being hunted? Perhaps humans, who crafted the notion of God, have outsmarted Him. Throughout history, countless deities have been worshiped; were they real, or merely human inventions? What are the odds of anyone selecting the “correct” one among thousands? Most of us, myself included, were taught that our deity was the only true one, while all others were false.

5) The Holy Spirit's Absence in Transforming Lives For me, the lack of visible change in Christians' lives was a significant issue. Conversion was supposed to bring about transformation, making individuals more Christ-like. According to Galatians 5:22-24, the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—should manifest in a believer's life.

However, the absence of such transformations led me to question the truth of Christianity. Some preachers suggested “fake it until you make it,” while others claimed that “goosebumps” signified the Holy Spirit's presence. The promises of eternal life, joy, and divine guidance seemed contradicted by the fear and anxiety prevalent among believers. How could it be that my pastor, who should exemplify love, displayed racism and hostility toward non-believers? The lack of discernible change only reinforced my doubts.

Today, with the rise of social media, the inconsistencies between professed beliefs and observable behavior are more evident. Many self-proclaimed Christians actively support harmful actions, including racism and violence, while neglecting the welfare of the vulnerable.

The disconnect between the biblical promise of transformation and the reality of believers' lives further indicates that the Bible may not be inspired by a benevolent deity.

6) Unfulfilled Promises in Scripture The Bible offers numerous unconditional promises: asking in Jesus’ name will yield results (John 14:13-14), healing will be granted (James 5:14-15), and peace will guard hearts (Philippians 4:6-7). Yet, none of these promises appear to hold true.

Despite hearing many accounts of miraculous occurrences, they often lacked objective verification and were typically explainable by other means. I longed to witness a genuine miracle to dispel my doubts, but after attending numerous healing services, I never saw anything definitive. The laws of nature have consistently prevailed, and no documented supernatural intervention has ever occurred.

In conclusion, while many have abandoned their faith for various reasons—including the existence of suffering and environmental disasters—my brief overview highlights key issues that challenge belief.

Millions of individuals raised in religious environments are grappling with their beliefs, often feeling guilty for questioning what they were taught. Religious Trauma Syndrome can have effects similar to childhood abuse, and professional help can aid in recovery.

If you find yourself in this situation, Recovering from Religion offers valuable resources and support. Their 24-hour chat line is accessible at https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org or by calling 844-368-2848. They also provide referrals to qualified mental health professionals through the Secular Therapy Project.

Continue to explore these topics; it may take time, but many have successfully liberated themselves from the constraints of early indoctrination. Seek out like-minded communities, attend Humanist and Free Thought conferences, and engage with podcasts and literature that delve deeper into these issues. You are not alone.