I grew up without any spiritual teaching at all. My mom went to church on Easter and Christmas, that was about it. At the ripe-old age of 16 I began going to a church youth group because I was dating a girl who was involved in this particular church. After a few months of youth group I began to get involved myself and even began going to Sunday Services. As I turned 17 I gave up drinking and "gave my life to Jesus". I eventually became a leader in our church youth group. Soon it was time to go to college. I chose Biola University because it was in LA and I was really into music and I wanted to be around the music in LA.

I was still smoking cigarettes during this time. But when I got to Biola I realized that smoking was in the same category as heroin!!! They were complete religious nazis! I knew that it was against the rules, but I thought it was such an insignificant issue that it wouldn't really be enforceable (much like the "no dancing" policy that changed while I was there).

My first real problem came during a bible class my first month at Biola: We had to write a research paper on "witnessing" and one requirement was to discuss Jesus with 5 complete strangers and report the results. Now understand this; I was never much of a "witnesser". In fact, I only hesitantly discussed Christianity with non-believers. I told my professor that "witnessing isn't my gift" and he promptly told me that I had to do it, or fail the paper. I was anxious for days trying to get the nerve to go witness, until I finally broke down and made it up!!! I felt horribly, but I just couldn't stand the thought of talking Jesus with complete strangers!

The next semester I had a New Testament Literature class. The professor was discussing the Greek or Aramaic (whatever) translation of the apostles warning that Jesus would return "soon". The prof posited that "soon" meant weeks or months. I raised my hand and asked, "If they meant week or months, doesn't that imply that this portion of scripture is erroneous?"

The class was stunned and silent. I wasn't trying to disprove the bible; I honestly thought it was a valid question for discussion. One by one my classmates gave me all their best bible-school answers concerning the infallibility of the Bible. I just kept my mouth shut and waited for class to end. As I walked out the professor called me aside and asked that I not return to his class unless I am there to take it seriously. It seems I had wasted his time with my question. I made up my mind to leave Biola (My deconversion was complete! Hallelujah!!!). I began applying to various "secular" universities until my speech/debate team coach (I was on the Forensics team) came through with a scholarship. I agreed to stay so long as I didn't have to take Bible classes (everyone who graduates Biola earns a minor in Bible Studies-I could do without the Minor). I met with my academic advisor and we went to the Registrar's office where I was told that I could get a waiver and graduate without Bible!

I finish up my schooling (2 more years) and go in with my graduation application, when I am told I have 18 units of Bible Studies to complete before I graduate!!!!! I flew off the handle! I eventually pleaded to get correspondence course credit for 3 units and with summer school I could graduate with only 1 more semester. I agreed, as I didn't want to go that far and end up with no college degree.

By this time, however, I had gotten a little heavily involved with drugs. I was still functioning and held a job and did well in school, so I didn't think it was a problem. My "best friend" thought I did have a problem, so he told my Academic Advisor! My advisor called me into his office one day to let me know that he was obliged to tell administration what he knew. If he didn't tell, he said, his tenure could be in jeopardy.

So I basically got kicked out and moved along my way.

I left LA and amazingly, after I left LA, and Biola, and Christianity, I soon faded out of the drug/rave/party scene that got me kicked out of Biola in the first place.

A friend of mine's mother not long after asked me why I left Biola and Christianity behind. I told her that one day I asked myself, "What would you do if all of a sudden trumpets sounded, the sky parted and Jesus descended from the sky?" and in a moment of clarity I realized that I couldn't even FATHOM the idea because I simply didn't believe it!

I finally graduated from another university with a History degree, an Art degree, and a Film Production minor. I am happily married with a great son and I am happy to report, none of us are Christian!

Good Day!

Details