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It's Monday morning here at the office and nothing brightens my day more than to receive a well written testimonial from someone who has shaken off the ignorance of organized religion. I say "organized" because I have no problem with spirituality per se or individual personal beliefs that do not affect my life. In any event, I urge people to check out the blog B.A.N.C of America and Ms. O'Del's description of her "conversion". Here is an excerpt (and my apologies to Ms. O'Del - we infringe copyright here on a regular basis):

Let me tell you a little bit about my background. I was raised in a good Christian home by good Christian parents. I went to church every Sunday. I was actively involved in my youth group. I attended all church functions, even if they were held on days other than Sunday. I went to youth conferences, church camps, retreats – you name it, I was there. When I was a kid I attended Vacation Bible School in the summer, and when I was older I helped run it. I prayed. I read the Bible and knew it inside out. I was anti-abortion. I planned on being a virgin until I married. I listened to everything my Sunday School teacher said and automatically took on every political stance that was supported by the Church.

Then around age 20, I had an epiphany. Something happened that year (college maybe?) that forced me to start using my brain and thinking for myself. I might even say, ironically enough, that it was a religious experience because it changed my life. I realized two things: First, I don’t believe a single word of this religious nonsense! And second, Christians are some of the creepiest people I have ever met.

I remember attending retreats and watching everyone wave their hands, close their eyes and burst into tears while singing. Creepy.

I remember people passing out during a prayer because the Holy Spirit was present and it was too much for them to handle. Creepy.

I remember evangelists standing in the middle of the street, screaming on about the perils of Hell and how we are all destined for eternal damnation if we do not repent. Creepy.

I remember an evangelist knocking on my door in the middle of the day and trying to get my personal info. Creepy.

I remember attending Generation Church (hate that place), where some girl I had never met before looked me directly in the eyes, as if to cast a spell on me, and began reciting some gibberish mantra. Super creepy.

But the thing I remember most is that I didn't feel what I knew I was supposed to feel. I went through all the motions, including getting baptized, but was never really into it. I also found, as I got older, that I was less and less willing to swallow whatever truth was being shoved down my throat. Most of what I learned in Sunday School conflicted grossly with science and reason. So I stopped going to church, started forming my own opinions, and developed a deep interest in reality.

By the way, BANC is my own acronym for Born Again Non-Christian. I am a person who started off Christian but was “born again” as an independent thinker. To this day, it still pisses me off when I recall how much time (and money!) I spent being a Christian. I tithed. I paid to attend all those conferences and retreats. I worked the functions for free!

Hallelujah!