I don’t know how many times I’ve had to rewrite what I’m about to tell you. I don’t know why I should even say anything at all. I don’t know why anyone would care, or rather not care.
I no longer believe in any one religion. No one religion is the same, and the belief in one entity is varied.
I know it seems that so many people these days are turning away from religion and faith. I get many are saying, “Thomas, you still believe in God, but you’re just trying to deny the inevitable.” Let me assure you, I’m not sure who’s right or wrong anymore. I certainly believe what I believe, but my beliefs are my own.
According to Wikipedia (I apologize to all the professors out there in advance), “the exact time when humans first became religious remains unknown; however, research in evolutionary archaeology shows credible evidence of religious-cum-ritualistic behavior from around the Middle Paleolithic era (45–200 thousand years ago).”
I grew up in an evangelical church. My dad was ordained as a pastor in 2004, and my mom volunteered at church.
I grew up in the church, and I was involved in worship ministry up until age 15. I eventually got into singing and working with technology in church. In 2006, I was recruited to help spread the word about an online ministry that had a radio show. In 2012, I took over operations of the ministry and turned it into a semi-successful business.
In 2015, I joined an LGBTQ-affirming church. I became a member within a few months and started helping with the church website and tech team.
It was at this church that my beliefs began to change.
The last time I was in any church was November 2019. I haven’t looked back since.
In February 2022, that online ministry came to a close. It was mainly because of some of the things that I was seeing happen in the Christian music industry that really rattled my nerves. I just couldn’t sit with the issues that were being supported — and still to this day, I can’t do it.
I’m gay. The Christian music industry has shunned some great voices from being a part of the LGBTQ community. I think of artists like Trey Pearson, Marsha Stevens, and Jennifer Knapp. I love their music and continue to follow their journey.
I support women’s reproductive healthcare, or as conservative Christians call it, abortion. The Christian music industry is pro-life, yet chooses a belief that isn’t found in the Bible.
I could go on and on about my beliefs, but I’d rather keep this post short.
The Christian music industry is two-faced. It makes money off of religion.
We’ve marketed one religion so much that we can no longer admit it without losing millions of followers, and of course, money.
Is this how Christianity was meant to be?
Reading in the Gospels, we see that the Pharisees had a love of money, so much so that when Jesus went into the temple and saw what was happening, he started flipping tables, calling out their horrible practice. Are modern-day Christian leaders Pharisees?
If Christianity isn’t about money, then why are we paying a pastor, or a worship leader, or even giving money to the Christian music industry? Shouldn’t Christianity be free? Didn’t Jesus do everything he did for free, without any expectation of getting anything in return?
For the many that have been bought by Christianity, I’m sorry. You’ve been fooled all these years.
It’s okay to believe in God and Jesus. It doesn’t cost anything; however, I’d refrain from labeling yourself as a Christian. Jesus certainly never came to create a religion. He came to re-establish a faith that had been fading for many years. Jesus gave hope to a growing movement of people who wanted to see change in their communities.
If Jesus was anything, he was human. He knew the political system. He knew what was right and wrong. I don’t think Jesus would’ve flipped some tables for nothing. He did it because people were profiting from God and religion.
Whatever your beliefs, remember that we are all human. We all have a purpose to love one another, to help each other, and to support and comfort each other in tough times.
Faith in something or someone bigger than yourself doesn’t cost a dime.
