" I Didn't Lose My Faith. I Graduated From The Traditions Of My Family "

[buffettphan]

This is a short video (less than 8 minutes) about Jerry DeWitt, a former Pentecostal preacher who is now an atheist and has started a secular group in the Bible Belt.  I think we can relate to much of this video.    In addition to the title of this thread, here are a couple more of his quotes:

 

"People do not choose to be atheist.  They realize they are."

 

"We don't possess any divine help, but the good news is we don't need it.  You don't need it.  You already possess the power of relationships."

 

2 links for the same video:

 

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-new-york-times-bible-belt-atheist/vi-AAeAVwH?

 

http://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000003927583/bible-belt-atheist.html

[Blood]

"I Graduated From The Traditions Of My Family" is a brilliant way of putting it. Bravo! 

[Jeff]

I like how he seems to just be himself and has moved on. It reminds me of how solid the woman who left Westboro sounds in her Sam Harris interview.

Also he seems to just want to stick out in his old community and let people come to him and hang out. He's not escaping. Seems more natural than hiding out for years but it's a tough road I'm sure.

[Llwellyn]

Jerry DeWitt's book "Hope After Faith -- An Ex-Pastor's Journey" is great -- and the Audible version is narrated by him, which makes it very compelling.  He demonstrates his pentecostal preacher voice in the audio:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Hope-After-Faith-Ex-Pastors-Journey/dp/B00EOZIB0I/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=