Jack Pschitt

1997: I am born to two Christian parents, one Protestant (my mom) and one Catholic (my dad).

1997-2006: I lead a generic Christian life. I generically follow Jesus like it's just an ordinary part of our lives. I'm not baptized against my will when I'm one year old or something, which I later become grateful for. We generically have Christmas every year. Interestingly, I never once explicitely say that I believe in God. I'm somewhat agnostic towards God. I think a good example of just how generic my life as a Christian is in this span of time is when, in 2005 or so, I tell my mom "this may seem stupid, but I think I would be happier if I was religious." I failed to realize that I was religious. That's how generic my Christian upbringing was.

2007: I first seriously question whether I believe in God or not. Unknowingly, I officially become an agnostic Christian.

2009: I become baptized at my own will. Now I'm an agnostic Christian who has been baptized at 12 years old.

2010: I decide once and for all that I do not believe in God. I become a Christian atheist.

2011: I seriously question whether or not I am a Christian for the first time in my life.

September 27, 2011: I officially renounce my Christiandom. I am no longer a Christian. I am not completely non-religious, since I believe in the afterlife, and that people have souls and such. But starting now, I am no longer a member of any organized religion.


This was a tough decision to make. As I decided that I was officially not a Christian, these thoughts entered my head:

What about Christmas? Does that mean no more Christmas?
What will my family think?
How will I tell them?
So, I'm not Christian, I'm not completely non-religious, but what am I? Nothing? Is there no term for it?
What will my friends think?
Dude, you're giving up Christmas!
Just think: Last year's Christmas was the last Christmas you'll ever have!!

Well, today, as I said, I revoked my Christiandom, and I now officially start my life as a non-religious person. No more Christmas (which is a good excuse to not get anyone else anything :P), no more crosses, no more nothing. Just nothing. This isn't that much of a difference from my life as a Christian, really. I never once prayed, we never said grace before dinner, we rarely went to church. We basically just gave each other stuff at Christmas, and that was it.

But no more. No more religion.

I feel a bit relieved, to tell you the truth. I was kicking myself as a Christian, once I actually became self-conscious enough to question my faith. Now I feel like a little weight has been taken off my shoulders. Of course, this also means no more Easter, no more Jesus (not that he wasn't a real person: so were Buddha and Mohammed), no more Bible (I rarely read that thing anyway), no more of that stuff. But I think I'm making the right decision.


In closing, a message to all atheists who want to comment on this blog: If you're just going to rant about how organized religion is the source of all that is wrong with the world, then go away.