Dear Atheists,

Don’t worry, it’s not what you think. I have seen so many posts on here from atheists who are angry with the Lord due to trauma they sustained from the church and/or Christians in their lives. I know this is not the case for all atheists. But for those who can relate, I have been through the same thing. And even though my apology may not carry much weight, I am genuinely sorry. This issue is an epidemic that has taken away the faith of too many, and it’s something I don’t have an explanation or excuse for. This is not an accusation towards any specific group or denomination, as this has happened everywhere. It is simply a declaration of sympathy.

I will not claim to be the most educated, experienced, or notable Christian on this page, or anywhere. To do so would be completely ridiculous. But what I am is someone who was an atheist my entire life due to a broken heart. I know how the anger, sadness, and feeling of abandonment from God can sting. Since finding my faith, I have felt a genuine peace that I pushed away for more than 20 years. The time I lost to my resentment and anger is something I can never get back, even though I’m grateful to be here today. I won’t sit here and demand that you believe in God, I have no power to do so. I just ask that you don’t give up yet. If there is any part of you, even just a pinpoint deep in your soul that still wonders if God is there, don’t snuff it out. Man may have forsaken you, but God never has. It took me years to understand that, and I would have saved myself so much suffering if I had accepted it sooner.

Each one of us has something unique and beautiful to lend to this world, often BECAUSE of our experiences. And each one of our paths is going to look different. My pain has helped me help others in more ways than one. This is not an attempt to dismiss; it is an attempt to empower. Your pain is real. What you went through is real. No one can take that away from you. But don’t allow them to take away your relationship with God, either. You deserve a relationship with Him just as much as anyone else. Yes, even if you’re imperfect, even if you still sin, even if you’ve been told you don’t. Not a single person you have ever met or will ever meet is without sin. If we are to let he among us without sin to be the first to condemn, not a single one of us is worthy. Being perfect is not the pre-requisite to being with our Father. You may come to Him as you are, and He will do the rest. All you have to do is take the first step.

I don’t want to be preachy or ingenuine, I promise that is the opposite of my intention. This is simply weighing on my heart. I don’t want the flaws of man to take relationships with God away from people who don’t deserve it. None of us get to decide who is and is not worthy of God’s love. Your fate is not already sealed. It doesn’t matter how far you feel you have gone; you can always turn back. God does not move, only we do. If you wish to seek Him, know that you always have the chance. If you don’t wish to, all I ask is that you keep that tiny pinprick of hope. Even if you tuck it away deep, don’t close your heart for good. I would have never found my way back if I did. Nobody should get to decide that for you.

To close this out, if any of you have questions or points of contention, I encourage you to share. Even if you’re completely against Christianity as a whole, I want to hear your thoughts. Open, genuine, and respectful dialogue on both sides of the fence is always a good thing, no matter what the topic is. I genuinely wish you all peace on your journey, and God bless you.