Originally published at https://www.splicetoday.com. CW: Death of a child Evangelicals think the only reason atheists don’t believe in God is because something bad happened. This is found in many Christian movies: the Angry Atheist Antagonist who hates God because a loved one-typically a mother, but it can also be a…

Originally published at https://www.splicetoday.com under the title “The God Delusion.” The original last paragraph has been restored for this version. We stood together on the shore of the lake, feeling the cool water drag our feet deeper into the sand with each ebb and flow, listening. Back then I believed…

Originally published at https://www.splicetoday.com. A spider hung on the ceiling above my kitchen sink. It was probably there for days, but I only noticed it last Thursday. A similar spider used to hang in the upper corner of my bathroom. It might’ve been the same spider. They certainly look alike…

Originally published at https://www.splicetoday.com. I still love Rich Mullins. The late Christian singer/songwriter may be best known for the dreadful “Awesome God” (which even Mullins admitted wasn’t one of his best songs), but the rest of his catalogue is much better. His music mixed elements of classical (“Sing Your Praise…

TW: Verbal Abuse Originally published at https://www.splicetoday.com. I met my high school girlfriend Darlene through Mark, the boy I had a crush on. It was the first day of senior year. Mark and I sat next to each other during senior orientation and talked about our summers. Sitting next to…

CW: Addiction, suicidal episode Originally published at https://www.splicetoday.com. I hope Demi Lovato is okay. Three years after their near fatal heroin overdose, the singer returned earlier this year with both a new album and docuseries titled Dancing with the Devil detailing what led to their relapse. This isn’t Lovato’s first…

Originally published at https://www.splicetoday.com. Maryland recently announced that fully vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks inside of businesses anymore based on the CDC’s updated guidelines. Some places still require masks, like Rise Up Coffee Roasters here in Easton, but most don’t. I’ll still wear one for now because it’s…

TW: Mentions sexual abuse allegations against certain rock stars Originally published at https://www.splicetoday.com. I still dream about being a rock star, despite being 38 and having no musical talent. I walk onstage with a guitar in hand, a row of effects pedals on the floor, and a crowd of adoring…

Originally published at https://www.splicetoday.com under the title “Free From Demons.” My high school girlfriend Darlene led me to Christ at age 17. It happened after three months of seeking refuge in Wicca, only to find it exacerbated my clinical depression. One night in October, a few weeks after we started…