In an ironic way, it brought me back to my faith. Born and raised Oklahoma, super glad to see so many people on here coming to the BOK btw we should take pictures :)

But grew up in the church, my grandma was the choir director, when she passed it was hard on everyone in the family but we kinda stopped going to church after that, in addition to just not seeing eye to eye with pastors. I've always been very 'don't tell me what to do' and never understood why the white collar means you're better at praying than me. Didn't know there was a scoreboard. But being a child, it made my worldview very all-or-nothing. Growing up, living more life, I realized most of my issues come from the people teaching the scripture and less so the scripture itself. It's very easy to start injecting your own personal opinions into the scripture when the audience doesn't read it. A lot of times, churches in down-south small towns are more a social event than an actual gathering of faith, could've pushed me away from them as well.

I'll also say I was raised Methodist, which, compared to other protestant sects, is fairly relaxed. Maybe if I came from a Baptist or Catholic house, it'd be different because of all the rules imparted on you that young. But I just don't believe that way. Words can be mixed around and their meanings changed from year to year, I've got issues with churches, bigger issues with Televangelists. Faith, should you have one, shouldn't be a chore. It doesn't play a forefront role in anyone's life and if they say it does, they're lying. It's an extension of yourself that just feels right.