It's available to you for free when you subscribe to my email list—full of great advice on how to walk with God through the humor and hardship of life. I mean, it shouldn’t require philosophical arguments and faith to establish if the greatest being in the universe actually exists. Sure! You and many of the people in the comments are taking whatever tiny, insignificant signs that they deconverted out of “rebellion” or “loving sin too much” and stretching them to the point of absurdity. This article in an of itself is primarily creating an echo chamber for you and getting you a lot of pats on the back (which you accused them of pandering for). All the best! The true facade is blind faith, if your faith is never tested how can you know it’s true. Absolutely not. Rhett’s strong recommendations were a pair of 2-Chromosome pages on Wikipedia. More worrisome, why would he not care if he is really following the truth? It makes a whole lot of sense to me for a TV show to sell tee shirts with the show’s name on it, but what doesn’t make sense is an evangelist selling a shirt of the Mona Lisa wearing 3D glasses. Micah Brink. Continue in the Lord’s work brother. I understand being sad, I am sad. But I’m sure it wasn’t. I get that’s what you’re doing as well but it’s ignorant to the fact that they’re entitled to their opinion. I realize that I’m writing this in an environment of individuals that will inherently oppose what I’m about to say, but I feel it’s important to mention that Rhett and Link simply do not have the responsibility to guide people in religion that you seem to burden them with. Unfortunately, their apostate story is all too common. I hope you will write both fellows a sincere letter of apology. His love for us is never ending. Can you imagine living a life where things are intentionally (and effectively) held from you?? Mt 8:26 Jesus rebukes his disciples for having little faith. I am glad you wrote it, because, to be honest, their story could be a lot more sinister and perverse than you describe. As much as they want to believe in “progression”, there is no new thing under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Here is my summary of major problems with American Christianity and unfortunately, I struggle personally with many issues of the faith, but truth and orthodoxy must be sought. If we as humans want to coexist, we need to be mindful and respectful of other views. Shouldn’t you rather have become an expert?” (I don’t think he realizes how hollow, thin and fake he sounds. I still identify as a Christian, but it’s these toxic parts of evangelicalism (and other issues) that drove me from it. I am sad that so many people have been intimately involved with church culture and leadership, all the while never having truly experienced the heart change that comes from knowing Christ. It also makes me wonder how many self-professed Christians have yet to intentionally and diligently dig down deep enough to lay their foundation on bedrock instead of sand. Friendship suggests an intimate relationship, so the question to be answered is whether you are using this term to claim some sort of authority regarding your knowledge of who Rhett and Link are. He became the stereotype. No, a believer doesn’t need to wear a button that says Hug me if you love Jesus!, but an authentic Christian shouldn’t ever shy away from questions that approach our spiritual life because he or she is afraid. Maybe they wrote without thinking. I hope Christians use social media is a place to build people up, not tear them down. But! I know damn well I’m not just “lying to myself so I can keep sinning” or crap like that. In his testimonial, Rhett said preemptively that people listening will say he never really new Jesus or God in the first place but he said he had a close relationship with God. This is the exact comment I was looking for. This is how I feel and.felt hearing about all this. The Church needs to grow a thicker skin and learn to receive correction when it is needed, otherwise sin and apostasy will grow. I’m grateful for your endurance in the faith and for a discerning voice in response to them. By their own admission though, they never really bought what they were selling when they were on staff with Cru. The mindset he displays here has to survive, to a certain degree, by sticking fingers in the ears and saying, “LA LA LA I CAN’T HEAR YOU” when deconversion stories like this show up that could make them question their beliefs. log in sign up. That is besides the point, from an outside perspective R&L not talking about their faith is suspicious in the context of the spiritual deconstruction. Thank you for standing up for what is right and staying on the straight and narrow path even when it’s not popular. Why do you think it’s okay to lie about this? They will run out of people who will want to hear them, and then what? The change didn’t come from my ideas about how I should live, or from others telling me “do this and don’t do that”. Reply. A lack of foundation does not at all give you the right to compare something that is deeply meaningful to these two men to one of their comedy vlogs. Instead you dismiss them as the age old story of gaining wealth and leaving God. Following His leading even when you don’t know where He is taking you. Link gets philosophical. Rhett and Link inspire creativity, laughter, and joy in the lives of all their viewers; is that not something you want your child to experience? Rhett and Link are just sharing their story that a lot more people relate to than you think. I also joined Cru to be on stage before an audience. I do not live far from where they are from. never mentioned their Christian faith; what compels them now? total Trash! Those four episodes were a tough listen. I know this may seem like it is preaching to the choir; but I read this and do not see this as a slight against their parents or even that grace did exist where they are from; but more or less based on their perspectives and thoughts on their past it revealed that they were blind to see and interact with the actual grace Christ extends. He made really good points and is totally welcome here. As a friend of my summarizes, many live life based on four P’s: the Pursuit of Pleasure or the Prevention of Pain. James 5:20 says, “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”, Proverbs 27:6 says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted”. They just want to blend in and be like everybody else. Is being a jerk about them selling dog hoodies your way of “being sad for them?” Like, does that have any relevance to them losing their eternal salvation (according to you)? Follow the facts? It’s very telling as to how the “all loving and all accepting” Christian community really works. It’s dismissive of what was said throughout the whole podcasts. Be content to be here and alive. rhett-and-link-are-everywhere. In fairness, Rhett mentioned more than the Wikipedia page. He said, you can go. In my heart of hearts I know someone is there but it’s probably not jesus h christ the dragon slayer. (Yeah, actually that'd be gre—) Great. These boys are doing just fine. Freedom of religion, including freedom from religion. “Rhett and Link both said that whatever the cost, they’re seeking the truth—and I don’t believe them.”. We gotta get on that stage! I am a 47 year old former Christian. Only now do I see you two in a new light, and I’m sure Ben would be in tears about how far you’ve taken your brand, you’ve made everyone proud, including me. My desires literally changed over night. Thanks for this, Shelby. Her (‘famous’) last words were, “My faith has never been stronger.”. But I do have love and prayers for Rhett and Link. This attitude literally makes people doubt the intentions of loved ones who are 100% sincere in trying to stay Christian but just can’t believe it’s true any more. Listen. Several times he says, “I have these things against you.”. The way they laughed after stating that they used to go on mission trips. It much more seemed like a “relationship” with southern, cultural Christianity that looks down its nose at sinners and spreads on the guilt rather thickly if you fall out of line. I have much respect for the CRU ministry as we have supported it in the past. May those who read see that The LORD Jesus Christ is a Saviour and a glorious King. Shelby, I think there are tens of millions of “Christians” here in the United States alone who actually have either never actually accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and/or are just casual “club” Christians who really aren’t doing anthin Jesus told them to do. But be warned: the anti-candida diet is tough. It’s clear to me that there was significant trauma (maybe not in the extreme sense that some women, or people of the LGBTQ+ community have experienced, as they also point out) associated with their time as evangelicals, and I for one, am glad that they were able to escape relatively unscathed. $18.00 . © 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. And as if that triggered something in him, his stomach growled audibly, startling Link and making Rhett chortle. This comment will never be published. Thier story is very similar to many I have seen unfold from the southern christian culture where temptation comes, and those who believed they had a foundation in Jesus ill equipped to give a defense of their faith wither in that heat. The “hopeful agnostic” faith is absolutely not foundationally solid, just as Christianity is as soon as you take away the millions of people behind it. It reminds me of the scripture the love of money is the root of all evil. Mk 9:19 Jesus calls the people an unbelieving generation. . No—to talk about your faith journey doesn’t sell when you’re trying to climb the Hollywood ladder, and that’s easy to see now because they’re famous. Take a page from Rhett and Link’s book and maybe focus on peace and love. Dear Shelby, Be understanding. They’re afraid. My assumption before these podcasts was that they were communicating their faith “behind the scenes” with others they rubbed shoulders with in North Carolina and Los Angeles. More often than not the things I hear from the Christian Right are condemnations and complaints. We will all be deceived. This was more hurtful than anything that Rhett and Link said. Whether voluntary or not, this type of response to people deconstructing their faith perpetuates the idea that there is no room for anything short of absolutism within the American Christian Church. This short e-book can help you navigate the tricky waters of today's dating culture by pointing out 10 things to avoid in your romantic life. Sweet Defeat works quickly to suppress your cravings of sweets so that you do not overindulge. To ensure that you do not get pregnant within the first month, some doctors may recommend you to use of another form of birth control treatment (e.g. I bear your label, Evangelicalism, but I grow so weary of apologizing for you. So … Was a beauty queen-turned-teacher murdered by a former student at her school? It pisses me off that 2 White dudes with seemingly perfect & idle upbringings, BLESSED with success and fame, trade in God for “truth de juor” Like who the h*** do they think they are? It can reduce 30% of blood glucose of the body that might create problem. It broke my heart as someone who’s children and I have watched since the beginning. They feel very woven into my Cru experience and by extension my faith journey at that time. I will show who I can when I can this article and their videos to show who the real evil is. Red Flags in the Spiritual Deconstruction of My Old Friends Rhett and Link: UPDATED, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvKtqbPMEnA, Things Glen Found Interesting, Volume 240 - Glen Davis. I intend no disrespect to the families or neighbors and friends of Rhett & Link. He has been working on me for 47 years and I do (finally) see some of the fruit. So there’s no pretending any more. The prank was good-hearted, if a bit sadistic, and Link was more bemused than he … What I can’t get behind in the original post is the assumption that faith is the only thing making children “good people”. As you said “claiming Christ is expensive”, despite Rhett and Link being the forefathers of YouTube at a time they were small creators. Even Bart Ehrman has modified his positions since Rhett’s “deconstruction’ in 2014—how does he not know that? And it should remind us all that a kid’s faith may be influenced by mentors, but is ultimately a matter of their own pursuit. I read “The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek”… but, with work and the whole COVID thing, this all flew over my head at the time. I cannot imagine two more loving, grace-giving people. Get off your high horse. Basaglar is a long-acting insulin that is only available with a prescription. Thank you Shelby for what you have said. They’ve shed the shame and guilt of evangelism and traded it in for a life that they can live to the fullest, enriching their own lives, and those of their loved ones because it’s what their own moral compass dictates… not what an unknown deity commands. I think the podcast was an excellent lesson for everyone to learn, and that is the lesson of thinking for oneself. If I may point out here three (3) assumptions evangelicals make about people who have left Christianity to help the author and readers understand their own logical fallacies. And why is it okay for you to rebuke Shelby the way you did in your original post to him, but it’s not okay for Shelby to say anything about Rhett and Link’s statements? If the Gospel is so compelling, why aren’t the young people sticking around? But I think the tone of the first section invited it. What concerns me most is the part of their audience who might follow them into “hopeful agnosticism” (or worse) without NEARLY as much personal struggle and introspection. He was so solid in the beginning that I trusted him to lead Bible studies in our home. California Privacy/Information We Collect. When i first heard about their “coming out to denounce their Christian faith,” I was in disbelief, you see I am a member of the church Rhett’s parents attend. “Hmmm,” Rhett said, still unsure, but the hum turned into a purr when Link caressed the soft earlobe with his tongue. I can’t imagine what it would be like to come face to face with my personal beliefs, only to realize they were built entirely on superficial superstition and a list of rules. When that’s what someone primarily craves, suffering as a fool for Christ won’t be tolerated. The difference between you and Rhett/Link is that Rhett and Link tried to stay believers for a long time. Take the example of Rhett’s response to Link’s drunkenness. Not forceful or judgmental on differing or changing beliefs. *They’ve squandered their responsibility*. Also, dear author, I didn’t like how you vilified rhett and link for simply sharing their story. I am a spiritual person but religious beliefs by far have caused so much war over thousands of years from all sects and that alone says a lot… just because you believe it to be true doesn’t make it true… just because I believe it to be true doesn’t make it true. I feel that I am “not supposed” to have questions and I am unfaithful if I ask or if I struggle. It’s sad to me that two people claiming to no longer be followers of Jesus have exhibit more grace and patience than a pastor rebuking them. Jesus Christ and the Bible can withstand scrutiny from open hearted seekers. Reply. ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:6‬ ‭. Please stop it. It’s scary. They instead treated the ministry as more of a social hangout. He’s trying to capitalize off the very tough personal journeys of his “friends”. If it doesn’t work for you, that’s fine. There are absolutely amazing Christians out there that are accepting and wonderful, but there is too many worshipers that aren’t that. 1) If you only spent one week with Rhett and Link, would you still consider yourself their “friend”? You’re driving people away from your religion by being a passive aggressive meany-face. Even though it is sad to hear the truth, it is good to know their true colors. We may get it wrong, just as a very complex math equation can be in error, but we should all still strive. What’s the right way to live?” it actually seems like clinging to ideology makes you guilty of the very thing you’re claiming you’d like to combat when you call out R+L for what you perceive as “rebellion” vs fact-finding. We all know what this means. We can engage non-believers about the truths of the Bible and share our beliefs, but if we try to force people to Christ or try to inundate them in Christian culture, then there will be infinitely more people who end up moving away from faith like Rhett and Link. I wondered how you can have a close relationship with someone and then decide they don’t exist. You said, “Every passage you are trying to claim about Jesus is against people like Shelby. I had been a professional musician for ten years before my call to Cru. And after reading all of this, I can see why they stopped responding to you. I didn’t intend for it to be perceived that way, and honestly never thought many people would even read it. I really cannot imagine what you were thinking. I’ve considered myself a “hopeful agnostic” before ever finding out about GMM. This is just what I needed to hear after having a very similar reaction to their videos – deep spiritual sadness over their spiritual lives as well as those “little ones” they were leading astray (Matt. Thank you. Was Lizzie Borden a notorious killer or wrongly accused? Did you not hear the pain that they went through? Praying He brings people, circumstances, and words into their life that speak truth and love. It’s disgusting. I respected Link and was confused. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Wowowowowow. But then 10 years ago, I too deconverted. I don’t think so. Jesus, bring them back to yourself. Until them, keep on being your mythical best. But so critical that you hear it yourself. and I’m still not a Christian. I especially thought your point about speaking out against Jesus now vs not sharing Jesus when on staff was brilliant and challenging to consider in my own walk with the Lord. Are they ordained clergy? It’s fast acting formula stops your desire for sweets BEFORE you give into your cravings. I’m extremely encouraged by you. So, we created the 14 Day Sugar Reset - a simple, mighty Mint and Powder combo designed to take control of your sugar cravings. Hopefully you can open your mind to other world views and potentially live a happier, healthier life. Do not tear down people who found themselves, and did not identify with their entire young adult lives. Simply because it isn’t based in faith? You are most likely doing more harm to children and families by preaching your faith of shame and fear than Rhett and Link ever will by them preaching to love yourself, be kind to others, and do good for the sake of good – not for some eternal reward. Real people. I was about 12 when I started to doubt that what I was being taught was “true”, and it wasn’t due to someone 20+ years older than me on the internet. Lucky us. Heidi. I can’t believe how easily doubts filled me and in lockdown I have no connection to my small group. even if you disagree with our opinions. Are people not allowed to have private struggles? I’m hoping it can be a lesson to the rest of us to run our race with perseverance and get rid of those things that hinder us. Thanks for your write up. (Daniel), “Your spiritual deconstruction video response is bad and you should feel bad!” — Zoidberg. Shameful. The fact that you felt the need to write an entire article in response to something it took Rhett and Link an incredible amount of courage to make, analyzing concepts of another persons life that you did not live, and are entitled enough to stick by it- sends me the wrong message about religion itself. 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