I embraced my doubts and left Christian mythology behind - Kimberly Sprowl

Introduction

Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kimberly Sprowl, a former Christian who generously shared her journey from faith to atheism. Kimberly was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and currently resides in Phoenix City, Alabama. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Troy University, she has worked as an apartment manager and is an avid online reseller. Kimberly is also a craft enthusiast with a penchant for accumulating craft supplies. Twenty years ago, she won a Mary Kay car through hard work and determination.

Winning the Mary Kay Car

Kimberly reminisced about the time she won her Mary Kay car, which she achieved through selling an extensive amount of lipsticks and encouraging others to do the same. Though it was a challenging experience, she regards it with fondness.

Crafting as a Hobby

Kimberly identified as a craft enthusiast, stating how her hobbies include sewing and jewelry-making, with a strong emphasis on collecting various craft supplies. For her, crafting is therapeutic and allows her to create gifts for friends and family.

Faith Journey

Kimberly shared her early exposure to Christianity, noting that she was raised in a Christian family that wasn’t overly devout. Her father, who struggled with his own beliefs regarding church and preachers, provided a contrasting background to her mother, who was more religiously inclined. Kimberly grew up attending church services but described her family’s faith as fairly traditional, with no intense emphasis on evangelicalism.

When Kimberly went to college, she faced a life-changing event that led her to deeper faith struggles. After becoming pregnant, she experienced severe depression and felt torn between her faith and her struggles. Eventually, a friend invited her to a church that featured more charismatic practices, which brought her a sense of healing and community.

Throughout her adulthood, Kimberly faced challenges, including a difficult marriage and financial struggles. These hardships sparked questions about her faith and beliefs, particularly regarding scripture interpretations. As she explored her faith further, she began to have doubts about the teachings she had accepted as truth.

Eventually, she decided to delve deeply into Bible studies, approaching the text as she would any other literature—by examining the background, authorship, and cultural context. This endeavor led her to discover similarities between biblical narratives and various mythologies, further fueling her doubts.

The Turning Point

Kimberly’s moment of realization came when she concluded that the Bible wasn’t an original text, that it contained many borrowed stories and motifs. This led to an epiphany: if the foundation of her faith—scripture—was not original, then everything built upon it crumbled. As she navigated this realization, she came to view her previous beliefs as mythology rather than divine truth.

While grappling with the implications of her non-belief, Kimberly found herself absent of anxiety and free from the fears that plagued her as a believer. She learned to enjoy life, embrace her family, and cherish moments without the weight of religious pressures.

Kimberly has come to accept her atheism, acknowledging the stigma that may accompany it in her culturally conservative environment. Despite this, she finds peace and contentment in her current life, away from the dogmas of her past, allowing her to explore joy without fear or guilt.

Healing and Moving Forward

In her pursuit of healing, Kimberly sought therapy to help her unpack the messages and beliefs instilled in her throughout her lifetime. Through therapy, she learned that she didn’t have to adhere to beliefs just because they were familiar or comforting. Being raised with a sense of independence contributed to her eventual departure from Christianity.

While she does not harbor anger towards her past self, she recognizes that her beliefs were shaped by her upbringing and environment. Kimberly embraces her journey, continuing to seek fulfillment within herself and her craft work as she enjoys life on her own terms.

Keywords

• Christianity
• Atheism
• Faith
• Crafting
• Healing
• Depression
• Mythology
• Inner Peace
• Therapy
• Family

FAQ

What led Kimberly to question her Christian beliefs?
Kimberly began to question her faith due to personal struggles, unanswered prayers, and a realization that much of the Bible was not original and borrowed from various mythologies.

How did Kimberly feel about her former self?
Kimberly does not feel anger towards her former self; instead, she respects her past experience and acknowledges that it was shaped by the beliefs she was taught.

What does Kimberly find purpose in now?
Currently, Kimberly finds purpose in enjoying her life, spending time with her grandchildren, and exploring her passions, particularly in crafting.

What advice does Kimberly have for others questioning their faith?
Kimberly encourages others to thoroughly explore their doubts and beliefs, allowing themselves to grow free from the pressures of religious expectations.