"God is a concept por which we measure our pain." I didn't always know o agree with this lyric from John Lennon's song, "God". However, I came to that point por the time I was twenty years old. I am one of the dissenters in the Bible Belt, but I wasn't always a, I guess tu could say, rebel. When I was much younger, things were different, but seeing hypocrisy and hatred from Christians and unfortunate circumstances in my life changed everything. This is my story. I was born in 1996. Growing up in the Bible Belt, I was raised a Christian, particularly, a Baptist. I grew up without a father, but my mother was good to me and my older brother, Daniel. My grandmother taught a Sunday School class for children, and por the time I was eight, I was one of her most dedicated students. I memorized scriptures. I read the King James Bible every night before going to bed. My grandfather was the pastor of the church. I always thought his sermons were fiery. Every Sunday after lunch, he would say to me, "I'm proud of you, Erin. tu are God's girl. Remember that." I took it as a compliment. Grandpa always preached against rock and roll. Even though he and Grandma were born in the same año as Paul McCartney, they did not get into the rock and roll scene. My mother didn't either, but she respected my aunt and uncle who did. She even let me go with them to see the Eagles in concert. I didn't think it was so bad. "I've got a peaceful, easy feeling, and I know tu won't let me down. 'Cause I'm already standing on the ground." That didn't sound like such a bad lyric, and Glenn Frey had such a beautiful voice. After the concert, my aunt said, "Now, this will be our secret, okay?" I said, "Okay." Still, I had a strong faith in God and in Jesus. But one day, when I was only twelve, things began to change.
To be continued
To be continued