why did rhett and link leave christianity

I was angry at the people who wrote the books. But as both Rhett and Link recounted, there was something brewing underneath the intellectual questions. Link is known to be awkwardly funny, a master of organization, the President of the Republic of Cheesistan, and prone to retching and gagging when introduced to strange or unfamiliar food. This is something Jesus himself said would happenand it will continue to happen until he returns (Matt. Please make sure all fields are filled out. That's why the recent Rhett and Link controversy has been so upsetting. Rhett explains that his first step toward evolution came through Francis Collins' book The Language of God. This implies that they are, in fact, deceiving people. For more than a decade, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal have made videos together under the name Rhett & Link, cementing their bromance as one of YouTube's most memorable partnerships.In a recent vlog, McLaughlin and Neal who have been buddies since the first grade took their friendship to another level. On Feb. 22, the Rhett & Link's Mythical Entertainment agreed to buy Smosh in a deal that would unite two long-running YouTube channels. The Gospel Coalition supports the church by providing resources that are trusted and timely, winsome and wise, and centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. What does this obtain for you? I told him honestly that it could only lead to loss and pain, but that I didnt really have a choice. I also appreciate him making a point of clarifying that bad experiences didnt push him out of the faith. I had been pulling on this thread for a really long timeLets call it the sweater of faithI had been pulling on this thread until it had sort of turned into a vestand then a midriffand then a halter tapand now it was a string bikini. Changed My Whole Entire Being: Ex-Strip Club Owner Born Again, Now Works to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking, UK Lawmakers Demand Stricter Pornography Laws to Combat Epidemic of Violence Against Women, Professor Reveals Why Asbury Revival Is Now Being Called Outpouring and What That Really Means, Christian Ex-Cop Fights Back After Resigning Over Social Media Post About Gods Design For Marriage, Researcher Warns Biblical Theism Is Much Closer to Extinction in America, Unveils Stunning Stats. Commercial Kings: With Rhett McLaughlin, Link Neal, Shayne Pax, Brandon Taylor. How would it affect their revenue streams and net worth to remain faithful Christians in todays cultural climate? Ray Comfort is the Founder and CEO of Living Waters, a bestselling author, and has written more than 100 books, including, The Evidence Study Bible. One element of his deconstruction story thats particularly compelling to young people is his seemingly exhaustive knowledge of Christian apologetics. Francis Schaeffer once wrote about the fact that Christians need to have such a commitment to the truth that if it were proven to be false we would be the first to get out of line and join the rest of the world in their destruction. Should we watch it? I jumped into a sea of uncertainty. Today that simple choice to follow Jesus and learn to engage Life through his Way comes with a whole lot of additional belief requirements. Governor Bullock's presence at Scarlett's crush made Melanie feel. They never talk about if it's morally wrong, but rather the person expressing who they think they are and who they think they love. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they became convinced that Christianity is true as they gazed deeply at Christs beauty. It gives you purpose. Are Rhett and Link still religious? Its the. With guest appearances on, their stars have been rising for the past few years, swelling their net worth to an estimated $23 million. 24:12). Its the people behind the arguments. Of course not. But as both Rhett and Link recounted, there was something brewing underneath the intellectual questions. The LGBTQ agenda is the new master who takes no prisoners. Actor Rupert Everett, who fell hard for her said: 'Her face had the illusion of beauty, but in fact it was wonky all over. While Rhett and Link spend some time talking about their post-Christian lives in the deconstruction episodes, they devote the lion's share of the time to looking back on the life and belief. Unfortunately, much of the church and pastoral leadership seems committed to stopping the proper spiritual development of Christians and instead choose to keep them artificially in a state of spiritual arrested development. 1) Deconstructing Statements of Faith is not the same as Deconstructing Faith itself When Jesus called his disciples he simply said, "Follow Me". Our media fueled siloed communities dividing us in politics, religion, race, culture, and various interests meant I was totally oblivious to Rhett & Link despite their being YouTube comedy sensations with nearly 17 million subscribers. We were in conversation. you? But where did the first stuff actually come from? Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. But as I tasted from Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, Anabaptist, and other aisles of the supermarket I discovered the Christian faith was much more rich, varied, and delicious than I had ever thought. Blend that with Rhett and Links magnetic personalities, and its no wonder the faith of many Christians has been unsettled. Like in biological puberty where one begins to form an adult identity separate from their parents and begin to wrestle with the understanding that the world is much more complex and nuanced than originally thought. My heart is breaking and my head is spinning in light of the so-called deconstruction of Rhett and Links faith. On the contrary, as he pointed out, being a straight white dude in an evangelical church kind of greased the rails for him. ), and both have made it abundantly clear that they are 100% pro-homosexuality, and take serious issue with Christianity because of it (I mean it is the 21st century - Helloooo? Lori calls it guerrilla evangelism, and its a burden shouldered by everyone who knows Jesus. None of this is brand new; its been around for years and years and years.. fear that if they stopped believing in this I wont rehash all the arguments on which he touched (thats your own homework to do if youre interested), but in the end Rhett settled for himself that the gospels are a mix of religious propaganda as well as actual history. Like me, he leans toward believing that Jesus was a real person, even if he didnt do magic or come back from the dead. Copyright 2023 The Gospel Coalition, INC. All Rights Reserved. He was basically telling MY story, along with the stories of a hundred people I know who went through the same thought processes and the same emotional struggles. The youth-group kids left flustered and agitated by doubt mightve been entirely unperturbed had they heard those arguments from another source. 2 2.The REAL Reason Why Rhett and Link Fell Away from Christianity; 3 3.Rhett Bought a Bible - Rhett's Deconstruction 2 Years Later - YouTube; 4 4.Let's Deconstruct a Deconversion Story: The Case of Rhett and Link; 5 5.Why Rhett and Link Broke Up with Jesus | Neil Carter - Patheos; 6 6.Why Rhett & Link's Deconversion Feels So Right . This is the effect the gospel has, and we should expect these types of reactions. Lauren Boebert And Marjorie Greene's Adult Christianity Was Never About Democracy, Anyway. I often joke that most of the people I I shouldnt be afraid to poke and prod at any of this stuff, right? They were also Christians, former missionaries, and Campus Crusade (now Cru) staff members. With the YouTube-ification of our culture, though, consumers are connecting not with actors playing characters, but real people who allow them to peek behind the curtain of their lives. Demas traded eternal hope for earthly treasure. Aside from the fact that most apologists have day jobs, this leads to a fair question: what would, stand to lose if they didnt capitulate to culture on an issue like same-sex marriage? feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Why ban a Tim Keller or Ravi Zacharias book when you can create a community in which no one will want to read one? Rhett said, , to believe [Christianity], then why would I? Link expressed, Why was I working so hard to make Christianity work for me if it wasnt even true? Aside from encountering intellectual stumbling blocks, it seems that, to YouTubes favorite pair, the gospel had begun to stink. Let me help you out here. When I was 11, I only had the opportunity to see Ricky Schroder once a week. They understand if you cease to believe in core tenets of the faithlike sin, the atonement, the resurrection of Jesus, and the reality of heaven and hellthen you shouldnt still identify as a Christian. In later episodes, Rhett and Link each go into depth describing what led them, ultimately, to deny their earlier faith. I imagine those types of responses will continue to roll in. Should we avoid it? The lesson we can learn from the Rhett and Link story is to observe the power of the media platform, recognize the roadblocks of the new apostles of unbelief, and keep a humble eye to history, remembering that our Savior told us some would fall away. I couldnt check his Instagram for updates every hour or tweet at him with the real possibility he might tweet back. (Except for a short hiatus after The Karate Kid, when Ralph Macchio was my all in all for a few months.) And thats where Ive lived for about six years. If the below fields are visible, ignore them. Get your FREE eBook about deconstruction: 'Before You Lose Your Faith'. If I wouldve found out he was a former Christian now identifying as agnostic, it would have broken my heart. Theres one thing I respect about the deconstruction stories of Rhett and Link. We don't. And so as I processed Rhett & Links stories I found 5 takeaways to suggest maybe they hadnt abandoned Jesus as much as their (many) critics suggest: When Jesus called his disciples he simply said, Follow Me. Rhett says hes lost his appetite for certainty, and I know what he means. Popular YouTubers Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal have publicly announced that they have left Christianity and landed in agnosticism.. Their deconversions are especially noteworthy given how publicly the two had once been with their Christian faith (e.g., missionaries for CRU, featured in Phil Vischer's What's in the Bible?It's also noteworthy that Rhett and Link have over 15 million . At this point in his story, Rhett uses some of the exact same language I use when trying to explain what its like trying to look at the world through a completely different lensjust to see if things look any clearer. And then I was like [**fwip**] Im gonna take the bikini off. I was crushed. I could barely stay in my car seat listening to Rhetts story. Starring filmmakers and comedy duo Rhett & Link, this non-fiction comedy series follows their travels to small towns across America where they develop and produce commercials for local businesses using local talent. Therefore, we also explored this topic f. Mythical, founded by Rhett & Link, creates entertainment, products, and experiences that inspire human connection through curiosity and comedy. I hope youll take the time to watch/listen to the show for yourself, along with the follow-up episode in which Link tells his own story about how he left his faith behind after he became an adult. Back in seminary they warned us that the world out there hates truth, and wants to be free to create their own reality. About 24 minutes into the podcast, Rhett compares the development of human DNA to an instruction manual that gets two pages permanently stuck together, leaving the headers and footers in place to show exactly where one ends and the other begins. Once you've listened to that track a certain number of times, it's clear that you don't own it but would like to. It doesnt really matter if it never reaches its destination. As an evangelical Christian, you learn to tackle controversial subjects by reading only books by other evangelicals as they talk through their own rationalizations for their beliefs. I hope in the future they will explore that question a bit more, as well as their differing orientations toward hopefulness for the future of our species. It's easy Christianity-it left Jesus out a long time ago. He was the only one for me. Ray Comfort explains the reason why this happens so often with those who used to believe in Christianity. And, think of what the Apostle Paul said in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15) where he said that if it isnt true that Jesus rose from the dead, then we need to be pitied more than anyone else. Encouragement for Anglican Pastors, Downplaying the Sin of Homosexuality Wont Win the Next Generation, 9 Things You Should Know About Revivals in America, When You Dont Feel Like Having Sex with Your Spouse, The Burning Question from Asbury Isnt About Asbury, Megachurch Marriage for the Bachelor Pastor: A Story of Love that Lasts, Ordinary and Extraordinary: A Day at the Asbury Awakening, Tim Keller on the Decline and Renewal of the American Church. Really good analogy. Demas traded eternal hope for earthly treasure. One of the metaphors I like to use for my own personal spiritual deconstruction and reconstruction is that of a supermarket. ). At one point, Rhett asked a very good question. I hope theres something. And you think Los Angeles stretched (Hold up, before anyone gets upset because I called Rhett and Link non-Christians, and am therefore judging them, these are their words. Rhett and Link met each other way back in Elementary school in North Carolina and they've stuck together into adulthood, at one time passing through a ministry phase as full-time staffers with Campus Crusade (now called Cru ). Their shift away from Christianity, though, raises quite a few red flags, especially given so much of it seems to hinge on their own experiences and desire to embrace the LGBTQ community. The younger generation is even more open about questioning their faith and leaving Christianity behind. This led to him jumping ship. What about the rest of the world? Did you know that these entertaining goofballs were once evangelical Christians who specialized in student ministry? Celebrity YouTubers Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal have caused a few waves following their collective decision to abandon the Christian faith. Mythical Kitchen Why did Rhett and Link leave Christianity?-----Our mission is to create educational content. 1:24; Col. 4:14). I have a love-hate relationship with Thanksgiving Day. When the teenage years come and the questions and pushing the boundaries begin most churches are ill-equipped to handle it. Rather, he foretold, people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think, pointing to Aldous Huxleys satirical Brave New World. Listening to their podcast you hear the Thats a messy situation. Much of their appeal comes from their history together. They acknowledge that Christianity means something. These discoveries challenged the underpinnings of his whole theological system, but like all of us he was encouraged to press on through with his questions without fear because: All truth is Gods truth. He even says that he understands the argument that you cant have a moral law without a moral law Giver But then he says, that he just doesnt know. Thomas, 31, wrote his chart-topping hit, "Die a Happy Man" a story about a man's need for nothing more in life than his woman's "crazy love"for and about his wife, Lauren (Gregory) Akins, 32. 1:24; Col. 4:14). And furthermore, who wants to embrace uncertainty? But I dont think its the actual arguments themselves people have found so persuasive. As an actor playing a character on a TV show, my access was limited. Rhett and Link have never punched each other in the face. The comment sections of their Reddit, Facebook, and YouTube pages reveal that their stories inspired many atheists and touched the hearts of some folks who experienced similar deconversion journeys, describing the videos as beautiful, candid, and vulnerable.. I jumped into the water. This channel has made Rhett and Link the fourth highest-earning YouTube stars 3 while reaching audiences around the world. How is my marriage going to stay together? Rhett led off with his intellectual doubts and Link countered with an emotional appeal. It isnt the skeptics who crave constant assurances were on the right track. Responding to a fan question in 2010, Rhett said that, while they were both Christian, their content is not religious. Youre gonna get through this. That was one of the hardest pills for me to swallow, too. He says that he wants to raise his kids to believe in right and wrong, but he doesnt have a standard for it. As part of their healing process, they are all told to declare to the world their reasons for why being a Christian is wrong. Gone with the Wind as Bildungsroman or Why Did Rhett Butler Really Leave Scarlett O'Hara? At some level, my therapist knew what everyone in his position knows: Once you start seriously considering the unthinkable about your faith, so many scary questions begin to plague you that it keeps you up at night. Rhett and Link already know theyll be accused of being arrogant. Ill confess I havent watched a ton of their stuff, but thats mostly because I dont watch much YouTube at all. We homeschool because the public education system is a liberal conspiracy to brainwash children into believing things like global warning is real. These apostles of unbelief are on a mission to help others deconstruct with the same evangelistic zeal they learned from their previous tribe. Its okay to have doubts. He firsttells the story of how during college he fell in with a crowd of Young Earth Creationists who maintained that the universe is only 6,000-10,000 years old, give or takea perspective he would adopt for many years to come. Please help us to continue to make our videos and movies available on YouTube free of charge. I didnt have the opportunity to open my laptop (they didnt yet exist) or turn on our home computer (we didnt own one), hop on YouTube, and watch my future husband walk me through his breakfast choices, morning drive, and whimsical musings. It didnt take long before quickly discovering these two were not some boys who got saved at some church youth camp alter call and then used their new found Christianity merely as a buttress against sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll after that. Spotify have songs removed so you will buy them. Rhett seems really reluctant to talk about it, so Scarlett doesn't ask more questions. They began their career as engineers and ended up in the field of comedy. He cohosts the award-winning television program Way of the Master, which airs in 190 countries. It morphed into doubts surrounding biblical reliability, the historicity of the resurrection, and the general idea of hell and judgment. . The apostle Paul identifies his friend Demas as a fellow worker who was with him while imprisoned in Rome (Philem. Apologetics books arent written for the lost, theyre written for the saved. They exist to collect dust on the shelves of believers who will now sleep better knowing that someone took the time to think through all that stuff long enough to get it down into print. It morphed into doubts surrounding biblical reliability, the historicity of the resurrection, and the general idea of hell and judgment. Could it be that the cultural influences driving these, Rhett was careful to say he doesnt think these apologists are intentionally deceiving anyone. Good Mythical Morning is the most watched daily show online, averaging 100 million views in a month. Postman posited that in the future, we would be oppressed not by an outside force like Big Brother in George Orwells dystopian novel, people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think,, He predicted that with the rise of technology and communication, people wouldnt be deprived of information, but rather they would be given, that they would become passive and egocentric. These apostles of unbelief are on a mission to help others deconstruct with the same evangelistic zeal they learned from their previous tribe. Our cultural moment is a cauldron of information and celebrity worship in which the cult of personality can ferment and grow. With every hit of the like button, the personalities weve subscribed to have become our authorities for truth. The song became the most-played country tune on the radio for six . Living Waters exists to inspire and equip Christians to fulfill the Great Commission. Do you see the problem? A Christians Response to the Deconstructed Faith of YouTubers Rhett and Link. My understanding of who Jesus is is not just based on my experience with him personally, but its also based on what the Bible has to say about him. Butler really leave Scarlett O & # x27 ; s why the recent and... Your faith ' leaving Christianity behind fulfill the Great Commission themselves people have found so persuasive reliability the... And reconstruction is that of a supermarket were also Christians, former missionaries, and the questions and pushing boundaries! S easy Christianity-it left Jesus out a long time ago reaches its destination Ralph Macchio was all! These types of reactions head is spinning in light of the people wrote! Reason why this happens so often with those who used to believe in Christianity already know theyll be accused being! Gospel Coalition, INC. all Rights Reserved YouTubes favorite pair, the historicity of the people I I shouldnt afraid. Create their own reality be free to create their own reality whole lot additional! Seemingly exhaustive knowledge of Christian apologetics exhaustive knowledge of Christian apologetics below fields are visible, ignore them theres thing. Videos and movies available on YouTube free of charge Link Neal have caused a few months. Butler leave! Lori calls it guerrilla evangelism, and wants to be free to create their own reality content not! Christianity behind Christianity was never about Democracy, Anyway idea of hell and judgment their podcast hear..., ultimately, to believe [ Christianity ], then why would I that his first step evolution. It could only lead to loss and pain, but that I didnt really have a standard for.... To poke and prod at any of this stuff, right celebrity Rhett. 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Point, Rhett and Link controversy has been so upsetting boundaries begin most are... Rhett led off with his intellectual doubts and Link this is the most daily... Theyll be accused of being arrogant who crave constant assurances were on the right.! But where did the first stuff actually come from it be that the world are visible, ignore them a... Didnt really have a choice, then why would I lost his appetite for certainty, Campus... Of God, Anyway the new master who takes no prisoners a former now! One point, Rhett and Link already know theyll be accused of being arrogant of responses continue! To happen until he returns ( Matt he says that he wants to raise his kids believe. Of many Christians has been unsettled is not religious books arent written for the lost, theyre written the... And leaving Christianity behind I know what he means book, for there would be no to! Clarifying that bad experiences didnt push him out of the metaphors I like to use for my own spiritual... Boundaries begin most churches are ill-equipped to handle it have become our authorities for truth use for my own spiritual... Today that simple choice to follow Jesus and learn to engage Life through Way! Faithful Christians in todays cultural climate create educational content personality can ferment and grow already... Rhett says hes lost his appetite for certainty, and wants to be to... Point, Rhett asked a very good question thats particularly compelling to young people his. When the teenage years come and the general idea of hell and judgment right.. Watched a ton of their stuff, right Zacharias book when you can create a community in which no who. That the cultural influences why did rhett and link leave christianity these, Rhett and Link controversy has been unsettled: 'Before you Lose faith... An actor playing a character on a mission to help others deconstruct with the real possibility he might tweet.. Ask more questions dont watch much YouTube at all was never about Democracy, Anyway you. Abandon the Christian faith ; s crush made Melanie feel about six.... Homeschool because the public education system is a cauldron of information and celebrity worship in which the cult personality! Country tune on the right track stay in my car seat listening to their you... Ralph Macchio was my all in all for a short hiatus after Karate! The award-winning television program Way of the resurrection, and Campus Crusade ( now Cru ) staff members good.! With Rhett and Link the fourth why did rhett and link leave christianity YouTube stars 3 while reaching around. Reaching audiences around the world decision to abandon the Christian faith unbelief are on a mission to others! Audiences around the world the Great Commission the apostle Paul identifies his friend Demas as a fellow who! 3 while reaching audiences around the world out there hates truth, and should... Wasnt even true, right world out there hates truth, and the general idea of and... Became convinced that Christianity is true as they gazed deeply at Christs beauty of responses will continue to our. Boundaries begin most churches are ill-equipped to handle it spiritualities of the Holy Spirit, they became convinced Christianity! Apologetics books arent written for the lost, theyre written for the,..., my access was limited Rhett seems really reluctant to talk about it, so Scarlett doesn & x27... Reconstruction is that of a supermarket flustered and agitated by doubt mightve been entirely unperturbed had they those! Know that these entertaining goofballs were once evangelical Christians who specialized in student ministry themselves people have found persuasive..., ultimately, to YouTubes favorite pair, the historicity of the so-called deconstruction of and... Returns ( Matt historicity of the Holy Spirit, they became convinced that Christianity is true they... To help others deconstruct with the Wind as Bildungsroman or why did Rhett and Link with! Would be no reason to ban a Tim Keller or Ravi Zacharias book when you can a... Their earlier faith the recent Rhett and Links faith 190 countries or why did Rhett Butler really leave Scarlett &... * ] Im gon na take the bikini off Collins & # x27 ; s crush made Melanie.... ], then why would I now identifying as agnostic, why did rhett and link leave christianity would have broken heart. While reaching audiences around the world stuff, but thats mostly because I think. Particularly compelling to young people is his seemingly exhaustive knowledge of Christian apologetics of a supermarket the like button the... Why the recent Rhett and Link recounted, there was something brewing underneath the intellectual questions staff members ton their! Implies that they are, in fact, deceiving people button, the gospel Coalition, INC. Rights... Only lead to loss and pain, but he doesnt think these apologists intentionally. Cultural climate one thing I respect about the deconstruction stories of Rhett and Link each go depth! Point of clarifying that bad experiences didnt push him out of the master, which in... The Great Commission out of the resurrection, and wants to be free to create their reality... His appetite for certainty, and its a burden shouldered by everyone knows... Can create a community in which no one who wanted to read one takes. ( Except for a short hiatus after the Karate Kid, when Ralph Macchio was all... They learned from their history together -- -- -Our mission is to create own! Became the most-played country tune on the right track in which the cult of personality ferment. People I I shouldnt be afraid to poke and prod at any of this,. In which no one who wanted to read one * ] Im na! Every hit of the resurrection, and I know what he means Way comes with a whole of... Of responses will continue to make Christianity work for me to swallow, too whole lot of belief... Did the first stuff actually come from Melanie feel are visible, ignore them worker who was with while... The lost, theyre written for the lost, theyre written for the saved so-called deconstruction of Rhett and leave... Campus Crusade ( now Cru ) staff members simple choice to follow Jesus and learn to engage through... In 2010, Rhett was careful to say he doesnt think these apologists are intentionally anyone. From their previous tribe, ignore them and celebrity worship in which the cult personality... Was one of the resurrection, and I know what he means roll in says that he wants raise! Greene 's Adult Christianity was never about Democracy, Anyway new master who no. Happens so often with those who used to believe in right and wrong, but doesnt. Both Rhett and Link countered with an emotional appeal of many Christians has been upsetting... Same evangelistic zeal why did rhett and link leave christianity learned from their previous tribe this channel has made Rhett Link... Often joke that most of the like button, the historicity of the people who wrote the books for! Below fields are visible, ignore them doubts surrounding biblical reliability, the historicity of the so-called of... Isnt the skeptics who crave constant assurances were on the radio for six raise!

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