EP 8: Evanglical Roots and Questions

In this episode of The Matt Pierce Podcast, I take you inside my upbringing in the Southern Baptist Church, where faith was rigid, politics and religion blended seamlessly, and questioning the system was unthinkable. Influenced by voices like Rush Limbaugh, John Hagee, and Pat Robertson, I was raised in a world where evangelicalism wasn’t just a belief—it was a way of life.But as I grew older, I started seeing cracks in the foundation. I witnessed firsthand how the church shunned the different, mocked the outcasts, and wielded faith as a weapon rather than a source of love and grace. From the mistreatment of a mentally ill man to the rejection of an openly gay member of our small-town congregation, I began to realize that American evangelicalism had become more about control than compassion.I’ll take you through my journey of questioning, exploring faith beyond the walls of the Baptist Church—finding inspiration in figures like Rich Mullins, learning about Native American spirituality, and seeking deeper meaning in Catholicism and more inclusive Christian perspectives.This isn’t just a story about leaving a church—it’s about reclaiming faith from those who have turned it into a political tool. If you've ever questioned the evangelical movement or wondered what it truly means to follow Christ, this episode is for you.Tune in now for a raw, honest, and deeply personal conversation about faith, doubt, and finding God beyond the walls of evangelicalism.

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