It's my birthday!

If I learned anything in school, it was that you’re supposed to bring treats for your birthday. I did it during school. I’ve done it at work. I would like to do it here, but . . .

Yeah, a picture might be worth a thousand words, but it’s worth zero donuts. (Side note: Did you know Dunkin Donuts’ reward for your birthday is NOT a free donut, it’s 3X reward points if you buy donuts? Okay, that’s not lame if it’s their birthday, but for my birthday? LAME. Just give me donut, Dunk.) Now, for my birthday, I’m hoping you’d like to celebrate with this AMAZING offer:

Now, the offer’s only amazing because you’re amazing. For the time being, almost all of my posts will remain widely available for free because I haven’t had to weed out any naysayers or ne'er-do-wells from the comments*. The point of this content is to help anyone who has ever struggled with the effects or after effects of malignant religion. The point of a paid subscription of any kind is to help support and sustain this effort.

If you’d like to do that and you are able to, thank you. If paid support isn’t the best option right now, please consider recommending Under Deconstruction to a friend or group of friends who might benefit from it. That would be an AMAZING birthday gift. But, more than anything, THANK YOU FOR READING!

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I do want to share one deconstructing thought for today. Consider it a belated or early birthday gift to you (or, if you’re Billy Joel or Candice Bergen or Ghostface Killah or Rosario Dawson or anyone else whose birthday is TODAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!).

I don’t say many things related to eternity, the unknown, faith, etc. with 100% conviction, but I will say this with one hundred point zero zero percent conviction:

You were not born a sinner. You were not born with three strikes against you in the eyes of your creator. You’re a fucking miracle. You deserve unconditional love, overwhelming joy, and unmitigated peace. You deserve no punishment for who you are. You deserve the greatest reward imaginable, and that reward is . . . to be YOU and to be surrounded by people who love that about you (except when you want to be alone—boundaries, people).

Happy Birthday. Happy You Day. Onward.

*This is not a place for debates or clashes with religious crusaders. I have zero tolerance in this regard. I am 100% dedicated to keeping this a safe space in which no one has to defend their stance (spoken or not) on deconstruction, conversion, or their own personal faith. Anyone from any faith or understanding is welcome. But, even though Tom isn’t here, this is My Space. And it’s my birthday. Friends only. Always friendly. That’s my policy, and that’s how it will stay.

I vow to do everything in my power to make you feel safe in this space. And I implore you to let me know if I ever fail to do that.