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Growing up in a deeply Christian home, Shayla Perez assumed that faith was simply part of her family tradition. But as she entered her teenage years, skepticism began to grow. Questions about suffering and whether Christianity was actually true led her into online atheist communities and eventually to reject the faith she grew up around.

What began as rebellion soon became a sincere search for truth. As Shayla wrestled with the claims of atheism and the intellectual foundations of Christianity, she discovered something she had never expected.

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Guest Bio:

Shayla Perez is a Christian speaker and content creator passionate about helping the next generation discover the truth of Christianity. After a season of skepticism and involvement in online atheist communities as a teenager, she returned to faith through apologetics, philosophy, and a personal encounter with Christ. Today, she reaches Gen Z and Gen Alpha through social media, youth events, and churches, engaging honest questions about faith and culture.

Resources Mentioned:

eX-skeptic Guides: exskeptic.org/bookstore

Shayla’s Recommended Resources:

William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith reasonablefaith.org

Frank Turek, Cross-Examined, crossexamined.org

Cliff Knechtle, Give me an Answer:    / @givemeananswer  

Got Questions: gotquestions.org

Total Truth and Finding Truth, Nancy Pearcey: a.co/d/066TnGwI

Shayla’s Socials:

Instagram:   / shayla_j_perez  

YouTube:    / @shayla_perez  

TikTok:   / shayla_j_perez  

00:00 Introduction: "God, If You're Real..."

00:34 Welcome & Introducing Shayla Perez

02:00 Shayla's Ministry & The Digital Mission Field

03:54 Growing Up a Pastor's Kid

06:08 When Skepticism Began

08:00 The Internet & Online Atheist Communities

11:12 Reading The Case for Christ (But Not Believing It)

13:24 What Atheism Couldn't Explain

14:57 Richard Dawkins, Morality & The First Doubts

17:48 Wrestling with the Problem of Evil

20:41 Christian Apologists Changed Everything

23:17 Giving God One Honest Chance

26:21 When Prayer Became Real

27:00 The Moment Shayla Came to Faith

29:52 Faith Isn't Blind

32:35 Can Logic Strengthen Faith?

34:02 How Do You Know Christianity Is True?

36:08 Advice for Parents of Skeptical Teens

42:46 Resources for Those Wrestling with Doubt

46:13 What Christianity Offers Gen Z

49:38 The Power of Personal Testimony

52:40 Why the Internet Is Today's Mission Field

55:50 Final Reflections & Takeaways

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