Brianna da Silva

Tag: exvangelical

Brianna da Silva written by Brianna da Silva
February 24, 2021 2

Reclaiming the temple: Chapter 7

This is Chapter 7 of my story about femininity, sexuality, and faith. Read Chapters 1 — 6 first.

I saw the boy and his family many times in the next few months.

Here and there, I learned little things about him — examples of his character, personality, and interests — which I hoarded and guarded closely, like a silent dragon clutching treasure in her cave.

I even learned his name.

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Brianna da Silva written by Brianna da Silva
June 26, 2019 0

Yes… I’m gay

When I was still an Evangelical Christian, but starting to suspect — and slowly accept — that I was bisexual, I didn’t think (at first) I’d ever act on my same-sex attractions.

I’d had this vision of myself with a husband for quite a while; certainly I’d been dreaming of that future, and looking forward to it. My being bisexual wouldn’t change that.

I wanted a husband. Right?

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Brianna da Silva written by Brianna da Silva
April 18, 2019 2

Reclaiming the temple: Chapter 5

This is Chapter 5 of my story about femininity, sexuality, and faith. Read Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 first.

I never really liked calling myself a Christian.

The word felt stuffy to me. It evoked images of stained glass windows, priests in formal robes, and strict rules, none of which were my experience. In short: It made me think of a religion. 

I quite disliked religion, and didn’t think of myself as having one. What I had was a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

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Brianna da Silva written by Brianna da Silva
March 31, 2019 1

Reclaiming the temple: Chapter 4

This is Chapter 4 of my story about femininity, sexuality, and faith. Read Chapters 1, 2, and 3 first.

In my Spanish 1 class, there was a boy named Daniel.*

Daniel was a smart, redheaded guy who quickly stood out to me. Admittedly, he wasn’t all that physically attractive — largely because adolescence had not been kind to him yet — but unlike all the other boys in my class, who irritated me with their outbursts of immaturity and disrespect, he seemed to have a decent head on his shoulders. He actually cared about learning.

In my book, being the studious, self-righteous snob that I was, such maturity counted for a lot.

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Brianna da Silva written by Brianna da Silva
September 10, 2018 5

Thank you, Bill Nye (an open letter)

Dear Bill,

Years ago, when you had your public debate with Ken Ham, I was a homeschooled, evangelical Christian and passionate Creationist.

I had visited the Creation Museum with other homeschoolers. I had written papers and given school presentations on the “Creation vs. Evolution” debate. As a teenager, I frequently argued the subject with adult strangers online, by way of my highly conservative blog. I had a thick book called “Science vs. Evolution” on my bookshelf.

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Brianna da Silva written by Brianna da Silva
June 8, 2018 0

Reclaiming the temple: Chapter 3

This is Chapter 3 of my story about femininity, sexuality, and faith. Read Chapters 1 & 2 first.

I first noticed boys when I started high school.

For me, as a home schooler, “starting high school” meant going to a new co-op (much like a mini private school), where I took classes with other home school students.

I was a hopelessly awkward, unstylish, bumbling adolescent that freshman year, hiding behind mismatched layers and baggy flaring jeans that guarded my figure like an embarrassing secret. My long, curly hair was an unruly tyrant, and a constant source of insecurity.

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