Raised Catholic and I took it quite seriously in high school. I even gave out communion after I was Confirmed. A couple of things and I can’t point to the strongest one. But here are a few. All these happened between last couple years of high school and being in my early 20s.

The movie Dogma

Sitting in a really opulent church while a collection basket was passed around. I actually started crying, because of the hypocrisy of it all. The way my dad rolled his eyes at me when I tried to explain my upset.

Leaning in to the questioning feelings id had for a long time but had pushed down because it was sinful and I really just wanted to be good. But once I explored those feelings, it got easier to let go.

It probably took me 5-6 years before I felt freedom from religion and I still have weird hangups that will stay with me forever i suspect, and I’m in my mid-40s.