Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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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.
Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: givebutter.com/CB6WoH
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: youtube.com/@givemeananswer
- Got Questions: gotquestions.org
- Total Truth and Finding Truth, Nancy Pearcey: https://a.co/d/066TnGwI
Shayla’s Socials:
Instagram: instagram.com/shayla_j_perez
YouTube: youtube.com/@Shayla_Perez
TikTok: tiktok.com/@shayla_j_perez
YouTube Chapters:
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
Connect with eX-skeptic:
Website: exskeptic.org
Facebook: facebook.com/exskeptic
Instagram: instagram.com/exskeptic
X: http://x.com/exskeptic
YouTube: youtube.com/@exskeptic
Email info: info@exskeptic.org
🎙️ Love the show? Support the mission and explore eX-skeptic merch here: ex-skeptic-shop.fourthwall.com
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.
Want to support this channel? Tax-deductible donations available here: givebutter.com/CB6WoH
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: youtube.com/@givemeananswer
- Got Questions: gotquestions.org
- Total Truth and Finding Truth, Nancy Pearcey: https://a.co/d/066TnGwI
Shayla’s Socials:
Instagram: instagram.com/shayla_j_perez
YouTube: youtube.com/@Shayla_Perez
TikTok: tiktok.com/@shayla_j_perez
YouTube Chapters:
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
Connect with eX-skeptic:
Website: exskeptic.org
Facebook: facebook.com/exskeptic
Instagram: instagram.com/exskeptic
X: http://x.com/exskeptic
YouTube: youtube.com/@exskeptic
Email info: info@exskeptic.org
