Have you ever denounced or changed your religious affiliation? If so, why?

Absolutely. I grew up an evangelical Christian. I have since denounced it in large part to the hatred I've found in its practices and in its literal interpretation of scripture, which encourages hatred and authoritarianism. Upon reading Thomas Paine in high school, I was relieved to see a Founding Father who shared my views, and this game me some courage to confront my extended family over it in order to resist their attempts to use threats to overcome reason.