Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance captivated a North Carolina audience Monday as he opened up about his Christian faith journey and warned that religious liberty is at stake in the upcoming 2024 election.

According to Mail Online, Vance, once an atheist, credited his 2019 conversion to Christianity as a pivotal moment in his life.

Speaking at Freedom House Church in Charlotte, Vance shared intimate details of his upbringing, faith, and the role his grandmother, Mamaw, played in shaping his spiritual path. The visit to North Carolina also included a meaningful stop at the grave of evangelist Billy Graham, which Vance said influenced his speech that evening.

JD Vance Reflects on His Upbringing

Raised in a challenging household, Vance explained that his grandmother was a source of stability in his life. Despite her tough demeanor and penchant for swearing, she was also deeply religious and introduced him to Christianity at an early age. Mamaw and Vance would often watch Billy Graham's sermons on television together, laying the foundation for Vance's later conversion.

“She was, again, a woman of very deep and profound Christian faith. She also really loved the F-word,” Vance said, drawing laughter from the crowd. He admitted that he, too, had picked up the habit but was working to change for the sake of his young children.

Vance’s childhood was marked by difficulties, particularly due to his mother’s struggles with opioid addiction. Though she was unable to care for him during those years, she has since been sober for a decade, which Vance proudly noted during his remarks.

A Return to Faith After Years Away

Though he grew up in a Christian environment, Vance drifted away from the faith as a young man, especially during his time in the Marine Corps in 2007. He described himself as “rational” and distant from religion during that period. However, meeting his wife, Usha, and reflecting on the kind of husband and father he wanted to be led him back to Christianity.

His return to faith in 2019 coincided with a deeper realization of his spiritual values. "God didn't care about how much money I made, God didn't care about where I went to school," Vance said, emphasizing the importance of being a virtuous husband and father over worldly accomplishments.

Vance’s journey from atheism back to Christianity is a central theme of his life and message. He acknowledged that his grandmother’s wisdom played a large role in shaping his eventual return to the faith.

Vance Warns of Religious Liberty Threats

While Vance’s personal story took center stage, he also took time to address broader political concerns, particularly the future of religious liberty in America. Vance warned the audience that the outcome of the 2024 election would directly impact the ability of Christians to live and express their faith freely.

“We've gotta make people see that this election, I really think, will determine the course of religious liberty in our country,” Vance stated, highlighting his belief that religious freedoms could be jeopardized if the election swings in favor of the Democrats.

Vance singled out Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, as a major threat to religious freedom. He described Harris as "the biggest threat to religious liberty we've had in at least a generation," expressing concern that Christian values and the right to advocate for those values might be suppressed under her leadership.

Christianity in a Changing World

Vance also touched on the global persecution of Christians, noting that Christianity is currently the most persecuted religion in the world. He emphasized that religious persecution in other nations could eventually spread to places like the United States if action is not taken to protect religious liberty.

“If it can happen anywhere, then it can happen anywhere else,” he said, suggesting that what Christians face abroad could become a reality in America if the country doesn’t safeguard its religious freedoms. Throughout his speech, Vance conveyed a sense of urgency regarding the political climate and its potential impact on religious communities. He reiterated that the right to raise children in accordance with Christian values and the freedom to build faith-based communities were at stake in the upcoming election.

Faith and Family at the Forefront

Despite the weight of his warnings, Vance struck a personal note by reflecting on his own efforts to lead a Christian life. He joked about the challenge of curbing his own swearing, a habit inherited from his grandmother, especially now that he is raising young children.

“The problem is we've got a seven-year-old, a four-year-old, and a two-year-old, so they start to talk like their daddy does,” he said, adding with a smile, “But honey, I promise you, I'll honor the curse jar. I'll get better, and the kids will stop talking like me and stop talking like Mamaw.”

Vance's journey of faith, combined with his concerns about religious liberty, painted a picture of a man deeply connected to both his personal values and the larger political landscape. His remarks in North Carolina underscored the personal and political significance of the upcoming election for him and many Christian voters.

As the 2024 election approaches, Vance’s message is clear: the outcome will have lasting implications for religious freedom in America, and Christians must be vigilant in defending their right to live in accordance with their beliefs.