Christian Rock Singer Jonathan Steingard Leaves Group Hawk Nelson Because He Doesn’t Believe In God Anymore

Jonathan Steingard has announced via Instagram that he has decided to leave his position as lead singer for Christian rock band Hawk Nelson due to the fact that he does not believe in God anymore. 

Steingard explained that he has been a Christian his entire life, but over the past few years has started to have doubts about his beliefs which he discussed with close friends and family. In addition to this, he felt that this was the right time to share what he was feeling and leave the band due to the fact that the group is currently on a hiatus because of the coronavirus. 

The caption to Stengard’s lengthy post read, “I’ve been terrified to post this for a while – but it feels like it’s time for me to be honest. I hope this is not the end of the conversation, but the beginning. I hope this is encouraging to people who might feel the same but are as afraid to speak as I am. I want to be open. I want to be transparent with you all – and also open to having my heart changed in the future. I am not looking for a debate at all – just a chance to share my story in the hopes some good can come from it. I love you all.”

Hawk Nelson made a formal statement on Instagram that said, “One of our best friends, one with whom we have walked, worked and lived alongside for 20 + years revealed some of his innermost feelings on his faith journey this past week.

Our mission as Hawk Nelson has always been to inspire and encourage all people with the truth that God is FOR them and not against them. In that message’s most simple and purest form, that THEY matter.”

Steingard had originally joined Hawk Nelson as the lead guitarist in 2004 and became the lead singer in 2012 after the founder of the group, Jason Dunn, had left the band.