He was even part of a group that smuggled Bibles into China. But, he told me he quit seminary because he decided Christianity in general was a bunch of hooey. I suppose that could be what my mother means. I think she would say that a theological education messed up my friend, who is now an atheist. What getting messed up means to me is that a theological education demystifies many of the things about the Bible and the Christian religion that have always seemed magical.
Many people enjoy magic shows.
You want to be amazed by the magician's craft. The slight of hand, the card up his sleeve. There are many people who have no interest in seeing how the magician performs the trick. That would take the fun out of it. Knowing the secret would mess up the show for them.