Category Archives: Cults

What NOT to say to someone struggling with their faith

Posted on January 27, 2012 by elizabeth

“Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!” This nice little cliche manages to be both offensive and dismissive all at once. It assumes the listener has abandoned important aspects of their faith and belittles the honest struggle of re-examining … Continue reading →

Posted in Cults, RecoveringEvangelicalsAnonymous, RecoveringFundamentalist | 77 Comments

If it feels good, it’s sinful

Posted on December 5, 2011 by elizabeth

Why do parents believe God wants them to spank their children into submission? There are several underlying beliefs that motivate this approach: The parents believe human beings are essentially, inherently evil and thus… God wants parents to “break” their child’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Childbearing, Cults, Michael & Debi Pearl | 40 Comments

Why Mark Driscoll scares me

Posted on July 17, 2011 by elizabeth

I read Mark Driscoll’s explanation about why he invited his readers to mock effeminate worship leaders. I’m not calling it an apology because, well, it wasn’t. Was it? But I guess it’s reassuring to know there are elders holding Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Cults, Grief&Loss, RecoveringFundamentalist, Religion | 33 Comments

A Handy Guide For Dealing With Manipulative People

Posted on May 10, 2011 by elizabeth

Last week I encountered three sets of manipulative people. As a result of being raised in a controlling, cultish group (AND THANKS TO TONS OF THERAPY!! ) I can now easily identify unhealthy, hurtful human behavior. But it’s FAR more … Continue reading →

Posted in Cults, RecoveringFundamentalist | 45 Comments

Church sanctioned spanking of infants {the 20/20 investigation of IFB churches}

Posted on April 10, 2011 by elizabeth

Perhaps some of you watched the 20/20 investigation of Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches. I watched most of it but had to turn it off eventually because I was beginning to feel panicky. Although my childhood cult was not part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cults, Michael & Debi Pearl, RecoveringFundamentalist, Religion | 69 Comments

PTSD hangover {and its antidote: Mark Wahlberg}

Posted on March 21, 2011 by elizabeth

Life is unpredictable. Just a few days ago I was this happy: And one bad Sunday sends me into a tail-spin. I think I need to avoid Sundays from now on, don’t you? I know this feeling: jangly, jittery, waking … Continue reading →

Posted in Cults, RecoveringFundamentalist, Religion | Comments Off

Just your average Sunday devastation

Posted on March 20, 2011 by elizabeth

I made it through three minutes of church today. And then I bolted like a spooked horse. A perplexed looking usher followed me out into the foyer: “You just got here!” he exclaimed. I kept going, almost running now. “It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cults, RecoveringEvangelicalsAnonymous, RecoveringFundamentalist, Religion | Comments Off

Why I don’t make rules about modesty for my daughters

Posted on March 14, 2011 by elizabeth

The discussion leader at our Women’s Retreat was incensed. She smacked the podium, leaned into the microphone and demanded: “How? HOW can you call yourself a Christian woman if you’re wearing a push-up bra?” Right. Because when you line up at … Continue reading →

Posted in Cults, Parenting--toughest job out there, RecoveringEvangelicalsAnonymous, RecoveringFundamentalist, Religion, SmartAssery | 83 Comments

Friendships Inside a High-Demand/Cultish Group

Posted on March 13, 2011 by elizabeth

In the last few years, I have slowly built a small group of friends. I have made many mistakes in friendship: I am often wary of people’s motives (which comes across as judgmental), I assume future rejection and often disappear … Continue reading →

Posted in Cults, RecoveringEvangelicalsAnonymous, RecoveringFundamentalist, Religion | 36 Comments

The essential goodness of the human person

Posted on February 22, 2011 by elizabeth

The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest Hell. – from the hymn “The Love of God” written by Frederick Lehman I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholicism, Cults, Depression, Faith, RecoveringFundamentalist, Religion | 21 Comments