Category Archives: RecoveringFundamentalist

I met the cast of “All-American Muslim,” enjoy their show AND (gasp!) I’m a Christian

Posted on December 13, 2011 by elizabeth

Just before appearing on Anderson Cooper’s daytime talk show, I ran into the cast of TLC’s new show, All-American Muslim. They had just finished taping their segment and were chatting with Anderson in the makeup room. Anderson surprised one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Evil TV, Politics, RecoveringFundamentalist, Religion | 21 Comments

Tips For “Moving On” From An Abusive (Church) Experience

Posted on December 11, 2011 by elizabeth

Full disclosure: I think “moving on” is probably a happy-slappy lie we tell ourselves. Whenever someone tells me they’ve “moved on” or “found closure” after escaping an abusive situation, I think they’re in denial. Then again, that’s just my own … Continue reading →

Posted in RecoveringFundamentalist | 40 Comments

Tears of despair & tears of Thanksgiving

Posted on November 21, 2011 by elizabeth

“Get down on your knees and repent,” my grandmother said. Her voice was quiet, cold and fully controlled. Nobody defied her. And so, I knelt. “Say the prayer, admit that your life is a failure and a mess.” I said … Continue reading →

Posted in Friday Gratitude Lists, Fundie Hierarchies, RecoveringFundamentalist | 30 Comments

How to Cure a Severe Case of Not-Good-Enough-itis

Posted on November 15, 2011 by elizabeth

This feeling: second-guessing, self-doubt. And with it, a choking sensation: I’m Not Good Enough. It feels similar to regret. It feels like a missed opportunity, like waking up and realizing you just slept through an important event. People say hindsight … Continue reading →

Posted in Her Royal Mommy-Ness, RecoveringFundamentalist | 17 Comments

I am not a girl. I am a woman, dammit.

Posted on November 11, 2011 by elizabeth

If you want to “call out” sexist attitudes, it probably helps if you refrain from telling sexist jokes. Publishing a blog post that dredges up every single demeaning thought a dude has about “girls” and posting it as a satirical … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, RecoveringEvangelicalsAnonymous, RecoveringFundamentalist, Religion, SmartAssery, Societal Commentary | 82 Comments

Tips for recovering from a spiritually abusive church

Posted on October 11, 2011 by elizabeth

We had an interesting little discussion on my Facebook page yesterday. I’ve been thinking about the journey of recovery and how it is a winding road fraught with detours, tangents, dead-ends, mistakes. And that is OK! It’s easy to get … Continue reading →

Posted in RecoveringFundamentalist | 18 Comments

Having flashbacks/Survivor’s Guilt

Posted on October 3, 2011 by elizabeth

You guys, I can’t stop crying. You have to understand, every time a child dies as a result of their religiously abusive childhood–I have flashbacks. I couldn’t eat this morning–my stomach was too tight. Sure, maybe I should just stop … Continue reading →

Posted in RecoveringFundamentalist | 14 Comments

What if the only person hindering my ability to receive love is…me?

Posted on September 7, 2011 by elizabeth

As I begin to allow God’s unconditional love to heal up the raw, aching wounds in my heart, I’m experiencing an unexpected shift of perspective: I see the good in people. I even (dare I whisper this?)….see that perhaps I … Continue reading →

Posted in ENFP, Her Royal Mommy-Ness, RecoveringFundamentalist | 26 Comments

Even God Does Not Break Our Will–and why “breaking a child’s will” is NOT Biblical

Posted on August 18, 2011 by elizabeth

A few months ago, I wrote this piece as a guest post for my good friend, Rachel Held Evans. In light of the current discussion regarding “Biblical” child-training, Rachel has graciously agreed to let me re-post it here. Is “breaking … Continue reading →

Posted in Michael & Debi Pearl, Parenting--toughest job out there, RecoveringFundamentalist | 65 Comments

Mike & Debi Pearl and the cognitive dissonance of “Biblical” child-training

Posted on August 17, 2011 by elizabeth

There is a serious sickness in the Christian, fundamentalist sub-culture. You know it when you hear Michael Pearl say in the same breath that yes, a 7 year old deserves 10-15 “licks” for one act of misbehavior but no, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Michael & Debi Pearl, RecoveringFundamentalist | 49 Comments