Appalachian COC Golden Girl to Metropolitan Heathen Scholar

[jericaelizabeth]

Hello, everyone. Some of you, I may already know from the Reddit ex-COC board, but nonetheless, I thought I would introduce myself here too. I have to be on the lookout these days thanks to estranged family members and former "brothers and sisters in Christ" trying to find me and "guide" me to the "right path".

Anyway, I grew up in the COC in Appalachia, which seems to make its practices be on steroids. Hell, anything in Appalachian religion is. I now live in a major metropolitan area and am working on my Ph.D. It's quite a damn change, let me tell you. My time in the COC and my exit has been fraught with family estrangements, stalking, justifications for domestic violence, horrific encounters at funerals, sexual assault, and panic attacks from hell. I did get one thing out of my time there: My best friend since we were born... When I was a teenager ready to leave the church at 18, the only thing that broke my heart about it was the fact that I would likely lose him. Well, as it turned out, he was secretly gay and feeling the same way. We left together. We're still inseparable, and he's the only one with whom I have that kind of bond.

My story is a long one, and to say my journey is long and complicated is a serious damn understatement. Nonetheless, I'm happy to be here with others who have lived through the COC and have left it as well. Thanks for letting me be a part of it.

[agricola]

Well, welcome to the ex board - and feel free to make yourself at home!

[GMan]

Hell-o, glad to meet you.

[FinallyFree]

So glad you have joined us!

[Moogy]

Glad to have you!

[Kitty]

Welcome be!