I found this essay interesting, because so many of the author's points about being raised (specifically, raised in, not converted into as an adult) a fundamentalist church environment is so damaging and the aftereffects so lasting, really resonated with me and the way I was raised. I often feel that I am roughly twenty years 'delayed socially' due to the twenty (plus) years I spent in that environment.
There are - admittedly - 'worse' groups than any coc, however the coc overall is within this same backwater which leads to (sometimes) headlines and court cases. Because the coc is 'measles' and some churches are 'smallpox', is that supposed to make a case of it less impactful? The argument that 'other people have it worse' is rarely comforting!
Here's the list:
I was raised a fundamentalist Christian. Here is some of what we were taught, both explicitly and in a million different little ways, every single day of our lives:
Let me just add: these teaching are PARTICULARLY damaging to girls and women.You are worthless.
God hates you, unless you love him.
Obedience is love.
Punishment is love.
The Bible is infallible and not to be questioned.
The pastor is infallible and not to be questioned.
Our interpretation of all Scripture is without error and not to be questioned.
Outside the church bubble waits evil.
Everyone who is different should be feared.
Bad things happen to you because God is trying to teach you a lesson.
Bad things happen to you because God let Satan tempt you.
Bad things happen to you as a punishment for disobedience.
Depression is a sign of sin in your life.
To resist what you are taught is to rebel against God.
Women have to cover themselves so as not to tempt men.
If a man lusts after a woman it’s her fault.
Women need to submit to male authority over them.
There are many things girls can’t do.
Men are more important than women.
A woman who is raped must forgive her rapist and not report it to the authorities, in order that the rapist, his family, and the church remain protected from outsiders.
Children are to be seen and not heard.
Children need to have their will broken through painful “child-training” and punishment.
A child who is not hit until he or she screams will not learn.
Our church is the only true church; all others churches are filled with Christians who are untrue and destined for hell.
Catholics aren’t Christians. They are idol worshippers.
You are so full of sin God can’t even look at you.
When the Communists take over America and force us to burn all of our Bibles, you’ll need to have memorized it so they can’t take away what is written on your heart.
Those are lies. And they are deeply damaging.
When I go through this list, I can nod my head and agree with at least 90% of them. Yes, yes - I learned that. I was taught that. That was certainly the implication of the teachings...
I might add another lie to the list - because it's important to the 'dissonance' thing: God can and does LIE to us to test our faith - when means, ultimately, that the God coc members are taught to love, worship and trust is not, ultimately, reliable.
