Growing Up Fundie: The Painful Impact of Conservative Religion

[cbayer]

http://gawker.com/growing-up-fundie-the-painful-impact-of-conservative-r-1716122437

Jennifer C. Martin
Filed to: true stories 7/17/15 1:50pm

In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage, and with research indicating that the numbers of Americans who identify as religious are declining, the Religious Right seems to be losing its grip on American politics.

In some ways, that may be true: organized religion and church now trail behind the military, small business, and police for institutions in which the public has confidence. But for so many individuals, the effects of fundamentalist religion have left a deep, jagged scar on their lives as they suffer from the after-effects of spiritual abuse.

I grew up in a fairly conservative, religious household. Members of my family for generations back were proud initial members of the Church of God, a Pentecostal denomination with extremely fundamentalist views. The chances that I could have been subjected to that sort of spiritual abuse were fairly high, but the truth is that my parents were always a little bit different. If I asked theological questions, they answered them, or told me to research it for myself. It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t abusive.

After my article on the Quiverfull movement was published, I received dozens of emails from people who had grown up in fundamentalist movements, sharing their tales of heartbreak, horror, and shame in their upbringing. It was a bleak reminder to those of us who did grow up with a more balanced childhood that it’s not just the Duggars who are subjected to ridiculous, sexist teachings under the guise of religion—but everyday people without the benefits of fame and fortune to help them along.

more at link

[longship]

1. A good read.

And good grief, those fundie religions seem to be horrible. But I suspect that we all knew that.

R&K

[cbayer]

2. Long, but worth the read, imo.

It's helpful for understanding how some people have been seriously hurt and traumatized by religion.

Hope you are well, longship.

[longship]

3. Doing fine, my friend.

It isn't too hot here, so that's good. I know that you are probably about roasting.

Stay cool. Have a nice Sangria.

[cbayer]

4. I'm in Georgia and it is southern hot.

Temp in 90's, feels like 102.

Keeping very still at this time of day!