I heard another story of a young woman sexually harassed by a minister of her church who brought the sexual harassment to the leadership of the church and was told, “Just keep this quiet. We’ll take care of it internally.” This is spiritual abuse. This is what perpetuates a culture of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and spiritual …
“Some people have called me a rebel-rouser..” I explained to a colleague recently. She couldn’t contain her laughter at this statement. I may come across with comfortable with this identification, but you have to understand, I came from a background of striving furtively and desperately to obtain the label of “good Christian girl.” My conservative …
Why it’s hard for me to talk about my spiritual abuse… Read More »
As we were traveling to see family, Sam and I were listening to a NPR interview with the author of Lab Girl. She was talking about the difficulty she has had as a woman in a male-dominated profession. Tom Ashbrook asked if she would thought that she would ever be able to operate in her profession, …
I didn’t #PantsSuitUp yesterday on Tuesday to go and vote, but I did yesterday. I did because #Iamwithallthehers. I am with the hers who are shocked and disappointed because their candidate lost. I am with the hers in the LGTBQ community. I am with the hers of all races, nationalities, and ethnicities. I am with …
“This is the body of Christ broken for you. And Christ blood shed for you.” “Thank you, sweetheart…I mean pastor. Thank you, pastor.” As the older gentleman put the bread soaked in juice in his mouth, I smiled. This is what we need: self-correction, self-awareness. We need the simple acknowledgement that language that demeans and …
I have followed and read almost every story, comment, and response following the release of the video capturing the toxic culture of sexual assault, misogyny, and violence against women that plagues our society. I have written why we don’t share out stories in the midst of the this peak into the justification and defense of participating …
The release of the video on Friday that reveals the rape culture in America and the reason there are so many women who have stories of sexual assault, sexual violence, and rape was appalling to many. And in light of this video, there were many, many brave women who shared their stories. Stories of being raped, of …
I didn’t know I grew up in the Purity Culture. I didn’t realize that my age corresponded to a growing movement called True Love Waits that reached national attention right as I entered a conservative, evangelical youth group. I didn’t realize that for years and years the church governed mostly by men had been determining and …
Spiritual Abuse and Name Calling in the Purity Culture Read More »
I grew up in a faith community that strongly emphasized a purity culture. That emphasis resulted in a lot of shaming that still lingers in my heart and mind. Shame for wanting to express my innate sexuality that isn’t about just a physical act, but rather about stepping wholly and fully into who I was created …
As I hear more and more stories of spiritual abuse, I am discovering that many people who are victims of spiritual abuse shy away from saying they experienced spiritual abuse. I understand their sentiments because to name yourself as someone who has experienced spiritual abuse is to identify a community of faith as a place …
