Tag: Deconstruction
-
The Transition
From Newcomer to Church Member. Remember the cards in the deck before this? Those are all still in play, at the same time. Before You Continue This section explores the early stages of becoming deeply immersed in a high-control religious environment, including the rapid development of belonging, friendship, purpose, responsibility, and emotional attachment. As we…
-
Certainty vs. Consideration
How do we find ourselves in a world that was never allowed to be ours? How do we respect a humanity we were taught needed to change? We listen to their stories. And we let ourselves linger with the personhood represented. Learning to see people Coming out of evangelicalism can be a strange and lonely…
-
Shared Emotional Experience: Collective Effervescence
Before You Begin This article explores the powerful emotional experiences that many people remember from life inside high-control, immersive environments. As you read, you may find yourself remembering worship services, conferences, retreats, altar calls, or other moments that once felt deeply significant. Revisiting those memories can bring up a wide range of emotions, including grief,…
-
Where Foundations Begin: Why They Are so Important
Before You Begin: Content Warning This article may bring up memories or uncomfortable emotions for some readers. That’s okay. Please don’t feel like you need to rush through it. Read at your own pace. Stop if you need to. Come back when you’re ready. Some of the things we discuss throughout this series can be…
-
Examining Our “Origin” Story
The Mechanisms That Run the Machine One of the things we want to accomplish is establishing a clear framework for understanding what happened to us, why it happened, and the systems that shaped us. To do that, we need to start with the mechanisms that run the machine. Before we can examine the larger frameworks,…
