Eleanor Skelton

I am the thing I was taught to hate

My brother tells me a joke that he and one of the pastor’s kids laugh about at youth group. “Let’s go get Christian t-shirts from Mardel’s and drink beer like the New Life Christians! Hahahahaha!” I don’t laugh. I feel the gut punch. Pause. “Do you know anyone from New Life Church? Have you ever metContinueContinue reading “I am the thing I was taught to hate”

Embracing Sobriety in Spiritual Practice: Interview with Elizabeth Esther

Photo: Elizabeth Esther Another blogger friend, Sirius Heart, introduced me to Elizabeth Esther’s blog back in 2014. Recently I ran across her top ten signs of a spiritually abusive church YouTube video and I was so, so glad someone finally mentioned the dangers of “independent fundamental” churches like the ones I attended when I was aContinueContinue reading “Embracing Sobriety in Spiritual Practice: Interview with Elizabeth Esther”

Some Thoughts on National Remembrance and Christian Terrorism

So Memorial Day wasn’t too long ago, and I’ve been thinking about my mixed feelings about patriotism and group remembrances. I don’t think patriotism is inherently bad, but I also think that questioning where our patriotic energy is directed is a healthy thing. Be wary of people who encourage blind patriotism. Even the Nazis wereContinueContinue reading “Some Thoughts on National Remembrance and Christian Terrorism”

Cult literature confuses me and that’s a good thing

So I’ve been wanting to write more about literature produced by cults and high control groups. The stuff that the insiders read, reinforcing their feelings of belonging. The arguments that convince them that they’re right and everyone else is wrong. When I was a teenager, I read books from Vision Forum about dutiful daughterhood andContinueContinue reading “Cult literature confuses me and that’s a good thing”