Tag Archives: fundamentalism

Purity Culture isn’t just a Christian thing

I spent my teenage years immersed in purity culture, in both evangelical and fundamentalist Christian circles. If you were homeschooled, went to youth group, or wore a purity ring, you probably know what I’m talking about. Purity culture was an ideology, a movement complete with books like Dannah Gresh’s Secret Keeper, promoted in concerts by Christian artistsContinueContinue reading “Purity Culture isn’t just a Christian thing”

Sometimes I realize I’ve been lied to: Revisiting narratives we tell ourselves about terrorism + extremism

I visited the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial in September 2015. Do you ever still feel a nauseating shock when you realize you’ve been lied to? I know many of us have expressed feeling this when we got out of homeschool-ville and fundamentalist Christianity in one way or another. I visited the Oklahoma City bombing memorialContinueContinue reading “Sometimes I realize I’ve been lied to: Revisiting narratives we tell ourselves about terrorism + extremism”

I can’t save my siblings

Growing up homeschooled means you get a lot more time with your siblings than other kids. As an older sibling, it also means you have much more responsibility for them. My parents told me I didn’t need friends, I had my siblings. They also told me I was the example for them, the prototype. ThisContinueContinue reading “I can’t save my siblings”

The story behind my first tattoo

So I got a tattoo. In April this year, the word I’d written in Sharpie on my wrist for two years was etched into my skin. Became a part of me. It was kind of a spiritual experience. Here, I’ll explain. A couple of my friends from CleanPlace, the writer’s forum I joined in 2009, did a lot ofContinueContinue reading “The story behind my first tattoo”

Three year anniversary: #WhyILeft Fundamentalism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fQ0JSImpzM Three years ago yesterday, I left my parents’ house. They’d delivered an ultimatum: transfer from UCCS to Bob Jones University or move out. I chose freedom. Last year, someone told me, “That’s one thing I love about you. You’re incredibly American, in the most fundamental way. You’d rather be free than comfortable.” Which isContinueContinue reading “Three year anniversary: #WhyILeft Fundamentalism”