Deprogramming: documentaries and movies about cults and fundamentalist Christian subculture

Some people asked us what life was like after we left when I posted the UnBoxing Project series, how we handled leaving the sects of fundamentalist Christianity we were raised in. My friends and I went through a period of deprogramming, which is still ongoing. We’d been told what to think our whole lives, what isContinueContinue reading “Deprogramming: documentaries and movies about cults and fundamentalist Christian subculture”

The UnBoxing Project: Surviving and thriving on the outside

Although I had very little when I was kicked out of the cult and moved out of my family’s house, I came from an upper middle class, well-educated family. I grew up privileged. I moved out as a college student with a couple of on-campus jobs after my parents emptied my savings account. Many ofContinueContinue reading “The UnBoxing Project: Surviving and thriving on the outside”

The UnBoxing Project: Options, not ultimatums

Several friends were part of our network that helped Ashley move out of her parents’ house. This is another person’s part of the story, in their own words. It’s hard when someone you care about is stuck in an abusive environment. It’s worse when you feel like you could and should be helping them toContinueContinue reading “The UnBoxing Project: Options, not ultimatums”

The UnBoxing Project: Ashley’s story

Editorial note: Although Ashley is a survivor of a Christian fundamentalist cult, unfortunately she became abusive herself. She has been reported to several law enforcement agencies for human trafficking others from 2017-2019. She is the abusive partner mentioned in this post from 2022. I keep Ashley’s story on the blog as a reminder that thoseContinueContinue reading “The UnBoxing Project: Ashley’s story”

Obsessions and yellow paint

Photo: Flicker. Yellow waves by Ruth Hartnup My friends all know I am obsessive. If you know me at all, you’ve heard more than you ever wanted to know about Harry Potter, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Del Taco, and The Thorn. My friends tease me about my obnoxious love for my birthplace in Southeast Texas, andContinueContinue reading “Obsessions and yellow paint”