Blue Christmas: Breaking generational abuse patterns during the holidays Image by Leonhard Niederwimmer from Pixabay Editorial Note: The following is reprinted with permission from Amber Schultz’s blog. It was originally published on December 25, 2022. By…

"As an adult, I have found that many people with difficult and traumatic childhoods struggle around the holidays." - Amber Schultz

#spiritualabuse #religioustrauma #independentfundamentalbaptist #IFB #cults #deconstruction #exvangelical #holidays #toxicfamily

How Religious Abuse Harmed My Mental Health and How I Healed Photo: Image by Pexels from Pixabay By Lydia Joy Kaplan “I have mental illness” is a phrase that was very, very hard for me to say out loud to another living soul. Even acknowledging and accepting …

"The reality is that I was a depressed child. I was an anxious child. I was a traumatized child." - Lydia Joy Launderville

vashtiinitiative.org/2023/05/05/h...

#spiritualabuse #IndependentFundamentalBaptist #religioustrauma #cults #IFB #mentalhealth #support #VashtiCares #mentalhealthmatters

Poem: Holy Hell By Megan Benninger FreedFrom the creedI believed I’m relieved!Once devoutNow kicked outFull of doubtI’m calling outThe ploysOf your good old boysI’m making noiseWith my big fat voiceRejoiceWhe…

"Freed
From the creed
I believed
I’m relieved!
Once devout
Now kicked out
Full of doubt
I’m calling out
The ploys
Of your good old boys
I’m making noise
With my big fat voice"

#ChurchToo #poetry #spiritualabuse #IndependentFundamentalBaptist #IFB #religioustrauma #cults #cultsurvivor #VashtiCares

Deconstructing from fundamentalism finally allowed me to authentically love my brother who is gay: Part 4 Photo: Image by Melissa from Pixabay Content note: child sexual abuse, domestic violence, homophobia, conversion therapy attempts, forcing someone to not be gay, religious and spiritual abuse By Wh…

"I believe human eyes can be opened to the truth and cold hearts can change and warm. I believe my brother deserves better from his family."

vashtiinitiative.org/2022/07/04/d...

#spiritualabuse #IndependentFundamentalBaptist #religioustrauma #cults #IFB #cultsurvivor

Why do you say you left fundamentalism? A Bob Jones University van in the parking lot of Grace Bible Church in Colorado Springs in spring 2013 | Photo: Eleanor Skelton Editorial Note: The following is reprinted with permission from Elean…

"In leaving fundamentalism, I left behind a cult-like system of beliefs that caged me."

vashtiinitiative.org/2023/07/13/w...

#spiritualabuse #IFB #IFCA #religioustrauma #healingjourney #independentfundamentalbaptist #cults #deconstruction #Christianfundamentalism #fundamentalism

The IFB Movement and LGBTQIA Rights: A Clash with Christian Love Photo: Image by Marybeth from Pixabay By Jonathan Grisham The Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement, with its deep roots and complex history, often stirs up debates on intolerance, hatred,…

"The Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement, with its deep roots and complex history, often stirs up debates on intolerance, hatred, and abusive practices."

vashtiinitiative.org/2023/06/20/t...

#spiritualabuse #religioustrauma #LGBTQ🌈 #independentfundamentalbaptist #cults #deconstruction

Our former volunteer executive director Evan Jones talks about how he was ostracized for being #LGBTQ + #trans in the IFB church.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ5S...

#spiritualabuse #religioustrauma #healingjourney #independentfundamentalbaptist #IFB #cults #deconstruction #churchtoo