I was 18 and I finally had friends and a social life. I met a fellow nerd at my new job, and he invited me to join the Dungeons & Dragons game he played in. He was a charismatic extrovert that brought people together and was always involved in multiple nerdy activities for which he … Continue reading Religious Indoctrination 6/20 →

There had always been cracks. And cracks, of course, are how the light gets in. My dad would never get fully on board with my mom's desired level of control and isolation when it came to media. We had some freedoms that other homeschooling families did not. Dad was the God-ordained head of the household … Continue reading Religious indoctrination 5/20 →

I was selfish. I wanted things just because they made me happy, not because they advanced God's kingdom or helped spread the Gospel. I knew the desires of my heart were sinful, because I'd been told they were from a very young age. I'd long hated all the things I'd been told were expected of … Continue reading Religious Indoctrination 4/20 →

I had always hated domestic life. I hated cleaning, I hated cooking, I hated childcare. I'd experienced all of these in plentiful amounts during my childhood, teen years and while working. I believed domestic existence was my duty, though. God wanted a man and a woman to pair up in a committed relationship and have … Continue reading Religious Indoctrination 3/20 →

I had no doubts that my religion was true. I loved my mom and dad with the innocent intensity of childhood and I knew they loved me, too. They were smart, good, caring people. They wouldn't lie to me. I had no concept of sincerely wrong belief. You see, people that believed wrong things about … Continue reading Religious Indoctrination 2/20 →