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Author Topic: Religion, power and control  (Read 5350 times)
Free in Christ
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« on: September 06, 2018, 07:55:55 pm »

I am writing because I am struggling. In examining the faith that was modelled for me in GCC, I see that so much of it was fueled by control and power. As most of us here know, it was an extreme example. But now that I have identified it so clearly, it is hard not to notice those potent motivators in so much of American evangelical Christianity, especially in things such as women's roles. Honestly, I am tempted to just chuck it all. I am so tired of Christians and men using manipulative techniques to control me, my beliefs and my actions. I post this here because I have seen that most here are compassionate, even when you disagree. Can anyone relate? I don't know what I am looking for, but perhaps just to know I am not alone.
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OneOfMany
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« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2018, 08:16:48 pm »

I am writing because I am struggling. In examining the faith that was modelled for me in GCC, I see that so much of it was fueled by control and power. As most of us here know, it was an extreme example. But now that I have identified it so clearly, it is hard not to notice those potent motivators in so much of American evangelical Christianity, especially in things such as women's roles. Honestly, I am tempted to just chuck it all. I am so tired of Christians and men using manipulative techniques to control me, my beliefs and my actions. I post this here because I have seen that most here are compassionate, even when you disagree. Can anyone relate? I don't know what I am looking for, but perhaps just to know I am not alone.

This is the state of the current church. There are denominations that avoid manipulations and mind control. Their sermons are not personal stories about the pastor's lives. Instead the Bible is read as a group together, line by line. Music is mainly the voices of those present with one instrument to accompany. You will not see stage lighting. Songs are often old school as many recently created songs are designed to create a hypnotic state. Utube is full of video that talk about how music is used to put people into a hypnotic state. Start searching and as you become aware of the techniques used you can gain confidence in avoiding them.
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Rebel in a Good Way
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« Reply #2 on: September 07, 2018, 07:09:10 am »

Yes, I agree with your assessment and absolutely relate.  I have had to find small pockets of community that are outside of the religious power/control paradigm you describe, and a lot of it has been found online.  I attend a Covenant Church which is a fine denomination, but have considered moving to a liturgical tradition like Episcopalian. Or on the other end wondering about hierarchy-free groups like Quakers. I question the entire structure of church as an institution (like, do we need buildings and paid staff, etc?) so I am really confused, lol!  I don't have a lot of answers but I have realized I can't live with most of what American evangelicalism offers.  However, I am not ready to ditch the idea of church (gathering of believers) altogether, even if I am not sure what it should look like.  Culturally, we have what we have.

If I may ask a few questions--Are you struggling with faith in general, or just church, or having a hard time separating the two?  Wondering if other people have found control-free religious experiences?  In a place of deconstructing your faith but not sure where/how to reconstruct it? 

I personally am finding God in lots of places outside of church now that I am no longer under the falsehood that leaders and pastors are intermediaries between me and God (as if I can't trust my own experience and relationship with him) and that they are the ones who will reveal God to me.  I have also started to learn from alternative voices other than those that come from a very specific and narrow worldview. This would have been scary to me before (like people are influencing me and might lead me astray) but I realize no one "owns" God, no one group determines what expression of faith "should" look like, etc. It is exciting and has opened up a new world and has grown my love for Jesus. Before anyone worries about my soul, I'm still all about the Apostle's Creed, but there is so much variation from that point on.

Please feel free to share more if you're open.  You are NOT alone.  But where you are can be scary, confusing, and lonely.  Or so I've heard  Wink


I am writing because I am struggling. In examining the faith that was modelled for me in GCC, I see that so much of it was fueled by control and power. As most of us here know, it was an extreme example. But now that I have identified it so clearly, it is hard not to notice those potent motivators in so much of American evangelical Christianity, especially in things such as women's roles. Honestly, I am tempted to just chuck it all. I am so tired of Christians and men using manipulative techniques to control me, my beliefs and my actions. I post this here because I have seen that most here are compassionate, even when you disagree. Can anyone relate? I don't know what I am looking for, but perhaps just to know I am not alone.
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Free in Christ
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« Reply #3 on: September 07, 2018, 03:52:58 pm »

Thanks, OOM and Rebel. I thought many here could relate. I appreciate the thoughtful reply. I am actually quite happy with my church family, which has been a place of great healing. It is what you mention, Rebel, with faith in general. It's hard for me not to see all religion as a social construct used to control people. I know that you can't crystallize all religion down to control (it is the story through which humans perceive meaning and purpose and hope), but when I am at my most cynical, I struggle not to see it through a lens of control. I think you are right that finding community in which authority is not central and regulations are not paramount is really important. I think there are a lot of us looking for that, and it is comforting to know I am not alone.
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Free in Christ
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« Reply #4 on: September 07, 2018, 03:54:39 pm »

Also, on a similar topic, Rebel, you might be interested in the podcast Almost Heretical, the episode Jesus Ended Hierarchy. That brought me hope, personally, for a different vision of what the Church was supposed to look like!
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OneOfMany
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« Reply #5 on: September 07, 2018, 08:45:56 pm »

Don't beat yourself up by using negative terms such as cynical. When out eyes are opened to the control methods it is healthy to start questioning everything. Smiley
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