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Absolutely gripping and quite possibly the scariest book this reader has encountered this year, this real-life memoir, written by a first-person female former practicing member of Christian Fundamentalism (at its most devout) is a harrowing deep-dive into toxic patriarchal religious dogma and its stealthy indoctrination of the most horrifying abuse and subrogation of women (and children, and gays, and onward) – and all of it, with their complicit “consent”, as believers.
Raised since childhood into a world where female equals subservient, and male equals leader, decades of brain-washing on the rules guaranteeing “godly harmony” are not easily removed, regardless of the consequences, as the author opens the door (bravely, and with terrifying candor) on the realities of life as a spiritual prisoner and victim of abuse.
According to the rules identified as “biblical manhood”, the most vulnerable of all, young females in this case, are victimized. As “witnesses for Christ”, the author encounters womanhood as “utensils”, whose only value is its “usefulness” to manhood, (that is, its ability to procreate, continually and repeatedly), creating multiple “quivers” in God’s arsenal and the expansion of an army of new believers.
No spoilers here, but suffice it to say that for the author, leaving this world, and the trauma imposed by it, regardless of the ongoing cost, is a long time in coming – only heralded by an acceleration of abuse onto new and defenseless family members.
A brave and compelling journey to healing, as personal therapy empowering compassion, resiliency and self-advocacy begins its slow growth to center stage, the author learns it just may be possible to undo the worst of her psychological damage, support the reversal of the spread and power of the most powerful offenders, and help message an alternative path to those who need to hear it.
Required reading for today’s thinking humans, the author’s expose is both utterly compelling and incredibly difficult to read.
A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
