I had been raised on “no one can make you feel bad except yourself,” …  With all that trained into me as if the claims were as true as the rule of gravity, I was flummoxed at why I couldn’t just change my perception and then have a clear mind and feel happy.

I’ve occasionally had conversations with people who say they like movies better than books because they can actually see what happens. These same people don’t like closed-door scenes because even though they understand what is implied, they say that without seeing it, they don’t know what happens. They say it makes it more real to actually see the action rather than having to imagine it from implication.

My challenge to church leaders and attendees is to start openly talking about the fact that church culture coerces people into experiences that the person does not consent to have.

Education is dangerous, y’all. It changes lives for the better. And that is bad for those who want unquestioning, complete obedience.