“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” –Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 14:18–19) January [...]
By Eric Pazdziora A controversial youth ministry, Teen Mania’s Honor Academy, has made headlines lately with some alarming allegations of spiritual abuse. From print media (e.g. the Tyler Morning Telegraph) to MSNBC’s documentary Mind Over Mania, people seem to be giving a hard look to what this Teen Mania thing is really about. Teen Mania [...]
Yes, they’re my two favorite subjects to write about, apparently, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I like to read about them. Here are some good things I’ve found lately on the subjects of worship and spiritual abuse, and (in one case) both together: Things that Will Make You Think: Songwriter Matt Blick (whose Beatles [...]
The response to my Quivering Daughters article "The Bondage of Betrothal" has been slightly overwhelming! Many, many kind thanks to all of you who've shared it on Facebook and Twitter and everywhere else, and thanks to all of you who've commented and emailed your thoughts and reactions. Over at the website Soul Liberty Faith, my online [...]
Another in my series for Quivering Daughters. One of the fundamental teachings of the Biblical Patriarchy and Quiverfull movements is the doctrine of “biblical courtship,” or “betrothal.” (My brother suggested the word “casuistries” instead of “teachings,” which is perfect except that I didn’t know it before, either.) This teaching has it that since a father [...]
Another in my series for Quivering Daughters I have felt dirty and unworthy of a clean slate with God ever since my experience, ever since that meeting with Mrs. H—, this feeling has plagued me for years…. The struggle that has lingered from my TM days is guilt. –Anna (on Recovering Alumni) Everybody’s felt that. [...]
"I Have a Sign": Answering Spiritual Abusers According to Their Folly
@ericpazdziora 
What It’s All About
This weekend, an anonymous commenter left this message on my most recent post on Quivering Daughters, a piece debunking legalistic teachings about clothing, entitled Garments of Salvation. Needless to say, I was completely floored and left pretty close to tears. I seldom see such a deeply touching reminder of why I do pretty much everything [...]