There's been some heavy news coming out of the fundamental Christian world this week. When these stories come to light, it can trigger a lot of emotions in those of us who have left high-control religion.
One thing that has helped me deconstuct from evangelicalism is (surprise, surprise) reading. Here are a few books that have helped me. First the non-fiction:
Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez
I read this when I was still in the evangelical church. It helped me to start to identify the way patriarchal values have influenced what I was taught to believe about Jesus.
A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy by Tia Levings
In the church, this would be called a "powerful testimony" that highlights the harm fostered in such spaces.
Awake by Jen Hatmaker
Jen was too liberal for me when I was in the church, but reading her story of deconstructing was healing for me.
Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America by Tal Lavin
There have been a number of recent books on the Christian Right, but this one helped me process through it as a political movement.
And now some fiction books that provided healing:
Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus
Our protagonist is a teen growing up in a controlling religious family, coming to terms with her own sexuality.
American Rapture by CJ Leede
Our protagonist was raised in a controlling religious family, but now has to make it on her own in apocalyptic times.
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
At a conversion therapy camp, whose side are the demons on?
