Burning of the Resentments

I saw an idea on the blog of liberal Christian blogger John Shore recently called the Burning of the Resentments. It's a new annual tradition at his church in California where each Easter weekend, they gather together various resentments, issues that people have had a hard time letting go, or something that they have been holding against someone (that they know they need to forgive).

If you have something that you would like to see go up in smoke that you have had a hard time letting go, leave a comment on that post, email him at john@johnshore.com, or use the Contact Me form on his blog.

He will print out all of the resentments people send him electronically, and bring them to his church in Escondido, California, to be burned (he said he received over 200 last year), in a bonfire. The fire will happen at 8pm March 30 (Pacific time zone).

Despite the religious overtones, I actually think it's a good idea, a great symbolism, a way of symbolically letting it go, sending it up in smoke. I sent something in by e-mail myself.. What do you think of this idea?

"If You Leave Christianity, You Were Never a True Christian in the First Place"

It's an frustrating and senseless argument I've heard many times before. It's rather insulting to those of us that are former fundamentalists, many of whom built their entire lives around the faith, and had many days of inner struggle in making the decision to leave the faith.

Lately, two well known Christians have been making this argument publicly, fundamentalist Ray Comfort, and liberal Christian blogger John Shore.

For those of you who may not know who he is, Ray Comfort, along with his good friend Kirk Cameron, are two of the most notable promoters of Creationism out there. (Perhaps besides Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis and Creation Museum infamy).

Yes, if the name is starting to sound familiar now, Ray Comfort and 80's actor Kirk Cameron are the guys responsible for the Banana argument for Creationism, and the Crocoduck argument:





(Ugly looking creature, isn't it?)

A former fundamentalist left a comment for him on his facebook page talking about her dedication to her former faith, and her longing then to hear something, anything from god, and never getting an answer Notice his response:

Fundamentally Toxic Christianity, a Liberal Christian Blogger's Look at the IFB Movement

I just ran across this amazing article by liberal Christian blogger John Shore. I have spoken before on this blog about my connections to the Independent Fundamentalist Movement movement in my post on disgraced (and possibly soon to be imprisoned) former IFB pastor Jack Schaap .Jack Schaap is facing federal prison time for sexually abusing a teen girl who came to him for counseling for the effects of previous sexual abuse. Even worse than that, read the story of Tina Anderson, who was forced by her IFB pastor in New Hampshire to apologize to her congregation for being raped! 

His article is a long read, but well worth it. He goes into precise detail of all the problems with the IFB movement, their treatment of women as second class citizens, their isolationism in not associating with non-Christians, or even other Christians. He also talks about their treatment of children, they are big fans of authors such as Micheal and Debi Pearl which advocate "discipline" that is very psychologically and physically abusive, for a glimpse into the effects that kind of advice causes, read my post, Fundamentalism and It's Impact on Children and the seven part series by blogger "Latebloomer" on her childhood. Her family subscribed to the ideas of fundamentalist pastor and author Reb Bradley, who was practically a carbon copy of the Pearl family.

What is also great about his article is his extensive listing of media coverage on the IFB movement over the years, and his links to survivors groups. Especially check out the group Independent Fundamental Baptist Cult Survivors and the blog of survivors of physical, physiological and even sexual abuse at Hephzibah House, a home for "troubled teen girls" started by the late IFB pastor Lester Roloff.

This is most likely the most comprehensive article I have seen in the IFB movement yet, and despite it's length, well worth reading, take the time to check out the groups and sites that he links to, and get educated about the IFB movement.The IFB movement is nationwide across the US, and some day, they may try to convert someone you know, you must be aware of this group, and the dangers of joining....