Posted on Jun 26, 2023
He walked away from his evangelical roots to escape feeling suffocated
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https://www.npr.org/2023/06/25/ [login to see] /jon-ward-evangelical-religion-donald-trump-book
"We all want to feel safe when we're growing up. And in an attempt to make kids feel safe, parents and other adults can sometimes circumscribe a child's life so that they don't come into contact with ideas or people who might make them feel unsafe in some way.
I know that was part of the reason my parents sent me to a Baptist elementary school. Yes, they wanted me to have a religious education. But they also wanted to know that, for at least six hours a day, I'd be in a place that reflected their own Christian values. Values they believed would make me a better person, and would keep me safe from the temptations and moral depravity of the secular world.
In fifth grade, they moved me to the public school, and it felt just totally wild to me. I could wear pants instead of dresses. Kids talked back to teachers, and the really bad kids wrote curse words on the back of the seats on the bus. I remember saying a prayer for one of them because I was convinced that he was damned to hell after that".
"We all want to feel safe when we're growing up. And in an attempt to make kids feel safe, parents and other adults can sometimes circumscribe a child's life so that they don't come into contact with ideas or people who might make them feel unsafe in some way.
I know that was part of the reason my parents sent me to a Baptist elementary school. Yes, they wanted me to have a religious education. But they also wanted to know that, for at least six hours a day, I'd be in a place that reflected their own Christian values. Values they believed would make me a better person, and would keep me safe from the temptations and moral depravity of the secular world.
In fifth grade, they moved me to the public school, and it felt just totally wild to me. I could wear pants instead of dresses. Kids talked back to teachers, and the really bad kids wrote curse words on the back of the seats on the bus. I remember saying a prayer for one of them because I was convinced that he was damned to hell after that".
He walked away from his evangelical roots to escape feeling suffocated
Posted from npr.org
Religion
Christianity
Children
Education
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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When our church started its own school, I was the only sibling of the 5 to choose public school. Dad didn't shield us, he took us to a bar at least once a week minimum where we got to see drunks, arguments and physical fights both in and out of the tavern.
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A great resource for those who have freed themselves from the shackles of any religion.
https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/
https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/
Recovering from Religion provides support and resources to people coping with doubt, seeking answers about religion, and living without faith. Programs we offer include the Helpline, Local Support Groups, and The Secular Therapy Project.
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Taken from the article:
"In fifth grade, they moved me to the public school, and it felt just totally wild to me. I could wear pants instead of dresses."
It appears his parents were a little "misguided" about a lot of things if they were making their little boy wear dresses to school.
I've said this before, religious freedom is critical in our country, it's part of the reason our country was established in the first place. I have nothing against others whose beliefs vary a little or significantly from my own. People should be free to exercise their faith in whatever they choose, as long as it doesn't infringe upon the rights of others. You wanna sacrifice chickens to a pagan God, go ahead, just leave my chickens alone. You wanna believe that God doesn't exist and the big boom is real? Go ahead, believe what you want to believe, just don't try to force it on me. I have what I believe in, and for the time being, no one or no thing, can persuade me to reject what I believe.
I am always willing to share what I believe, and why, but I will never try to force it on someone else, because I really do believe in Religious Freedom. I think every human should be able to believe what they want. And if your belief starts to infringe upon my rights, stand by for heavy rolls.
"In fifth grade, they moved me to the public school, and it felt just totally wild to me. I could wear pants instead of dresses."
It appears his parents were a little "misguided" about a lot of things if they were making their little boy wear dresses to school.
I've said this before, religious freedom is critical in our country, it's part of the reason our country was established in the first place. I have nothing against others whose beliefs vary a little or significantly from my own. People should be free to exercise their faith in whatever they choose, as long as it doesn't infringe upon the rights of others. You wanna sacrifice chickens to a pagan God, go ahead, just leave my chickens alone. You wanna believe that God doesn't exist and the big boom is real? Go ahead, believe what you want to believe, just don't try to force it on me. I have what I believe in, and for the time being, no one or no thing, can persuade me to reject what I believe.
I am always willing to share what I believe, and why, but I will never try to force it on someone else, because I really do believe in Religious Freedom. I think every human should be able to believe what they want. And if your belief starts to infringe upon my rights, stand by for heavy rolls.
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MSG Billy Brumfield
I thought the same thing but that part is actually the author giving her experience. I had to read it a few times as the author didn't delineate between the two of them very well.
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