I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian community and, let me say it, untangling a lifelong web of good, bad and in-between experiences and their effect on me today is *hard* but I'm doing it. I loved reading about the prayer mornings with styrofoam cups because I had those too and I hadn't seen it expressed so beautifully elsewhere. It feels like there is a baby in the church bathwater and when I'm angry I tend to forget. So thank you, and if you feel like writing more about this very niche but necessary topic I would love to read more. I also loved the title of this piece because wondering what your writing approach should be throughout different stages of your life and the tension of negotiating co-existing Christian and literary identities feels extremely writery to me.
That final line gave me goosebumps. Have you read anything by Elizabeth Goudge? My favorite author who I plug in to everything if I see a chance to do so. Her novels are a bit of what you describe here, but all together -- she's shown me that you can write what you wanted to write as a child, and as an innocent angst-ridden teen, and as a young woman who is terrified of her first kiss, and of how the young woman now a little older can find a way to cling to faith even when it seems the fairies of her childhood were murdered by those she trusted best. I think writing about all these things at once is what makes a novel great.
So interesting to read about the confidence strict religion gives you, and it is true and many people will commend positively on the higher confidence, authority even, religious people have. My religious upbringing was so different, despite my grandfather being a greek orthodox priest, we all carried our religion lightly (As do many greeks), it was always more about culture and family, rather than talking about jesus. No body ever used good to judge me, only to forgive me. Thanks for sharing, keep them coming.
I think we share the same background, Audrey. My husband found you on here a while ago and recommended I read your work. I’m glad to get to follow along. 🫶
A haunting, beautifully raw piece of writing! You are a fantastic writer.
I came out of the same church group. I was raised in it, but rejected it until 18. Then became an often rebellious member until 2016. Writing about it was part of the healing process. To finally talk about what it was really like; like being able to breathe fresh air for the first time in my life. Writing about it also helped me find my own voice. It taught me to channel my soul into words, stories, frameworks, philosophies. I have this tattooed on my right arm: “The mission is in the suffering.” Part of that mission is to write about all the things that were forbidden by the church; no longer an active of rebellion, but as a way to inspire others on a path of self-liberation.
Please keep writing. Whatever you feel called to write about, the world needs to read.
Excited for you to keep writing through these experiences, about what faith will look like for you going forwards for you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us!
You certainly are a writer and we are all grateful that you are resourcing the “things you know” in a way that is relatable and connective.
The fact that you also respect and desire to protect your fellow church goers, despite the pain you carry is also commendable.
Good art comes from the tension of restrictions. Your desire to express yourself is tempered/moderated/molded by your concern for others. That ends up being a plus in the long run. Untempered expression is what our culture has been pushing for decades, thus most “art” is pure rubbish.
I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian community and, let me say it, untangling a lifelong web of good, bad and in-between experiences and their effect on me today is *hard* but I'm doing it. I loved reading about the prayer mornings with styrofoam cups because I had those too and I hadn't seen it expressed so beautifully elsewhere. It feels like there is a baby in the church bathwater and when I'm angry I tend to forget. So thank you, and if you feel like writing more about this very niche but necessary topic I would love to read more. I also loved the title of this piece because wondering what your writing approach should be throughout different stages of your life and the tension of negotiating co-existing Christian and literary identities feels extremely writery to me.
That final line gave me goosebumps. Have you read anything by Elizabeth Goudge? My favorite author who I plug in to everything if I see a chance to do so. Her novels are a bit of what you describe here, but all together -- she's shown me that you can write what you wanted to write as a child, and as an innocent angst-ridden teen, and as a young woman who is terrified of her first kiss, and of how the young woman now a little older can find a way to cling to faith even when it seems the fairies of her childhood were murdered by those she trusted best. I think writing about all these things at once is what makes a novel great.
So interesting to read about the confidence strict religion gives you, and it is true and many people will commend positively on the higher confidence, authority even, religious people have. My religious upbringing was so different, despite my grandfather being a greek orthodox priest, we all carried our religion lightly (As do many greeks), it was always more about culture and family, rather than talking about jesus. No body ever used good to judge me, only to forgive me. Thanks for sharing, keep them coming.
Hug
I think we share the same background, Audrey. My husband found you on here a while ago and recommended I read your work. I’m glad to get to follow along. 🫶
we know each other :) so glad you found me
You look so familiar! I’m trying to place you.
A haunting, beautifully raw piece of writing! You are a fantastic writer.
I came out of the same church group. I was raised in it, but rejected it until 18. Then became an often rebellious member until 2016. Writing about it was part of the healing process. To finally talk about what it was really like; like being able to breathe fresh air for the first time in my life. Writing about it also helped me find my own voice. It taught me to channel my soul into words, stories, frameworks, philosophies. I have this tattooed on my right arm: “The mission is in the suffering.” Part of that mission is to write about all the things that were forbidden by the church; no longer an active of rebellion, but as a way to inspire others on a path of self-liberation.
Please keep writing. Whatever you feel called to write about, the world needs to read.
Amazing piece.
Excited for you to keep writing through these experiences, about what faith will look like for you going forwards for you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us!
You certainly are a writer and we are all grateful that you are resourcing the “things you know” in a way that is relatable and connective.
The fact that you also respect and desire to protect your fellow church goers, despite the pain you carry is also commendable.
Good art comes from the tension of restrictions. Your desire to express yourself is tempered/moderated/molded by your concern for others. That ends up being a plus in the long run. Untempered expression is what our culture has been pushing for decades, thus most “art” is pure rubbish.
In my not so humble view anyway.
I want you to write about that, too. I look forward to reading more from you.
just stunning
Thanks for sharing. Beautifully written, the words I cannot myself find to write.
I’d read your book.