Trigger warnings: violence, blood, spiritual abuse Disclaimer: Not all children are traumatized by the teachings referred to in this article. Every person is different and processes things differently. But I have become increasingly aware of the thousands of now-adults who were indeed traumatized by their church’s teachings of topics such as hell, martyrdom, and being…
“We’re the same,”You claim,“No privilege in this game”Humility is your middle name.Yet you holdThat God has different ”roles”For our souls—Yours to lead,Mine to follow.I swallowedYour hollowTheory for a bitTill I saw through your sh!tAnd called you on it.I quitThis charadeyou have madeFrom the words that you bentIn that holy testament.I’ll speak,I’ll lead,I’ll preach,And I’ll breach,All…
A rather momentous anniversary today. One year ago I (Megan) made this super-controversial post in order to warn a local congregation that a convicted child molester was preaching at their church: Within the day, Dom also sent a detailed email to the pastor there with all the pertinent documentation and provided contact info for the…
by Megan Benninger *CW: sexual abuse There is blood on your hands, hands that took what they wanted, Spread her legs, grabbed her breasts, broke her heart. Said you’re sorry, of course. Spent some time behind bars. She forgave you, yet she never heals. What right did you have to play with my kids, with…
Reaching & Teaching International Ministries (RTIM) claims that it “exists to reach the peoples of the world through evangelism and by meeting the great need for deep discipleship, pastoral preparation, leadership training, and theological education around the world.” A Godly, righteous-sounding mission. Yet incredibly, at one point in the not-so-distant-past, three men who were either…
Insomniac poetry. (Yes, I know I have a ways to go. And YES I know all churches aren’t bad and NO I don’t think everyone should stop going to church. This is just my personal experience, it’s my therapy, so excuse the darkness.) From a prompt “__________ is the thing with ___________” based on Emily…
by Megan Benninger * Straw men in pulpits weave yarns of conviction That blind me and bind me into humble submission. Are these narratives authored in naivety? Or willfully conceived and designed to deceive? Realities,…
by Megan Benninger Dear SBC, Christa’s called for 15 years Through shattered heart and angry tears To have a list With your assist To save the little lambs. Though she persists You still dismiss Her simple clear request. So since you won’t, we’ll take the charge. Don’t trust you anyway. We’ll make the asked-for warning…
By Megan Benninger In His own image, God created them to rule— Male and female BOTH. (Genesis 1:27-28) … A royal priesthood, Jesus, only, mediates. No patriarchy! (1 Timothy 2:5) … Boys are not better. Slave nor free, male nor female. In Christ, all are one. (Galatians 3:28) … ONE woman, not all, Paul told…
More insomniac poetry by yours truly: Patriarchy Malarkey by Megan Benninger Life was grand With my band of Likeminded sisters. We homemade and mothered And remained under cover Of headship. An umbrella they’d tell us, For our safety and joy, God’s design for your kind, You’re a girl, not a boy. Of course you are…