Dennis & Sara
A husband & wife team chronicling their adventures of faith, RV travel, and trauma recovery.
Getting free is disruptive and divisive.
Why? And why don't more people do it, regardless?
written Sabbath, 17 July 2021
Why is this process so disruptive? Why does it create such upheaval and stark divisions in my relationships with others?
Today I am considering my path and the unlikelihood of others taking a similar path. In other words, I don't expect people to jump on board. As part of this, I'm considering the . . .
A Real-life Example of Groupthink
This poem shows the warped-ness of the CHDG false doctrine
written 10 July 2021
How was this poem not a huge, giant red flag?
So back when I was a teenager I had a secret “boyfriend” at school. This was a huge, shameful thing, because he wasn't a member of the group. That was a big, dangerous no-no. I was able to keep it secret for a while, dunno how long. There was very little . . .
What was the proverbial "final straw"?
This is what it took for me to "wake up"
written Sabbath, 19 June 2021
How did I know there was a connection between my challenges and my exposure to a Closed, High Demand Group?
There wasn't really an “aha!” moment. It was kind of a hidden knowledge that I denied knowing at first. I had to gradually un-deny it and slowly get used to it in bits and pieces. Then . . .
Was it abuse, or not? Part 2
Trying on terms, and exploring the concept misused by the group
written Sabbath, 3 July 2021
Was that really abuse? Is that just my made-up story about it? Is that just the lens I'm using to justify my hurt feelings? What is going on here?
I already posted that I find it difficult to use terms like “abuse” to describe my childhood environment. My conscious experience of . . .
Was it abuse, or not? Part 1
I have a problem with the word "abuse."
written 10 July 2021
My husband uses the word “abuse” to describe the cause of my struggle the past few years. He has been the most up-close-and-personal witness to my recent self-exploration. Others who grew up in the same Closed, High Demand Group and later left also use that word. I understand why they would. However, I . . .
Posted in: bible truthc-ptsdchildhood traumachristian cultsex2x2ex2x2smeetingswilliam irvineworkers and friends
A Necessary Apology
Apologies are few and far between around here (it's a new rule I have), but this one is heartfelt.
written Sabbath, 17 July 2021
I don't want to get too far into this without acknowledging my actions in the group.
For about 12 years, I was a consenting adult member of the CHDG I was born and raised in. For nine of those years I was a member of that group's leadership. That means I took an active part in supporting the group's . . .
Dueling Imperatives
Two incompatible "musts" my childhood required of me
written Sabbath, 26 June 2021
Moral versus Developmental Imperatives
imperative1
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adjective: absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable.
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noun: something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation or requirement; necessity. (emphasis mine)
The issue at the root of my . . .
Posted in: bible truthc-ptsdchildhood traumachristian cultscsaex2x2ex2x2smeetingsworkers and friends
