Hi justin

Thank you for your comment at Provoketive Magazine (http://provoketive.com). We’re creating a space of rich conversation about life, faith, justice and culture without judgment. Our desire is to provoke the reader’s imagination through conversation and open up spaces of dialogue, learning, and hope.  We want to invite you to come back soon and continue to participate in the conversation. 

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Jonathan Brink
Provoketive Magazine

You posted the following comment:
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Brooke,

You did the right thing. Don't question it.

Of course its natural for all humans to look at the past, recognize mistakes and try to change them. This is different because it was a borderline cult (i'm being fair i think).

I spent 18 yrs in baptist education from K-3 thru my undergrad. I understand cult churches and cult-like organizations.

One of the problems we have, in my experience, is staying away from the 'cult' aspects of religion but also avoiding taking a plunge to far in the other direction.

Balance is key! Jesus deals with us on a day to day basis and doesn't expect perfection. This is Biblical.

The implications of having your whole social existence be revealed to be a borderline cult is jarring to say the least, however its well trodden territory. Religion has been used as a tool of control since the beginning, more or less. Its the status quo in the Church Age and will be our struggle in this reality. Of course the Holy Spirit helps us have joy throughout.

In other words, you're not alone. In fact, now you can empathize with non-Christians in a whole new way. A way that people who are still bound by cult-ish teaching cannot. You can see them from both sides. The point is, you can be a bettter Christian in spite of what they have done to you! Hooray!

Freedom isn't a license to sin, obviously. But its a license to live an authentic life, rising and falling on your own choices, as God intended. We will sin, and go astray at times. This is horrific and we don't have to accept it...we can fight it! We just have to know that WE ARE NOT PERFECT and always try to be better! Results!

God does the rest...Jesus was perfect for us...He just wants to know us...the REAL us! So my friend, I congratulate you!

_justin