Naming what has happened to you is an important part of recovery from any traumatic event. Some people recovering from harm caused by purity culture, may not know the names for and definitions of some of the horrible things they have experienced. So, I would like to start with some …
The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Gregoire, Rebecca Lindenbach and Joanna Sawatsky This book is written for Christians who were brought up in the Purity Culture of the Evangelical church, reading marriage books that taught that sex is just for men, that wives should engage in uncomfortable sex, or perform …
Purity culture in Evangelical churches in the USA has been talked about a lot on social media recently, with the release of the documentary Shiny Happy People on Prime. While this is an extreme example, purity culture also exists in some UK churches. Here are my reflections on my experience …
Silence There is within me a part called Mr Silence. Ironically, he is loud and commanding. Perhaps you have one too? These are some of the things he might say. “Children should be seen and not heard. Don’t speak unless you are spoken to. You must be silent.” “Women should …
A poem by CP Cavafy about life as a journey, not a destination. translated by Edmund Keeley As you set out for Ithaka hope your road is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery. Laistrygonians, Cyclops, angry Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them: you’ll never find things like that …
I made a mistake. Inner critic is going to town on me. “How could you slip up like that? You need to take a long, hard look at yourself! You call yourself a good Christian woman, and then go and do that! You’re a hypocrite. Everyone will think you are …
Don’t be afraid of the falling, The breaking apart, The fear they’ll be nothing left. The letting go of chains And the stepping out of the cage you thought would keep you safe. Let it happen. The loss, the grief, The reality of your past that engulfs and drowns you. …
