Have you experienced a narcissistic church?

[Summeroflove]

[Bolt1104]

I have and it was through my dad’s side of the family specifically my grandparents. They were very strict Southern Baptist and everything was about appearances and class I was only 9 or 10 and they honestly believed that me wanting to wear jeans was wrong. I was expected to dress and speak a certain way to look the part and it felt like my comfort and individuality didn’t matter. What made it even worse was that our youth pastor who pushed those rules especially on girls ended up being a predator. He encouraged women and even young girls to only wear dresses for “religious reasons” but he was later arrested for molesting a few of the children. Thankfully he’s in jail now but my grandparents didn’t really see the harm in what he was doing at the time. I finally told them I refused to wear a dress and it caused a huge conflict. They tried to force me into it but my mom always taught me to do what made me feel comfortable not just what others demanded. Once she found out what was going on she took me out of that environment and never let them take me back. I’m really grateful she protected me from what turned out to be a toxic and dangerous situation.

[gottogames313gotag]

im sorry that happend as guy i know why they dont want u wear to jeans or something thight because thats what gets guys horny when they see a beatiful woman

[Bolt1104]

I appreciate the apology but that mindset is actually part of the problem in my opinion. I was 9–10 years old. There is nothing a child should wear that “makes men horny.” If a grown man is sexualizing a kid because of jeans the issue isn’t the clothing it’s the man. As sad as it is modesty rules often end up blaming girls and women for someone else’s lack of self control and that’s not okay. My mom always taught me that I should feel comfortable and safe in what I wear and that other people’s behavior is their responsibility not mine. I still feel like to this day a girl should be allowed to wear what they would like will it draw attention maybe yes possibly but no one should act on their feelings and think it’s ok to hurt or sexually assault a women, a man, or a child just because of the clothing they have on. I think that is one problem in church as sad as it is they always tend to put blame on what women are wearing for a lack of someone’s self control this goes both ways for men and women. No one is safe now days and we should all work together to move past the whole blaming someone for their clothes for others lack of respect for others. I wear whatever I want at this point because I want to feel comfortable I’m not flashy and my clothes don’t make me a sex toy to just be used and taken advantage of that goes for others as well. I've now found a Bible study that I wear my comfort clothes to and they love me and respect me for who I am and protect me at all cost. They don’t think my clothes or others are the problem it’s the people who lack self control and respect for others! But this is just my belief I know many other people don’t see it this way sad as it is.

[jazzy34]

Yes I have. I don’t want to tell the story so please don’t ask any follow up questions. Just know that I was traumatized by the experience.

[SeekerOfTruth007]

All churches are evil. They exist to enrich the pastor and his inner circle of buddies. Those people don't give a damn about the average person sitting on their own pew, except to charge them "Tithe and Offering".

A couple years ago, I knew someone living in a group home who visited a church. The pastor demanded that his individual pay tithe and offering, and Lee responded, "Are you going to pay my rent and grocery bill?"

I don't care what these false prophets tell you on television, God is NOT going to give you 10-fold nor 100-fold return on Tithe and Offering. That's not worship, that's witchcraft. You're trying to FORCE God to do your bidding, and it's never going to work.

God is Almighty and does not need your tithe and offering, and he's not going to give you once cent more or less if you do pay tithe or offering.

[Summeroflove]

A lot of small to midsize churches aren’t evil (yes some are) you have to find the right one

[gottogames313gotag]

no but i go to the mosque haven't experienced any bad stuff but i did see demonic faces on the prayer mat like not as a hallucination it was designed that way which is horrible

[gottogames313gotag]

they are not aware of that haven't told them either

[whiskeyontherocks]

I’ve noticed that most organized religion have narcissistic tendencies, I wouldn’t say that it’s narcissistic.

[Nice222]

No not At all