Below is a link to a podcast about a Laestadian woman's experience leaving her childhood religion and how abuse was weaved in. Here is the link to the site.
https://www.culturechatpodcast.com/helenalucia/
It is always helpful to hear another person echo your experience. While the First Apostolic Lutheran Church isn't the same one she was raised in, they are quite similar.
She makes reference between the affects from being raised in these type churches AND being abused, that both leave you with a damaged psyche.
So, you are already damaged, and then abused.
This is what I believe as well. It makes the most sense in how so many will not report or leave relationships after abuse. They are not with healthy boundaries prior to the sexual and or physical abuse.
It does take a great effort to right your upside down psyche, and to leave family and the close knit circles.
I love too, how she says that those who leave are worse than the worldly folk. We are evil.
Thanks Helena for sharing your story. Little by little we will poke holes in the fabric of what is presented to the public, as religions and families of high morals and values.
Today, and actually for the past few weeks, I have been wondering what is my purpose, what would be the story I need to tell? What has my experience been for?
Listening to her talk has shown me that it is important to tell a story different from the ones that so many families want to keep front and center.
The narrative that doesn't have abuse, or ill effects from being raised where you believe your core center is sin. Where you have been controlled by fear and guilt. There are serious negative outcomes from these religions.
When the voices are silent, only one voice is heard. The narrative that is minus abuse.
We need to keep breaking the silence; one by one.
