It's here: the final installment of my series on evangelical Christian corporal punishment. This last section concerns the process of deconstruction (breaking away from faith); how people heal; and how they choose to parent, their children and themselves. theswordandthesandwich.substack.com/p/ministry-of-…
This has been a massive amount of work -- intellectual and emotional. I have read all or parts of 21 books, talked to over a hundred people. Taken as a whole, the series traces the political evolution of evangelical child punishment in the 20th century and its effects.
Part 1 looks at the "biblical parenting" movement of the back half of the 20th century, situating it in text and historical context, and featuring the testimony of people raised by Dobson, the Pearls et. al. theswordandthesandwich.substack.com/p/ministry-of-…
Part 2 examines the consequences of these methods: the people who experienced corporal punishment as sexual abuse, and people who grew up to reenact the violence they experienced in their romantic relationships, or struggle to attain emotional intimacy. theswordandthesandwich.substack.com/p/ministry-of-…
Part 3 is about breaking free, and what that looks like. It isn't a Disney ending; it's a story of painful deconstruction, and of building yourself back up brick by brick. It's about the hopeful, necessary struggle to parent without violence. theswordandthesandwich.substack.com/p/ministry-of-…
I owe tremendous gratitude to scholars like @kkdumez and @janetheimlich, who helped me navigate this world; to friends who talked me through it; and above all, to my sources, who bravely shared so much with a stranger. This was painful work. But I think it needed to be told.
I looked -- really looked -- for a similar wide-ranging exploration of evangelical parenting and its effects on people. I didn't find a parallel; there were excellent features but they focused on single churches/malefactors. Survivors guided me to what I wrote. And only them.
If you've been moved by this series, and would like to support further deep dives into the American right, I would be very grateful if you'd consider a paid subscription: theswordandthesandwich.substack.com

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More from @chick_in_kiev

9 Nov
Tomorrow I attempt to quit smoking again. With patches and gum this time. Wish me luck, and I plead your forebearance. no podcasting
A teen tried to cadge a cig off me yesterday and I instantly transformed into a haggard crone in an anti tobacco PSA
My psychiatrist told me in no uncertain terms that quitting cold turkey would be bad for me. I'm allergic to Wellbutrin and Chantix has been recalled off the market. So time to put some nicotine on my skin.
Read 4 tweets
8 Nov
finishing up the series on evangelical child abuse tonight for publication tomorrow. this has been a real weight on me-- one that feels important. it is a topic i will expand on in my book. but it has been challenging to write gracefully & factually about so much pain.
every time i dive into the evangelical world i find something new and staggeringly bizarre (or see something I knew about in a new context). Answers in Genesis is something else (as are the Hams' books on childrearing). Also I got the Keepers At Home handbook! It's so... pink.
This piece is a bit shorter. The draft is only 3,000 words. I feel so... much... right now.
Read 6 tweets
5 Nov
im technically "done" with the 10k runner program (although i guess it assumes 10 minute miles, which... not yet). either way: i ran a whole hour without one stop! talia red faced and smiling. text: i ran for a full hour wit
which is precisely 10 times as long as i could run 7 months ago. 🙂
I've lost 0 weight. Still 202 pounds. It was never, ever about weight. It's been about feeling something in my body that isn't panic. And ever so slowly tugging at the chains of agoraphobia.
Read 4 tweets
4 Nov
the story of pythagoras' death by beans is apocryphal but amazing
this mf truly hated beans a berobed man labeled pythagoras recoils in horror at a bean
whence the cryptic injunction to abstain from beans???????? sponsored barbecues) and of course warfare. The comparison t
Read 5 tweets
4 Nov
Me literally reading a book about the history of beans for my sandwich column tomorrow: A legendary FB post. An old white man named Bill Foster comm
If you want to get this hot bean action in your inbox smash that subscribe button [im really close to 4k and wanna hit my goal tbh; beans must be spread to the masses] theswordandthesandwich.substack.com
i literally bought two books about bean history for tomorrow's column about baked beans on toast. The Truth About Baked Beans: An Edible History of New EnglanBeans: A History by Ken Albala
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3 Nov
someone yell at me to go running
thanks to my team of gentle and ungentle yellers i ran for 55 minutes straight!!!! slowly and gently, listening to @MaintenancePod and vibing 😊🏃🏻‍♀️ talia looking delighted with manical flying hair. text: i ra
I am enjoying having a GOOD knee brace (I measured my knee), being happy with my little 14 minute mile, the feeling of warming up, the cool wind and the sunshine. I like that it makes me feel good!
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