Thread by @simplesarahbear

Over the course of my lifelong evangelical experience, I watched church leaders teach kids to ignore their gut. That the feeling of something being off was to be ignored. In fact, it was the voice of "the enemy," persuading you to not trust your spiritual authority.

Your leaders were not required to earn your trust or make the space safe. You were the problem and it was because you let the enemy into your heart and mind.

They used this to ask intrusive questions. They wanted to know your sin nature so they could coach you.

You'd be encouraged to tell your pastors and leaders about lustful thoughts, homosexual tendencies, who you might like, bad things that had happened in your life that were beyond your control.

There was no consent because you were groomed to trust blindly.

Nobody told us they would not tell this information to others. It was pretty well understood that the highlight reel would move up the chain so they could discuss how to deal with your transgressions.

If you were involved in ministries like music, children ministry, youth, tech- they needed to know so they could decide if you were righteous enough to serve.

You were always disclosing personal information to people that were not trained, safe or competent.

This still happens and is a very commonly accepted practice. The kids don't know any different. It's a giant mess of unhealthy dynamics, and it becomes normal to ignore that voice that tells you, "This isn't okay."

See. This is grooming. This makes for submissive youth.

Not only that, but this information is weaponized against you. It can get you excluded from your "church family." Not to mention the hit on your self confidence and acceptance. You're viewed with suspicion for life.

The way to get back into the fold? Become their greatest supporter. Tow the line, hard. Perform above your peers. Hide your flaws. Hide your grief. Hide your feelings and pain. Never speak up. Never question. Never tell your story.

This is normalized in so many churches.

LGBTQ kids in evangelical spaces don't tell their parents. They don't tell their leaders. They don't tell their friends. Everyone is taught to bring suspicions to the leader and pastor so it can be "dealt with." They're experts at hiding it and denying it.

School (if they're lucky enough to attend school and a public one at that) is a safe haven for these kids. It's often the only place they can be authentic- or at least try to be.
Authenticity is scary for evangelical kids.

Blaine Higgs and William Hogan are creating an environment that is extremely triggering for LGBTQ students of Christian families. It's already hard enough to be told you're an abomination and headed to hell. Now schools have become like their church, where they have to hide.

It's really sad for me, a neurodivergent cishetero woman and church reject, to know that there's going to be a whole slew of kids who will feel really lonely. Not only because of the policy changes, but because of the atmosphere that it riled up, the hostility.

Sweet little human beings are getting the brunt of this. Their little ears are going to hear conversations that confirm their fears. They'll be driven deeper into their shell. Good job guys. 👏🏻 I hope you feel proud of yourselves.
#nbpoli