When Religion Is An Addiction

[Voyager]

Someone posted this on another forum, and I thought some of you might find it interesting:

When Religion is an Addiction

By Bob Minor

3-20-06

I remember hearing popular psychological speaker and writer John Bradshaw say that the “high” one gets from being righteous was similar to the high of cocaine. As both a former monk and addict, he knew the feelings personally.

As the religious right pushes its anti-gay, anti-women’s reproductive rights, anti-science, pro-profit agenda nationally and in state capitals across the nation and wins, that high is a sweet fix for the addicted. It gives them a comforting feeling of relief that they’re really right, okay, worthwhile, and acceptable.

Like all fixes, though, it doesn’t last. So, the addict is driven to seek another and another – another issue, another evil, another paranoiac threat to defeat. It can’t ever end. Like the need for heavier doses, the causes have to become bigger and more evil in the addict’s mind to provide the fix.

This mind-altering fix of righteousness covers their paranoid shame-based feelings about the internal and external dangers stalking them. The victim-role language of their dealers, right-wing religious leaders, feeds it. Like alcoholism and drug addiction, the fix numbs the religious addict against any feelings about how their addiction affects others.

Religion doesn’t have to be this way; it can be healing. But what we see in the dominant religious/political right-wing fundamentalism that’s driving the debate on most conservative issues (political, social, economic, international) is anything but healthy. It’s what addiction specialists call a process addiction, like sex or romance addiction, or workaholism. In an addictive society, such addictions are encouraged.

Like substance addictions, it takes over, dominates life, pushes other issues to the background, tells them how and what to feel to prevent them from facing their real feelings about themselves and life, creates a mythology about the world, protects its “stash,” and supports their denial that they have a problem. Addiction specialist Anne Wilson Schaef would say, like all addictions, religious addiction is progressive and fatal.

If you’re outside the addiction, you’ve probably wondered about what’s going on, what’s the dynamic that’s driving the right-wing religious agenda that looks so hateful and destructive. Why is it so hard to crack? Why won’t evidence or logic work?

If you’re an enabler or the addict yourself, the above must sound over the top. You’d prefer to deny or soften the reality of the addiction.

Yet, if we’re going to think clearly about the right-wing juggernaut’s use of religion, and not function as its enablers, we must realize that we’re dealing with an addict. Right-wing political-religious fundamentalism can destroy us too if we’re like the dependent spouse who protects, defends, and covers up for the family drunk.

So, what can we do to protect ourselves, maintain our sanity, promote a healthy alternative, and confront religious addiction? What’s the closest thing to an intervention when we’re dealing with the advanced, destructive form of religious addiction that’s become culturally dominant?

It takes massive inner strength and a good self-concept. There’s no place for codependency and the need to be liked or affirmed by the person with the addiction. ALANON knows that. It requires clarity of purpose, freedom from the need to fix the addict, and doing what maintains one’s own health and safety.

Addicts reinforce each other. Fundamentalist religious organizations and media are their supportive co-users. So the person who deals with someone’s addiction cannot do it alone. They must have support from others outside the addiction.

You can’t argue with an addict. Arguing religion to one so addicted plays into the addictive game. Arguing about the Bible or tradition is like arguing with the alcoholic about whether whiskey or tequila is better for them. It’s useless and affirms the addiction.

You can’t buy into the addict’s view of reality. Addicts cover their addiction with a mythology about the world and with language that mystifies. This means we must never use their language.

Never say, even to reject it or with “so-called” before it: “partial-birth abortion,” “gay rights,” “intelligent design,” “gay marriage,” etc. Speak clearly in terms of what you believe it really is. Say “a seldom used late-term procedure,” “equal rights for all,” “creationist ideology,” “marriage equality.”

Don’t let the addict get you off topic. Addicts love to confuse the issues, get you talking about things that don’t challenge their problem. When you do, you further the addiction.

Never argue about whether sexual orientation is a choice. It doesn’t matter.

Never argue about sex. Our country is too sick to deal with its sexual problems.

It’s okay to affirm that you don’t care or these aren’t the issues. You don’t need to justify your beliefs to a drunk or druggie.

Get your message on target and repeat it. Get support for your message from others so that they’re on the same page. Make it short, simple, to the point, and consistent.

Don’t nag addicts. Don’t speak belligerently or as if you have to defend yourself. Just say: The government and other people have no right to tell someone whom to love.

Don’t accept that the addiction needs equal time. Stop debating as if there are two sides. Get over any guilt about a free country requiring you to make space for addictive arguments. You don’t have to act as if here are “two sides” to the debate. Addicts and their dealers already have the power of the addiction and addictive communities behind their messages.

Model what it is to be a healthy human being without the addiction. Addicts must see people living outside the addiction, happy, confident, proud, and free from the effects of the disease. In spite of the fact that we’re a nation that supports both substance and process addictions so people don’t threaten the institutions and values that pursue profits over humanity, live as if that has no ultimate control over you.

Don’t believe that you, your friends, children, relationships, hopes, and dreams, are any less valuable or legitimate because they aren’t sanctioned by a government, politicians, or religious leaders that are in a coping, rather than healing, mode of life.

Dealing with addictions takes an emotional toll on everyone. Yet, recognizing religious addiction as an addiction demystifies its dynamics and maintains our sanity.

LINK (http://www.fairnessproject.org/Religious_Addiction.html)

:cool:

[Voyager]

I'm going to add my two-cents to this article. I hope I do not offend anyone.

It's a well-known fact that addicts don't like to admit they have a problem. Reality is a hard thing to face once you have been sucked into an addiction of any kind. The temptation to escape reality is very powerful... especially for those of us who have addictive personalities to begin with.

Addictions allow us to temporarily escape reality. Just like smoking a joint, a religious addiction allows us to escape realities in life. You can say, "I don't care if tomorrow happens or not! I am invincible. Jesus (or marijauna), take control of my life. You take the steering wheel of my mind. I don't want to deal with reality. I want to escape to a higher place."

You become so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good. In other words, you get higher than a kite. You escape your fears, your stresses, your logic, and your ability to distinguish fantasy from reality. You give up control of your mind to an addiction.

How do I know? Because I have dealt with both religious and substance addictions. They are both equally as dangerous as the other. Actually, I was damaged more psychologically by religious addiction more than I was by substance addictions. Religious addiction is worse than crack or heroin addictions. The longer I stay away from it, the healthier I get. But now, I have to face reality - and it is not always very pretty. More than that, I have to face myself. I have to face my fears, my anger, my losses, my failures, and my weaknesses. That is the hardest part.

:cool:

[Willow]

Voyager... great article! I need to find more stuff like that to affirm my path out of religious addiction. Interesting that you post this right after the "Who is God" discussion. I think they somehow are pertinent conversations. For me, abandoning religion and holding to belief in God is the delicate balance. What God do I believe in? I'm not sure. That's why I boil it down to looking at the earth and things that seem to have intelligent design.

Anyway... I love your posts and never have felt offense at your honest grappling with this issue.

HUGS
Amy

[ex-shep]

Good think piece. Certainly have been there, seen it, done that and got the T-shirt.

[Reg]

Hi John,

Good article. A good term to describe this condition is "Scrupulosity" - Religious Obsessions and Compulsions.

I will post a separate thread about this where we can take a deeper look at this condition and discuss it and how we and many others in Christianity are affected by it. I know of a few in our church, even though it’s relatively healthy, that suffer from this. And the thing that is so deadly about it is that they are oblivious to it. They are totally blind to it. It looks soooo good, but hardly anyone knows that these people themselves need help. Many don’t have a life outside the church. Much of their lives revolve around the local church and it’s programs.

I’m not sure if our Senior Pastor is leading us in this direction to become aware of it or not, but
his current series of sermons are terrific, discussing what the Church really is. He just started
them last Sunday and the first one is not posted yet. What is a church?

I'll post a separate thread on that one also because I will post a scripture and don't want anyone to be triggered without posting a CAUTION!

[Voyager]

I am beginning to learn that people who have addictions are compulsive by nature. Until you deal with the underlying codependencies that fuel your addictive personality, you will go from one addiction to another. Even an alcoholic who joins A.A. and stops drinking may not have dealt with his compulsive tendencies. He may replace alcoholism with workaholism. They call these folks "dry drunks". Until someone goes through the process of dealing with their codependent traits that fuel their compulsions, they will go from one addiction to another.

Codepency is a trait that is instilled in people coming from dysfunctional families. The family problems did not allow the child to develop his/her own identity and independence. The emotional problems of the parents were more important than those of the children. This does not allow a child to foster his/her own identity apart from the family, so they become codependent. Boundaries are blurred, and the child ends up worrying more about the emotions and feelings of others more than his/her own. This is where the compulsive/addictive nature begins. This is why when many of us found a dysfunctional, codependent church to join - we felt right at home. We gave away our rights as an individual to the pastor just like we did to our caregivers.

A great book on this topic is called "Bradshaw on The Family" by John Bradshaw. He is a former religious monk and addict. It is a very eye-opening book filled with answers that I have never found anywhere else.

:cool:

[ex-shep]

[QUOTE=Voyager][SIZE="2"]I am beginning to learn that people who have addictions are compulsive by nature. Until you deal with the underlying codependencies that fuel your addictive personality, you will go from one addiction to another.

Accurate perception and good cases in point. Thanks for the share. Got a lot out of it.

[bpico]

An excellent read on codependancy that I found is " A Disease of One's Own" by John Rice.

[ex-shep]

An excellent read on codependency that I found is " A Disease of One's Own" by John Rice.

If one can get their hands on Codependent No More on CD, it reads better. Also Soul Repair has concise case studies on codependency combined with spiritual abuse. Info is readily available off the home page of the spiritual abuse.com

[Willow]

The emotional problems of the parents were more important than those of the children. This does not allow a child to foster his/her own identity apart from the family, so they become codependent.

wow! what an insight this is! I'm sure I read it back in 2006 when it was written, but it's brand new information to me and fits me like a glove!

[riverdove]

Yep, my growing up emotions were centered on my mother's shattered emotions and my father's ongoing anger and abuse toward her. We lived from day to day conscious of the fact that we were born in a family that was not based on love, but constant strive. I remembered having this unsettling feeling of doom especially when my mother said she wanted to kill herself together with all of us. I did not remember her smiling much ... I took it all in because I stayed home a lot with her.

[ex-shep]

Yep, my growing up emotions were centered on my mother's shattered emotions and my father's ongoing anger and abuse toward her. We lived from day to day conscious of the fact that we were born in a family that was not based on love, but constant strive. I remembered having this unsettling feeling of doom especially when my mother said she wanted to kill herself together with all of us. I did not remember her smiling much ... I took it all in because I stayed home a lot with her.

The line of "constant strive" rings volumes. My story was different, but the codependent dynamics eerily similar. Good point.

[ex-shep]

I'm going to add my two-cents to this article. I hope I do not offend anyone.

It's a well-known fact that addicts don't like to admit they have a problem. Reality is a hard thing to face once you have been sucked into an addiction of any kind. The temptation to escape reality is very powerful... especially for those of us who have addictive personalities to begin with.

Addictions allow us to temporarily escape reality. Just like smoking a joint, a religious addiction allows us to escape realities in life. You can say, "I don't care if tomorrow happens or not! I am invincible. Jesus (or marijauna), take control of my life. You take the steering wheel of my mind. I don't want to deal with reality. I want to escape to a higher place."

You become so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good. In other words, you get higher than a kite. You escape your fears, your stresses, your logic, and your ability to distinguish fantasy from reality. You give up control of your mind to an addiction.

How do I know? Because I have dealt with both religious and substance addictions. They are both equally as dangerous as the other. Actually, I was damaged more psychologically by religious addiction more than I was by substance addictions. Religious addiction is worse than or addictions. The longer I stay away from it, the healthier I get. But now, I have to face reality - and it is not always very pretty. More than that, I have to face myself. I have to face my fears, my anger, my losses, my failures, and my weaknesses. That is the hardest part.

:cool:

Funny I am reading this. It brought me back to my college days when I was in throes of the addiction. As long as I am in fellowship, reading my bible, praying, preaching on McKinley Avenue near the bars on Friday nights, there is nothing wrong with me. Every night I was at some type of meeting, revival service, or campus fellowship. Meanwhile I am chasing a woman trying to recruit her because it is God's will. I also have a double life having relationship with a woman who is barely functional in college. I am mad that nobody want to see the gal get saved and why the university is out to get me. I was chasing after relational and spiritual fixes. If only had the "girl of my dreams and was right with God, then everything would be fine. I also had to have drama in my life. My GPA and finances suffered because of the chase. How I graduated and not get expelled is a miracle to me. My college buddy summed it up well, "Shep is a great brother who loves the Lord, but such a loose canon". I was hooked on all the excitement and could not stop.

Painful as it was, loosing Tammy to her group was the best thing that every happened to me. I hit bottom hard. it brought my group involvement my love addiction front and center. Later in AA, I realized what would have happened if I ever picked up the first drink.

Religious addiction is extremely subtle and hard to pick up. It can been enabled under a veneer of piety and good works. It got me and tore me to bits.

[ex-shep]

You become so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good. In other words, you get higher than a kite. You escape your fears, your stresses, your logic, and your ability to distinguish fantasy from reality. You give up control of your mind to an addiction.

I used to use the line "you are so on fire for the Lord that you leave a searing conflagration in your wake. Everyone runs to escape from the heat, lest the get engulfed."

[outcast]

Honestly, I've never quite looked at religious addiction the way the OP presented it. In the book, Toxic Faith, I was enlightened by the idea that church provided a spiritual high because of the emotionalism presented therein.

I never thought about it being an addiction because of the reinforcement of unhealthy belief systems though. Good post - thanks. :)

[hornblower]

I'm sorry but I disagree with this idea here that emotionalism is some sort of an addiction or leads to an addiction.

Heres why I think the way I do. First of all if you go to church or any meeting of any kind and its not emotional at all what are you doing?
Thinking?

Can thinking lead to an addiction?

Yeah I think it can. I think or emote or whatever you want to call it that anything can lead to an addiction.

Addictions are what they are, a human condition. Some people get addicted to things that are bad for them others get addicted to things that are good for them or so the masses think anyway.

I so totally disagree that churches should be devoid of emotionalism in fact I would go so far as to call that cultish thinking.

I was a member of Christian Womens Club for many years. If you are not familiar with this mild form of christian 'indoctrination' (dont know really what to call this organization?)
They wanted me to start giving my testimony. My testimony should be a reason to get emotional after all like duh its my life we're talking about and Im sorry for me my life is sort of heart felt at least to me it is maybe no one else cares emtionally about it but I do.

Welp there are miracles involved in my testimony..........its either that or you can demise that Im nuts, whatever, none the less they are what they are friggin miracles.
Doesnt matter to me if people 'dont' get emotional about it but dont tell me not too, its my own story and it brings tears to my eyes almost every time when I remember what my Jesus did for me.
So anyway you have to like write the thing out and speak it in front of people so they will be able to tell if its allright on or something (makes some sense after all you cant let anyone say just anything now can you to a group of middle aged old middle class ladies)anyway they wanted me to take the 'emotionalism' out of it.

Give me a friggin break!

The thing that is wrong with religion is that its exactly that.......religion.

Religion is an organization of some sort of kind and it has like rules and stuff and you ever notice there is always money involved or it seems that way to me.

Im not into religion nor have I ever been into it not really, yes I was duped into the thinking that I was around similar kinds of like minded people.........NOT! I am into telling and doing what is the truth. Whats going on inside of you and inside of me and is there a God or not and is He real and what is happening with you in that area and what is going on with me too?

Do you BELIEVE there is someone greater than humanity or not?

If you do then we have something in common and now we are on our way are we not? Sometimes that life and that being together especially if you then begin singing about it becomes emotional if it doesnt may I suggest you may just be half dead or at least somethings wrong if you dont 'feel' anything any more.
I think problems start coming in when it gets what I will call too mystical.......which is basically people lying, pure and simple. Making more out of something then really happened or not looking at what happened from all angels including and most especially with their brains, after all God gave us a brain to use it not to ditch it somewhere.

The whole thing is not that simple as taking emotionalism out of church thats just another cult.

Believe me, been there, heard that, done it, aint so in my book, and anyway sorry, this is just my own opinion, you certainly dont have to buy into it at all. Makes no sense to m at all that church should always be about intellectualism.
God doesnt save us and come to us because we are smarter than everyone else and neither does He come to us because we are louder or crying more or laughing more or singing more or anything else. I know one thing you cant MAKE God do anything. Im not the one in control. I control somethings but not everything and if you believe that you can control life, wow that doesnt sound like the 12 steps to me at all.
Read step one.

[ex-shep]

I'm sorry but I disagree with this idea here that emotionalism is some sort of an addiction or leads to an addiction.

Heres why I think the way I do. First of all if you go to church or any meeting of any kind and its not emotional at all what are you doing?
Thinking?

Can thinking lead to an addiction?

Yeah I think it can. I think or emote or whatever you want to call it that anything can lead to an addiction.

Addictions are what they are, a human condition. Some people get addicted to things that are bad for them others get addicted to things that are good for them or so the masses think anyway.

I so totally disagree that churches should be devoid of emotionalism in fact I would go so far as to call that cultish thinking.

I was a member of Christian Womens Club for many years. If you are not familiar with this mild form of christian 'indoctrination' (dont know really what to call this organization?)
They wanted me to start giving my testimony. My testimony should be a reason to get emotional after all like duh its my life we're talking about and Im sorry for me my life is sort of heart felt at least to me it is maybe no one else cares emtionally about it but I do.

Welp there are miracles involved in my testimony..........its either that or you can demise that Im nuts, whatever, none the less they are what they are friggin miracles.
Doesnt matter to me if people 'dont' get emotional about it but dont tell me not too, its my own story and it brings tears to my eyes almost every time when I remember what my Jesus did for me.
So anyway you have to like write the thing out and speak it in front of people so they will be able to tell if its allright on or something (makes some sense after all you cant let anyone say just anything now can you to a group of middle aged old middle class ladies)anyway they wanted me to take the 'emotionalism' out of it.

Give me a friggin break!

The thing that is wrong with religion is that its exactly that.......religion.

Religion is an organization of some sort of kind and it has like rules and stuff and you ever notice there is always money involved or it seems that way to me.

Im not into religion nor have I ever been into it not really, yes I was duped into the thinking that I was around similar kinds of like minded people.........NOT! I am into telling and doing what is the truth. Whats going on inside of you and inside of me and is there a God or not and is He real and what is happening with you in that area and what is going on with me too?

Do you BELIEVE there is someone greater than humanity or not?

If you do then we have something in common and now we are on our way are we not? Sometimes that life and that being together especially if you then begin singing about it becomes emotional if it doesnt may I suggest you may just be half dead or at least somethings wrong if you dont 'feel' anything any more.
I think problems start coming in when it gets what I will call too mystical.......which is basically people lying, pure and simple. Making more out of something then really happened or not looking at what happened from all angels including and most especially with their brains, after all God gave us a brain to use it not to ditch it somewhere.

The whole thing is not that simple as taking emotionalism out of church thats just another cult.

Believe me, been there, heard that, done it, aint so in my book, and anyway sorry, this is just my own opinion, you certainly dont have to buy into it at all. Makes no sense to m at all that church should always be about intellectualism.
God doesnt save us and come to us because we are smarter than everyone else and neither does He come to us because we are louder or crying more or laughing more or singing more or anything else. I know one thing you cant MAKE God do anything. Im not the one in control. I control somethings but not everything and if you believe that you can control life, wow that doesnt sound like the 12 steps to me at all.
Read step one.

Good counter point. Morning coffee has not taken hold. But at least by skimming, I see you have a point.

[Anna Marta]

Great post HB! Lots of meat to chew on. IMO addictions are a mystery because depending on an individual's personality/circumstance/personality/mental or physical condition - it appears that just about anything can be taken to an extreme and thus become something a person would pathologically pursue.

I agree with your statements about being in control and no one being able to "make" God do or not do something.

Anna Marta

[ex-shep]

Great post HB! Lots of meat to chew on. IMO addictions are a mystery because depending on an individual's personality/circumstance/personality/mental or physical condition - it appears that just about anything can be taken to an extreme and thus become something a person would pathologically pursue.

I agree with your statements about being in control and no one being able to "make" God do or not do something.

Anna Marta

Actually the bible school felt just that. Simplistically stated, they felt as if they were responsible for bringing the Lord's Second Coming. It got wierd at times.

[Voyager]

I am addicted to oxygen and water, and it's been hard to kick these habits. I am seriously considering going to a support group for it. Maybe I should start my own - H2OXANON.

:D

[JaniceB]

Can thinking lead to an addiction?

Yes! I deal with a lot of smart people and it's tempting to rationalize everything, to get involved in deep thought rather than see the whole picture including emotions. Addictions are feel-good alternatives to reality and people who are good at thinking feel good about that and also get kind of egotistical about it at times. Yes, thinking can be an addiction for sure.

[Willow]

I am addicted to oxygen and water, and it's been hard to kick these habits. I am seriously considering going to a support group for it. Maybe I should start my own - H2OXANON.

:D

I always feel bad for people with food addictions. That's gotta be rough because in some sense we're all addicted to food just like water and oxygen. LOL

[Voyager]

I always feel bad for people with food addictions. That's gotta be rough because in some sense we're all addicted to food just like water and oxygen. LOL

I wish food was like water and it didn't make you fat. I need to drop about 40.

:(

[Willow]

I wish food was like water and it didn't make you fat. I need to drop about 40.

:(

Just buy a farm and quit drinking.... melted 30 off me within a couple months!

[hornblower]

Actually the bible school felt just that. Simplistically stated, they felt as if they were responsible for bringing the Lord's Second Coming. It got wierd at times.


I know it ex shep.........the girl I work with thinks that gem stones fall from ceilings in churches somewhere or another.........Im like oh yeah God does that stuff all the time RIGHT??????
It kills me literally to see her being like this.......people make fun of her and hurt her and she just keeps it up.........its sad to witness..........its like shes in a trap and cant get free but the trap is her own making..........

On the other hand I miss the old days at times.......now I am just me all of the time no hooplah, no lattedaness,
ex.......I felt like I might have been something or someone know what I mean?

Now.......Im plain old me all of the time. I thought I used to know something but now I know nothing at all about nothing. I love Him and I believe He loves me because thats who He is but ..........Im so alone.

Ive done this to myself.
I did it because I couldnt keep listening to it.........it was just so all insane to me. When I was in churches like that.........it felt like 'bees'......does that make sense to anyone else?

Like bees were all around me and I never knew when I was going to get stung.

I feel that same way at work.
Now though at work.......I think God has given me a place of choices. I love these people but they are very dangerous so I can stay or I can go, it doesnt matter to Him.

But why? Why am I here? Well I know that answer, I dont know why Im going on like this, except you see how thinking can go way far off......

yes and food is a huge problem for me. ever since I quit smoking. one habit for another.

got my iron infusion today........hopefully Ill get better soon, going to bed, I love all of you guys.

[Anna Marta]

Just a couple of disjointed (fever inspired?) thoughts.

I wonder if religious addiction is based on what people want to get out of a religious experience. Is it an addiction to wanting something badly? Are people who develop a pathological connection to religion really seeking to fulfill a specific need in their lives? And when those needs or that need is more or less fulfilled they become militantly defensive of it.

It takes humility and compassion to be a truly spiritual person and develop a relationship with God.

To acknowledge that there is Someone bigger and more loveing than what I can ever really comprehend or fully explain as well as there being Someone who's greater plans are more important than my specific desires or needs requires more than most of us are willing to go along with.

Most humans want to place themselves in the center of the universe and are unable to see past their own problems and pain. We are quick to reject God and a religion that does not serve ourselves first, last and always.

It was not until I became a parent that I understood that it was possible to love a person so much that I would give up my welfare, comfort or even my life for that person. That is the kind of love I know that God has for me.

I have chosen not to enter into any of the discussions debating the existence of God because I know I can't explain what I do not fully comprehend myself. I have come to terms with the fact that for me, it isn't a good idea for me to enter into such discussions.

I love God, but I hate religion with all that I am.
Love
Anna Marta

[Voyager]

Here is one of the dictionary.com definitions for "addiction":

Addiction: The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.

I believe that the most powerful addictions are those that help the addict escape reality such as drugs, alcohol, sex, food, and yes - religion. I was a religious addict for more than 12 long years. I needed to get my fix as often as possible. I learned a bunch of Bible verses that I could use to talk to other people at the church without having to show them my true identity. I escaped reality by hiding behind my Bible verses and keeping myself busy with church meetings and functions.

When I got off the religious addiction rollercoaster, I found that I didn't even know who I was apart from my addiction. This is what happens in most unhealthy addictions... you lose your own identity, and become obsessed with your addiction. That's what happened to me during my religious addiction phase. When I got off the drug, I had to do a lot of soul searching. I had to figure out a way to communicate with people without continually babbling off Bible verses and sermonettes. It wasn't easy! I had learned to hide behind the religious rhetoric in an attempt to protect me from having to become vulnerable and let the real me show through.

I am proud of myself for breaking my religious addiction. I just hope I can stay clean for the rest of my life.

:cool:

[Grey]

I haven't read all this, but I am going to when I have more time. Lots to think about here, thanks for posting!

[ex-shep]

Here is one of the dictionary.com definitions for "addiction":



I believe that the most powerful addictions are those that help the addict escape reality such as drugs, alcohol, sex, food, and yes - religion. I was a religious addict for more than 12 long years. I needed to get my fix as often as possible. I learned a bunch of Bible verses that I could use to talk to other people at the church without having to show them my true identity. I escaped reality by hiding behind my Bible verses and keeping myself busy with church meetings and functions.

When I got off the religious addiction rollercoaster, I found that I didn't even know who I was apart from my addiction. This is what happens in most unhealthy addictions... you lose your own identity, and become obsessed with your addiction. That's what happened to me during my religious addiction phase. When I got off the drug, I had to do a lot of soul searching. I had to figure out a way to communicate with people without continually babbling off Bible verses and sermonettes. It wasn't easy! I had learned to hide behind the religious rhetoric in an attempt to protect me from having to become vulnerable and let the real me show through.

I am proud of myself for breaking my religious addiction. I just hope I can stay clean for the rest of my life.

:cool:

Good for you. I was so heavenly minded that I was of no earthly good. I can remember the religious facade, robotic scripture quoting, and everything was fine with Jesus except me. Good post. Next latte on me.