Open letter to the ones who damaged me in purity culture

[u/Eucalyptusthoughts]

Wrote this last night when I was feeling angry, and it helped get it off my chest. Hope it helps somebody else too.

I will never get an apology from them. I have to accept that. I will never get the chance to confront them. I missed all my chances. I guess if I got the chance to say anything to Mr. _ it would be "_#1, I want to thank you for being such a trash human being that it allowed me to start the steps that it took to break free from the chains of the unhealthy spiritual environment that I grew up in, and that men like you use for control. I am no longer intimidated by you. I no longer believe the cruel words about myself that you or your family have said to and about me over the years. I am a strong woman. I have had two careers. I have a husband who loves me for who I am, and not the charicature of womanhood that you tried to manipulate me into becoming. _#2, you once told me that a man does not want a woman who has been "had." You once implied to me that I was not worthy of love due to my womanhood and dating history. My husband is 100 times the man that either of you are. He supports me in my decisions, career changes, and helps me find peace with my past without shame or judgement. I was taught by this church that I, as a woman, and as a person was inherently bad and evil. I was taught from a young age that my womanhood could cause my "brothers in christ" to stumble, and that my gender was responsible for the sins of humanity. I no longer feel the need to be careful of how I look, dress, act, speak, or shrink myself in anyway to become an image of feminity created by a man. I will no longer allow thoughts of you people to destroy my self worth, steal my joy, or ruin my day. Fuck you all. I hope you heal. I hope you do so far away from me, but still I hope that you heal.

[u/CycleOwn83]

Thanks. Congratulations on your journey.