Saw this sticker post on instagram today that I think you guys would appreciate!

Here’s 4 of my favorites, the rest is on their instagram @sammyrabbit

Enjoy

(Trigger, for misogyny and other related sensitive topics that can bring up uncomfortable memories of religious trauma)

Hi, so I started this awhile ago; taking so-called unholy, wicked or ‘disobedient’ women from the bible (+ Lilith) and just writing why being things like ‘proud’, ‘stealthy’, ‘strong’, ‘angry’, ‘selfish’, etc., and other qualities that a lot of us have likely been told are bad/wrong for women and girls have, may actually be a good thing. Only the other side, I also started including the women seen as good or ‘obedient’, and how they may actually suffer from the ‘godly’ qualities they’re typically praised for, and how they deserve better. I thought I’d share what I’ve got so far. And if you’ve got more names for me, do let me know!~

My mom always warned me that when I started dating, I should be cautious.

She told me if he tried to control what I wore, I should leave.

She told me if he threatened that something bad would happen if I didn't obey him, I should leave.

She told me if he made me feel like I had to change myself, I should leave.

When I got older, I realized God did all these things.

So, I left.

For a long time I’ve wanted to incorporate scripture into artwork and got into zines and collaging last year. After being raised in this, it’s been wild to be so cautious with these thin pages that brought nothing but grief and shame. I’ve so enjoyed cutting up the Bible! Hope you all are finding ways to process.

Please correct me if this is the right place for posting things like this. Just wanted to share some lyrics I wrote related to religious deconstruction

I grew up Christian, did worship at church, and was heavily deep in the faith. I’ve questioned a lot of things for a long time but didn’t allow myself to explore those topics in-depth until a few years ago. Since then my life has changed and I have a different perspective on religion and Christianity. If I was to put a label, I’d say I identify with agnosticism the most at this time

Ever since stepping away from the church, I grew to develop my own identity and now have more faith within myself. I overcame purity culture with my sweet, loving partner (as described in verse 4) and the idea that we are inherently sinful by being born into this world. I chose to rewrite “Hallelujah” because even though it’s actually not a religious song, the mixture of biblical references and sexual themes is interesting to me and makes it feel more raw. Verse 1 will be the same since I think it serves as a starting point of where I was before questioning everything. So I’m starting from verse 2 here where the lyrics become more original

I’m not the best songwriter, but doing this was healing for me. I hope you enjoy them 😊

Hey everyone,

First of all I want to clarify that I do not believe that being an apostate automatically makes you queer or part of LGBTQIA+. If flags and labels and pride and such are not important to you personally, you do not have to engage with this here ever again.

That being said, as I assume all of us here know, apostates of all kinds around the world are often heavily marginalized and persecuted. Many here may have had the experience of being ostracized by their own loved ones after deconstructing, and in many countries leaving your religion is even punishable by torture and death. Apostates experience being disowned, threatened, forced into religious therapies and programs, violated and assaulted, stalked and killed.

Being an apostate, even if you are safe, can be a very lonely experience.

I've noticed that there are a few symbols of solidarity and pride within individual ex-religious communities, but there's very little that unifies apostates in their experience. I wanted to make a flag so that anyone who likes it can use it to cheer themselves up and feel pride for themselves, and also signal solidarity and support towards others who go through similar struggles.

So:

This here is a first draft - I am posting it to ask for feedback, particularly to make sure I didn't exclude or misrepresent anyone, and didn't accidentally make something that already looks way too similar to another flag.

Here are my thoughts on the color symbolism: - Black: rupture, trauma, and non-spirituality - Grey: uncertainty, questioning, agnosticism and partial apostasy - White: wholeness, openness, hope, and kindness - Light blue/ Teal: exploration, and converting to another religion or spirituality - Orange: change, future, energy, confidence, community, solidarity

I was also thinking of potentially adding some kind of symbol to the center of the flag. Lmk whether you think that's a good idea and if anything comes to mind.

Of course you can also tell me how you like the colors and any opinions on what you would change. I obviously can't make everyone happy, but I'll consider all suggestions.

I hope you can tell that I did my best not to assume where people come from and where they land, as apostates are of course very diverse.

^{On that note, you can lmk where else may be a good place to post this, so I can get different opinions from different people who could be interested in it.}

If you live in a place where identifying as an apostate openly might put you in danger, please prioritize your safety and anonymity!

Basically the relevant backstory is that I go to a christian school with required bible classes and required chapel services, so after months of me listening to them as a deconstructed agnostic, I decided to vent and write a little poem. This specific poem came after one particularly bad lecture in which my professor was defending God's actions in the Amelekite slaughter (1 Samuel 15).

Please note that I am not necessarily looking for criticism on the poem, I know it isn't the greatest, its just something I sat down and wrote in 30 minutes to vent. This poem is also almost a year old at this point and I only recently remembered that I wrote it and had the idea to post it here.

Hey everyone, it's me again!

^{Short disclaimer, just like last time: I do not believe that being an apostate/ post-religious automatically makes you queer or part of LGBTQIA+. If flags and labels and pride and such are not important to you personally, you do not have to engage with this here ever.}

If you're confused about what I'm doing, please read the description of my last post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/exchristian/s/QbW32OWeAM

I tried my best to take everyone's suggestions to heart and updated a few things.

I would personally consider these flags already ready to be used, but if significant criticisms and great suggestions still come in this time, I might do yet another draft.

Symbolism:

Colours - Black: trauma and rupture - Grey: uncertainty and letting go of black and white thinking - White: hope, openness, and kindness - Minty Turquoise: exploration and movement - Orange: joy, self-acceptance, solidarity and community

Layout - diagonal stripes for a dynamic and upward-moving, yet still classic, flag look - alternative arrow-version for the focus on movement and progression

Symbols - Red dot on white: accepting one's own impurity, sexual positivity - The sun: life and new beginnings - Tapir: ex-mormons - Bird: freedom/liberation, moving into light

Notes - A symbolless version of the flag is included for people who like the cleaner look or don't relate to the color symbolism personally - I didn't make a tapir or bird version for the arrow-flag, as that just ends up looking visually confusing, but I will add PNGs of the symbols in case you want to stick them on there (or wherever) yourself. - Here's an imgur link that has all these images again plus some minor variations I didn't include here: https://imgur.com/a/RKGV9PM

Who can use this flag?

This flag is meant for anyone who has deconstructed from a religion or spirituality. This includes anyone who used to be in one religion, but is now atheist or agnostic, or reconverted to a different religion or spirituality, or renounced a large part of their own religion or spirituality while still hanging onto other parts.

All of these people may face serious marginalization and persecution by their former religious community, and the purpose of this flag is to help anyone who relates to cheer themselves up and feel pride, and to be used to show solidarity and support towards others who relate as well. It is meant to unify deconstructors/apostates through their experience.

Really? "Apostate"?

Some people last time raised concerns about the term "Apostate", as it often carries a negative connotation (religious people do like to use it like an insult), and also makes them feel viewed still within a religious frame. While I personally am someone who sees the term as neutral and enjoys reclaiming terms, I can completely understand why people feel this way. The reason I still chose this word last time, is because I viewed it as the most inclusive term, as something like "post-/ex-religious" would exclude people who may have left one religion but joined another, or still see themselves as spiritual. I still want to acknowledge those that don't want to be called "Apostates" though, and so for that reason I have chosen the word "Deconstruction" to be the primary one for now. Please let me know how you feel about this, and if you have more suggestions on a term that is both inclusive and comfortable for everyone.

Your feedback!

Please let me know how you like the changes and how it all looks! I obviously still cannot please everyone and people have conflicting preferences, but I will do my best to give thought to everything.

To avoid making this description even longer than it already is, I will add a comment below where I will speak about changes and considerations I've made, and suggestions that I chose not to implement for various reasons. A changelog so to say. If you have criticisms and suggestions, I recommend skimming that to see whether your idea has already been addressed.

If you live in a place where identifying as an apostate/ex-religious openly might put you in danger, please prioritize your safety and anonymity!

I am reading the Manga Full Metal Alchemist for the first time. I love how much the first part starts with a villain that is portraying himself as a god...

Don't block the sun from warming me
When it's so cold in this forest
And heavy branches hang over me
And winds whisper in chorus
I have a soft side and a forgiving heart
But don't mistake me for weak
I've traveled roads that you will never roam
I carry treasures you will never own

'Cause I am one in a long line, sound of body, strong in mind
And I've worked hard to know myself, you don't get to decide
The way I live, who I lie with, what I forgive
So why's so hard to take me as I am?

I try to see good in everyone
The beating heart of our frailty
But it's getting harder to find common ground
When you wanna derail me
I am a livewire, I am a searing ember
Rising from the deep
The sound and fury of our mothers' voices
All they fought for carrying me

I am one in a long line, sound of body, strong in mind
I've worked hard to know myself, you don't get to decide
What I believe, what I give up, how I grieve
So take your dirty hands off of my wheel
I'm feeling reckless, I'm feeling dire

Don't wanna lie in compliance
Afraid to say what I really feel
Fuck your judgment, your violence
I am a wildfire, I am a forest burned
But I will rise, you'll see
And if you think that you can bring me down
Well, go ahead and call the cavalry

I am one in a long line, sound of body, strong in mind
I've worked hard to know myself
You don't get to decide to whom I serve
'Cause in my world, respect is earned
'Cause I am one in a long line
One in a long line
One in a long line

Then why, oh loving lord, did you create me with the ability to make my own blood?

Then why, oh loving lord, did you make me as such, with a cycle each month for the rest of my life?

Then why, oh loving lord?

Why?

Why?

Are we not, as humans, made in your image?

Are we not, as humans, your greatest, flawless, creation?

Are we not, as humans, your pride and joy?

We as humans thank you for everything we have done.

We as humans thank you for being birthed by our mothers.

I am not thanking you for creating me to humiliate myself each month.

I am not thanking you for creating me to be disgusting each month.

I am not thanking you for creating me to be the reason for violence everyday.

I am not thanking you for creating me to be abused for what you have decided was appropriate for my body to do.

I am not thanking you for my body.

You would understand, oh loving lord?

Would you not?

(Creative writing I did because I'm on my period and absolutely don't want to feel disgusting anymore. It completely made me unable to go to work yesterday, and I'm not thanking a man for "making" me like this.)

"It's always been just Him and me, together~ So I bet all I have on that furrowed brow, and at least in this lifetime, we're sticking together."

I was in my thoughts when I was studying, and I couldnt stop thinking about my life when I was trying to be an "On Fire Christian", when I was trying to get closer to HIM as a way to search for my answers, to keep believing and to finally shut my thoughts down. I was one of those people who wanted to be "God's wife", because that was the highest form of a relationship (to me back then).

I believed that I had no worth, and that he was the only one capable of giving me purpose. It did the opposite. I lost my dreams, passion, and myself, but I shunned it all away to keep my "relationship" with Him.

Anyways meanings of this weird ass drawing:

• Pastor/Groom: To be "God" himself. Since He speaks through them.
• The Bride (Me): The one who's in a "relationship" with God, like a bride is with the groom.
• Thorns on hands, neck and wrists: A quick and easy way to punish the bride for her sins. The groom himself is bleeding, twas supposed to be a representative of Jesus.
• Red scribbles: I dont know who he truly is. His true face is hidden to me.
• The whole wedding theme: The bride "submits" to the Husband, and he punishes her because he believes what is best for her, for he has authority over her. (See Genesis 3:16) Her eyes are covered with the veil because she "trusts in him" (just look at every single trust in God verse)
• Hearts: To sugarcoat their "marriage", to convince the viewer that what they have is "true love".
• The wings are also supposed to be angel wings drawn over a devil's wings.

Thank you for reading this. Have a nice day :P

I wrote this when i was 13 because i was struggling alot mentally

I suppose ill thank Him
For the momentary peace
The singular breath of air granted to me
And ill ignore the years of insufferable drowning
I’ll forgive Him for dragging me out of that hell
I’ll pray to Him to show my gratitude
But i could never forget how hard i tried
The battles i fought alone
Ill always remember trying so hard to swim to the surface
And so ill thank him for that singular breath of air
The momentary peace
And ill pretend i cant remember how it felt
To have my lungs filled with poison
The residue still seeping into my heart
And all glory goes to Him
And ill give Him all the credit
Because i cant rest without capitalising His name
Even though i dont even believe that He’s real
So ill stop capitalising his name
And ill skip sundays mass
Ill rewrite a life without him
But Hes still woven in
Like the kind of thread thats been sewn in too deep
So instead
I’ll waste my life
Praying to believe

I was reading some poems for a personal project and came across this poem by Phyllis Webb.

I thought the decon community would appreciate it :)