Beyond BJU: Exposing Fundamentalism

This is an episode I did with the IndoctriNation Podcast which is hosted by Rachel Bernstein LMFT, Cult Specialist. Listen to the IndoctriNation Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms.

Andrew Pledger is a content creator, activist, and writer who uses social media to share his story and inspire others. He is a religious trauma survivor who was homeschooled K-12 and raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult (Independent Fundamental Baptist movement). He brings awareness to spiritual and religious abuse. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community and experiencing religious trauma has inspired him to pursue psychology to help survivors. After being homeschooled, he found his way to Bob Jones University. He attended the fundamentalist Christian college for over three years until he was expelled in his last semester for sharing his story and denouncing fundamentalist teachings. Andrew comes on the show to share his experiences of the level of control and mental abuse he experienced at Bob Jones University.

Andrew opens up to Rachel about his complicated relationship with his 2nd generation IFB parents, he compares the high-control culture he grew up within his family with the complete authoritarian control of Bob Jones University. Together Andrew and Rachel discuss the psychological impacts on adolescents living under the constant surveillance and harsh judgment of fundamentalism.

Andrew's Links

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rich Merritt is an author, attorney, and LGBTQ+ activist who has led a remarkable life. He was born in Greenville, South Carolina, to fundamentalist Christian parents. He was in the Bob Jones school system from first grade through the university. He attended Bob Jones University for two years and in 1988 transferred to Clemson University. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served as a sergeant and an officer, while also appearing in adult films. He graduated from the University of Southern California Law School and worked as a lawyer in California, Georgia, and New York. He wrote his memoir, Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star, in 2005. He has been featured on the cover of The New York Times Magazine, The Advocate, and Washington Post

You can order an ebook copy of Rich Merritt's Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star, from Kensington Books at this link. Also available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bISmitF

Andrew's Links

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rich Merritt is an author, attorney, and LGBTQ+ activist who has led a remarkable life. He was born in Greenville, South Carolina, to fundamentalist Christian parents. He was in the Bob Jones school system from first grade through the university. He attended Bob Jones University for two years and in 1988 transferred to Clemson University. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served as a sergeant and an officer, while also appearing in adult films. He graduated from the University of Southern California Law School and worked as a lawyer in California, Georgia, and New York. He wrote his memoir, Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star, in 2005. He has been featured on the cover of The New York Times Magazine, The Advocate, and Washington Post

You can order an ebook copy of Rich Merritt's Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star, from Kensington Books at this link. Also available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/bISmitF

Andrew's Links

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Camille Lewis attended BJU in the 90s, where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees. She joined the faculty at BJU and completed her Ph.D. from Indiana University. In 2007, she left BJU after being given an ultimatum: either resign or permit the BJU daycare to spank her 2-year-old son. She chose her son. In this episode, she provides an overview of the history of Bob Jones University.

She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University in Rhetorical Studies with a minor in American Studies. Her book, 'Romancing the Difference: Kenneth Burke, Bob Jones University, and the Rhetoric of Religious Fundamentalism', was a scholarly attempt to stretch the boundaries of both Kenneth Burke’s rhetorical theory on tragedy and comedy as well as stretch conservative evangelical’s separatist frames. Her second book, 'White Nationalism and Faith: Statements and Counter-Statements', tracks the religious arguments for and against white nationalism in America since the Civil War. She is currently working on a manuscript entitled Klandamentalism. After nearly twenty years in the classroom, Camille is thrilled to be teaching Rhetoric & Strategy, Argumentation, Rhetorical Criticism, Great Speeches, and Public Speaking at Furman. (from Furman’s website)

Follow Camille's blog WutBJU

Andrew's Links

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Camille Lewis attended BJU in the 90s, where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees. She joined the faculty at BJU and completed her Ph.D. from Indiana University. In 2007, she left BJU after being given an ultimatum: either resign or permit the BJU daycare to spank her 2-year-old son. She chose her son. In this episode, she provides an overview of the history of Bob Jones University.

She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University in Rhetorical Studies with a minor in American Studies. Her book, 'Romancing the Difference: Kenneth Burke, Bob Jones University, and the Rhetoric of Religious Fundamentalism', was a scholarly attempt to stretch the boundaries of both Kenneth Burke’s rhetorical theory on tragedy and comedy as well as stretch conservative evangelical’s separatist frames. Her second book, 'White Nationalism and Faith: Statements and Counter-Statements', tracks the religious arguments for and against white nationalism in America since the Civil War. She is currently working on a manuscript entitled Klandamentalism. After nearly twenty years in the classroom, Camille is thrilled to be teaching Rhetoric & Strategy, Argumentation, Rhetorical Criticism, Great Speeches, and Public Speaking at Furman. (from Furman’s website)

Follow Camille's blog WutBJU

Learn more about Courage 365

Andrew's Links

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Camille Lewis attended BJU in the 90s, where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees. She joined the faculty at BJU and completed her Ph.D. from Indiana University. In 2007, she left BJU after being given an ultimatum: either resign or permit the BJU daycare to spank her 2-year-old son. She chose her son. In this episode, she provides an overview of the history of Bob Jones University.

She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University in Rhetorical Studies with a minor in American Studies. Her book, 'Romancing the Difference: Kenneth Burke, Bob Jones University, and the Rhetoric of Religious Fundamentalism', was a scholarly attempt to stretch the boundaries of both Kenneth Burke’s rhetorical theory on tragedy and comedy as well as stretch conservative evangelical’s separatist frames. Her second book, 'White Nationalism and Faith: Statements and Counter-Statements', tracks the religious arguments for and against white nationalism in America since the Civil War. She is currently working on a manuscript entitled Klandamentalism. After nearly twenty years in the classroom, Camille is thrilled to be teaching Rhetoric & Strategy, Argumentation, Rhetorical Criticism, Great Speeches, and Public Speaking at Furman. (from Furman’s website)

Follow Camille's blog WutBJU

Listen to the Surviving BJU Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Other Platforms

Andrew's Links

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PREMIERING 2024 - Subscribe to stay updated - Join Andrew Pledger as he talks with other BJU survivors and exposes the school’s dark history and teachings. Bob Jones University is a fundamentalist Christian college that is known for its culture of conformity, indoctrination, control, and surveillance. The influence of BJU extends far beyond its gates, serving as a hub for other organizations that spread its harmful teachings and practices. This podcast amplifies the stories of those who suffered at the university and its affiliated churches, camps, and Christian schools.

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PREMIERING 2024 - Subscribe to stay updated - Join Andrew Pledger as he talks with other BJU survivors and exposes the school’s dark history and teachings. Bob Jones University is a fundamentalist Christian college that is known for its culture of conformity, indoctrination, control, and surveillance. The influence of BJU extends far beyond its gates, serving as a hub for other organizations that spread its harmful teachings and practices. This podcast amplifies the stories of those who suffered at the university and its affiliated churches, camps, and Christian schools.

FB Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1153866318625322/

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Andrew Pledger as he speaks with survivors who have endured harm at Bob Jones University, a fundamentalist college known for its strict regulations and emphasis on indoctrination, conformity, and control. The influence of BJU extends far beyond its gates, serving as the hub for numerous churches, schools, and camps operated by BJU graduates that continue to propagate harmful teachings and controlling dynamics. This podcast provides a platform for survivors to share their experiences at BJU and its affiliated organizations. - Subscribe to stay updated - Premiering early 2024

Connect with Andrew Pledger

Social Media: https://andrewpledger.mypixieset.com/links

Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/4ndrewpledger

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.