The podcast aims to shed light on the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and people of color who have left occupied spaces, particularly in the context of religious institutions and systems. The host, Rose, comes from a fundamentalist evangelical Pentecostal background and understands the power and importance of validating these experiences. Through the stories shared on the podcast, they hope to bring greater understanding and acceptance. The podcast aims to be informative, thought-provoking, and comforting to those going through a similar transition within the community. Listeners are encouraged to share their own stories and stay connected through various channels.
Rose shares that they grew up in an ultra-conservative fundamentalist evangelical Pentecostal religious upbringing. The Bible was their moral compass and primary structure for life, identity, and lifestyle, shaping their worldviews. For 26 years, they followed that blueprint and was heavily involved in the church, particularly in the praise and worship ministries. The relationships and community that came from that religious environment mattered to them more than anything in the "world." However, they eventually realized that blind obedience does not equal love and that thinking critically about things when there is doubt can only bring power and strength.
In the episode, Rose discusses their own experience of leaving the church and realizing the harm caused by blind obedience. They emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and seeking tangible facts, rather than blindly following religious leaders and institutions. They also notes that harmful dynamics within religious institutions can have an impact on everyday social constructs. Specifically, they also mentions the christian, evangelical, pentecostal, fundamentalist, and charismatic spaces as areas where these dynamics are particularly prevalent. They believe that understanding and acknowledging these harmful dynamics is crucial for healing and moving forward. Additionally, Rose highlights the importance of amplifying the voices of Black, Indigenous, and people of color who have left these religious spaces and validating their experiences. Overall, they stresse the importance of critical thinking and understanding the impact of religious institutions and systems on individuals and society as a whole.
Thank you for listening to this episode and I hope you will continue to join us on this journey of exploration and understanding. If you want to share your story, please email the show @[email protected] or follow us on IG. You can also call the show and leave us a voice message at( 202)-525-6375.
Until next time, take care.