u/Hungry-Manner-5201

I have a really hard time with the Evangelical concept of obedience. Everyone has to obey someone sometime, but Evangelicals take this to a whole new level. Their version is a) instantaneous, b) unquestioning, c) toxically positive (no complaining or arguing allowed), and d) across the spectrum of adults in a child's life. And, of course, there's often spanking involved for disobedience or delayed obedience. "Thank" you, James Dobson. How is a child/teenager supposed to say no to abuse or assault when this kind of obedience is the default?

That's just the tip of the iceberg, though. Evangelicals often claim that obedience brings joy and equals love. No, it doesn't, and no, it doesn't. Obedience may bring joy to the parents, but I've never heard of a kid who's super happy about obeying Mom and Dad all the time. As for obedience equaling love, this is probably the most toxic thing of all. You can hate somebody's guts and still (have to) obey them. And it's not fair to accuse a child of not loving you simply because they don't do every dang thing you tell them to do instantly and with a big smile on their face. Love is a complicated thing, and it can't be boiled down to blindly following rules.

Were you raised in this kind of household? How do/did you break the hold that this concept of obedience has/had on you?

I hate the Bible more than any book I've ever read or been forced to read. Not only is it full of all sorts of amoral and horrific sentiments, but it's boring AF. All the stories are in the Old Testament, which I absolutely detest. As for the New Testament, it starts out promising wonderful things like new life in Christ, unconditional love, etc. But then it ends with Revelation and Christ killing unbelievers. Hard to believe it's the same man who died on the cross. "Forgive them, Father" - up to a point.

I used to love "God's Word" and read it every day.

Now I wonder why I ever fell for it.

I wish there were a mod for an Apostle of the Meniscate run, to elevate the Balanced Dancer to one of her Names. I'd call it Apostle Equilibrate.

What might such a mod look like?