The Cult of Christianity
By John Verner
My name is John Verner. I used to be a part of the largest cult in the United States. After studying the Bible, Christian history, and ministry, I set my sights on confronting the problematic nature of white evangelicalism in the United States. In 2019, I published my first book as a first step in addressing the subtle issues of this complex system. This podcast will continue that work under the same title. Welcome, to
The Cult of Christianity.
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Church Chronicles: From Bleeding Wounds To Healing Sounds
Welcome to "Church Chronicles," a compelling new series that takes you on unforgettable journeys, and focuses on not only the trauma from church but how folks heal from it.
In this first episode, John, with the help of Amelia, shares his past struggles with self-harm and the weight of toxic religious messaging. Witness the transformative power of John's choice to do something brave and kind for his younger self.
Don't miss out on this remarkable series premiere of "Church Chronicles." Stay tuned for future episodes, where we'll continue to explore the resilience of the human spirit. Subscribe now and embark on this extraordinary journey with us.
Season Three Finale! (Featuring Chris and Lilly)
Hi there, friend! It's time for the season three finale of the podcast, and it's a 3hr sloppy and entertaining mess.
First, Chris, Lilly, and John take a trip down memory lane, recapping, thanking, and praising the guests from this past season. The Cult of Christianity had some high-caliber and insightful friends this year and it's wonderful to reminisce. All of this is before talking nonsense, showing kitties, and playing some outtakes.
But that's not all - the gang also plays a fun (for John) and competitive game of "Guess these Dungeons & Dragons Bible Characters." Indulge John's nerdiness.
Next, the squad takes a stab at an exvangelical round of "Would you rather?" They hit some hot takes HARD, and realize every decision John makes is just for content.
And finally, a lot of dramatic reading of some of the hilarious, befuddling, and zealous hate comments received from the cultists. Concluding with John's best attempt to make Lilly and Chris cringe to death.
Thanks to you amazing listeners for another great season. Your support means a lot, and The Cult of Christianity wouldn't exist without you. This episode is a lighthearted and fun adventure, filled with plenty of laughs, drinks, and John's attempts to make Chris and Lilly crawl into a hole. So sit back, relax, pour a drink, and buckle up for the finale of another fantastic season!
https://linktr.ee/thecultofchristianity
Instagram: @thecultofchristianity + @sweetwordswitch
Substack: johnverner.substack.com
Website: thecultofchristianity.com
The Cult of Christianity UPDATE
In this episode, John celebrates the end of Season 3 of the Cult of Christianity podcast and thanks listeners for their support. He announces a podcast party that will drop on May 14th for the finale and takes a mental health break to work on new projects but will still release content for paid subscribers. Season 4 is planned, and listeners can follow the podcast's Instagram for updates. Thanks to listeners, even the hate ones, for helping him turn this project into a career where he finds purpose and happiness.
ARTT 42: Public Image
John talks about his anxieties about entering a profession where he is a public figure and the identity crisis that comes with it.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed
Parsing Propaganda: The Babylon Bee VS Satire
John spelunks into the nauseating world of The Babylon Bee, a satirical news website that claims to poke fun at current events and culture. However, John reveals that beneath the surface, The Babylon Bee is not only unfunny but also a dangerous tool for promoting right-wing evangelical propaganda. Through a critical analysis of the website's history, John uncovers how The Babylon Bee uses satire as a covert medium to spread harmful and divisive messages, specifically in their transphobic article, "Beverage Pretending To Be Beer Features Man Pretending To Be Woman."
S3Ep18: Love
In this episode, John unpacks the confusion surrounding the term "love" and the ways in which it can be abused by manipulative groups. John shares his insights on the importance of making love a central mission in life, but with full autonomy, unlocking its transformative power in different relationships. Through his recaps of his personal experiences, poetry, and pontificating, John searches for the true meaning of love and how we can navigate its complexities to create a more loving world.
ARTT 41: Insomnia
John talks about not getting any sleep last night to the best of his ability.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed
S3Ep17: Diversity (Featuring R Scott Okamoto)
In this episode, John has an enlightening conversation with returning guest R Scott Okamoto on the crucial topic of diversity in both church and broader culture. In this episode, they delve into the challenges that Christians face in embracing diversity and the underlying reasons why it can be against evangelicals' self-interest. As they explore the complexities of diversity, they discuss the differences between a diversity of thought and diversity of traits, the challenges of promoting diversity in a capitalist society, and how a lack of diversity can reinforce the status quo.
To buy Scott's book, or learn more about his podcast, go to https://www.rscottokamoto.com/
ARTT 40: Tenacity
John talks about the difficulties, and triumphs, of being tenacious after leaving the cult of Christianity.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed
S3Ep16: The Problem with Progressive Christianity
In this monologue, John explores the complexities of progressive Christianity. He excavates different problems within the movement while discussing its positive aspects, including its emphasis on social justice and adaptation to the modern world. However, he also points out that the rejection of orthodox Christian doctrine causes problems. John argues that progressive Christianity is still part of the Christian faith, but has not become less cultish merely by its dilution. He gives warnings about the dangers of this movement and urges listeners to understand the nuances of the good, bad, and ugly in progressive iterations of the cult of Christianity.
ARTT 39: Euphoria
John talks about how the push and pull of feeling euphoric and disillusioned is related to religious trauma.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed
S3Ep15: BONUS- The Only Stopping Religious Trauma is Journalism
This special episode is John’s presentation titled "The Only Stopping Religious Trauma is Journalism" at the Global Center for Religious Research's Atheism E-conference. He discusses the crucial role of journalism in combating religious trauma, uncovering harmful religious practices, and promoting good reporting. The presentation includes award-winning journalism and explores common media missteps in covering religion. Listen on major podcast platforms or watch the video exclusively on Spotify. For more information on the conference and speakers, visit the Global Center for Religious Research's website: https://www.gcrr.org/
ARTT 38: Shootings
John processes through and expresses his frustrations and grief regarding how cultists treat guns and shootings.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed
S3Ep14: Gender (Featuring Kit Morgan)
Kit Morgan, trauma therapist and social worker, joins John to explore the ways in which gender is constructed and how it affects our lives. They discuss the binary gender system, gender roles, gender identity, and the increase in legal discrimination recently. They also talk about the ways in which these systems have been used against all marginalized groups.
Kit shares their personal experiences with gender and Christianity, talking about how they were raised in a Christian household and how their faith ebbed and flowed. They also talk about how they came to understand their own gender through multiple "coming out" experiences.
John and Kit offer their own opinions with navigating the complexities of gender within and without Christianity and encourage exploration outside of any cultic control.
If you'd like to learn more about Kit, you can follow their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/kitmorgantherapy/
ARTT 37: Vulgarity
John f*cks around with this concept of vulgarity and how it relates to religious trauma.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Tucker Carlson VS Reality
In this episode, John takes a deep dive into the propaganda techniques employed by Tucker Carlson in his recent segment, "All governments hate religious people." John dissects Carlson's arguments, pointing out the incoherence, disinformation, and fearmongering that Carlson relies on to push his agenda. Through carefully analyzing Carlson's rhetoric, John reveals how the Fox News host manipulates his audience's emotions and biases to further his political goals. We should all be aware of the dangers of propaganda and how to recognize the manipualtive rhetoric employed by those with cultic agendas.
S3Ep13: Mental Health III
In this episode, John celebrates his 13th anniversary of sobriety from self-harm by opening up about his current mental health and his frustrations with the systemic treatment of taboo topics. As a survivor of self-harm, John has faced many challenges in his journey to recovery, including the stigma and shame associated with mental illness. Despite these challenges, John has found strength in his resilience and his commitment to refraining from cutting.
John speaks candidly about his experiences with the cult of Christianity and how it has contributed to his struggles with mental health. He shares his belief that the culture of shame and guilt perpetuated by certain religious groups can damage those already vulnerable.
Throughout this monologue, John offers insights and reflections on his sobriety journey and ongoing efforts to maintain his mental health. He encourages listeners to be open and honest about their struggles, seek help when needed, and be kind and compassionate to themselves and others. He also argues that his personal mental health could have never improved inside the cult of Christianity.
ARTT 36: Weirdness
John talks about when he feels too weird, and how religious trauma only makes him weirder.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
S3Ep12: Suffering (Featuring Mylee)
In this episode, John is joined by Mylee to discuss the concept of suffering in Christianity and how it can be used manipulatively.
Mylee explains that suffering is a fundamental part of the Christian faith, as it is believed to be a means of spiritual growth and purification. John points out that some Christians use the idea of suffering to justify their own complacency in the face of injustice and oppression. They may believe that suffering is an inevitable part of life and that attempts to alleviate it are futile.
Despite these concerns, Mylee and John both acknowledge the positive role that suffering can play in personal growth and spiritual development. They discuss how, when approached with compassion and empathy, suffering can be a powerful tool for building resilience and fostering empathy for others. Even so, this kind of growth seems impossible inside the cult of Christianity.
ARTT 35: Validation
John talks about feeling validated and validating others after leaving Christianity.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
S3Ep11: Morality
In this monologue, John explores the concept of morality and argues that the existence of God is not necessary for morality to exist. John further points out that different cultures have different moral codes, and perspectives on morality can vary exponentially. He also argues that Christian cult leaders don't care about morality, they care about subservience.
ARTT 34: Word Choices
John talks about choosing your words carefully as a sign of religious trauma. But elaborates about how examining such choices can be important.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
S3Ep10: Death (Featuring Callie)
This conversation is uncomfortable for most people. But it's a natural and healthy part of our lives, and every person needs to have these tough conversations—except for maybe cult leaders. Death is a natural, healthy part of life. In this conversation, Callie, a funeral director, mortician, and long-time friend of John comes on the show to discuss death, grieving, and how the cult of Christianity produces much harm through platitudes and denial. If you'd like to follow Callie, her Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/undertake.care/
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this suicide and death are detailed, and/or discussed.
ARTT 33: Responsibility
John talks about the importance of recognizing to how much you can respond.
DISCLAIMER
My work aims to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed
Parsing Propaganda: Hillsong VS Choices
John scoffs and mocks Phil Dooley's blog, "Choose life (or the art of making life-giving choices),'" written for Hillsong's website. Context is provided, hypocrisy is pointed out, and bad theology and hermeneutics are parsed.
S3Ep9: Adoption (Featuring Cierra)
What does it mean to adopt? Why do people adopt? How have Christians changed the term, and maybe not for the better?
John's friend, Cierra, tells her story of being adopted and provides education and data about who adopts, the systemic problems in the United States, and how the cult of Christianity makes everything worse. If you'd like to learn more about this topic, visit http://bastards.org/
ARTT 32: Desperation
A very sick John wanders through how religious trauma impacts his feelings of desperation. Hopefully Rona brain didn't make this too incoherent.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed
S3Ep8: Rock N Roll (Featuring Scott Okamoto and Chris)
Scott Okamoto, the host of Chapel Probation, joins best friends, John and Chris, to discuss why we love "secular" music, why it doesn't take a divine presence to create good art, whether art can even be moral, and how the "Satanic Panic Era" might have never ended. If you'd like to listen to Scott's amazing podcast and keep an eye out for his upcoming book, go to https://www.rscottokamoto.com/
ARTT 31: Money
John talks about financial hardship and how it relates to religious trauma.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed
S3Ep7: Drugs (Featuring De'Vannon Hubert)
ARTT 30: Men
John rants about men.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
S3Ep6: Sex (Featuring Erica Smith, Melissa Duge Spiers, and Claire Jones)
This show features "Sexperts," Erica Smith, Melissa Spiers, and Claire Jones discussing the topic of sex and purity culture within the Christian faith. They discuss how shame, guilt, and fear are used against young men and women to keep them from becoming sexually active and educated. The three, plus John, discuss America’s lack of sex education in schools, how our culture promotes sexual abuse, and explore why such a natural part of life is so stigmatized.
If you'd like to learn more about each guest, you can visit the following links
Erica Smith - https://www.ericasmitheac.com/
Melissa Duge Spiers - http://www.melissadugespiers.com/
Claire Jones - https://www.pursueyourwild.com/
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, sexual abuse is mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
ARTT 29: Busy-ness
John rambles about how busy he is, but how it's so much better than when he was busy with church.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
S3Ep5: Body Image (Featuring Ashley Dunston)
Were you shamed for showing more skin? Are you uncomfortable with your weight? Why do evangelicals care so much about your body? In this episode, author Ashley Dunston joins John to talk about body image issues inside and outside the cult of Christianity. If you'd like to learn more about Ashley's work, go to https://linktr.ee/AshleyDunston
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this self-harm and abuse are detailed, and/or discussed.
ARTT 28: Long-Distance Friendship
John talks about his feelings regarding having friends far away. Religious trauma can creep up in the strangest forms.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional, and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
S3Ep4: Private Christian School (Featuring Jacob)
In this first "in-studio" episode of TCOC, John's lifelong friend, Jacob, comes on to discuss his experiences at a well-known, wealthy, private Christian school. He explains the positives, the negatives, and the epiphany of freedom to question, which guides his Christian life now.
ARTT 27: Cleanliness
It was a dark and stormy night, when John recorded a weird ARTT about fear, and also cleanliness. A peculiar experience for both podcaster and listener. Enjoy.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Christian Broadcasting Network VS Abortion Pills
John thoroughly critiques and fact-checks Christian Broadcasting Network's article, "FDA Lets Pharmacies Bypass Medical Oversight to Sell Risky Abortion Pills: 'Throwing Women Under the Bus'" by Talia Wise, which was posted to mislead and manipulate. The fear-mongering against abortion pills is shown to not only be illogical, but also the sourcing is shown to be suspect.
S3Ep3: Christian Counseling (Featuring Cierra and Lilly)
Cierra and Lilly join John, to tell the truth about the abuse, the dangers, and the bad religious practices of Christian counseling. Everyone can experience suffering from unqualified and undereducated "therapy" practiced in Christian churches and communities. Ethics of Christians providing healthcare, as well as analysis of evangelicalism, is explored and serious questions are raised about biblical counseling, pastoral care, and whether this concept serves a frightening cult's agenda.
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, suicide, sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse are mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
ARTT 26: One Year Anniversary
John celebrates old episodes, explains the difference between religious trauma and deconstruction, and the different ways reacting to trauma can be helpful/harmful.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
S3Ep2: Old Testament Problems (Featuring Rabbi Michael Harvey)
Rabbi Mike opens up a much-needed dialogue between Jewish and Christian communities. Specifically, he talks with John about how Christians misunderstand Jesus, Judaism, and the important difference between Hebrew texts and the Christian Old Testament. If you'd like to learn more about Rabbi Mike and buy his groundbreaking book, go to https://www.rabbimichaelharvey.com/
ARTT 25: Happy New Fears!
John talks about his anxieties associated with the new year and new season of TCOC, connecting to his religious trauma.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
S3Ep1: Abortion (Featuring Asha Dahya)
Asha Dahya, reproductive justice advocate and founder of GirlTalkHQ, understands the obstacles facing people in need of healthcare. She joins John to discuss why abortion is a human justice issue, the racist history of the medical establishment, and how the cult of Christianity controls our bodies. You can find out more about the work she is doing at https://www.ashadahya.com/
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, sexual abuse is mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
ARTT 24: Crying
John tries not to cry and tries to cry while talking about crying.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and the concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or healthcare professional and nothing I post in any medium replace the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Verner VS Verner V
A sermon John gave back when taking preaching classes titled, "Towers of Pride," is examined. Facepalming, curiosity, and confusion are brought to the table as John dissects the way he used to communicate while inside the cult.
ARTT 23: Boundaries
John talks about why it can be hard to establish boundaries when you were brought up in a cult.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Verner VS Verner IV
John cringes and reflects on one of his more overt cries for help, in an old Facebook note titled, "What We Forget About Sin."
ARTT 22: I got into NYU!
John makes some announcements and talks about moving on to the next chapters of your life after the cult.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Verner VS Verner III
John continues his summer series of critiquing his past Christian content. He hones in on the most subtle cues of a fairly progressive blog post, intended to criticize President Trump's idea of "Walls."
ARTT 21: Embarrassment
John explains his relationship with feeling embarrassed and how he copes with the harm of his Christian upbringing in exploring such feelings.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Verner VS Verner II
John continues his summer series of critiquing his past Christian content. He reviews his first ever article published in an academic journal, titled, "Delusion: Driving the Damnage."
ARTT 20: Work Ethic
John discusses the weird feelings surrounding what a good "work ethic" means after you leave the cult.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Verner VS Verner I
John begins his summer series of critiquing his past Christian content. First up is his award winning sermon given at Moody Bible Institute's chapel. You can watch the video here if you'd like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj9eSHl4n_I&t=306s
ARTT 19: Good Grief
John talks about his struggles with grieving well since leaving the cult.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Season Two Finale! (Featuring Chris and Lilly)
We did it! John invites Lilly and Chris on to the chaotic conclusion of the 2nd season of The Cult of Christianity! Shoutouts, recaps, trivia, hate mail, unvaulted clips, and plenty of drinking, this episode is quite literally for sh!ts and giggles! Video is available exclusively on Spotify! Thanks everyone who listened this season and I'll talk to y'all soon!
(If you're sad to see the weekly content be paused, feel free to subscribe for more content! At the time of this release, there are 35 more premium episodes, meaning you would double the number of episodes available to you with the click of a button, and for only $5 a month! Click here if you'd like to subscribe! https://anchor.fm/thecultofchristianity/subscribe)
ARTT 18: Toxic Positivity
John talks about navigating the residual effects of growing up in toxically positive Christian environments.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: The Gospel Coalition VS Bo Burnham
John defends a more reasonable understanding of his favorite work of art from his favorite artist, Bo Burnham, The article, "Bo Burnham’s ‘Inside’: Ecclesiastes for the Internet Age" by Derek Buikema that was posted on this misinformation site, The Gospel Coalition, is shown to be a typical bastardized way of interpreting existential art, which evangelicals frequently employ, attempting to convince others that the need for their theology is universal.
S2Ep18: Religious Freedom
John points out that freedom of religion seems to be a misnomer among Christian cultists.
ARTT 17: Prejudice
A sick John does his best to not cough while describing how prejudices in the cult can make unlearning judgmental patterns difficult.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Dr. James Dobson VS The Family
In "Why Marriage and Family Matters Now More Than Ever," James Dobson complains about the multitudes of "attacks" on marriage and family. John points out how this perception of persecution is ridiculous and unfounded.
S2Ep17: Determinism & Free Will
John monologues about the various issues of determinism and free, how the philosophical conundrum interacts with Calvinist theology, and why Christians are not predisposed to believe in autonomy.
ARTT 16: Dating
John explores the difficulties in dating after leaving a religious cult.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Bryan Chapell VS Preaching
While Bryan Chapell is one of the best preachers and most clever disseminators of structure and style to those studying preaching, John identifies how there is a fine line between good public speaking and intentional manipulation. This interview originally appeared in Preaching Magazine under the title, "Christ-Centered Preaching: An Interview with Bryan Chapell."
S2Ep16: Kidnapped By Christians (Featuring Fin)
John's friend, Fin, shares his wild story of being recruited, "trained," and psychologically maltreated, all in the name of becoming a Christian leader. The story gets more and more shocking as it goes on, and has a terrifying conclusion.
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, torture is mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed. This episode might be especially triggering for those who have experienced military boot camp or other psychologically intense occurrences.
ARTT 15: Christian Strangers
John rambles on about what his interactions with strangers are like after they realize what his podcast is about.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: John MacArthur VS "Evangelicals"
John on John hatred is spewed as Verner seeks to take down MacArthur's bastardized ideas of the problems with evangelicalism. "Is the Evangelical Movement Really "Evangelical"? by MacArthur is deconstructed and shown to be the most blatant propaganda dissected thus far.
S2Ep15: Conversion Therapy (Featuring Lucas Wilson)
Lucas shares his unfortunate experiences of conversion therapy while attending Liberty University. John and Lucas zoom out and try to demonstrate how such a torturous practice can be normalized in the homophobic culture of evangelicalism.
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, therapy abuse, sexual assault, torture practices, and suicide are mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
ARTT 14: Opinionated
John describes how difficult being an opinionated person can be, especially after leaving the cult.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Louie Giglio VS Relevancy
S2Ep14: Catholicism and Protestantism (Featuring Patrick Gruber)
Patrick, long lost friend of John's, stops by to help compare and contrast the structure of the catholic church with the protestant movement. History, clergy, the bible, and general cultural behaviors are discussed, especially in light of the problematic tendencies of American evangelicalism.
ARTT 13: Holidays
John talks about dealing with religious trauma around Christian holidays.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Tullian Tchividjian VS Himself
John grieves and examines Tchvidjian's blog titled, "I Once Was Found, But Now I'm Lost." Problematic patterns of narcissism are tied directly to his allegiance to the evangelical cult.
S2Ep13: Intelligent Design (Featuring Dr. Fazale Rana)
John and Dr. "Fuz" discuss intelligent design, creationism, scientific skepticism, and how all of this relates to Christianity. If you'd like to learn more about Fazale, or buy one of his books, you can go to https://reasons.org/
Disclaimer: While no guest appearance is an endorsement of all views they hold, occasionally The Cult of Christianity will have guests with fundamental disagreements on, in order to engage the other side and/or further allow points to be illustrated. The views expressed by guests are their own and their presence on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them, their statements, or any entity they represent.
ARTT 12: Forward Thinking
John explains what helps him have a forward thinking mindset after his cult life.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: RC Sproul Jr. VS Government Compliance
R.C. Sproul Jr. tries to convince people that his way of complying with the government is best, while John argues that Sproul simply wants you to comply with the Christian cult. "Is it ever right for Christians to disobey the government?" is dissected and ridiculed.
S2Ep12: Humor (Featuring Dan Kapr)
John and Dan joke around and talk about how humor can be really fun, but also really toxic, both inside and outside of church. If you'd like to learn more about Dan, buy his book, or find his podcast, you can go to https://dankapr.com/
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, suicide is mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
ARTT 11: Independence
John explores what escaping the codependent mindset of the cult of Christianity feels like.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Franklin Graham VS Cancel Culture
John mocks and dismantles the fear-stoking disinformation found in Franklin Graham's rant titled, "The Voice of God Can Never Be Canceled."
S2Ep11: Mental Health II (Featuring Lilly)
From being acquainted, to trauma bonding, to becoming friends, to becoming literal twins, Lilly and John reunite to discuss mental wellness, especially as it relates to their cult upbringing.
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, suicide, death, and spiritual abuse are mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
ARTT 10: Body Image
John talks about body image, both personally and generally, as it relates to the cult of Christianity.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Max Lucado VS "Fear" of SARS-CoV-2
John juxtaposes an article titled, "Rattled by Trump’s COVID? Try the Bible’s anti-anxiety treatment" by Max Lucado, with an interview of him done about a year later titled, "Amid pandemic and personal struggles, Max Lucado finds peace in divine purpose." Subtle nods to white evangelicals are picked out and critiques of reimaginations of scripture are offered.
S2Ep10: Narcissism (Featuring Radhia Gleis)
Author Radhia Gleis comes on the show to describe her experiences in the infamous cult depicted in the documentary, "Holy Hell." She shares the wisdom and education she has received about how Narcissism and Sociopathy operate within a cult context. You can learn more about her and buy her book at https://radhiagleis.com/
You can also watch the documentary through Amazon Prime here: https://tinyurl.com/y3udke48
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, various forms of abuse (emotional and sexual) are mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
ARTT 9: Rethinking Your Vocation
John describes what led him to studying to be a pastor, and how adjusting career path afterwards can be difficult.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Rick Warren VS Community
John tackles conversionism expert, Rick Warren, and the propaganda he espouses in the article titled, "What Does Biblical Community Look Like?"
S2Ep9: Christian College (Featuring Scott Okamoto and Chris)
ARTT 8: Putin Invades Ukraine
John grieves and reacts to the news of Ukraine being invaded by Putin.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
S2Ep8: BONUS Parsing Propaganda: Tim Keller VS Critical Race Theory
On this special free bonus episode of Parsing Propaganda, John reviews Keller's analysis of justice in our modern context. The article "A Biblical Critique of Secular Justice and Critical Theory" tries to argue that the bible is more fair than critical theories are, which John not only disagree with, but passionately shows how nonsensical and problematic Keller's thinking can be.
This is a free episode of the weekly show "Parsing Propaganda." If you'd like to hear more of this show, you can click here: anchor.fm/thecultofchristianity/subscribe
ARTT 7: The Political Pendulum
John explores how to navigate the political landscape, while recovering from the black and white programing of religious cults.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Francis Chan VS Hell
John rebuts Francis Chan's response to the question "Is It Really Important That You Emphasize Hell?" found on the Gospel Coalition website.
S2Ep7: Marketing (Featuring John Follis)
Why not add more Johns to the mix? John Follis comes by to discuss his experience in marketing, including a wildly successful ad campaign for a church back in the 90s. The parallels between MLMs, churches, cult leaders, and pastors are all explored in depth. If you'd like to watch John's award winning documentary click here, https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/leaving-god/
ARTT 6: Anger, Bitterness, and Resentment
This week, John verbally process through the different negative emotions that come with feeling isolated and betrayed by your past, especially as it relates to religious cults.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Andy Stanley VS Your Money
John reacts to Andy Stanley's article found on Relevant magazine, "There’s More to Tithing Than Giving 10%."
[Sorry about the audio quality, and that you can hear my cat, Louis, being a troublemaker in the background.]
S2Ep6: Divorce (Featuring Leslie the Lawyer)
Leslie Montanile comes on the show to discuss the taboo topic of divorce, and how power, love, and religion can complicate the process of a legal breakup. To learn more about Leslie, or to purchase her fantastic book, go to https://asklesliethelawyer.com/.
ARTT 5: Remembering Rituals
John reflects on how rituals used to mean something to him and how he misses some of that meaning.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Matt Chandler VS Christmas
John dissects a seemingly inconspicuous article written by Matt Chandler, "We Fall for the Feeling of Christmas." found on desiringgod.org.
S2Ep5: Community (Featuring Rachel L Roberts)
John discusses Community (not his favorite TV show) with Rachel L Roberts! How churches fill a void in our society vs how to create your own community is discussed, as well as the subtle nuances of simply getting along. You can find out more about Rachel or buy her book @ https://www.rachel-roberts.com/
ARTT 4: The Dangers of Door Dashing
John recounts a frightening delivery and how much worse it would have been if he was still Christian.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: The Driscolls VS "Unfaithful" Spouses
John breaks down the subtle shaming at play in Mark and Grace Dricoll's video, "What do I do when my spouse’s faith unravels?" found on the realfaith.com website.
S2Ep4: Segregation (Featuring Janay)
The Return of Janay! John's friend from bible college comes back to discuss segregation inside and outside church. If you'd like to learn more about Janay, or listen to her podcast, go to https://badseminarians.com/
ARTT 3: Parents Just Don't Understand
John talks about the struggles of maintaining a relationship with religious parents and how to empathize with them.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Matt Walsh VS Lil Nas X
John angrily dismantles the bane of his existence. We review and provide colorful commentary of Matt Walsh's blog post, "With His Satanic New Video, Lil Nas X Is Directly Preying On Children."
S2Ep3: Faith VS Works (Featuring John Hageman)
The Johns discuss The Book of James in scripture and discuss the supposed importance of both faith and good deeds in Christianity. If you'd like to learn more about John Hageman, you can visit https://www.jamesbibleshiddentreasure.com/.
Disclaimer: While no guest appearance is an endorsement of all views they hold, occasionally The Cult of Christianity will have guests with fundamental disagreements on, in order to engage the other side and/or further allow points to be illustrated. The views expressed by guests are their own and their presence on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them, their statements, or any entity they represent.
ARTT 2: Ego and Esteem
John talks about shame from his past, ego, and self-esteem.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors, or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Desiring God VS Gay Marriage
On this second episode that specifically critiques Christian content, John reviews and criticizes "Why Homosexuality Is Not Like Other Sins" By Jonathan Parnell, and "So-called Same-Sex Marriage" By John Piper.
S2Ep2: Afterlife (Featuring Stephen Hawley Martin)
John and Stephen discuss what happens after you die, how science and spirituality intertwine, how the Christian cult can misinterpret or mislead about life after death, and what all this practically means for our day to day lives. If you'd like to learn more about Stephen, or purchase one of his many great books, go to https://www.shmartin.com/.
ARTT 1: Introduction/What is this?
John explains the concept of Amateur Religious Trauma Therapy and why he is doing this show.
DISCLAIMER
The purpose of my work is to share my perspectives on what I believe to be sound guidance. The advice I offer and concepts I refer to are based on my life experience and minimal study. I am not a licensed psychologist, medical doctor, or health care professional and nothing I post in any medium replaces the care of psychologists, doctors or other healthcare professionals.
The objective of A.R.T.T., and other content produced by TCOC, is to educate, inform, and therapeutically wonder, not to replace professional mental health help. No listeners are clients and I am not a therapist. Please seek other professional help if needed.
Parsing Propaganda: Christianity Today VS Masturbation
Welcome to the first episode of Parsing Propaganda! Today we review and critique "What Could Possibly Be Wrong with Christian Masturbation?" By Eve Tushnet, "The Real Problem with Female Masturbation" By Jordon Monge, "Getting to the Root of Female Masturbation" By Marlena Graves, and "Masturbation: Is It Wrong?" By Dr. Juli Slattery.
S2Ep1: Purity Culture (Featuring Mylee)
John's good friend, Mylee, comes on to discuss how purity culture benefits the patriarchy both inside and outside of church.
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, sexual abuse is mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
https://anchor.fm/thecultofchristianity/subscribe
The Cult of Christianity Trailer
Hi there friend.
My name is John Verner. I used to be a part of the largest cult in the United States. After studying the Bible, Christian history, and ministry, I set my sights on confronting the problematic nature of white evangelicalism in the United States. In 2019 I published my first book as a first step in addressing the subtle issues of this complex system. This podcast will continue that work under the same title. Welcome, to
The Cult of Christianity.
Season One Finale!
Thanks for a good first season everybody! I talk about how the season has been, why I've been absent, and what to look forward to in season two!
S1Ep18: Ministry
The predatory nature of Christian ministry places conversion as more important than paying attention to other people's needs. I wander through the Christian attitude towards the poor, evangelical's inflated egos, and the confusion of emotional and spiritual needs.
S1Ep17: Shame and Forgiveness
The biggest weapon the cult of Christianity uses is shame. John explores the ideas of shame, forgiveness, and vulnerability and examines how white evangelicalism hurts people with these concepts. I also just quote Brené Brown and Russell Brand a lot.
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, self-harm is mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
S1Ep16: Anti-theism vs. Militant Theism
John explores the end points of the "belief in God" spectrum. Topics such as morality, what constitutes as harm, and certainty, are placed under the microscope.
S1Ep15: New Testament Problems (Featuring Pastor Doug Ward)
NT professor and pastor, Douglas Ward, gives John his perspective on how the New Testament is theologically coherent. You can buy Doug's book at https://www.amazon.com/Doug-Ward/e/B07MZDSLQ2/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Disclaimer: While no guest appearance is an endorsement of all views they hold, occasionally The Cult of Christianity will have guests with fundamental disagreements on, in order to engage the other side and/or further allow points to be illustrated. The views expressed by guests are their own and their presence on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them, their statements, or any entity they represent.
S1Ep14: Bigotry Against LGBTQIA+ People (Featuring Rachel and Lilly)
From the Over the Rainbow podcast, Rachel joins John and Lilly in a discussion about the toxic bigotry towards queer folk, both inside and outside of church. If you'd like to hear more from Rachel, check out https://www.overtherainbowpod.com/
S1Ep13: Homeschooling (Featuring Chris)
John and Chris are back at it again. Comparing Christians to Hitler, contrasting their home education experiences, and getting into the particulars that cause institutional abuse.
S1Ep12: Abuse (Featuring Holly)
Holly shares her experiences and insight about different forms of abuse and how they can so easily happen within the context of the cult of Christianity.
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in the episode, various forms of abuse (physical and sexual) are mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
S1Ep11: Monogamy (Featuring Cierra)
Cierra joins John in contrasting the practice of marriage in white evangelicalism with historical/cultural practices, what the bible says, and healthier perspectives.
If you have, or think you might have, a bee allergy, go to https://www.beeawareallergy.com
S1Ep10: Mental Health
I let you inside my mind and talk about my mental health struggles, as they relate to white evangelicalism.
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, depression, self-harm, and suicide are mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
S1Ep9: Selective History/Racism (Featuring Mark Charles)
Author, Preacher, and 2020 Presidential Candidate, Mark Charles stops by to discuss some unsettling truths. We discuss the white supremacist foundations of both the United States and Western Christianity. Go to https://wirelesshogan.com/ to learn more about Mark and to buy signed copies of his book!
S1Ep8: Christian Classism
I deconstruct how money and power work together for cult leaders to establish a classist system in the white evangelical cult. Inconsistencies between anti-wealth language in the bible and pro-wealth propaganda of Christians is pointed out, made fun of, and rebuked.
S1Ep7: Patriarchy Panel (Featuring Amelia, Cierra, and Lilly)
Amelia, Cierra, and Lilly stop by to discuss patriarchal problems both inside and outside the American Church.
CW: This episode contains content that may be distressing to some listeners. Specifically in this episode, various forms of abuse (physical and sexual) are mentioned, detailed, and/or discussed.
S1Ep6: Manipulative Music (Featuring Chris)
One of John's best friends stops by to dissect the particulars of Christian music, both inside and outside church doors. Children songs are compared to Hitler youth recruitment and Chris asks you to stop voting for garbage people. Enjoy.
S1Ep5: Trust Issues (Featuring Ben)
Navigating the trust issues from sheltered childhoods and toxic fulltime ministry environments is no easy task. Ben recounts his different negative encounters with toxic evangelicalism and vulnerably engages with the emotional impact of broken trust in churches. Check out Ben and his co-host's work at threadspodcast.com
S1Ep4: Sermons/Sports Similes (Featuring Janay)
Imagine this podcast episode is a football game...just kidding. Janay stops by the podcast to talk about her experiences and perspectives on sexism in preaching. I awkwardly sandwich her points with critiques of preaching as a practice in general. Go to https://badseminarians.com/ to hear more from Janay!
S1Ep3: Prayer/Mindfulness vs. Mindlessness
Firstly, sorry for all the odd audio issues. Had to switch mics and have some sort of connectivity issues. Secondly, I explore the connectivity issues of prayer and wander through its pros, cons, and weaponization.
S1Ep2: Indoctrination/Hair Stories (Featuring Lilly)
In this episode, John and Lilly talk about their hair, taking communion, and other quirks of their separate childhoods. Examples of indoctrination, both subtle and obvious, are grieved, joked about, and deconstructed.
You can follow Lilly on Instagram @sweetwordswitch
Episode 1: The Genesis of my Exodus
In this first episode, I establish definitions, ramble on about linguistic issues, share my backstory, and ask you to buy my book. Consider this a pilot.