Twelve Potentially Dangerous Beliefs Held by Religious Authoritarian Cultures
Dear Parents of Religious Authoritarian Cultures,
Since I finished Breaking Their Will, I have been compiling a list of beliefs commonly held by religious authoritarian communities like yours. I thought you find it helpful to see this list neatly laid out before you. Do not mind those who call these beliefs "extremist" or say that they pose a threat to the health, happiness, and safety of children. Only you understand what it means to be faithful and adhere to a set of doctrines that represents the one true divine message.
So let's welcome in the New Year with what apostates might call . . .
The 12 POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS BELIEFS HELD BY RELIGIOUS AUTHORITARIAN CULTURES:
PDF #1: Children must honor their parents unconditionally.
The Ten Commandments is clear that your sons and daughters should honor you, but Colossians 3:20 goes a step further, stating that your offspring should honor you "in all things". Therefore, you have the right to expect that honor, even if you don't deserve it.
PDB #2: The Bible requires that parents spank their kids.
The most spot-on parenting guide of the Bible is the book of Proverbs, which stipulates that you should use the "rod" to discipline and "chastise" your kids. In others words, you are obligated to spank your children when you deem them to be disobedient. For instance, when they (yes!) don't honor you in all things. What's more, as the Bible says, spanking is a form of love and even helps make your children heaven-worthy. "You shall beat him with the rod and deliver his soul from hell," so instructs Proverbs 23:14.
PDB #3: Females must always be "pure".
Tell your daughters to keep their legs crossed and their heads covered. They should not talk in church, and they should leave those filthy boys alone! They should also learn to cook, clean, submit to your husbands-to-be, and accept their role as babymaker. Meanwhile, boys are learning to control the lives of girls and women, which is what God wants.
PDB #4: Children are sinful.
Jews, Muslims, and Mormons, you can sit this one out. I'm talking only to Christian authoritarians here, who know full well that children are born with sin coursing through their veins. What's that, a baby crying? Ha! What more proof do you need? (Note: To cleanse children of sin, spank them. See PDB #2.)
PDB #5: Disobedient children will suffer in the afterlife.
Tell your child who broke his sister's toy that he has made God really angry. Sin is just seeping out of him like a sieve! He should also be told the probable consequences: He won't rise up into heaven to join his loved ones; instead, he will be burned in a lake of fire. (Note: Again, this situation can be repaired with a good spanking. See PDB #2.)
PDB #6: Abuse victims should forgive their perpetrators.
If you doubt this, refer to Matthew 18:21–22 in which Jesus commands individuals to forgive their sinners. And not just once or twice but "seventy times seven". So, see to it that child abuse victims get started. Let's not waste time bringing them to evil therapists when there's so much forgiving that needs doing!
PDB #7: Religious leaders can do no wrong.
Mom and Dad, you must be proud that Rabbi, Pastor, or Imam So-and-So wants to spend one-on-one time with your child. What could go wrong? After all, these folks are close to God. Or at least they say they are, and who are you to question them? And if your child tells you that this divine individual molested him, you must get to the bottom of it. Perhaps consider beating the child to rid him of sin. Or, depending on your denomination, perform an exorcism, since making such an accusation could be a sign that your boy is being controlled by Satan.
PDB #8: The faithful must avoid scandal at all costs.
What could be worse than outsiders talking badly about your faith community? After all, we all know that non-believers—especially those employed by the government—want to persecute you. Obviously, reporting suspected child abuse is out of the question. But, not to fear, your community has its own internal way of "prosecuting" abusers. No one will be held accountable and victims will not get counseling, but at least no one on the outside will find out.
PDB #9: Sex between a man and an underage girl (virgin) is a form of piety.
To be clear, sexual relations between a man and a virginal underage girl is not sexual abuse. It's marriage. Take a look at the Talmud (Sanhedrin 69a): "A maiden aged three years and one day may be acquired in marriage by coition." Such a marriage is certainly justified if it helps ensure the happy couple a place in heaven. And to repeat, if you do suspect sexual abuse, telling child protective services or law enforcement is a bad idea. (Refer to PDB #8.)
PDB #10: God wants all parents to have many children.
So you don't have a lot of money, and one of you comes unglued when things get a little out of control. Your church says that God wants you to have many children, so get to it. And after you've had six or seven, don't let that stop you from adopting. Prime targets should be kids in developing countries who are in desperate need of being converted to your faith.
PDB #11: Everything is "God's will".
Now that you are ready to have children, don't bother with prenatal vitamins or testing yourselves for being carriers of genetic diseases. There's also no point in inoculating your children against disease or taking other precautions to ensure they are healthy. After all, you have no control over these situations, since everything is God's will. In fact, trying to mess with the system will only offend the Almighty.
PDB #12: Faith healing is superior to medical care.
Who needs doctors when you can consult one-on-one with God? And when was the last time you saw a hospital perform a miracle? So, if your child gets sick, pray, anoint her with oil, and perform other rituals to get God to hear your heartfelt pleas. By the way, if your child fails to recover, do not lose faith; her health deteriorated because your faith wavered. Solution: Next time, pray harder.
