seeing what is silent, hearing what is unseen
A space for exploring life without the framework of faith — where meaning, morality, and wonder come from living fully as a human. Here, questions are welcome, and answers don’t need a scripture.
There’s a strange thing that happens when we try too hard to be good—it almost always backfires. The more we try to act without greed or fear, the more we notice that our motives are still tangled up in both. We tell ourselves we’re being selfless, but deep down, there’s often a quiet voice hoping…
Read moreToday I was reminded again how easy it is for obedience to disguise itself as faith. I got one of those familiar messages—the kind that tells you to fast for three days, pray for others, attend midweek meetings, show up early on Saturday and Sunday, and serve with all your heart. No one questions anything….
Read moreEvery so often, a new “spiritual assignment” lands in the inboxes of church volunteers and facilitators—fast for three days, pray for the participants, gather early for devotion, attend midweek meetings. No one asks questions. No one dares to. The instruction comes from above, and questioning it is treated as rebellion. I’ve come to realize how…
Read moreYesterday at the salon, I overheard one of the most interesting conversations I’ve heard in a while. A woman was talking about her son—the one she said she had planted a seed in church for, believing that this act would bless his life and keep him safe. But now, she said, he’s the one disturbing…
Read moreToday at the salon, I met someone from my former church. It caught me completely off guard. I saw her talking to one of the ladies there, and before she even looked my way, I tried to bury myself in my phone—pretending to scroll, pretending to be too busy to notice. But of course, life…
Read moreLately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much money I gave to the church over the years. How much I tithed, sowed, sacrificed, and “trusted God with my finances.” And I’ve come to a point where I know, deep down, that I’ll never give my money to the church again. Not because I’ve hardened…
Read moreThere’s a part of the brainwashing process that I read about that hit close to home. It said that once someone’s sense of self has been completely broken down — when they no longer trust their own mind or instincts — that’s when they’re most open to control. At that stage, the manipulator offers a…
Read moreI didn’t realize I was being brainwashed. At the time, I thought I was just being faithful. Obedient. Deep in devotion. That’s how it often starts — you’re chasing peace and meaning, and before you know it, someone else is running your mind for you. I recently came across a description of brainwashing in psychology….
Read moreThere’s yet another stage in brainwashing that sounds almost beautiful on the surface — the moment of “rebirth.” It’s described as the point where you let go of your old identity and fully embrace the new one. You’re surrounded by people who welcome you with open arms. They make you feel seen, loved, and finally…
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