Surviving Fundamentalism Richie X

In 1999, I heard the legendary gospel queen, Vickie Winans say, "...Good God, a friend when you're friendless" in her rendition of "Long As I Got King Jesus", and I have come to accept that this is the god that I met on the floor of my bedroom who was a friend to this friendless, queer kid when no one else would be. Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD and Autism, I struggled with establishing and maintaining friendships, which often meant that I was isolated and alone.



I spent a lot of time alone as a child, and ultimately my whispered prayers became full conversations about who I was, how I was showing up in the world, and how I could “improve” to be acceptable and likeable to everyone including god. I often failed at that mission, but each time I learned more and more that this deity that I came to trust with all of me did not see me the way others did.



In this episode, I discuss the importance of reading the Tanakh (the Jewish Scriptures) in its original context and coming to understand the humanity of the characters within the text. This will undoubtedly free you from fundamentalism and biblical literalism. I also have an emotional conversation about how my friendship with the Divine saved my life and made me feel an extraordinary love that only a being who is full of integrity, true justice, kindness, grace, and love could ever make me feel. I also discuss how the egomaniacal, insecure, jealous, emotionally unstable, unkind concept of god that was eagerly introduced to me in Christian fundamentalism.



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In this week's episode, we discuss the fact that Christian morality is an oxymoron based in illogical fallacies about the pertinence of Jewish laws according to Paul of Tarsus. I do not believe in Christian morality and in fact believe that Christians are historically less moral, because they, like Paul, enjoy pretending that the "sin" or desires of their "flesh" is what makes them commit certain immoral acts rather than investigating their own philosophies and unlearning the toxicity of these beliefs. We also discuss the physical distance of God and how so many of us are taught that God is so far removed from us that we are always looking outside of us for the love, grace, kindness, and mercy that is already within us to bestow upon ourselves first and then others. It is 100% within our power to redefine morality in a way that works for all of us in the spirit of Love and Kindness rather than in the shame and judgement of a vengeful god.



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This week, I sit down with my friend DL Mayfield for an in-depth conversation about where our neurodivergence begins and where faith in the evangelical church/fundamentalist god ends.

Also included in this episode is a brief discussion about Sam Smith's Grammy performance, Christians who felt “led” to walk out of the ceremony, The Black Church's obsession with wanting Beyoncé to die, and so much more.

Please go and listen to Part One of this episode on DL Mayfield's website God is My Special Interest | D.L. Mayfield | Substack

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In this season three opener, I discuss Joel Leon's tweet regarding his mother and her will to make ends meet for her children, which he defines as "HOLY". During the episode, we deconstruct together what many of us in fundamentalism have been taught about the terms "holy" and "holiness" and how they have been used to demonize Black and Brown poor folk for centuries in this country. 

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I didn't grow up celebrating Christmas, and I've had enough experiences over the years that ruined it for me. I was also in a cult that was completely anti-Christmas, and even went as far as to call it a devil's holiday and say that the "Christmas Spirit" is a spirit from Satan sent to make people be nice for the month of December.

This year, I bought and wrapped gifts; I decorated my tree with glee; I participated in multiple parties and celebrations, as well as cooked a portion of my family's Christmas dinner. I'm finally free from that Grinch spirit that kept me from enjoying the most wonderful time of the year.



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You don't have Soul Ties; you have attachment and abandonment issues! The Christian church lied to you about your body not belonging to you, because it benefits from you not having Bodily Autonomy. 

In this episode, I discuss soul ties, the history of women as property in the bible and American culture. I also discuss Pastor Tim Ross and the foolishness he was spewing about those of us who have deconstructed and decolonized our faith. 



For all things Black Music: Follow Hate it or Love it podcast 

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