how the church can feel like a trap

"Church Trap" cartoon by nakedpastor David Hayward This isn't everyone's experience. It hasn't always been mine. But when it has been, it certainly has been. I know some people who love their religious community and feel liberated in it. I know others who struggle within their religious community and feel trapped by it. A friend forwarded me this ridiculous article called 6 Wrong Ways to Leave a Church. The author assumes you have no rights over your own life. Even if you leave a church that's abused you, you still have to follow its rules and regulations on how to move on. Crazy! There are many ways to feel trapped. Like once you commit at all you have to sign over your whole life and all your free time. Sometimes your money. Like when you can no longer think for yourself and have to swallow the ideology of that community hook, line, and sinker. Like when you don't feel you have the green light to investigate other options. Like when you feel you can no longer have a private life outside of the community's schedule and expectations. Like making you feel like your every move is being observed, criticized, and judged. Etcetera. I left the church. Many times. You can read my story in more living detail in my latest book. You're free. Be a slave to no one. Ever.