NotAnOp [comrade/them]

Grew up Southern Baptist, which is one of the worst denominations of Protestantism. Had to go to church 2 times a week, and went to a small Christian private school Mon.-Friday. I’m going to include both since they claimed to be, “the left and right hands of God.”

School:

• School was founded the year after segregation ended in my home state.
• Claimed prayer was illegal in public school and the Headmaster led prayer three times a day
• School was forced to attend a motivational speaker for a whole week, once a year, whose message was literally: “You are evil and will burn in hell. Maybe you’ll eat a baby along the way.”
• More coaches teaching than actual teachers, and the “teachers” came from churches.
• Talking about evolution was actually banned, let alone not taught in science class.
• Two senior trips included visiting the maximum security prison in my state and a trip to the National Guard to take the ASVAB. I thought the latter was required across the country, lol.

Church:

• They warned of an “imminent Muslim invasion” after 9/11. Asked for volunteers to join the military to, “Fight for God.” That’s why they took us to the National Guard at school.
• Typical God Vs. Liberals/Gays/Abortionists/Anyone against GWB stuff too.
• Ran a, “Pray the Gay Away” Concentration Camp
• One good guy, our Youth Pastor, was fired because his wife cheated on him (“how could he let her do that!?”) Probably the actual reason was he watched out for us and tried to let us be kids. He felt bad about us being involved in this cult.
• Luckily, our church was about a block away from my house, so I could easily duck out and go home without notice.
• Was finally told, “Find salvation elsewhere,” by a new youth pastor (who said his biggest sin in life was watching Seinfeld) after I asked, “How do you know the bible is correct?” Best thing that could have happened, actually. Went to live with Grandma, who was a real teacher and surprisingly normal.

Haven’t attended anything religious since graduating from high school. Parent’s will still ask me, “What’s your problem with the church?”

:screm-a:

I was never morbid, but I was obese for almost 20 years. I was shamed, it made me hate myself more which led to stress eating.

It wasn’t until I lost my health insurance that I became hyper health focused to help prevent medical bankruptcy, even if it was only marginally improved. Gave up meat and dairy, work out regularly, and follow nutritional guidelines. The US healthcare system scares the shit out of me and I know it’s only delaying the inevitable but its worth it to me. Definitely helped my sex life too, until last year…but fear and pleasure will only take you so far down the road.

One day I looked into the mirror and saw fat, I gave my torso a squeeze and two things came into my mind that cemented my resolve: My consumption habits deprived food from the hungry while destroying myself and I need to plan and commit to my own physical/mental transformation (like going from an agricultural to industrial civilization) if I was ever going to commit to advocating societal change of AmeriKKKa.

It worked for me, not because of the Darwinist healthcare system or fat shaming, but because I finally learned to attach positive health habits to my moral desires.