Are You There Jane? It's Me, Tia

What happened when I shared a former fundie perspective on Jane Austen

Two years ago, when I started creating reels connecting my experiences in Christian Fundamentalism with today’s culture and news headlines, I expected to focus on only the horrors. Church-sanctioned domestic abuse. Harsh discipline tactics used to force children to obey and conform. Modesty and purity culture. Toxic church behavior. Changes to our educational and legal system as a result of fundamentalist strategies coupled with Christian Nationalism.

I set aside “the good parts” of my evangelical experience because it’s not a survivor’s job to cheerlead the movement. I don’t have the energy to support the Christian reputation––that’s something they’re responsible for themselves. My calling is to tell the truth of my experience in hopes it will build awareness, which will hopefully then protect other abuse victims and encourage accountability.

But I also set aside the good parts so I can hold the few happy aspects I carry close to my heart. The good parts of my past can’t be for public consumption—they’re too tender---and sharing them serves no greater purpose. The most tender of all is…