Welcome to The Anti-Fundamentalist
Content deconstructing fundamentalist influence in politics, culture, faith, family, and life.
Why did you start this column?
I believe the way the Christian Patriarchy runs their homes is how they want to run our country. So, because I care about my country, democracy, and anyone who may suffer under this fundamentalist regime, I’ve made it my mission to expose what it’s really like to live behind closed doors in that world.
Evangelical Patriarchy is in our government and changing our laws. Arm yourself with truth and vote with more confidence, by understanding why fundamentalism is such a threat to democracy, especially for women, children, and marginalized groups.
While TV shows like the Duggar family’s “19 Kids and Counting” offered a shined-up vision of traditional values, the truth is not so attractive. Behind the glossy trad lifestyle of religious idealism, there’s a long line of survivors who know the dirt and spill the tea on what it’s really like.
The survivors of high-control Christian Fundamentalism watch what’s happening in our laws and news headlines in horror as conservatives radicalize into the Christian Nationalism we know all too well. That’s why I feel it’s imperative to shine a light on that worldview—as well as what it’s like to deconstruct and heal in recovery.
The content you’ll find here deconstructs fundamentalism in:
as well as what my personal deconstruction process looks like.
I guide you through the process, providing information, reporting, connections, and solidarity in the antifundamentalist life.
You get the truth of what it’s like to live in their parallel America, as well as inspiration on living the ultimate resistance: with curiosity, knowledge, and the humanities.
Here are a few examples of the content you can find here:
Subscribing includes access to the archives and there’s a lot more like this in there.
Who is Tia Levings?
I often call myself a “writer, artist, hiker, mother, friend,” but getting here was a journey. I told that story in A WELL-TRAINED WIFE, out August 6, 2024, with St. Martin’s Press. I’m a Gen X middle-aged, free spirit who loves life. I’m passionate about trauma recovery and reclamation. I nurture through food, time, and attention. An E-INFJ and an Enneagram 4. I’m a lot without apology. And the biggest lesson I carry in my heart is to love people over ideas. The Anti-Fundamentalist is my exploration of how I do it.
Where have I seen Tia before?
Probably online or on Shiny Happy People, on Amazon. My life and story could have ended in 2007 in obscurity or yet another tragic headline. It didn’t because I escaped both high-control religion and violent, high-control marriage. I call it church-sanctioned domestic abuse because what happened to me was sanctioned by our fundamentalist evangelical churches.
I nurture conversation about national politics, Christian Nationalism, and the abuses in fundamentalism on:
Podcast appearances,
and here!
You can also pre-order my book anywhere books are sold.
Why subscribe?
I get the most amazing encouragement from those who subscribe to my work. I know you understand how vital it is to get the word out about what it’s really like to live in a country run by high-control religion. You are fellow survivors and concerned citizens and I thank you so very much.
So, here’s how it works:
Free subscriptions:
Overview essays that introduce big deconstruction topics
Guidance on deconstructing fundamentalism
Heads up on the topics I’m unraveling
Paid subscriptions:
Deep dives into big topics with personal impact
Behind the scenes of life in evangelical patriarchy
Chat and comment on posts
The most provocative content that rattles me on a topic
Knowing you’re throwing a log on the fire to burn the patriarchy down by supporting this work.
These are the flowers I received after signing my book deal. It was the happiest, most redemptive Diamond Day ever. If you’re looking for more, I also host The Working Writer podcast and co-host The Wize Jezebels with Dr. Laura E. Anderson. Check out my website for a video directory and other resources for healing from religious trauma.
Tia, have you ever been in contact with Amy Coney Barrett? As a woman deeply rooted in fundamentalist, patriarchal Christianity she seems like a possible weak link in the conservative bloc on the Supreme Court. Perhaps if she could join us in our exvangelical journey she might shift the balance of the court. She’s already had a couple of times where she joined the liberals. Maybe the sisterhood of the court will outweigh ideology. (Said as if an old, white man like myself has any understanding of sisterhood.)
I recommend you send her a signed copy of your upcoming book to plant a seed. The evangelicals played a long game plan in politics to get to the powerful position they are in now, perhaps we can start our own long game.