Episode 39: The Correlation of Dysfunction Artwork

Slow Train to Heck

Conversations with regular people about their deconstruction experiences, leaving toxic religious groups, and what comes next. Maple syrup-flavoured discussions about how authoritarian religion manifests in the Canadian space. Episodes release biweekly on Wednesdays.

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Slow Train to Heck

Episode 39: The Correlation of Dysfunction

July 12, 2023 • Josiah Mahon • Episode 39

Laurel talks about the link between dysfunctional families and dysfunctional fundamentalist churches, and how people in abusive situations who are desperate for love are reeled in by the promise of love from leaders who manipulate that desire for the purposes of control.

She also shares her own story of growing up in an abusive environment and how she has since found freedom from environments that use fear as a method of control.

Content warnings: physical and spiritual abuse of children, mental illness, depression

Books Laurel mentioned:

Bradshaw on The Family (John Bradshaw): https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/223513

The Search For Significance (Robert S. McGee): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/406464

Further Along the Road Less Traveled (M. Scott Peck): https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/7371