Happy to let Life know I became a financial backer of Webworm because of your truth-telling, advocacy and investigation in the area of dysfunction in churches. I would like to think as an Anglican priest I’m not a religious bigot but I guess they might not agree?! Thanks for your continued work, don’t imagine it’s easy to carry the load of peoples’ pain so I hope you’ve got good support around you.
I find it strangely reassuring that these religious leaders are worrying about me and my motives, as one of the "financial backers" of Webworm.
Also, the platitudes about complainants "not engaging with our process" smacks of a third world dictator after a catastrophe, saying "Yes, we'll take your offered aid but only if we get to distribute it."
I felt sick reading Justine’s story about working for the deJong’s... such an abuse of power to shame someone for the actions of their own children. And to then gossip about it and say she wasn’t holy enough to be around Maree deJong! What a nasty bitch.
I don’t think I can finish this article in one go. My heart breaks for all of those who are still trapped in these situations (including those who are still navigating the labyrinth of post church life). It really does get better, it takes a lot of time but it gets easier.
I had to laugh when life’s email started questions Hayden’s ethics and Webworm’s “religious intolerant” backers rather than accepting criticism. It’s just genuinely embarrassing.
Special shout-out to Elizabeth. You are one of the biggest badasses I know and the work you do is incredible.
So much to process here and it's all just fucking brutal. My thanks and love to these brave souls who have come forward to share their stories and I hope that those still stuck do eventually get out and find peace.
And thanks to you David (and Hayden) for contuing to fight to expose these organisations and giving the victims a voice. It's not easy work and must feel soul destroying some times, but it is important work and I'm grateful to you for doing it.
I feel like Life should be addressing a whole shopping list of issues before they concern themselves with the motives of Webworm's 'financial backers'. However, since they are apparently so worried about it, I am happy to go on the record for Life to let them know that I am not intolerant of religion, just intolerant of abusive cunts like them.
Another case of Pentecostal BOHICA (Bend Over Here It Comes Again). So many sad stories of abuse and trauma. So much subtle and not so subtle White Supremism. The story of the sex worker who was raped pains me. She needed professional help to deal with her trauma not condemnation and shaming. Alas, that is what she received.
David you need to set up a questionnaire for people to fill out before signing up for a subscription where they can affirm that they are/are not intolerant or a religious bigot. We can't get the numbers back to Life if we don't ask the right questions
Just want to add my name to the list of Christian financial backers that are happy for Life to have my name.
It's thanks to you, David and Hayden, that at long last I get to see light brought to the years of buried and ignored misdeeds committed by these so called 'mega-churches' and have them face the public scrutiny they richly deserve.
The examples you shared in this piece, I know, are only the tip of a very ugly iceberg. I have personally experienced some, have witnessed others and have picked up pieces of more. It's not just parishioners that are effected by these 'churches', there are para-church organisations who have had to deal with their greed, lust for power and the broken people they throw away.
The email from Life is a perfect example of the gaslighting, holy than thou, wordy, verbal diarrhea, that anyone who goes to leadership with an issue will face - albeit without the scripture references and spiritual abuse, usually thrown in.
It broke my heart that Maree de Jong, who is so open about her own background that involves eating disorder and mental health issues (and SO much more) could easily throw away a person who has been so close to her and then gossip openly. She is held up, in Christian circles, as this amazing "mother in the faith" and applauded for her caring heart. But the reality is, if you do not fit a narrow definition and prescribed physical appearance of acceptability, your 'worth' in that culture is low to none - and that is your own fault and lack of 'faith/belief'.
David I know how much this awful world of toxic Christianity takes out of you, thank you for forging forward with this incredibly important work. I hope that today brings you some very cute cats to pat and a particularly delicious double cheeseburger - you deserve all the goodness in the universe to be headed in your direction.
All the stories were sickening, but I think the one that disgusted me most was Elizabeth's. She expresses herelf so well: you can just feel her excitement at going to the ball with her friends, all dressed in their gorgous saris. Her dear mother was also excited - she was probably proud of her daughter's ability to move with such grace and deftness between two cultures. It must have been worse than a slap in the fact to see some fool dressed up in a parody of her culture. How could anyone be so crass? I hate to think how that event must have impacted on her self esteem, self-confidence and sense of trust.
As a therapist working with people who’ve experienced sexual trauma, that story about the sex worker fills me with boiling rage. Unbelievable - and yet sadly, entirely believable at the same time.
So, regarding the financial backing of Webworm...do they realize that we are just a bunch of random people who gave you under $100 to support you with frivolous legal bills? I mean...I'm under the impression that you don't have any major donors, right David? You just have fans who want to support you and the work you are doing. As far as hate groups and religious intolerance, perhaps if they did a deep dive, they might find that many of us are recovering Christians just trying to make sense of our world after suffering from spiritual manipulation and abuse!
Happy to let Life know I became a financial backer of Webworm because of your truth-telling, advocacy and investigation in the area of dysfunction in churches. I would like to think as an Anglican priest I’m not a religious bigot but I guess they might not agree?! Thanks for your continued work, don’t imagine it’s easy to carry the load of peoples’ pain so I hope you’ve got good support around you.
As a proud "financial backer" my intolerance is simply of rich, opportunistic, arseholes exploiting vulnerable people
David you are absolutely rad, I do not know how you do this, but am so glad you do
I find it strangely reassuring that these religious leaders are worrying about me and my motives, as one of the "financial backers" of Webworm.
Also, the platitudes about complainants "not engaging with our process" smacks of a third world dictator after a catastrophe, saying "Yes, we'll take your offered aid but only if we get to distribute it."
Talk about power dynamics.
Overwhelmed by the responses here. The empathy on hand is really great. And for those sharing their own experiences - thank you.
Please know that I read everything and take it all in.
Thanks for being here through all this stuff.
I prefer to think of myself as "arsehole intolerant"
I felt sick reading Justine’s story about working for the deJong’s... such an abuse of power to shame someone for the actions of their own children. And to then gossip about it and say she wasn’t holy enough to be around Maree deJong! What a nasty bitch.
I don’t think I can finish this article in one go. My heart breaks for all of those who are still trapped in these situations (including those who are still navigating the labyrinth of post church life). It really does get better, it takes a lot of time but it gets easier.
I had to laugh when life’s email started questions Hayden’s ethics and Webworm’s “religious intolerant” backers rather than accepting criticism. It’s just genuinely embarrassing.
Special shout-out to Elizabeth. You are one of the biggest badasses I know and the work you do is incredible.
So much to process here and it's all just fucking brutal. My thanks and love to these brave souls who have come forward to share their stories and I hope that those still stuck do eventually get out and find peace.
And thanks to you David (and Hayden) for contuing to fight to expose these organisations and giving the victims a voice. It's not easy work and must feel soul destroying some times, but it is important work and I'm grateful to you for doing it.
I feel like Life should be addressing a whole shopping list of issues before they concern themselves with the motives of Webworm's 'financial backers'. However, since they are apparently so worried about it, I am happy to go on the record for Life to let them know that I am not intolerant of religion, just intolerant of abusive cunts like them.
Another case of Pentecostal BOHICA (Bend Over Here It Comes Again). So many sad stories of abuse and trauma. So much subtle and not so subtle White Supremism. The story of the sex worker who was raped pains me. She needed professional help to deal with her trauma not condemnation and shaming. Alas, that is what she received.
David you need to set up a questionnaire for people to fill out before signing up for a subscription where they can affirm that they are/are not intolerant or a religious bigot. We can't get the numbers back to Life if we don't ask the right questions
Just want to add my name to the list of Christian financial backers that are happy for Life to have my name.
It's thanks to you, David and Hayden, that at long last I get to see light brought to the years of buried and ignored misdeeds committed by these so called 'mega-churches' and have them face the public scrutiny they richly deserve.
The examples you shared in this piece, I know, are only the tip of a very ugly iceberg. I have personally experienced some, have witnessed others and have picked up pieces of more. It's not just parishioners that are effected by these 'churches', there are para-church organisations who have had to deal with their greed, lust for power and the broken people they throw away.
The email from Life is a perfect example of the gaslighting, holy than thou, wordy, verbal diarrhea, that anyone who goes to leadership with an issue will face - albeit without the scripture references and spiritual abuse, usually thrown in.
It broke my heart that Maree de Jong, who is so open about her own background that involves eating disorder and mental health issues (and SO much more) could easily throw away a person who has been so close to her and then gossip openly. She is held up, in Christian circles, as this amazing "mother in the faith" and applauded for her caring heart. But the reality is, if you do not fit a narrow definition and prescribed physical appearance of acceptability, your 'worth' in that culture is low to none - and that is your own fault and lack of 'faith/belief'.
David I know how much this awful world of toxic Christianity takes out of you, thank you for forging forward with this incredibly important work. I hope that today brings you some very cute cats to pat and a particularly delicious double cheeseburger - you deserve all the goodness in the universe to be headed in your direction.
All the stories were sickening, but I think the one that disgusted me most was Elizabeth's. She expresses herelf so well: you can just feel her excitement at going to the ball with her friends, all dressed in their gorgous saris. Her dear mother was also excited - she was probably proud of her daughter's ability to move with such grace and deftness between two cultures. It must have been worse than a slap in the fact to see some fool dressed up in a parody of her culture. How could anyone be so crass? I hate to think how that event must have impacted on her self esteem, self-confidence and sense of trust.
As a therapist working with people who’ve experienced sexual trauma, that story about the sex worker fills me with boiling rage. Unbelievable - and yet sadly, entirely believable at the same time.
Thank you for sharing these stories.
They are heartbreaking and relatable. I appreciate reading them and feeling less alone in unpacking all the church shit I’ve gone through.
Thank you for providing a safe space for people to share their stories and thank you for holding these leaders accountable.
Every day I’m proud to be a goddamn worm with you all.
So, regarding the financial backing of Webworm...do they realize that we are just a bunch of random people who gave you under $100 to support you with frivolous legal bills? I mean...I'm under the impression that you don't have any major donors, right David? You just have fans who want to support you and the work you are doing. As far as hate groups and religious intolerance, perhaps if they did a deep dive, they might find that many of us are recovering Christians just trying to make sense of our world after suffering from spiritual manipulation and abuse!