When “Respect” Involves “Disgust”

“Growing up in a conservative evangelical home, I believed that we were the ones who truly respected women. I believed that our young men—the young men in my homeschooling community—were being raised to treat the women around them, of whatever age, with respect. I was wrong, very, very wrong.”

An Open Letter to Our Families: Esperanza’s Thoughts

“We have to be the strong ones, because we are on our own. There’s no time to let your words sink deep enough to break us down. However as the holidays come, it seems that every year it is just too hard to ignore that pain. Perhaps it is because for those of us that are still in our families’ lives, the hurts continue year after year.”

My Kids Are Now The “Public School Kids” I Used To Judge

My smile faded as a realization struck me. My kids are the ‘public school kids.’

How My Mother Homeschooled Me (Without Screwing Up My Life): Adria Murphy’s Story

“I want to lend my voice in support of those who have experienced abuse and hardship from the homeschool community, but the thing I do best with my voice is to tell my own honest story. So that’s what I’m doing. If you are a homeschool parent or considering homeschooling, let me share a beautiful example of wisdom and responsibility with you.”

Nightmare in Navy and White — Experiencing the Dark Side of ATI: Selena’s Story, Part Three

“At 16 years old, I left ATI. I was never my mother’s daughter again. They left the cult shortly thereafter, reluctant and angry that I had ruined their happiness again. I would never outlive the title of black sheep. I was able to tell my mother some of what happened before she passed away recently, but it will never truly be resolved.”

Matthew and Maranatha Chapman Withdraw from 2014 CHEO Convention

As of yesterday, Matthew and Maranatha Chapman are no longer presenting at Christian Home Educators of Ohio’s (CHEO) annual homeschool convention this summer. Matthew Chapman was a keynote speakers and his wife Maranatha was slated as a featured speaker.

Bread, Stones, and Bad Fruit: Jeri Lofland’s Story

“My parents had only been married five years when they attended their first Youth Conflicts seminar: 40 hours of lectures over six days. Living in a new city with three preschoolers but few friends, they were lonely, stressed, and probably sleep-deprived. They were eager to be ‘real’ Christians.”

Finding Freedom from My Demons: Nicholas Ducote’s Story, Part Three

“Because my parents still conceptualize our relationship as that of a parent-child, when I assert myself, it creates conflict. They seem to believe this conflict is the result of my sinful lifestyle. As long as they cannot even understand why what they do is so hurtful, they have no positive impact on my life.”

The Good Girl: Atarah’s Story

“Their excitement was palpable, and I still remember it, as a four year old. As a child you are unaware of how your parent’s decisions affect you. You just go with it. You trust, and you know nothing else. Thus begins my journey through Gothardism that spanned over 20 years.”

Nightmare in Navy and White — Experiencing the Dark Side of ATI: Selena’s Story, Part Two

“I don’t feel very comfortable going into too much detail, as this time period is one of the more difficult for me to cope with. I will simply say that I was put into the LIT program, held captive for two years against my will, and systematically tortured and brainwashed.”