Welcome to the unofficial club of “I Survived a Strict Religious Upbringing” – a wild, strange, and oddly exclusive collection of shared experiences that somehow makes us feel a part of a unique family. These signs will strike a chord if you’ve ever endured the particularly fiery brand of religious teachings.
These were tales of stern glares when you dared to yawn during a sermon, pure panic when caught with a secular novel, and the bewildering ban on anything remotely fun on a Sunday. So, buckle up on this bittersweet journey down memory lane. Here are 20 signs you survived a hyper-strict religious upbringing.
Sunday Best is Everyday Attire
Your wardrobe consists mainly of modest clothing. Jeans and t-shirts were considered casual and only suitable for lounging around the house.
The Bible is Your Bedtime Story
From Genesis to Revelations, you know all the tales. You can still recite the Ten Commandments by heart, and the Prodigal Son story is still fresh in your mind.
Secular Equals Sin
Words like “pop culture,” “secular,” and “mainstream media” were synonymous with sin. You were carefully shielded from worldly influences.
Prayers Before Meals are a Must
No morsel of food could pass your lips before a prayer was said. Heck, you even prayed before drinking water.
Church is Non-Negotiable
There were no excuses. Rain, hail, or shine, you were in church every Sunday (and possibly Wednesday, too).
Dating? What’s That?
You were taught that dating was practicing for divorce. It was all about courtship and marriage in your household.
Secular Music is a No-No
Hymns and religious music were the only sounds resonating from your family’s sound system. Beatles? Who are they?
Youth Group is Your Only Social Life
Social events meant church socials, potlucks, and youth group meetings. Parties? Those are for sinners.
No Work or Play on Sabbath
The Sabbath was strictly a day of rest and worship. No chores, no sports, just church and Bible study.
Devotion Time is Mandatory
A massive chunk of your day is dedicated to prayer, Bible study, and reflection. Evenings are reserved for family devotion time.
Science is a Grey Area
Specific “theories” (ahem, evolution) were taboo subjects in your household. You weren’t sure what to believe, so you just stayed quiet.
Halloween is the Devil’s Holiday
While everyone else was trick-or-treating, you attended the church’s “Harvest Festival.” But is Halloween the Devil’s Holiday?
TV? Only if it’s The 700 Club
Television programming underwent strict monitoring where only Christian networks and biblical cartoons were deemed acceptable. This regulatory measure aimed to ensure the content aligned with religious values and principles, which reflected the prevailing societal norms and expectations at the time.
You Know the Pledge to the Christian Flag
Yes, it’s real, and you knew it by heart. Reciting the Pledge to the Christian Flag during Sunday service was expected, and you still remember it today.
Cursing is Considered a Sin
You’d sooner get a mouthful of soap than utter a swear word. Cursing was considered a sin, and using foul language in any context was prohibited. To this day, it’s frowned upon and seen as highly disrespectful.
You Know What ‘Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child’ Means
Discipline was strict and often involved the proverbial rod. The phrase ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’ was taken literally by many families and used as a justification for physical punishment. It’s no longer accepted practice, but it was commonplace then.
Public School is for the ‘Worldly’ Kids
Homeschooling was the norm in your family to keep you ‘unspotted from the world.’ That meant that only kids who weren’t particularly religious were enrolled in public schools; it was thought of as a place for the more ‘worldly’ children.
Ministry is Your Ultimate Career Goal
You were encouraged to consider the ministry or mission field for your career. Any other profession was secondary.
Questioning Religion is a No
Any doubt or questions about your family’s faith were frowned upon. You had to accept it without question and internalize the beliefs.
Religion Influences Every Aspect of Your Life
From what you ate to who you could marry, your family’s religion dictated every decision in your life. It even determined the type of clothes you had to wear.
Source: Quora.
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