For context: The Church of Christ is a "non-denominational" church, they're a legalistic, right-winged congregation. They solely believe that they are the one true church, and anyone who's not a part of their church is to burn into eternal damnation. They don't have a headquarters, each CoC is separate and works "differently" There are two sects of CoC: Anti and Non-Anti. Anti being the more extreme. I was born in a Non-Anti household, thankfully.

I was in the CoC for most of my life, I didn't attend services as much as my extended family did until I turned thirteen, and then I was put in the depths of it. From an early age I knew I was much different then the teens at this church, and by different I mean gay. Very gay. I didn't know I was at the time, until one Wednesday during Bible Studies our preacher held a teen class and taught about homosexuality.. and then I realized.. well damn.. that's what I am.

I was abused in the church, by two "close friends" who made it their duty to make my life at church--hell on earth. They gaslit me, and tried to change my personality. I got physically abused by one of them, and then later on sexually harassed.

When I turned nineteen I just had this gut feeling and I was also just tired and exhausted from the abuse I went through, and I started doing research on the CoC. It wasn't until I watched Leah Remini's Scientology and the Aftermath that I realized I truly was in a cult.

I still have trauma from all of this, and it's been almost seven years since I left the church. I still grieve, sometimes have flashbacks--but the medication I'm on has helped a lot, and I'm currently in therapy.

I've had to unlearn a lot. And am still unlearning.

And I'm just curious, and also want to hear other stories of those who have been affected by this "church"