The God Who Punishes: Fear, Shame, and Breaking the Rules

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What happens when your concept of God is shaped more by fear than by love? In this episode, I explore the fear-based spiritual teachings that governed my childhood—where consequences weren’t just earthly, but eternal. From hellfire and damnation to karma and reincarnation, every action carried the weight of divine punishment.

I share how women were treated as lesser, how relationships were distorted by shame and control, and how even something like smoking pot turned into a spiritual scandal. The punishment didn’t just come from leaders—it was baked into the belief system itself.

We also dive into codependency: what it is, where it comes from, and how these environments of fear and control breed it. When you’re taught that love must be earned, that pleasing others keeps you safe, or that your worth depends on obedience, codependency takes root. I talk about the patterns it creates and how I’ve been working to unravel them—reclaiming my sense of self, boundaries, and agency in the process.

This episode is about the long shadow of religious fear, how it warps our relationships with others and ourselves, and what it takes to break free and begin to heal.

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The perspectives shared on HOW TO LEAVE A CULT are personal and do not necessarily represent the official stance of the podcast. The opinions of our guests, sponsors, or authors are their own and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or condemnation. This podcast is a platform for diverse voices, and the content is not intended to disparage any religion, group, organization, or individual. Remember, it's okay to have different views, but let's keep it respectful. Nobody's upset with you; just remember, let's avoid any culty shenanigans.

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