Photo: Image by StockSnap from Pixabay By Jonathan Grisham I woke up this morning in a panic. I had another dream reminiscent of the cult I left so many years ago. It’s been so long, why does this still bother me? I’m sure if you have left a cult- like church, this feeling resonates asContinueContinue reading “Surviving Religious Abuse Led Me to Advocacy”
Author Archives: Eleanor Skelton
What child labor taught me to believe about myself
Editorial Note: The following is reprinted with permission from Mary Nikkel’s Substack. It was originally published on June 12, 2025. By Mary Nikkel I was trudging through a slurry of chemicals, holding a metal rod with a razor blade attached to the end, when my 11-year-old legs gave out. I slipped, landing on hands and knees in theContinueContinue reading “What child labor taught me to believe about myself”
Ableism in the Church: Part Two
Photo: Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay By Rebekah Palmer Content note: mention of child sexual abuse I’m left in my bottom bunk in my dorm room in tears and panicked breathing, again. Curled up as small as I can make myself under the covers, I feel ashamed because I need more medical care and accessContinueContinue reading “Ableism in the Church: Part Two”
Statement about “The Program” documentary exposing abuse in troubled teen homes
Photo: Courtesy of The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping By Vashti Initiative Staff The Vashti Initiative offers support for spiritual abuse survivors. We know that the troubled teen industry affects many survivors of religious and spiritual abuse. The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping is a new three-part documentary directed by Katherine Kubler that exposes howContinueContinue reading “Statement about “The Program” documentary exposing abuse in troubled teen homes”
Growing up fundamentalist and queer
By Eleanor Skelton When part of your identity is considered to be a sin, it’s easy to ignore how deeply it shapes who you are. I’m bisexual and non-binary. This means that I experience attraction to people who identify as male or female or neither. It also means that I don’t particularly feel like aContinueContinue reading “Growing up fundamentalist and queer”
Stop, Drop, and Heal
Photo: Image by misterfarmer from Pixabay Editorial Note: The following is reprinted with permission from Karl Forehand’s blog. It was originally published on January 22, 2024. By Karl Forehand Seven or eight years ago, we began what most people call deconstruction. Laura was silent about it because I was a pastor, and she did not want to interfereContinueContinue reading “Stop, Drop, and Heal”
Statement on Duluth Vineyard’s response to sexual abuse
By Vashti Initiative Staff While we are saddened to learn of another case of abuse in a religious setting, we applaud Duluth Vineyard for their swift and appropriate response. It is always difficult to hear allegations from within your own community, but the protection of victims and prevention of further harm should be of utmostContinueContinue reading “Statement on Duluth Vineyard’s response to sexual abuse”
The Most Important Insight I Gained after Deconstructing
Photo: Image by Felix from Pixabay By Celestine Alderwood Upon leaving a lengthy, highly conservative relationship with my children in tow, I began rethinking my beliefs. This was only possible after we found safety and freedom. I remember feeling grateful to the higher power we were taught to believe in. Still, a flood of emotionsContinueContinue reading “The Most Important Insight I Gained after Deconstructing”
Blue Christmas: Breaking generational abuse patterns during the holidays
Image by Leonhard Niederwimmer from Pixabay Editorial Note: The following is reprinted with permission from Amber Schultz’s blog. It was originally published on December 25, 2022. By Amber Schultz It’s the most wonderful time of the year. At least that is what we are told. I remember very few Christmases. Ones I remember are not the best times.ContinueContinue reading “Blue Christmas: Breaking generational abuse patterns during the holidays”
Statement on the “Let Us Prey” documentary covering abuse in the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement
By Vashti Initiative Staff The Vashti Initiative wants to announce that we are offering support for anyone who is processing their experiences in light of Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals, a new two-part documentary from Investigation Discovery that aired Nov. 25 and 26, and is now available on various streaming platforms. “Let UsContinueContinue reading “Statement on the “Let Us Prey” documentary covering abuse in the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement”
The Vashti Initiative 