In the United States, there are recovery groups for alcoholics, drug addicts, over-eaters, under-eaters, and dozens of other sub-groups with special needs. Perhaps the largest unidentified group with unresolved issues and unmet needs are those who have been abused by the church—by organized religion. With you in mind, Pushing Jesus has been created. Your recovery is our purpose—our only purpose.
Each of the preceding and following entries has been written to help those of you who have suffered—and continue to suffer—from religious abuse. There are millions of you out there—people who have been discarded, dismissed, and contemptuously disrespected by churches and ministries all over America.
Most of you are angry, bitter, and resentful. You suffer from shame and low self-esteem. You may even be hostile. If you are, that’s OK. We accept you just the way you are—without reservation or condemnation. Having been wronged in the past, you may have abandoned your first love—the Lord. It’s easy to understand how this could happen, but its also self-defeating behavior. It’s like saying, “I’ll get even with you; I’ll hurt me.” Obviously, this isn’t a good idea, but it’s what millions have done. If it’s what you’ve been doing, you don’t have to do it any more. There’s a way out that works.
That’s why we’re here. We want to help you recover from religious abuse and be everything God ever intended for you to be. We want to show you how to free yourself from debilitating anger so you can lead productive, fulfilled lives. If you’re mad at God for what happened to you; remember, He has never had much use for self-righteous religious leaders either.
Just because you’ve been wronged, however, doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to wallow in self-pity for the rest of your life. That’s not taking good care of yourself. A life of smoldering, camoflaged anger is a wasted existence. We’re here to help you change all that, but we can’t do it for you. You have to make the effort to help yourself.
If you will make even the slightest effort to open your heart, we can help. I know we can. If you start moving back toward the Lord, you will find Him to be everything you ever dreamed Him to be. After all, it’s God who heals broken hearts. Will you make an effort?
