| Show TOXIC FAITH Understanding and Overcoming Religious Addiction by Stephen Arteburn and Jack Felton Terry Dillon Staff Writer VV V KNOW NOW any religious fanatics who also have a weight problem Almost everyone VV has at least one of these in the family someone who spits out scripture like venom r. r and who refuses to associate with anyone not notA A- A associated with his or her particular brand of belief t. t y In Toxic Faith Arteburn and Felton explain explain explain ex ex- plain among other things the connection between religious compulsion and food addiction addiction addiction addic addic- tion for certain people Under fire are so-called so New Age Cults I some types of and even Mor Mor- mons These three are so far apart in doctrine r V that at first glance no similarity is apparent y Toxic Faith does not specifically denounce any belief system only the addictive processes of ofa a few adherents Warning signs of toxicity which Arteburn and Felton identify include Extreme stress or a miserable existence v which the religious addict mood-alters mood with group roup ritual cx g Heavy church attendance Feelings of insignificance and repeated 4 which spur the addict to eek quick fix solutions I V Loss of other interests Use of scripture like a weapon to judge nd alienate unbelievers Food addictions especially sugar addic- addic ion are combined with toxic religious practices practices tices to satisfy sensual needs that are often suppressed Feelings of guilt rage and fear are denied by the religious addict causing deeper depression To fix depression the addict alternates church going with food binges for temporary relief rather than the lengthier process of confronting unacceptable feelings The denial of negative feelings and the inability to escape from toxic faith can result in the continual continual continual con con- spiral downward until at last like the alcoholic the religious addict hits bottom The authors of Toxic Faith are fairly conservative conservative conservative conser conser- Protestant Christians The references to Jesus and the use of the pronouns He and Him might turn off some people Still it is worth reading no matter what your religious affiliation Toxic Faith identifies a healthy church group as one that encourages questions that challenges thinking and where there is warmth and caring for people outside the belief system as well as within A healthy congregation gets involved in helping other people in the city or in peacemaking and social social social so so- cial justice activities This is not done to earn a way to heaven but because it is part of being loving and compassionate Healthy religious worship is directed toward an all- all loving God Toxic believers on the other hand see God as a spiteful revenge seeker They can hardly wait until God gets their enemies For them worship of self worship of ones one's true beliefs or and/or worship of a single religious authority has replaced any chance of authentically experiencing God Toxic Faith is simply written but it has an insightful message If you are wondering about whether your faith is toxic or not check the Ten Rules of a Toxic Faith System Oliver-Nelson Oliver Books 1991 Nashville Tenn II I. I to 10 to t n. n M V VV V 0 V Ten Rules of a a 1 Toxic Faith System 7 V fX f X 1 1 Control T The e leader must be in control at all times 2 Blame When problems arise find a guilty party to blame 3 Perfectionism Dont Don't make mistakes 4 Delusion Never point out the reality of a situation V 5 Perpetual Cheerfulness Only express positive feel feel- ings 6 Blind Dont Don't ask questions especially the tough ones 7 Conformity Dont Don't do anything outside your role 8 8 Mistrust Dont Don't trust anyone 9 Avarice Nothing is more important than tithing 10 Spotless Image At all costs keep up the im image ge of of the church n Y VV N I I I J I 11 11 1 1 1 1 a W r u 11 M |
