Nick chose to get baptized because his family and friends belonged to a church where baptism was required to be a member. If he wanted to belong and have a vote, he had to “get dunked,” as his friends called it.
When Nick entered the baptismal tank, he glanced out to see his father watching to see him finish what he’d started when he agreed to take Bible studies with the youth pastor. His family’s entire life revolved around the church. As a long-time worship and praise leader, his father expected all four of his children to attend every week and be model Christians.
Nick’s older brother Ben had already taken the plunge. His younger twin sisters, Katie and Lexie, watched him with admiration and anticipation of the day when they, too, would be baptized and recognized as members of the church.
The ritual of baptism led to his being treated as an adult in the church business meetings and given more independence by his parents. Nick remembered his father telling Ben he was an adult after his baptism. Standing in front of the congregation in a tank of lukewarm water made him nervous and cold, so he bounced from one foot to the other to stay warm. He was a good swimmer, but he’d be relieved when this was over.
The youth pastor smiled reassuringly as he stepped into the tank. He took Nick’s right hand and held it up against the Bible.
“Do you, Nicholas, agree to follow Jesus for the rest of your life?”
He responded with a firm “Yes.”
“Do you promise to keep the Ten Commandments?
He nodded. “I will.”
“Do you agree to return ten percent of everything you earn to the church?”
Nick hesitated as he looked out across the sanctuary and caught his mother’s eye. She wore a radiant smile on her face as she wiped her eyes with a tissue. She was proud of him for taking this step, and it felt right, so he replied, “I will.”
The youth pastor set the Bible aside, stepped further into the water, and placed a cloth over Nick’s nose and mouth.
“I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
It was over in a minute. The entire church applauded as Nick emerged from the water. After the service, people crowded around him to shake his hand and give him hugs. A few relatives even gave him gifts, which included a devotional book, Christian music, and a humorous Christian T-shirt.
It was a long service, and Nick’s stomach was growling. All he could think about was the delicious lunch his mother had prepared, complete with a celebratory cake. It was a day to remember, and at the time, his life felt complete.
The years flew by, and Nick grew into a young man and eventually a father. With three kids of his own and a wife, he discovered life was much more complicated than he ever imagined when he was baptized at age eleven.
One day, Nick added up his bills and wondered how he would make ends meet between church school and tithing. He decided the tithe wasn't as important as providing for his children.
Shaking his head, Nick thought of his agreement to always give ten percent of his future wages when he was only eleven. How could he know what the future held? Would God be displeased with him for breaking his word? And what about the church board–would they take away his position of leading the youth because he was no longer paying tithes?
A flood of emotions ran through Nick’s mind as he thought of all the implications of that broken promise. He thought of his son, who was nearing baptismal age, and decided that no one was going to force his children to join any church.
Nick had been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. He’d also read in the Bible that, “Where the Spirit of God is, there is freedom.” If this was true, why didn't he feel free to take care of his children instead of giving money to the church?
Welcome to Religious Narcia
Please Enter at Your Own Risk
Welcome to Religious Narcia
Please enter at your own risk
If only we had such a sign to hang in front of unsafe churches and homes.
Religious Narcia is a not-so-fictional place where the church erodes people’s trust in God by exploiting their time, money, and relationships—all in the guise of salvation.
Religious Narcia (pronounced narkia) is a fictional place that has a few things in common with the icy land of Narnia from the tales of C.S. Lewis.
There are tolls to be paid and lives at stake in both situations.
Narnia is ruled by a White Witch, while Narcia is led by False Prophets.
Just as Edmund conspired to obtain Turkish Delight, many Flying Monkeys are enticed by the rewards of position and power offered by a False Prophet. They join in to manipulate and abuse others, and discover too late, that they’ve lost their freedom in the exchange.
The children in Narnia weren’t sure if Aslan was safe, while many people in Religious Narcia question if God can be trusted.
Perhaps you’ve had an experience with Religious Narcia and didn’t recognize it for what it was. Many people suffer years of spiritual abuse before a counselor or friend points out the truth, but once you learn to recognize the signs of Religious Narcia, you won’t be tricked again.
If you feel sick when you enter a church, or if Christians make you uncomfortable, perhaps they aren't being led by Jesus–but by a false prophet. If you feel trapped in Religious Narcia and want to be free, this book can set you free by helping you recognize the cycles of Religious Narcia.
When I discovered how narcissism plays out in religious communities, it changed everything. Understanding the tactics of false prophets gave me a language for the spiritual abuse I’d experienced. What a relief to discover that I’d been believing lies about God. This knowledge took away the fear of abusers and restored joy in my relationship with God.
This book asks the question, if the institutional church were a person, would it be a narcissist, or have the benevolent heart of Jesus?
Just as C.S. Lewis’s land of Narnia was frozen over by the spell of the White Witch, the landscape of Religious Narcia has been iced over with spiritual abuse. But the good news is that Jesus is on the move, bringing truth and healing to one heart at a time.
Hi Friends,
Have you ever experienced church like this?
Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
Stay free,
Cherilyn
It’s been in process for a while. It’s not a long book and I plan to finish it first.
Bravo bravo!!!! And LOVE the cover too. Is this book completed??