I got really caught up in thinking “deconstruction” was about becoming a better person, some new salvation protocol that I could easily pass through, and sort of amending all the crappy ideas I held onto. Turns out that stepping into this social, antireligious, hashtag movement, you open yourself up to more crappy ideas to hold onto. Ideas that sound really great in the beginning but ultimately end up mirroring the same institutional bull $hit that I was entangled in before.... Read more
When it comes to bodily autonomy, Christianity doesn’t have much to say about it. In fact, as one TikToker put it, “Bodily autonomy is not a Christian value.” And I’d like to expand on that. Furthermore, I would like to illustrate how bodily autonomy is in fact, a Christian value. I did some digging around. I Googled, “Is bodily autonomy a Christian value?” The first result happened to be from a Reddit thread. Disclaimer: This was the first time I... Read more
What it is that really gets the fluids flowing and amps up erotic arousal and desire? You might think it’s some clever position, or sexy lingerie, some bougie pillow, or mattress. But the time-tested lubricating luxury that has been bequeathed to all of humanity is quite simple—it’s communication. You see, the way to a W.A.P. and a stiff concoction of connecting moments requires the use of the lips, mouth, and tongue. This brings a whole new meaning to talking in... Read more
People will always find ways to validate and justify their choices and actions, even if it’s simply a cover for the inability to reconcile the conflict that it is. We will always go back to the patterns that are most comfortable and known even in our awareness of how unhealthy and toxic those patterns are. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do… For I... Read more
I, like many of you, have been waiting for more “verified” names to come out and condemn the destructive and toxic teachings of purity culture. Beth Moore is one of those names. And I am not here to suggest that it’s too little, too late, like many would prefer to do out of spite. I applaud all of those who are willing to rip up the sad sex scripts that have been acted out throughout Churchanity. Words matter and to... Read more
If you look around, it’s quite easy to see a variety of possibilities. Through one lens, you see nothing but depression, destruction, devastation, and division. Anger lurks around every corner, outrage is just bubbling to the surface waiting for one more drop of negativity to create an overflow—pouring over everything and everyone, destroying every ounce of optimism in its path. Through this lens, everything looks bleak and uncertain. Through this view, fear is the lens through which one sees the... Read more
I have a social media “friend” who has been tagging me in many nutty videos lately. The title of one of these videos is called, “Removing Soul Ties” and it discusses “sexual freedom.” Please don’t be as confused as I was, it’s not an encouraging video. It’s not really about sexual freedom. It’s about sexual imprisonment. And this is quite a common narrative found throughout Evangelical Christianity. More puritanical practices that shame and condemn the gift of sexual pleasure. To... Read more
In a recent recording, a guest stated that he was fully aware that the things he posted online on social media were things he would never say to a person’s face in real life. That very day, after concluding that interview, I made a point to imprint that idea onto my heart as a reminder to be impeccable with my word and to consider the human being on the other end of any comment in response. A human that deserves... Read more
Recorded Conversations is a podcast dedicated to compassionately considering all perspectives while engaging in authentic, connected dialogue. For the next series installment, I am featuring my local community of Olivia, MN. The reason I decided to feature such a community is because of the controversy that has been circulating throughout the county regarding the placement and display of a particular sign. A sign that states an obvious opinion and statement of beliefs, but in an offensive manner. This has created... Read more
Who am I to you? Who do you want me to be? I find myself asking these questions when I begin embarking on a deeper, more intimate dimension of a relationship. These are questions many of us ask of another when we become romantically involved. These two questions parallel the great questions we ask of the universe: Who Am I and What is my purpose? We want to know of our purpose in another person’s life because it adds to... Read more
Danielle Kingstrom
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