Support the show:br br br Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts:br br br Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:br Paperback: Kindle: br John invites Renee, a former member of Christ Gospel Church, to share her experiences with the church and the struggles she faced during her upbringing. Renee describes how her family’s involvement in the church led to personal trauma, especially surrounding the actions of her father. She recounts how her father’s moral failings were overlooked by church authorities, resulting in a lack of support for her family. Renee talks about the control and manipulation exercised by church leaders, particularly through a committee called “The Witness,” which made major life decisions for members, including her family. She explains how the church’s environment, rife with emotional abuse, left her struggling to reconcile her faith and led her to seek healing outside the confines of the church.br br As the conversation unfolds, John and Renee discuss the similarities between Christ Gospel Church and other cult-like movements, including William Branham’s following and the New Apostolic Reformation. Renee expresses gratitude for the painful experiences that helped her leave the church and recounts how connecting with authentic Christian communities provided her with the emotional support she needed to begin healing. Throughout the discussion, the emphasis remains on the deep emotional wounds caused by spiritual abuse, the difficult journey of deprogramming, and finding peace and authenticity in a more balanced expression of faith.