I think one of the reasons I enjoy reading dooce so much is that Heather has a similar background of having escapted the dogma of her youth. She’s more open and honest about it online than I think I’m prepared to be, and I just laugh at her descriptions of what it was like to be a Mormon youth. When I was a kid, the Mormons were pitied (even when they built a million-dollar church in our sad small town) because they weren’t saved. To read Heather, they probably felt the same way about me.

A post by the Angry Professor really got me thinking earlier this evening. So much of the childhood she recounted sounded familiar to me, and I agree with her about the results.

Religious or superstitious indoctrination cripples a young person’s mind. It takes away a child’s confidence that he can achieve things for himself and improve his condition, and leaves him fearful and helpless.

Click here to read the rest of her post.

This sounds pretty accurate from what I experienced; just add to that: neurotic, depressed, and anxious. I also suffered from a chronic case of trying-too-hard-to-be-liked. I’ve written probably five or so pages’ worth of thoughts on this tonight, but they’re pretty disorganized and rambling. Once I sort through my thoughts and feelings, I might actually post some of it.