The Slippery Slope(s)
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When I first began questioning the version of faith I had been taught, I was paralyzed by the fear of the infamous "slippery slope" I'd heard about countless times. In my religious community, anything that deviated from our collective beliefs was labeled as dangerous, sinful, or bad. I vividly remember being told that even listening to music with a drumbeat was a "gateway drug" into a life of immorality, drunkenness, and turning away from God. This concept of the slippery slope into worldliness and sin was frequently used to reinforce the absolute truth of what was being taught from the pulpit or in Bible classes.
However, as I began to hear stories from my childhood peers, connect with people online, and later work as a personal coach, I had a profound realization: the slippery slope we'd been warned about actually went both ways. The beliefs I'd held in the past were riddled with abuse, manipulation, authoritarian control, hatred, and crippling fear. In contrast, the new beliefs I was cultivating fostered freedom, autonomy, mental health awareness, and the ability to make very human mistakes without experiencing debilitating shame.
If you find yourself teetering on the top of that imaginary hilltop, frozen in fear of what might happen if you choose to leave behind your old belief system, I encourage you to shift your perspective. Instead of focusing solely on the unknown ahead, take a moment to look back at the slope you've just climbed. The view from the top often provides the clearest perspective, allowing you to see both where you've been and the possibilities that lie ahead.
Growth and change often involve discomfort, loss or grief but they also bring newfound clarity, purpose, and understanding. Your journey of questioning and exploration is not a descent into sin and debauchery, in fact, you may be moving forward towards something healthier and stronger.
*Originally a social media post.*
This article is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition.
Rebekah is not a licensed therapist or clinician. Any advice or opinions given on this site are strictly her own observation and insights based on personal experiences and study. It should in no way take the place of professional assistance.