I smack the stuffing out of Religious Authoritarians, in a Friendly fashion of course. I have gotten good at it. I consider that God has sent me to save them. As Father Lonigan says in The Quiet Man, all the while hiding his collar so he can watch the epic fist fight, "Ah, yes, my Son, it is my duty. It is my duty." I am just as rote as they are until they cut out the ranting and the shaming and get real.
Here is my rote argument:
1. Do not pray for me. God might think I hang out with you.
2. I am responsible for my own sins. I am responsible for my own redemption. YOU will not come between me and my God.
3. Back up. Do not Jesus at me. (this for severe cases only)
Listen patiently. Speak gently. Repeat as needed after every other sentence the Authoritarian says until you see consciousness. Broken record them until the glaze leaves their eyes.
Some intrusive persons determined to 'save' you need repeated doses until spiritual health is restored. Some people have trouble when you set boundaries for them and that is why I suggest gentleness and firmness when administering correction.
* Note: How do you recognize a Religious Authoritarian? This is one of the best descriptions I have read:
SYMPTOMS OF RELIGIOUS ADDICTION
Inability to think, doubt, or question religious information and/or authority
Black-and-white, good/bad, either/or simplistic thinking: one way or the other
Shame-based belief that you aren't good enough or you aren't doing it right
Magical thinking that God will fix you/ do it all, without serious work on your part
Scrupulosity: rigid obsessive adherence to rules, codes of ethics, or guidelines
Uncompromising judgmental attitudes: readiness to find fault or evil out there
Compulsive or obsessive praying, going to church or crusades, quoting scripture
Unrealistic financial contributions
Believing that sex is dirty; believing our bodies or physical pleasures are evil
Compulsive overeating and/or excessive fasting
Conflict and argumentation with science, medicine, and education
Progressive detachment from the real work, isolation and breakdown of relationships
Psychosomatic illness: back pains, sleeplessness, headaches, hypertension
Manipulating scripture or texts, feeling specially chosen, claiming to receive special messages from God
Maintaining a religious "high", trance-like state, keeping a happy face (or the belief that one should...)
Attitude of righteousness or superiority: "we versus the world," including the denial of one's human-ness.
Confusion, great doubts, mental, physical or emotional breakdown, cries for help
The ultimate temptation of the believer is to assume that his or her way to God is the best or only way for others. The particular Way to God becomes what is adored, not the ineffable and incomprehensible Mystery to which we give the name of God.
© Paschal Baute 1993
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And no one should ignore the definitive description of the authoritarian personality by Altemeyer.
Please forgive me for not providing links. I tried. I do not know what I am doing wrong. So just google those guys I cited and their chit comes right up.
