To join this church, I had to waive my right to think critically

Any institution built on these two conditions is a breeding ground for abuse

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I was around 12 years old when I told my parents I wanted to become a communion member of the Orthodox Presbyterian church my family attended.

I had watched other kids go through the membership process. It was a ceremonial event that seemed to demonstrate spiritual maturity, and I didn’t want to be left behind.

At the time, I didn’t question the vows I was asked to profess before a circle of exclusively white male church leaders. They were concepts that my parents had ingrained in me pretty much since birth. I thought believing them made me a godly person. Looking back, however, I can clearly see that were grooming me to relinquish my critical thinking skills.

I had to take four separate vows, but the ones I want to highlight are these:

1. Do you believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the Word of God, and its doctrine of salvation to be the perfect and only true doctrine of salvation?

2. Do you agree to submit in the Lord to the government of this church and, in case you should be found delinquent in doctrine or life, to heed its discipline?