Author Ryan George on Leaving a Cult but Not Leaving Jesus

Ryan George spent the first 20 years of his life in a cult, attending a series of Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) churches including one where his dad was the pastor, adhering to the dangerous teachings of men like Bill Gothard. Several years after leaving the IFB in his 20s, Ryan discovered his father had sexually molested one of his sister’s friends when she was a child. Then almost ten years later he listened to podcast episode detailing more abuse and coverup and based on his mother’s reaction, he realized his father was a serial sexual abuser with a harmful pattern of abuse going back decades.

For the past 25 years, Ryan was forced to examine deeply ingrained beliefs – including ideas around consent and abuse – and reevaluate what he truly believes. While he left the dangerous fundamental theology, Ryan didn’t walk away from Jesus, reconstructing his faith and attending (a non-abusive) church, where his wife is on staff.

In his new book, Hurt and Healed by the Church: Redemption & Reconstruction After Spiritual Abuse (April 12), Ryan exposes how abuse is built into the fabric of American churches, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. His story shows it is possible to rebuild your faith and find healing from church trauma and spiritual manipulation.

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