Rhonda's Assembly of God Experience

I attended AOG churches from the time I was a baby. To mention all of the times I was put down and snubbed and made to feel like I was not good enough would take many pages.

I think the last straw for me came when I was at Bible school. Students and teachers there judged my walk with God by my personal appearance.

One time on a school trip my boyfriend was whispering in my ear. (I do mean whispering; no tongue, there was no kissing.) When we got off the bus a female teacher tore into me about what a horrible, disgusting, sinful display that was. (she said nothing to my boyfriend) I felt so bad I cried and cried. At that time I was still a virgin and thought I had committed a horrible sin.

They could not give constructive criticism, either. Instead of saying how something could have been done better I was told what a horrible job I have done before God and I should repent.

My boyfriend said he would not marry me unless I changed. He said I prayed too quietly, I wore make-up and bright colored clothes. I said "If I changed, I won't be me anymore" and he said, "What's so great about you?" I broke up with him and I did not go with anymore "Christian" guys after that.

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Posted March 17, 2002

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