Welcome back to Taste0ftruth Tuesdays Wellness Warriors and truth seekers!

Fundamentalist thinking doesn’t just reside in religious circles—it also permeates wellness and healing spaces. Just as high-control religions exploit human vulnerability, so does diet culture.

I’ve had my share of blindly following extreme health regimens recommended by practitioners, ignoring my own discomfort along the way. It became clear that fundamentalism can crop up in various aspects of life, and part of healing is about recognizing and addressing these tendencies within us.

High control religion and diet culture both capitalize on the brain’s tendency to interpret things in a binary black-and-white manner by presenting clear-cut rules, guidelines, and belief systems that simplify complex issues into easy-to-follow directives.

Clear Rules and Regulations:

• High Control Religion: Provides rigid doctrines, moral codes, and commandments that delineate right from wrong, good from evil, and righteous from sinful.
• Diet Culture: Promotes strict dietary regimes, cleanses, and “good” vs. “bad” foods, categorizing eating behaviors as virtuous or detrimental.

In both of these contexts, this black-and-white thinking oversimplifies complex issues related to spirituality and health, offering a sense of clarity and control in exchange for individual autonomy and critical thinking. 

I used to be fixated on healing, always chasing the next fix. When I later dove into a high-control religion, this perpetual quest for self-improvement morphed into the religious ritual of sanctification—an equally exhausting endeavor.

Healing should be about presence, connection, and truly living—not an endless pursuit of perfection.

Have you noticed this shift in your own or others’ healing journeys?

Here are some examples of fundamentalist thinking and behaviors found in both high-control religions and wellness/healing spaces:

Aspect	High-Control Religion	Wellness Spaces
Strict Rules and Regulations	Rigid doctrines and moral codes with severe consequences	Strict dietary regimes or detox plans with inflexible guidelines, labeling deviations as harmful or sinful
Authority Figures	Centralized figures with unquestionable teachings	Gurus or practitioners whose advice is taken as absolute truth
Us vs. Them Mentality	Clear divisions between the “righteous” and “sinful” outsiders	Labeling foods, behaviors, or people as “clean” or “toxic,” fostering an in-group/out-group mentality
Fear-Based Tactics	Fear of damnation or punishment to maintain control	Instilling fear of illness or toxins to enforce adherence to wellness practices
Exclusive Truth Claims	Belief that their interpretation of faith is the only truth	Claiming their diet or lifestyle is the only path to true health and well-being
Shame and Guilt	Using shame and guilt to enforce compliance	Shaming individuals for not adhering to specific diets or wellness protocols
Community Pressure	Intense pressure to conform within the community	Social pressure to adhere to specific wellness practices, with fear of ostracism for non-compliance
Promised Rewards	Promises of spiritual rewards or salvation for adherence	Promises of optimal health or purity through strict adherence to wellness practices

Seeking Clarity during Stress

Gravitating towards fundamentalism after experiencing hyper-charismatic or new age movements can seem understandable. The strict rules and structure provide a perceived sense of safety. Particularly during times of stress and uncertainty, we can gravitate towards the need for a sense of control & structure. However, this rigidity and extreme control often lead to increased trauma over time.

As I deconstruct from the Christian faith, I am re-evaluating beliefs, questioning long-held doctrines, and confronting the challenges faced within spiritually abusive environments. 

Fundamentalism’s rigid adherence to traditional beliefs and practices can create significant challenges, fostering environments that can stifle personal freedom, promote division, and sometimes lead to conflict and violence. We also see intolerance towards individuals or groups who hold different beliefs or lifestyles, leading to discrimination, ostracism, or even violence towards perceived “outsiders” or “heretics.”

This is due to the dogmatism, this fundamentalist ideology tends to promote rigid, inflexible interpretations of religious or ideological principles, discouraging questioning or exploration of ANY alternative viewpoints.

Fundamentalists are often resistant to change and innovation within religious doctrine or practice, viewing such developments as departures from true faith.

I recently shared a post on Instagram, reflecting on my journey of deconstruction and exploring progressive spaces, I’ve noticed a concerning trend: the lack of nuance and the prevalence of an ‘us vs. them’ mentality.

Even within progressive Christianity, there’s pressure to conform to certain social norms and ethical behaviors. Disagreement is often met with resistance, and group identity politics can dominate discussions.

Please review this blog for more information and resources: Understanding Fundamentalism: Rigid Beliefs, Division, and Psychological Impact I am hoping these resources provide comprehensive insights into the dangers of fundamentalism, illustrating its potential to foster intolerance, social division, and conflict

Understanding these parallels helps us recognize and challenge fundamentalist thinking in all areas of life, promoting a more balanced and critical approach to wellness and healing, and JUST EXISTING!

Let’s move away from the dualistic thinking and judgment that these ideologies promote, and instead, embrace a more holistic and compassionate path forward.

That’s all I have for you today folks! Thanks again for listening/reading. Next week, we will continue the conversation breaking from Diet Culture and for future episodes:

•Dr. Mark Gregory Karris, author of The Diabiological Trinity Healing Religious Trauma from a Wrathful God, Tormenting Hell & a Sinful Self, Religious Refugees: (De)Constructing Toward Spiritual and Emotional Healing and more
•@neilyvanneily is a philosopher and cognitive scientist known for his work in the intersection of religion, cognition, and culture. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University. We will be discussing his new book- “Religion as Make-Believe,” which offers a thought-provoking analysis of the nature of religious belief and its role in human societies.

•@mburtwrites To discuss Biblical Counseling & a little bit of the evolution of Christian parenting, along with Kelsey McGinnis, they offer a comprehensive exploration of the historical, cultural, ideological, political, and social factors that have influenced Christian parenting over time.

@carielmoore to discuss Franciscan theology: which focuses on simplicity, poverty, and love for all. Inspired by Saint Francis, it’s about imitating Christ and caring for the marginalized. 🌿 she also explores parenting through the lens of spirituality, theology, and childhood liberation ✨

and MORE! Until then, maintain your curiosity, embrace skepticism, and keep tuning in! 🎙️🔒

Have a great week!

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