Resisting Religious Authoritarians - A Brief Primer

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. I am just as rote as they are until they cut it out 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 sentence they say to you until you see them regain consciousness. Broken record them. 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

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* Note: How you recognize a Religious Authoritarian? This is one of the best descriptions I have read:

"SYMPTOMS OF RELIGIOUS ADDICTION
© Paschal Baute 1993

• 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."

And no one should ignore the definitive description of the authoritarian personality by Altemeyer. Can be read here, and unlike most psychology papers, it is pleasant reading.

http://members.shaw.ca/jeanaltemeyer/drbob/TheAuthoritarians.pdf

Everyone knows an Authoritarian. They come in all persuasions. They make milk curdle and babies cry just standing there. I provide these two sources so there will be no doubt about Who and What I am talking about.