[NZexCK]

Thanks for your response aron. I've taken the term deconstruction from the wider exvangelical community. In my search for answers I've come to realise the the LR church kid experience is often not too dissimilar from ex church kids in mainstream christianity. There is a huge community out there of ex church kids from all areas of christianity sharing their deconstruction process/journey which I've found really helpful and relatable. I guess anytime money and power is involved its going to lead to manipulation and abuse in some form or another. It's really reinforced for me just how un-special the LR is and how much they really are just another degraded denomination of christianity (with a few extra quirks). I wouldn't be bothered half as much if they just owned the fact that they are another denomination. It's the whole acting like they are above every one else which makes the whole movement even more repulsive to me. As of now I've reached the conclusion that "belonging" to a specific group of people who meet a certain way or at a certain place isn't a requirement to being a christian. Church can be as simple as being alone, or with one other person, being present in the moment, appreciating how beautiful a tree is.