The Myth of Free Will in Fundamentalism

I never encountered something so terrifying than being faced with decision-making. Not only are life changing decisions intimidating, but sometimes, so are even the average, everyday minuscule variety. I can't lie, it can be frustrating and overwhelming, this byproduct of living in a fundamentalist environment where the only "decision" you made was how quickly to obey the top guy.

As a child, I recall a children's tune that was quite popular in our group where youngsters would spell out the word obedience in a joyful voice. I still remember it now, "O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E. Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe!" At 10 years old, I finally memorized it properly after my 4th grade teacher was left dumbfounded while I struggled to hack a spelling test using her suggestion of referring back to that commonly sang song. I was left embarrassed because not only could I not spell the word, but my Sunday school class from my primary days was more obsessed with "marching in God's army." Both had the underline message of you belong to someone else, you serve and serve gladly, obeying any authority figure. Authority figures were anyone in ministry, male, older and who barked loudest. As so often was mentioned the fact when they said "jump," you were to answer "how high?"

I always say there were two worlds—the fundamentalist world and then the real one. The first exists within the latter, but revolves entirely around itself and operates without care, respect and in spite of the real rules, believing they're somehow superior to the world and often exempt from them. That mindset was not just reserved for the world, however. It also applied to those on the bottom of the totem pole—members, women, and the children. Specifically, when a woman or a child was commanded to obey, you obeyed with meekness.

When I think of the many negative takeaways from my years spent in a fundamentalist setting, what I always come back to is the treatment, more accurately the mistreatment, of those within. Don't get me wrong. The disdain for sometimes those with differences in beliefs, appearance, culture, and choices on the outside is a real problem. But it's important to understand that unless a person on the outside offers something to the group, say the possibility of being a future recruit, most likely the impact of that punch is usually aimed at those in their direct path. I have many theories on why that is, but partly I believe it has more to do with the fact that those on the outside are less likely to be under fundamentalism's web of manipulation, its  induced fear and guilt, along with enforced loyalty that those within are exposed to daily.

Some would say here, But you only attend church for X times a week and aren't you the one that chooses to show up? At this, I feel the need to laugh out loud at the misconception of that idea. Why? Because fundamentalism isn't a Sunday morning pew sitter. No, it's something that is with a person from the time they open their eyes to a new day and closes them again that night. It's not just showing up to the church house; it's taking the church back to your house. The ideology, the black-and-white thinking, the separation and isolation, the Us vs. Them mentality, all of it takes up occupancy in the follower's brain and with those things your view of the world, others, your group and even you are shaped. It becomes an unconscious companion, lurking there anytime an ingrained teaching is awakened and demands it needs to be made known and then, proclaimed. This is probably  why so many find fundamentalists judgmental beings—they are. An argument could be made most often it's become so normalized in that environment that they're desensitized to the impacts that judgment can have on those left in their wake. And fundamentalist children are raised to believe that this is the Only Way, never witnessing anything else.

This problematic pattern isn't just reserved for having that fundamentalist brand of holier-than-thou (which I know, I sound just like one there). It touches every area of a follower's life. Some people are left confused by this phenomenon, wondering why anyone would choose to be this way, follow those teachings, separate and segregate themselves, their opinions and only commune with like-minded individuals. I think it's important to understand a few things if we're going to try and get to the gist of it.

One, it is most likely the majority of those who joined a fundamentalist group are joining a group presenting themselves differently than what they really are. I remember one survivor referring to this process of coming into contact with a snake oil salesmen. The group is presented to a potential recruit as the answer to their problems, a place that wants to better them, welcome them and their family into a whole brand new family. Current group members surround them and shower them with kindness, love bombing them at every turn. This would usually continue till they join and for a little while after. Together, a new follower will worship, serve and become the particular brand of fundamentalism they've been roped in by.

This is usually the point where people choose to cue the free will argument. It was their choice to join, they'll say. They did so knowing what they were getting into, another will add. You've made your bed, now sleep in it. By far, this particular subject, I feel is greatly misunderstood. It's also used as a punchline by some suggesting that those that leave these controlling groups are somehow beneath them and even dumb for having been involved in the first place. Although I can understand the ignorance on the subject, I don't believe in giving complete free passes on that response. Particularly because, unkindness is a landmark component of fundamentalism, so survivors don't need similar judgment. But also because it neglects us of our human responsibility and that is compassion. Start with compassion and then listen.

Free will in fundamentalism is a myth. It does not exist. It's an argument engineered to keep followers, those on the inside, in.

In my opinion, it starts from the beginning. Now, regardless of what people feel on Christianity and the different interpretations of it, at least the fundamentalist twist on it I remember like yesterday is the fear inducing pressure to do X or X will happen. If what was said would happen wasn't shared, then the fear of the what ifs would often come into play in a particular outcome's absence. It began with the conversion process where usually terrifying sermons referred to as "fire and brimstone" messages were preached from the pulpit, shaking people in their pews. There are screams of burning in hell for eternity, the liquid fire in a lake of fire, being unable to quench your dry tongue, choking from the smoke, all while being surrounded by monsters, murderers, rapists, "reprobates" and demons. These tales are presented in such vivid detail you can see, smell and feel hell all around you. Like a well-polished snake oil salesmen they convince you of how terrible your condition is and reveal your prognosis. When a person reaches for a single rational thought to counter what the preacher man is saying he suddenly calls them out and uses that moment to point out that hesitancy is actually making your choice, skipping on heaven, suggesting a person is consciously practicing free will to go to hell. From the get-go free will is presented as do this or we'll spell out what making the "wrong" decision looks like. After the conversion process, the pure relief of not burning in a hell forever can be incredibly emotional. It's like being bullied, but then magically the bully becomes your savior, rescuing you. Emotionally, this can be confusing. A new "Baby Christian" is indebted for the mercy bestowed upon them and the least they can do is now serve to express their gratitude.

Again, I don't make an argument for this process. Personally, from where I stand, I don't agree with fear tactics.

When fear is present it means true consent isn't optional. If consent can't be practiced, the argument that free will was utilized falls flat.

Fundamentalism continues this pattern throughout a follower's time within it. Fear coupled with peer pressure and gradually a person begins to change, convinced it's a positive thing. Most notably, is the change in appearance and depending on their group's guidelines, a person adopts their dress and language.  Previously held interests and hobbies, even habits are replaced with new practises and life now surrounds the newly joined group. Most concerning is the subtle or even sudden change in personality. It's even common for moods to shift without much warning. The longer you're exposed to these  kind of fear inducing and emotionally manipulative tactics, a follower will start to respond to certain situations in the ways they've been told to. It's important to note that sometimes this is obvious, but other times members don't even know it. One example was already shared by those fire and brimstone messages where what you were doing wrong was pretty much spelt out for you. Another one could be the tactic of praising a specific action of another member and then the pressure mounts on others to step up, serve more, be more sold out to God and the cause. Other times, a leader will clearly name the infraction, causing embarrassment, guilt, and shame. This may reinforce a member's dependency on the group in order to make the "right" decisions, no matter how big or small, as they have been led to believe they are incapable.

The myth of free will covers so many aspects of that life that example after example comes to mind to explain this. A simple question about the reason why I'd dress a certain way would lead me to parrot what others around me had always said, I love God. I want to dress in a way that honors Him. When pressed that can't a person (female, in this case) still love God and wear a pair of slacks, I would answer, of course, but God doesn't want that. The Bible said that, after all, I would point out. Then would start an entire supposed doctrinal argument that would lead nowhere rational since fundamentalism takes so much literal and members don't question, because in my experience, they're not able to.

The truth on why I dressed a certain way: I was born in that environment, never made a change from a sinful past (because what sinful past, right?) and thus always wore the dress of my group. I mirrored those around me as developing children do and answered accordingly, all while convinced I not only had the choice to do so, but convinced I wanted to, practicing free will all along. The sad reality is a child in fundamentalism commonly receives physical beatings for small dressing infractions. My hand just raised on that one. I'm part of that in-crowd.

I know, if you're a young person currently of that environment and somehow you're reading this, you probably just went aha! Point proven, there's the problem, you haven't changed, you were never "saved." To this, I always think to compare our salvation experiences, but that seems unkind even now. If I wasn't saved, neither were they. That used to scare me, too.

It doesn't take very long and so many decisions that I look back at having made really came down to one: choosing to obey. I still don't consider that decision done freely, because other tactics were at play and used to manipulate me. Undue influence comes to mind here. Again, fear, fear, fear.

Let's go over a few tactics that fundamentalism, particularly Christian Fundamentalism, has perfected, in my opinion:

Fear: threats of retribution, no matter how large or small, to you or someone you care about; lack of salvation; damnation of yourself or a loved one; loss of health, finances, livelihood of you or your family, your position in said group; inability to know God's will without being "right" with Him by obeying the Man of God and staying in the group

Love: real love is said to mean you never complain; love for God and His people demands you obey anyone in authority

Commitment: you made a commitment to God to serve and serve fully; service is the least you can do, regardless of the conditions imposed by the group; the responsibility to jump, no matter how high or at what risk to your physical, emotional/mental, or spiritual health

Intimidation: fear; threats; emotional gaslighting by group leader and members; guilt; shame

Peer pressure: mimicking and mirroring peers; sometimes this is consciously done, but other times without a person's knowledge

Those are just a few things from the top of my head that I remember well. Again, if any of those things are present a good argument can be made free will is not possible. I could go on and on how risk assessment never occurs; that members either do not know how to weigh and discern something before coming to a well thought out decision when one arises or have left that ability at the door upon joining the group.

If you are a young person raised in this environment my heart goes out to you. You're not alone in overcoming this struggle. If you are someone that found themselves sucked into a controlling group, there's nothing wrong with you. The blame belongs on those that demanded you to jump. Your dedication as a human to be a part of what you believed was good is a sign that you care and answering to that demand with "how high?" was proof of how much you cared that you would jump, regardless of what risks were involved. You were that dedicated.

Let's rethink the possibility that free will is present in any controlling environment, including fundamentalism. Part of individuals making well informed decisions is having everything out on the table, with no hidden agenda and without any controlling tactic at play. If this isn't happening, free will is impossible.


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