How Many of These #ChristianAltFacts Did You Learn Growing Up?

Blogger and professor Christopher Stroop has devoted much of his work to exposing the toxic underbelly of the fundamentalist Christian Right.

In a blog post from last year, he shared his motivation behind the hashtag #ChristianAltFacts:

On Friday morning, I coined the hashtag #ChristianAltFacts (Christian alternative facts) toward the end of a thread reflecting on Christopher Douglas’s analysis of the religious origins of America’s fake news problem (for more on which, click here):

18. And promote ex-Evangelical voices. For those of us who grew up in that environment, let me suggest a new hashtag: #ChristianAltFacts

— Chris Stroop (@C_Stroop) February 24, 2017

In recent days, that hashtag has gone viral. People have been sharing “alt facts” they were taught by their parents and pastors growing up:

I was taught at a young age that Lucifer was the “worship leader” of heaven, so that’s why he is so good at ensnaring people through the devilry of secular music. #ChristianAltFacts

— the seven-year bitch (@queerly_bel0ved) November 16, 2018

I was taught growing up by my 5th grade history book that an enslaved person was more free as an enslaved Christian than as a free non-Christian #ChristianAltFacts

— The One Who Wishes To Live Deliciously (@evan_welch) November 16, 2018

Also my fave: Disney has a secret gay agenda, and they have a policy that they only hire gay ppl. No straights allowed! So obviously, watching Disney movies is a sin. #ChristianAltFacts

— dakoda (@southdakoda) November 16, 2018

Feminism isn't biblical. Feminists seek to upsurp roles not meant for them, and they wish to leave their children and childbearing behind, instead focusing on the world, other women (possibly even becoming lesbians!!) and ignoring God. #ChristianAltFacts

— Guinevere Renée (@GuinevereRenee) November 16, 2018

"You must have sex with your husband every time he "needs" to, because it is a physical need and to withhold it is abusive. He has grounds to have his needs met elsewhere if you don't concede."

Which makes for a lot of non-consensual sex.#ChristianAltFacts

— Rachel Chruszczyk (@RCruzyBee) November 8, 2018

#ChristianAltFacts mom said the Bible verse "Be ye not unequally yoked…(with an unbeliever)" meant I couldn't date black guys! She always left off the last two words

— Resist.Rest.Repeat (@jksPersisting) November 11, 2018

God is a white man who helps some people who pray enough while condemning newborns to disease, starvation, and death.

Jesus is white.

Prayer is how we ask God to change the stuff he already has planned.#ChristianAltFacts

— Dr. Emmy J (@Emmy_Zje) November 16, 2018

The threads are both therapeutic and triggering for those who grew up fundamentalist and are still processing through the things they were taught. The #exvangelical Twitter community is a good place to start for healing.