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I have in-laws who are total religious nuts. They are believers in "Christian Identity", for you lucky folks who do not know what that is, they believe more or less that White people are "God's Chosen People" (whatever that means) and it goes downhill from there.

That is only the TIP of the iceberg with how weird they are. Their 4 older boys left home as soon as they could support themselves. With their 4 younger children, they have no birth certificates, no SSN, they homeschool them, (as I did mine in the past but do not do now), they are allowed no radio, no tv, no food with sugar and only organic food on top of that. They are allowed no "outsider" friends. They are being taught to hate.

Ever since I married, I would put up with snide remarks from them on this or that, or on how we are raising our children, but I let it go as to try and avoid upsetting my husband by having bad feelings with his family.

About 6 months ago, we took the children over to visit their grandmother. A few days later my son, while I am giving him a bath goes "Scrub these off of me Mommy", he was referring to the little temporary tattos the kids like to wear. He was really upset. I asked him what was wrong and he goes "Aunt Debbie said these are against the Bible and it is bad to wear them". I told him it was OK and calmed him down.

I was SO mad. I called her the next day and asked her if she did say that to him. She finally admitted it and I lost it with her. How DARE someone tell me and my husband how to raise or not raise our children and I told her I did not EVER want her to do that again. I said it is our job on how to guide him, not hers. She said he was an "innocent' and shoud be told these things. I asked her if SHE would like it if I say gave her children tracts on how to avoid having religious nuts for parents. She didn't bother answering that.

Their children, everyone in our family is worried for them. According to the Govt. they cannot even prove they exist. Ever travel really, not get drivers licenses, any of that.

It is sad, and they are trying to US how to raise our children! And they profess to be "Christians".

Moonshadows,

My advice is to pack up your family and move as far away as possible.These people are obviousley unstable.

Moonshadows,

That sounds like a cult... this is what I mean, if a church makes you uncomfortable, don't go! It amazes me how some people totally miss the message of the gospels!

Loveapple,

I'm glad your doing something about what was obviously a bad situation, but just remember it doesn't mean everone who identifies themselves as Christian are like the people you experienced at that church.

And Moonshadows,

It's just that kind of Christian who give the rest of us a bad name. they do everything but love! They have a list of rules a mile long... doesn't sound like grace to me! You should ask your husband what he thinks about all this. Ask him to talk to his Aunt on your be-half about toning it down around you and your family. If he won't, then simply decide not to be around them. You don't have to go to every family function.... Your still the mother...

No of course not every Christian is spiritually abusive, but many people who describe themselves as pentecostals seem to be because of what they believe!