All Matters of Dopeness (Musings and Comedy in Erie's World)

Trigger warning -  Those who know me may find this kind of transparency unnerving. It’s the first time I've ever considered walking away from the church (not faith, but the unsafe sanctuaries...). It’s an uncomfortable for me, too, but I think my story may be useful for others who have endured similar pain. I’m sharing this as a Christian whose faith has been shaken by “holy” deception from one who continued to preach, travel, and speak publicly while causing chaos behind the scenes. What began as a relationship—deep, intentional, and wrapped in faith — appeared to be a lie.  I was grieving after having just lost my mother about five months prior. I was vulnerable. And I trusted someone who presented himself as a religious leader, only to find myself caught in deception that distorted my reality piece by piece and caused me to be embattled in court for almost two years. The situation escalated in ways I never could have predicted.  He went from, almost immediately, telli...