Featured β†’ LGBTQ Non-Fiction

Finally Free: A Surrender to Authenticity

By Seth Showalter

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The Misfit Amish LLC

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2024

Must read πŸ†

Praying away the gay is harmful. The idea that if you are gay, you're not praying right, or haven't surrendered fully is religious trauma.

Synopsis

In Finally Free, Seth boldly and vulnerably chronicles his personal journey of self discovery and acceptance, sharing intimate details of his time in a conversion treatment program aimed at changing his sexuality. He skillfully interweaves his actual journal entries from those tumultuous days with poignant reflections from his current perspective as a therapist, ten years later.

With a powerful and evocative narrative, Seth seeks to vividly illustrate the profound impact of anti-gay rhetoric and religious trauma on individuals, providing an unfiltered glimpse into the emotional upheaval and psychological strain caused by attempts to suppress one’s innate identity. Through his memoir, Seth aims to shatter misconceptions and raise awareness about the damaging effects of conversion therapy, encouraging dialogue and understanding in society.

Congratulations!


You did it. You shared many things that are familiar to me, the monitoring, the conflict, the shame and the control exerted over your movements in the progr

am.


To me, the most prevalent theme throughout your experiences is that your belief that being gay is a sin caused conflict. You sought answers and were given conflicting messages without answers which possibly compounded the internal conflict you were having.


I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the coercive control that was presented to you as well. It was underlying but present throughout the stay.


The idea that if you are gay, you must not be praying right, or have surrendered fully to God or even have adequate amounts of faith is religious trauma.


Spiritualizing things and making it about demons and Satan is also slightly degrading to bodily autonomy when it comes to normal life experiences.


The victim blaming that went on is quite frankly something that knows no boundaries within some groups of people.


No one deserves that. No one.


*****


Overall 5 stars. Well done. Will recommend.


Your book is a story of struggle.

An experience born of desperation to not be gay because the of the beliefs you were taught to hold not only about yourself, but about anyone who is gay.


The world needs to hear your voice and heed the dangers of unqualified people doing things they shouldn't be doing. The action steps to be taken could include ensuring that people understand biblical counseling may not mean licensed or qualified for the services the facility is providing.


You found a way to get through messages that told you, you should be unworthy and if anything is good, it was God.


Not only did you get through it, you found your way of making peace with the trauma you endured and that is key.

Whether you ever have that long-term relationship or not, it sounds like you made your life meaningful for you and that is absolutely beautiful.


Praying the gay away doesn't work!


Surrending to acceptance of who you are and loving in authenticity can be freeing in ways we might never have dared to dream of.


I am honored that you shared this book.

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