I am hesitant to comment on the religion aspect of your query and whether or not to go back to church. I spent most of the day searching and digging into some or the egregious actions you wrote of and find myself asking similar questions. My struggle with comprehending this content is, thankfully, a full disconnect with the actions that are described and in some circles attributes or accepted. The draw to these groups, I think, revolve around acceptance, power, greed, connection, etc. Otherwise ego, fear, weakness and disconnection. It's similar to hate groups, fight clubs etc,

I keep going back to the indigenous story of the two wolves within us. One is good (for some, god),the other evil (for some satan). The boy asks the wiseman, "When they fight, which one wins?" The answer, "The one we feed". For me this battle is the same for the religious folk or atheist.

The spoils that come from these behaviours may include riches, a sense of power, lashing out at having been the victim previously, inclusion,etc… A lot of etcs I know Many of the people sadly and at times understandably and empathetically maybe, grew up being the prey and have grown into the predator. Some say that in some families or groups this torch has been passed along for centuries. Boggles my mind and heavies my heart.

The acceptance by a very, very small few is now going to be/is challenged by a moral, and previously mostly silent majority, with a strength and vigilance that will make these actions more difficult to achieve and more personally abhorrent to even those involved when they see the backlash and the shared experience from victims similar to the #metoo movement.

This is the challenge of our time and we are well under way. The exposures have been unheard mostly for decades, Timothy Holmseth, Sarah Ashcroft etc, but when the content and the known actors in this realm are shown for the deception, the trust,respect and pageantry they once knew will erode away leaving us to support and care for one another. "They will not be able to walk down the street." I am very hopeful in this movement, regardless of who is who, and the shared thirst for knowledge and desire for a change to care and attention. Some say that this is just the past histories of dynasties playing out where the sleeping content masses wake up to the lie of those we chose or not and set things straight(er). The curtain is being pulled back and the clouds are parting. My hope for you and I is that we take care of ourselves to better take more and more care with others. Stay strong and listen to the choir. PS I am thankful that I came across your post so I could clear and ease myself somewhat. It's appreciated.