Religion - xoJane

Chassidic Women Aren't Using Sharpie As Eyeliner, But We Are Under a Lot of Pressure to Look Hot

Chaya — Tue, 28 May 2013 12:30:00 -0400

The reporter did get one thing right: There is pressure to look hot. Hot but modest.

It Happened To Me: I'm A 22-Year Old Christian Virgin And I'm Saving Myself for Marriage

Abby Carney — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400

Am I crazy? Repressed? Am I brainwashed with legalistic doctrine that I was force fed my whole life? Actually, no.

It Happened To Me: My Optometrist Locked Me In An Exam Room And Forced Me To Pray To Jesus

Joanna Clark — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400

I was locked in an exam room at my optometrist’s office, and I was about to join hands with two technicians and the doctor while they forced me to pray to Jesus.

I'm An Abstinent Christian And Yeah, It's A Struggle

Richard Clark of Unwinnable — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:30:00 -0400

I’ve tried, but I can’t really convince myself that virgins have the most fun. And as a divorcee, well, I’m particularly screwed, pardon the pun.

Did I Get Ambushed by Religion? or I'll Take My Haircut Without the Side Sermon

Louise Hung — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:00:00 -0400

Should I have asked her, politely, to stop with all the religious talk? Am I overreacting?

I'm Superstitious! Get Me To Walk Over Three Drains At Your Peril

Natalie — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:00:00 -0400

Do you have any superstitions you simply HAVE to abide by or terrible, awful, deathly things will happen to you and your family?

It Didn’t Happen To Me But It Did Happen: Sexual Abuse In The Buddhist Community Is Not A New Phenomenon

Ren Jender — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:30:00 -0400

I wonder what would happen if the Western Buddhist community came completely clean and freely admitted to all the sexual harassment and abuse that has gone on for so many years.

It Happened To Me Contest Entry: My Affair With A Devout Christian Led To A Mental Breakdown But I’m Slowly Getting Better

IHTM CONTESTANT — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:30:00 -0500

No doubt he represents himself as Mr. Squeaky Clean Role Model to the parishioners in his wholesome Midwest hometown. They just don’t know he’s really a kinky sex maniac who’s totally into coveting thy neighbor’s wife.

A Few Of My Favorite Things That I Could Give Up For Lent

Helena — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:30:00 -0500

No, I am neither Catholic nor religious but what the hay.

Why I Should Be The Next Pope

Sara Benincasa — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:00:00 -0500

Remember the foundation of my papal philosophy: God loves everybody, but he loves women and gays the most.

It Happened To Me Contest: I Witnessed an Exorcism

IHTM CONTESTANT — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:00:00 -0500

I believe witnessing “demonic activity” or whatever it was I witnessed 15 years ago gave me post-traumatic stress disorder. I began having panic attacks every time I attended church, worried that what previously seemed like a peaceful prayer could trigger a screeching attack within me.

The Daddy Diaries, Vol. 1: My Daddy Talks to God, And GOD TALKS BACK

Paula Froelich — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:30:00 -0500

“April 5, 2012, 9:27 a.m. I was putting the pedal to the metal down old I-75 trying to get to work so the Slave Driver at the University wouldn’t try and fire me again and God said, ‘SLOW DOWN, BOB.’ Sure enough, there was a copper just waiting by the side of the road to pull me over."

I Learned How To Give Great BJs At Christian College

Slade Slately — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:30:00 -0500

My four years in Christian college left me with 40,000 dollars worth of student loan debt (let’s make you more like Jesus: super poor!), an intact hymen, and blowjob skills to die for.

Mormon Women Are Fighting To Make Pants-Wearing In Church More Socially Acceptable, And It's Not Just A Feminist Thing

Rebecca — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:30:00 -0500

Let’s be honest: Most religions, if approached by a non-believer, can sound like a zany sharp cheddar-induced dream -- night sweats optional.

It Happened to Me: My Dad Is a Roman Catholic Priest (It's Kind of Weird)

Rebecca — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:00:00 -0500

Being the priest’s kid defined me and my siblings even more so than being the children of a disabled person.

Dressing Modestly Changed My Body Image for the Better

Chaya — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:00:00 -0500

I don't have to worry if my clavicles gleam like Kate Moss's, because the collar of my shirt covers them. I don't have to compare my thighs to Gwyneth Paltrow's, since I cover them with a properly fitting skirt that covers my knees.

My Life as a Religous "None"

Helena — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:00:00 -0400

A new study out about the growing number of non-religious Americans is my new gospel.

My Sister Blocked Me On Facebook Over Chick-Fil-A

Araceli Cruz — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 18:00:19 -0400

I commented on her Facebook post supporting Chick-Fil-A’s stance against gay marriage. She said she would pray for me and that she still loves me, and that was the end of it.

On Being a Sikh Feminist

Tarnjit Kaur for The Frisky — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:00:33 -0400

Gender equality along with caste, class and religious equality are central tenets of Sikhi, the Sikh faith and way of life.

Why I Fast During Ramadan

Lina — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:00:13 -0400

This year, as Ramadan has yet again fallen on summer, our daily fast is a whopping 18 hours. I can’t eat till around 9 pm in the evening.