This post was going to be the next in my series contemplating what a horror novel set at Principia College in the late 90s-early 2000s might entail, but a series of comments gave me pause, and I feel the need to clarify a few things. It has been a few years since I started blogging, so I felt a quick tl;dr/FAQ might be in order.

I am a former Christian Scientist. I identify mostly as a secular humanist. This blog is about my personal experiences with Christian Science, my journey away from it, and whatever else I choose to write about. Periodically, there are guest posts, they run largely unedited, and are reflections of the guest poster.

No, “Kat” is not my real name, it is a nickname. I have family still deeply seeped in CS. While those family members are now aware I have left, my religious past is not something I shout from the rooftops in my day-to-day life. I do not actively proselytize to those still in CS, and prefer to let people find my work organically.

The former-CS community is small. Sometimes we collaborate to create tools that meet a wider range of needs. I am a founding member of ExChristianScience.com, and occasionally have cross-posts there. I have had guest posts on the Emerging Gently blog, and they (and others) have had posts on this blog.

Over the years, I have been in conversation with The Fellowship of CS, including participating in their secular-friendly Get Wise program. I think the FFCS does great work, and for the CS who leave and are still seeking a church home, the FFCS provides great resources. I see us as walking on parallel paths.

If you would like to learn the official Christian Science teachings, https://christianscience.com/ is a great place to start. “Official” CS teachings are often not the same as the culture and daily practices that I, and many others, experienced and write about.

Yes, the Principia Schools and College have changed some of their policies since I was there. Most of my posts pertaining to the college are drawn from my personal experiences during my time there.

Yes, the blog has a comment policy.

If you find my blog upsetting, please stop reading, and go do something that brings you joy. Your experiences with CS may differ from mine. Your interpretations of CS may differ from mine. You’re not me, and that’s OK, it would be really weird otherwise.