I bought this book when it first came out. It is a fascinating read into life in Armstrongism. Someone reading this outside of Armstrongism would be aghast at the things that went on in her family, but is instantly recognizable to anyone who has spent time in the Church of God.
Matches in the Gas Tank, A Memoir by Carla Powers
Matches in the Gas Tank, A Memoir by Carla Powers
That religion, based in the teachings and deprivation of narrow-minded, punitive ministers, tormented her dangerous alcoholic father and her entire family. Growing up, Carla never knew a woman could do anything more than she was asked—or demanded—to do. She definitely never imagined that other worlds would open up to her and she would rise to become a powerful attorney.
Matches in the Gas Tank tells the story of life inside the Radio Church of God and the influence of Herbert W. Armstrong, the Church's founder and prophet. Under his influence, Carla's family moved away from relatives and friends to Big Sandy, Texas, an enclave in which everyone lived by strict and unforgiving rules arbitrarily determined by Armstrong. His vision of how to get to "The Kingdom of God" and avoid a sea of flames consisted of unending lists of rules covering everything from food consumption, to financial responsibilities, to sexual behavior. The only way to rise above the poverty level was to become a minister, and the only way to become a minister was to continually police your neighbors for sin. Ministers were allowed to barge in a home any time of the day or night to inspect everything from the cleanliness of a family's kitchen to the contents of their tax returns.
This is the story of how Carla escaped the control of the church and found a way to deal with the legacy of abuse and shame left to her by her father. As she embraces her difficult childhood, she comes to understand that while those we love have the power to hurt us, they can't destroy us. We can find strength in unexpected places.
Anyone who has had a less-than-perfect family, has struggled with the faith of her fathers or has gone through recovery from abuse, perfectionism, or any cult of personality will connect with the power of redemption in this moving memoir.
I read it. Disturbing and sadly recognizable.
ReplyDeleteHer father was unhinged but the church did its part in pushing him further over the edge. Her father was horrible but I did feel some pity for the way the church emasculated him by treating him like a child and then making him feel a fool.
So glad to read that she was able to get out and make a better life for herself.
These days, I've got to be very careful in reading these sorts of things. When you work so diligently on your rehab, have forgiven a bunch of people, and are attempting to move on in positive directions, you've just got to guard against repolution.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm glad you posted this, because we all know that there are some people who need to be shaken into reality!
BB
I too purchased this book when it first came out. It's really moving. Carla is a very brave person.
ReplyDeleteAnother great book is "The Last Great Day" by Bejamin Mitchell. It's a different take, sort of historical fiction, except there's not much fiction to it. It's also quite a bit darker than Carla's book.