We began our Lenten journey by saying what so many of us have longed to say out loud: “Oh, hell no”to fear-based theology.  “Oh, hell no” —to a God whose primary motivation is punishment.  “Oh, hell no” —to a spirituality that manipulates us with threats instead of transforming us with love.

We named how fear has too often been preached as faith.  We named how eternal torment has been weaponized to control behavior.  And we began reclaiming Lent not as a season of shame—but as a season of holy resistance to fear-based theologies.