Ex-Evangelical Pastor Reveals Why Fear-Based Religion Conditions Members for Authoritarianism episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 28, 2026 · 47 MIN

Ex-Evangelical Pastor Reveals Why Fear-Based Religion Conditions Members for Authoritarianism

from Cults to Consciousness

Brian Recker is a former Evangelical Pastor who spent about eight years in ministry before stepping away from traditional evangelicalism. He grew up as the son of a Baptist preacher and attended the fundamentalist Bob Jones University. Now, he speaks up about a love-centered relationship with God as interpreted by the Bible and shares why it’s common for people to fall into Authoritarian based control when they are already in a fear-based or high control religion. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch our initial interview with Brian hereBrian’s Book:  “Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love”Follow Brian on social media!IG: https://www.instagram.com/berecker/Substack: https://brianrecker.substack.com/Brian’s link tree: https://linktr.ee/bereckerSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.**See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brian Recker is a former Evangelical Pastor who spent about eight years in ministry before stepping away from traditional evangelicalism. He grew up as the son of a Baptist preacher and attended the fundamentalist Bob Jones University. Now, he speaks up about a love-centered relationship with God as interpreted by the Bible and shares why it’s common for people to fall into Authoritarian based control when they are already in a fear-based or high control religion. Click here to watch on YouTubeWatch our initial interview with Brian hereBrian’s Book:  “Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love”Follow Brian on social media!IG: https://www.instagram.com/berecker/Substack: https://brianrecker.substack.com/Brian’s link tree: https://linktr.ee/bereckerSubscribe to our C2C "CLIPS" Channel!Support C2C - Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast.Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cultstoconsciousnessVenmo @sheliseannFind us on Social media!Instagram @cultstoconsciousness Host Instagram @sheliseann Co Producer / Host @jonathan.rosales_ TikTok @cults.to.consciousness Twitter @cultstocon **Disclaimer: This podcast provides a platform for guests to share their personal experiences and opinions. The views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or producers. Any allegations discussed are unverified and represent personal accounts only. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The podcast assumes no legal responsibility for statements made by guests.** See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Ex-Evangelical Pastor Reveals Why Fear-Based Religion Conditions Members for Authoritarianism

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This episode was published on January 28, 2026.

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Brian Recker is a former Evangelical Pastor who spent about eight years in ministry before stepping away from traditional evangelicalism. He grew up as the son of a Baptist preacher and attended the fundamentalist Bob Jones University. Now, he...

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