Many Christians believe they have to avoid certain behaviors that most of us consider fairly normal in order to be acceptable to God – drinking alcohol, smoking, dancing, going to the movies, playing cards, and other fairly benign behaviors. In truth, such beliefs are based in fear and low self-esteem – and they perpetuate those same feelings, always keeping the believer on edge and wondering if they have been “good enough” to avoid eternal damnation. In truth, such beliefs have nothing to do with religion or spirituality and everything to do with cult-like manipulation and control by manipulative charlatans posing as clergy.