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Christian life, ED Recovery, Faith, How to help, Recovery life  /  February 5, 2019

Goddess Ana: the religious longing of pro-anorexia communities

Many think anorexia is a physical problem. Some know it’s a mental problem. Only a few suspect it’s a spiritual problem.

One of the most disturbing aspects of eating disorders is the pseudo-religious character that it ends up taking for many people. Let’s take for example (since it’s my story) someone who has anorexia. You start by being anorexic; then you think it’s not an illness but just another lifestyle among many; then you decide it’s in fact the best one and become pro-ana; eventually, you think it’s your way, your truth, your life, and therefore your religion.

Just as satanic masses take elements from the real Mass and twist them in a sacrilegious way, the pro-ana religion take elements from Christianity and twist them to create a death cult.

Goddesses

Goddess Ana (anorexia) and goddess Mia (bulimia). In principle they’re personifications of the different disorders and you’re not supposed to actually believe in their existence as entities. However, people pray to them and, above all, ask them for forgiveness when they “sin” (see below). You can often read things like “forgive me, Ana, I’ve failed you” or “Ana is just and unsparing, Mia is merciful and benevolent” (because when you’ve “sinned” you can turn to her, if you get me). 

Why do these personifications end up being so real? Because they’re real. Behind the masks, these goddesses are just satan. He’s the one who receives that worship. That’s why an anorexic can only be killing her body, but a pro-ana is killing her soul too.

And it’s not enough to call the goddess Ana Jesus, simply swapping the names. If you do the works of the goddess Ana, it doesn’t matter who you’re offering them to. As I’ve highlighted before, your intention is not the only difference (something that should be taken into account more in religious circles).

goddess ana anorexia proana
A worshipper of the goddess Ana (aka me in the past)

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2 comments

  • Cheyenne Beatty
    September 28, 2019

    Are u pro-Ana or anti-Ana

    Reply
    • Paola
      September 30, 2019

      I used to be pro-ana, but fortunately God led me out of that sick world and now I’m anti-ana.

      Reply

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