This came up in conversation yesterday and we'd never heard of it before. The definition we found is, "Religious trauma results from an event, series of events, relationships, or circumstances within or connected to religious beliefs, practices, or structures that is experienced by an individual as overwhelming or disruptive and has lasting adverse effects on a person’s physical, mental, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being. "
We've just exited a growing repressive now mega church that taught a toooon of things to be sins that after private review we don't believe apply to us. Like the debate on here of "is swinging a sin". That has it's own thread so please don't derail. But we both still feel a little "guilt" and even shame due to 20 years of being told what we do is sinful. So RT seems to apply to us.
Has anyone heard of this and can anyone else relate?
Religious trauma is a wide and varied catch-all. The laundry list is long and varied.
Authoritarianism: Religious groups or leaders imposing strict rules, controlling behavior, or demanding unquestioning obedience can lead to feelings of powerlessness and fear.
Shame and Guilt: Religious teachings sometimes instill deep-seated feelings of shame or guilt for not living up to certain standards or for questioning beliefs.
Fear of Punishment: Belief in concepts like eternal damnation or punishment for sins can create significant anxiety and fear.
Rejection and Isolation: Leaving a religious community or questioning beliefs can lead to rejection or ostracization from family and friends within that community, causing feelings of isolation and loss.
Identity Conflicts: For individuals raised in religious environments, questioning or leaving those beliefs can lead to identity crises as they navigate who they are outside of their religious framework.
Abuse and Trauma: Unfortunately, some religious contexts can facilitate or cover up abuse, leading to deep psychological wounds.
Cognitive Dissonance: Holding onto beliefs that conflict with personal values or evidence can cause significant mental stress.
Loss of Faith: For individuals who experience a crisis of faith, losing their religious beliefs can be deeply disorienting and distressing.
I am most likely missing a few categories. There are several great articles on this. But in the end, while religion can contribute to many problems and I had many of them being a Catholic Teenager when I was younger, but many were also from a failed marriage, children when I wasn't ready, confusion over sex even as an adult. This is a real thing, but isn't the entire thing.
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