This is not an easy task, nor is there only one answer to what defines “religious trauma.”

It’s complicated.

When we hear the words “religious trauma or abuse” or “spiritual trauma or abuse” our thoughts might go to stories we’ve read or seen on the news throughout our lives. You might remember Jim Jones and The People’s Temple in the 70’s, or The Waco Siege, or Massacre of The Branch Davidians in the 90’s.

Getting people to drink poison, or a government stand-off with a religious sect that led to the deaths of dozens of people, seems a bit extreme, and it is. The people who lived through these tragedies suffered in untold ways all in the “name of God” and “for God”. They suffered under an extreme false belief system and developed Stockholm Syndrome as they aligned themselves with their religious captors.

So, we can for sure state the obvious here; these are examples of “religious trauma”.

But, what about the not so obvious, the subtle, seemingly not too harmful, and even sometimes hidden kinds of “religious trauma?” The kind we don’t talk about and that goes unresolved for years, decades, and even lifetimes. Or the kind that is experienced behind closed doors in good “Christian” homes.

LET’S DEVELOP THESE THOUGHTS BY ASKING SOME QUESTIONS.

• How is a child affected when religious leaders and teachers are not truly converted, but serve in positions of being examples of God’s Character?
• How does a “legalistic” approach to religion affect a person throughout their lives?
• How is your connection to God, or understanding of who He is, affected when force or control surrounding religion is used?
• What happens to a person when they are not treated as individuals, equals, or respected as free moral agents?
• What about when unhealthy or mentally unstable people without proper boundaries require we follow “their form of religion” (my way or the highway)?
• What about when there is so much truth, goodness, and even kindness, but a person is kept in check subtly by guilt, shame, or fear of exclusion?
• What about being in a situation where one person is in control and there are no “checks and balances” or accountability?
• What about the types of religious leadership where they are never wrong and you have no voice?
• What about being in an exclusive religious group that fears being tainted or influenced by those outside of the group?
• What about groups that require you cut off your family and friends in some form or another, and your social interactions are screened (exclusivity)?
• What if you don’t comply to the implied rules and there is threat of exclusion if you don’t have the “right spirit”.

I’m sure there are more questions we can ask but this is enough “food for thought” to demonstrate this is a complicated subject that is extremely hard to make an exact definition.

But for simplicity’s sake, I’d like to present two definitions.

The first, I found in a Google search and it seems accurate and helpful.

The second is my own after a lifetime of seeing these abuses all around me.

Then, we’ll get to some of the common aspects, signs, symptoms, and outcomes of religious trauma and touch just a bit about where this all started. Then, as promised, back to my personal story and recovery.

I like this account because it mentions “our core spiritual values and goals” as being threatened or damaged. It makes sense this can be, or feel, very serious. Also, this definition doesn’t disqualify religion but states the damage comes from someone’s “interpretation” of religion. This can certainly include generational traumas, patterns, prejudices, and false beliefs that have been passed down to us.

After all, for most people, religion is a source of strength in difficult times and can give guidance throughout life’s challenging moments. It can also supply a much-needed sense of belonging and support. So it’s important to realize here the abuse comes either directly from a religious figure of some kind or from being raised with a toxic or overbearing “false” interpretation.

Can you relate to either of these definitions?

Do you have a definition of your own from your own experience?

It’s important to note that religious trauma is a complex and nuanced phenomenon, and its impact varies from person to person. Some individuals may experience religious trauma acutely, while others may carry the effects into their lives in more subtle ways.

So, we see that religious trauma, also known as spiritual or faith-based trauma refers to the psychological, emotional, and sometimes physical harm that can arise from one’s religious or spiritual beliefs, practices, or experiences.

It occurs when individuals encounter distressing events or dynamics within a religious context that lead to long-lasting negative effects on their well-being.

There’s no doubt religious trauma is serious and can have lasting effects. Often, it leaves ‘cracks in the foundation‘ of the most sacred parts of our soul.

It can also keep us from “seeing” God and experiencing HIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

OK, let’s look briefly at how people are affected by these kinds of abuses.

You, or someone you know, may have experienced one or more of these symptoms. Just know, you’re not alone.

• I feel disconnected from God
• I never feel good enough
• I don’t understand God or feel unconditionally loved
• I don’t feel accepted as I am by God
• I don’t trust God or His Providential Leading in my life
• I don’t trust people
• I find it hard to form deep connections with others
• I feel empty
• I’m angry at God

You can take the survey for yourself here 👉 RELIGIOUS TRAUMA SURVEY

Go ahead. I’ll wait.

Thank you for contributing to my ongoing research surrounding those healing from religious trauma.  I hope you found it helpful as well.

AND

For you statistic geeks: 👉 after you submit your survey data, you’ll receive an email with a link to the final report revealing the most common challenges and answers.

So now, just to bring things into perspective, I think there is one more important question to ask before we move on and get back to my story.

At that exact moment, when the Great Deceiver began misrepresenting God and infiltrating heaven with disbelief and wrong thinking about who God was and what “kind of character” He possessed.

The first lies reverberated consequences that will last for ETERNITY.

Namely, the permanent casting out of one-third of the angels in heaven.

Now, that’s some serious “religious trauma” to consider. And while those angels did not recover from it, we at this moment in time, right now in this world, can recover and find a deep connection to God and understand HIS TRUE CHARACTER.

Now, on to the rest of my personal story and recovery.