The podcast explores religious trauma, discussing personal stories, therapeutic professions, menopause, music influence, childhood teachings, sexual abuse in religious families, Christian nationalism impact, deconstructing Adventism beliefs, humanist spirituality, career transitions, healing from religious trauma, distinguishing church hurt, and promoting recovery resources.
02:24:33
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Religious trauma can be caused by fear of eternal damnation, end times anxiety, spiritual abuse, power imbalances, and the inescapable psychological and emotional impact of religious ideologies.
Understanding the complexity of religious trauma allows for a more comprehensive approach to healing and recovery.
Signs of religious trauma can vary and may include anxiety, depression, guilt or shame, fear of punishment, difficulty with religious rituals, and strained relationship with spirituality or religious beliefs.
Healing from religious trauma involves acknowledging the impact of religious experiences and beliefs on one's well-being and engaging in a process of recovery.
Reclaiming rest and slowing down is crucial after experiencing religious trauma, emphasizing the importance of embodiment, rest, and listening to one's body.
Deep dives
Upbringing in Seventh Day Adventism
The speaker grew up in a Seventh Day Adventist household, where apocalyptic prophetic imagery and strict adherence to the Sabbath were prominent.
Slow Process of Deconstruction
The speaker's deconstruction and healing from religious trauma was a gradual process, with some significant moments of realization along the way. Exposure to academic study and a more inclusive understanding of LGBTQ+ issues played a role in challenging beliefs.
LGBTQ+ Affirmation and Non-Affirming Ideologies
The speaker's journey out of Adventism was also influenced by recognizing the harm caused by non-affirming ideologies towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
Religious Trauma and Anxiety
While the speaker did not experience acute instances of religious trauma, the fear of eternal judgment, the focus on making sure one's sins are confessed, and the anxiety around salvation led to significant anxiety within their religious upbringing.
Religious Trauma: Understanding the Impact
Religious trauma is a form of trauma that arises from religious experiences and beliefs. It is characterized by the physiological distress and overwhelming feelings that result from religious teachings, practices, or abusive situations within a religious context. Religious trauma can be caused by fear of eternal damnation, end times anxiety, spiritual abuse, power imbalances, and the inescapable psychological and emotional impact of religious ideologies. It is important to note that religious trauma is trauma, and it exhibits similar effects on the body and mind as other forms of trauma. Understanding religious trauma helps provide validation, support, and resources for those who have experienced it.
The Complexity of Religious Trauma
Religious trauma, like other forms of trauma, can be complex and multifaceted. It is not solely determined by the presence of a single traumatic event, but rather by the cumulative impact of religious teachings, experiences, and the resulting physiological distress. This trauma can stem from both overtly abusive situations within religious organizations, as well as the psychological and emotional impact of religious ideologies. It may manifest as a result of fear, shame, guilt, or the distress caused by religious doctrines and expectations. Understanding the complexity of religious trauma allows for a more comprehensive approach to healing and recovery.
Recognizing the Signs of Religious Trauma
Signs of religious trauma can vary and may include anxiety, depression, feelings of guilt or shame, fear of punishment or eternal damnation, difficulty with religious rituals, and a strained relationship with spirituality or religious beliefs. It is important to recognize that people may experience religious trauma regardless of the specific events they have encountered. The impact of religious trauma is subjective and deeply personal, and validation and support are crucial in the healing process.
Navigating Healing from Religious Trauma
Healing from religious trauma involves acknowledging the impact of religious experiences and beliefs on one's well-being and engaging in a process of recovery. This may involve therapy, support groups, self-reflection, and unlearning harmful religious teachings. Recognizing and understanding the effects of religious trauma can help individuals create new narratives and belief systems that support their mental and emotional well-being. It is a journey that requires patience, self-compassion, and the willingness to challenge and explore one's religious beliefs and experiences.
Reclaiming Rest and Slowing Down
The speaker highlights the importance of reclaiming rest and slowing down, especially after experiencing religious trauma. They share their personal experience of undergoing a hysterectomy and the six-week recovery period that forced them to focus solely on healing. This experience made them realize the unsustainability of their previous fast-paced lifestyle and the need to prioritize rest and listen to their body. They emphasize the importance of embodiment, rest, and slowing down as a key aspect of their reclamation process.
Using Social Media and Community as Resources
The speaker acknowledges the role of social media in providing resources, community, and validation for individuals who have experienced religious trauma. They highlight the power of connecting with others who share similar experiences and can offer support and understanding. They mention that social media can be a valuable platform for finding resources, books, podcasts, and other content related to religious trauma. The speaker emphasizes the importance of utilizing these resources when professional therapy or coaching may not be accessible or affordable.
For our first episode we will be discussing one of the questions we get asked the most: what is religious trauma? But before that, we’ll be taking “prayer requests”, have flannelgraph storytime and Andrew and Laura will share a bit of their own story!
Sunday School Dropouts is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery.
Music is by Benjamin Faye and you can find him on Instagram at @heytherebenji
Editing and production by Kevin Crowe
If you like what you’ve heard today we would love for you to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts
If you’re interested in finding a trauma-informed practitioner, go to www.traumaresolutionandrecovery.com to schedule your free inquiry call with a practitioner of your choice or follow us on Instagram at @traumaresolutionandrecovery
