*Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this institute.
*Potential Triggers
*I am not a trauma expert or a trained therapist. The discussion surrounding the topic of religious trauma may be of help to those who are interested.
On a personal level, I could have, would have benefited many years ago in a therapeutic setting with a trauma-informed, trauma-trained therapist. The topic of trauma is ever evolving and in years past unless in a therapeutic setting, I shied away from openly talking about it because people often thought of trauma as only a war-time/soldier issue. So if you brought it up they’d look at you like you were a nut for comparing your trauma to that of a soldier on the battlefield. How dare I!
I’ve learned that trauma is not about comparing.
It’s more than just the details of the experience or experiences.
In a religious setting some people may hear: “You’re going to hell” and think to themselves, oh shut up you moron and walk away untouched by such a comment.
Another person can hear the same phrase and end up scared to death and not be able to get themselves out of feeling trapped, stuck &/or paralyzed by it. If you could think yourself out of it you would. With trauma you can think until the cows come home (I have so many cows in my pasture) and still not change the effects on the body.
When it comes to religious trauma for many of us we were in a battle. We were soldiers. Marching for Jesus. Good vs. Evil. Spiritual Warfare and more.
Some people can hear stories about Noah and the Ark and only think about cute little child-like animals. No harm done to them physiologically.
Some people can hear the story and think to themselves, Oh my god, those human beings and animals all gasping for their last breath while struggling to survive! And quite frankly, get stuck there with fear. Oh you can go on in life and it seems okay on the outside but inside you are virtually stewing in a loop of survival mode.
Sometimes traumatic experiences are a one-time thing. Often within the context of religion there can be layers upon layers. Someone like me who had layers of trauma in her life from the get-go is vulnerable to a pile up on the freeway of trauma crashes. Life and death. That’s how trauma hit me.
I’ve been trying to understand my trauma for more than half of my life. In therapeutic settings I often felt like I was the teacher trying to open the therapist up to the idea that there can be trauma related to religion too. That within the context of religion there are soldiers who are suffering shell-shock and who are isolated, and trapped. Afraid to move left or right, backwards or forwards for fear of the next IED exploding. Some of us even at times just lay down and want to die. It’s a thing . . . is what I’m trying to say. Understand as well, that Christianity was my experience. There are others who have suffered in a religious context outside of Christianity. I know I’m not alone.
I’m not an expert at all. I’m on a journey of understanding my pain, of always working towards healing and recovery. The topic is vast and honestly for me at times, over-whelming. It’s also worth my effort and I’m worth it to always keep moving towards a place of peace, empathy self-compassion and safety.
Please understand again, this is my story, my truth, me moving forward in my healing . . . I am not a licensed therapist.
Secular Wings 