For some, faith and spirituality can be a source of comfort. For others, it is a source of pain—emotional, mental, physical, and/or psychological damage. As with many institutions and human-created spaces, religion has been tarnished and fostered power dynamics where folx have been oppressed, judged, and mistreated under the guise of religious authority. This blog will explore religious trauma and what it looks like when experienced, in an effort to verbalize something that you or someone you love, may be processing.

what is religious trauma?

Although religious trauma is not clinically part of symptomatology of the PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) diagnosis, there is early-stage research exploring religious trauma through the PTSD lens that hopes to gain insight into the symptoms and characteristics of this specific trauma experience. There are some researchers that are using the term RTS, Religious Trauma Syndrome, to provide increased clarity around the severity of this issue—many view it similar to Complex PTSD (another diagnosis not included in the DSM-5). You can read all about Kindman & Co.’s critique of the use of the DSM for insurance purposes due to the exclusion of relational pain and the diagnosing categories here.

So, it’s not technically a diagnosis and it hasn’t been researched significantly. However, it is still real. Religious trauma causes folx to feel alone and ashamed because of how churches ``weaponize scripture and religion to do very deep damage on the psyche,” per Pastor Mike in this New York Times article, When Religion Leads to Trauma. A population that is well-known to be hurt by the church are LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, partners, and families. Because some churches focus on the (incorrect) indoctrination that queerness is a sin, there have been countless cases of folx being shamed for their sexuality and/or gender identity, being forced into types of therapies/programs that practice conversion therapy, and being forced to not “come out” until much later in adulthood (if at all) due to internalized homophobia. 

Overall, there has been a notorious theme of a general lack of compassion and acceptance for the “other” in many religions. When we experience pain rooted in not belonging, we’re encouraged to invest more in relying on rules and norms that are thought to promote an increased feeling of belonging. 

Trauma is caused by the power dynamics at play in religious institutions—certain people holding all the power in how the Bible (or other religious doctrines) are going to be discussed and how people in their congregations are expected to behave.

Power dynamics in religious institutions can lead to folx being required to tithe (give money) a certain amount, folx feeling forced to spend all free time volunteering, specific dress codes, strict understandings of the body and sexuality, and more. When those in charge are able to “intellectually” justify their beliefs onto a religious book, or even on the voice of god itself, it provides little space for the congregation to decide for themselves. Especially when there is a group mentality, and a known social understanding that to think differently could result in ostracization from community, support, and other resources.

religious trauma, shame, & rigidity

The central cause of religious trauma is when one experiences shame and guilt more than feelings of love and acceptance. This can feel confusing since spiritual practices are typically based in love, compassion and grace. When shame attaches to you, to your idea of yourself, or to your body, then you feel isolated. This isolation can increase feelings of wrongness and difficulty accessing any sort of pleasure.

Shame is increased when there are no people in authority that are available to discuss, validate, or normalize any feelings of otherness or doubt. For those that were raised in religious institutions, there is often an arrest of childhood development. The developmentally typical curiosity of the body, sense of right/wrong, and exploration of identity is not allowed or tendered with care. From a young age, bodies are sexualized through thought processes that sex (and all thoughts associated) is a sin. Labeling biologically and psychologically normal experiences as “sin” can internalize the belief that *you* are all bad, or all evil, or need constant atonement. How exhausting. How harmful.

Furthermore, the concept of hell can be a traumatizing thought process dependent on how it is dictated. Oh, you mean threatening death with the thought of an eternal unimaginable pain on top of the unimaginable pain of this life would be traumatizing?? Turns out, yes. This ideology links back to the rigidity of thought. There is a need to be able to see gray, hold complexity in our thinking, and tolerate uncertainty in our human experience.. We do not have a way of wholly understanding what happens after death, so in having faith, we must be able to recognize that the essence of faith includes a lack of certainty.

how do i know if i have religious trauma?

The following list outlines some (not exhaustive) of the potential symptoms you may have if you are being impacted by unprocessed religious trauma:

Symptoms of Religious Trauma in Relationship with Self

• Feelings of depression, anxiety, anger, lethargy, and grief

• Low self-esteem/ increased self-doubt

• Increased feelings of shame and guilt

• Dissociation from the body

• Difficulty with pleasure

Symptoms of Religious Trauma in Relationship with Mind

• Inability to executively function and/or think clearly

• Difficulty to embrace the “gray” (rigid and/or Black and White thinking)

• Difficulty embracing any unknowns

Symptoms of Religious Trauma in Relationship with Others

• Isolation and/or belief that no one will understand

• Difficulty belonging—"culture shock”

• Social awkwardness

• Loss of social network and/or community; loneliness

• Familial ruptures

Symptoms of Religious Trauma in Relationship with Ability to Protect Self

• Fear of death

• Instilled fear of authority

• Panic attacks

• Nightmares and flashbacks

These are pretty heavy symptoms, and may feel overwhelming to read. Please know that the point of this blog (and any other information out there on religious trauma), is to show: 

there is hope. 

This hope is found in the feeling that you are not alone in your pain. Others have known and experienced the pain that you are feeling, and others have found healing.

My hope is that this blog brought you language and some knowledge regarding your, or someone you love’s, experience of religious trauma. We are relational humans—you never feel or think in isolation. Your thoughts and feelings are based in context and relationships with others. You are not alone in this process. I hope you can find a community of folx that allow your questions, doubts, fears, and vulnerabilities with compassion and grace—trust me, they’re out there.

If you have read this and wondered if you may be holding unprocessed religious trauma, and/or want to explore any of the symptoms listed above, please reach out to us for support. We have therapists who know this experience well and truly understand how complex this process is. We’re here to help.

Caitlin is also running a Healing Religious Trauma group with a start date of February 3rd. Group members will build community, explore shared experiences, and empower each other towards acceptance and confidence! If you’d like to learn more, connect with our Care Coordinator for an info session.

Caitlin Harrison is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, social justice advocate, and a feminist.  She works with individuals, intimate relationships, and families. Caitlin is a sex positive therapist with a special interest in the integration of sexuality and spirituality, womxn’s empowerment, and eradicating narratives of guilt and shame. She is passionate about working with couples because every partnership can be deepened, stretched, and more pleasure-forward.

Utilizing the relationship between client and therapist, Caitlin embodies hospitality and humor in her work which allows an inclusive and collaborative space to share all of life’s ups, downs, and in betweens. Overall, her work is focused on ensuring that you feel safe coming home to yourself. Caitlin feels at home with a cup of coffee in her hand, a bouquet of flowers nearby, and music at the ready to dance to.

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We are here for your diverse counseling needs. Our team of therapists provides lgbtqia+ affirmative therapy, couples therapy & premarital counseling, grief & loss counseling, group therapy, and more. We have specialists in trauma, women's issues, depression & anxiety, substance use, mindfulness & embodiment, and therapy for therapists. For therapists and practice owners, we also provide consultation and supervision services! We look forward to welcoming you for therapy in Highland Park and online.