Questioning Your Faith After Being Hurt By Your Religious Community, Use 3 Ways To Cope

DALLAS - Sept. 29, 2022 - PRLog -- By: Christine D. Gonzales-Wong, Texas A&M-San Antonio

The Supreme Court has overturned constitutional abortion rights. Congress is debating whether to codify protections for same-sex marriage. Courts have been asked to decide whether religious schools and business owners have to hire, serve or acknowledge LGBTQ members and organizations.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the Southern Baptist Convention after a consultant's report revealed a history of sexual abuse and cover-ups – and new lawsuits alleging abuse in the Catholic Church continue to appear.

As an assistant professor of counseling who studies spirituality, I have seen how controversies like these can activate memories and symptoms of religious abuse.
They can also be challenging for people who have not experienced abuse but have difficult relationships to religion – especially those who have seriously questioned or left their faith.

People may have built their world around a church or church leader, then discovered their trust was misplaced. They may have been pressured to participate in activities that went against their values, or felt blamed for their story of abuse, gender identity or sexual orientation. They may have been told to stop gossiping when they reported mistreatment.

Religious rejection can be especially painful if it seems as though it's not only a community rejecting you, but God. These experiences can evoke feelings of anxiety and depression – but there are steps you can take to begin healing.

Many Kinds Of Questions

Therapy often helps people who are wrestling with aspects of their religious lives, whether or not they've experienced abuse.

Some, especially evangelical Christians, refer to the process of rethinking their beliefs and religious identity as "deconstruction." Deconstruction involves reflecting upon one's beliefs, the way they were developed, and determining what values and beliefs one desires to maintain.

In cases in which people question their beliefs because of a painful experience, it can be difficult for them to separate their higher power from the people who hurt them through religious teachings and practices. In my experience as a counselor, I've observed individuals blame themselves; experience confusion about their faith, identity and place in the world; and wonder whether God abandoned them.

For some people, these experiences may result in leaving their faith. This process can be difficult, as family, friends and faith community members may disapprove of this decision, resulting in strained or severed relationships.

When you're questioning your faith after being hurt by your religious community, here are 3 ways to cope; recognizing abuse, counseling, connection, and community.

https://theconversation.com/when-youre-questioning-your-f...

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