Our ex narc-elder severely/traumatically abused, exploited, coerced and utterly discarded many individuals and families. He would then point at their plight as God’s judgment on them; for either disagreeing with him or confronting him about his sinful actions. Our ex-narc elder is a malignant narcissistic sociopath, so he gets dopamine highs from emotionally hurting people – he claims he does what he does in the name of Jesus Christ to purge the local body of factious leaven. Paul warned about these wolves-in-sheep’s clothing, not sparing the flock. Please read the snippet below and learn more about this deeply traumatic abuse; links are included. A video is also included.
As always, constructive feedback is welcome: ubmrecovery@gmail.com
RELIGIOUS TRAUMA SYNDROME
Article 1 of 3 by Dr Marlene Winell
Understanding Religious Trauma Syndrome: It’s Time to Recognize It
I’m really struggling and am desperate never to go back to the religion I was raised in, but I no longer want to live in fear or depression. It seems that I am walking through the jungle alone with my machete; no one to share my crazy and sometimes scary thoughts with.
After years of depression, anxiety, anger, and finally a week in a psychiatric hospital a year ago, I am now trying to pick up the pieces and put them together into something that makes sense. I’m confused. My whole identity is a shredded, tangled mess. I am in utter turmoil.
These comments are not unusual for people suffering with Religious Trauma Syndrome, or RTS. Religious trauma? Isn’t religion supposed to be helpful, or at least benign? In the case of fundamentalist beliefs, people expect that choosing to leave a childhood faith is like giving up Santa Claus – a little sad but basically a matter of growing up.
But religious indoctrination can be hugely damaging, and making the break from an authoritarian kind of religion can definitely be traumatic. It involves a complete upheaval of a person’s construction of reality, including the self, other people, life, the future, everything. People unfamiliar with it, including therapists, have trouble appreciating the sheer terror it can create and the recovery needed.
My own awareness of this problem took some time. It began with writing about my own recovery from a fundamentalist Christian background, and very quickly, I found out I was not alone. Many other people were eager to discuss this hidden suffering. Since then, I have worked with clients in the area of “recovery from religion” for about twenty years and wrote a self-help book on the subject.
In my view, it is time for the mental health community to recognize the real trauma that religion can cause. Just like clearly naming problems like anorexia, PTSD, or bipolar disorder made it possible to stop self-blame and move ahead with treatment, we need to address Religious Trauma Syndrome. The internet is starting to overflow with stories of RTS and cries for help. On forums for former believers (such as exchristian.net), one can see the widespread pain and desperation. In response to my presentation about RTS on YouTube, a viewer commented:
Thank you so much. This is exciting because millions of people suffer from this. I have never heard of Dr. Marlene but more people are coming out to talk about this issue. Millions–who are quietly suffering and being treated for other issues when the fundamental issue is religious abuse.
For the rest of this article, please click HERE.
Video referenced above..