We Need Religious Trauma-Informed Churches

With the rise of churches and other institutions becoming trauma-informed, churches may fail to educate themselves on the subject of religious trauma. Religious trauma can range from sexual abuse by a religious authority figure to internalizing harmful messages heard from the pulpit. Like any other trauma, religious trauma can leave one feeling helpless or trapped. These feelings can be compounded if the trauma revolves around the fear of divine punishment.

Since the discussion of religious trauma can be seen as a threat to a church’s theology (which might be true in some cases), churches may refuse to recognize religious trauma or heavily diminish it. For example, one might dismiss distress brought on by a certain message as an overreaction or even a form of religious conviction. This can lead to self-hatred and an unhealthy church climate.

If theology becomes an issue during the process of learning about religious trauma, the church must remember that Jesus healed on the Sabbath. This means that God’s love is not present in a set of rules and rituals that don’t make any sense, but in a willingness to bend, break, or abolish them if they harm others.

Being religious trauma-informed doesn’t stop at knowing that religious trauma exists. It needs an extension of compassion to those who have suffered from it. Jesus Himself…