• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Religious Trauma Syndrom and Toxic Religion

IndigoChild5559

Loving God and my neighbor as myself.
Among mental health professionals, there is a form of trauma that is recognized and treated. It is called Religious Trauma Syndrome. You can read more about this here: Religious trauma syndrome - Wikipedia

My question surrounds the origins of this pathology, which is basically a toxic religious envirnoment. We would all agree that religions like People's Temple (Jonestown) and the Branch Dividians (Waco) were dangerous toxic religions. But what exactly is it that makes a religion toxic? What exactly is it that it harming the psyches of so many people? Where is the dividing line between a religion that is correlated with mental health, and one that destroys it?

I'll start with a few ideas and you can agree or disagree and perhaps add your own criteria.

  • A charismatic authoritarian leader
  • Suppression of questions
  • Use of fear to keep people in line (shunning, hell)
  • Members are required to hold a narrow, rigid set of beliefs
  • Suspicion and disdain for those outside the faith
  • Literal interpretation of religious text
  • Undo control over the lives of members
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
  • A charismatic authoritarian leader
  • Suppression of questions
  • Use of fear to keep people in line (shunning, hell)
  • Members are required to hold a narrow, rigid set of beliefs
  • Suspicion and disdain for those outside the faith
  • Literal interpretation of religious text
  • Undo control over the lives of members
That well sums up any Southern Baptist church I've been to. My last one even threw away literature in the church library if the author was of a different denomination. Amd I can personally attest that nightmares of going to Hell are terrifying and leave a long-lasting impression, and all the damnation, threats of damnation and mountain of stressors from such rigid expectations are just no good for anyone to grow up with, especially as it's prone to leading to self hatred, low self esteem and a lack of confidence (it's all "god's" doing because we're all lowly worms).
 

The Hammer

[REDACTED]
Premium Member
Among mental health professionals, there is a form of trauma that is recognized and treated. It is called Religious Trauma Syndrome. You can read more about this here: Religious trauma syndrome - Wikipedia

My question surrounds the origins of this pathology, which is basically a toxic religious envirnoment. We would all agree that religions like People's Temple (Jonestown) and the Branch Dividians (Waco) were dangerous toxic religions. But what exactly is it that makes a religion toxic? What exactly is it that it harming the psyches of so many people? Where is the dividing line between a religion that is correlated with mental health, and one that destroys it?

I'll start with a few ideas and you can agree or disagree and perhaps add your own criteria.

  • A charismatic authoritarian leader
  • Suppression of questions
  • Use of fear to keep people in line (shunning, hell)
  • Members are required to hold a narrow, rigid set of beliefs
  • Suspicion and disdain for those outside the faith
  • Literal interpretation of religious text
  • Undo control over the lives of members


The Advanced Bonewits' Cult Danger Evaluation Frame

The higher the score the more dangerous the organization.
 

Viker

Häxan
That well sums up any Southern Baptist church I've been to. My last one even threw away literature in the church library if the author was of a different denomination. Amd I can personally attest that nightmares of going to Hell are terrifying and leave a long-lasting impression, and all the damnation, threats of damnation and mountain of stressors from such rigid expectations are just no good for anyone to grow up with, especially as it's prone to leading to self hatred, low self esteem and a lack of confidence (it's all "god's" doing because we're all lowly worms).
My experience was basically the same. The SBC is definitely toxic and always on the border of being a full blown cult. There are some of the churches under their watch I believe are full blown cult.
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
My experience was basically the same. The SBC is definitely toxic and always on the border of being a full blown cult. There are some of the churches under their watch I believe are full blown cult.
From what I've seen and went through they are a full blown cult, and have mastered using guilt, shame and fear to keep the flock in line. I'll even go tit-for-tat and "defend" (in a way) Jonestown just to establish the point it's really not much different. They just have an invisible central figure speaking to them through a book.
 

Hermit Philosopher

Selflessly here for you
Among mental health professionals, there is a form of trauma that is recognized and treated. It is called Religious Trauma Syndrome. You can read more about this here: Religious trauma syndrome - Wikipedia

My question surrounds the origins of this pathology, which is basically a toxic religious envirnoment. We would all agree that religions like People's Temple (Jonestown) and the Branch Dividians (Waco) were dangerous toxic religions. But what exactly is it that makes a religion toxic? What exactly is it that it harming the psyches of so many people? Where is the dividing line between a religion that is correlated with mental health, and one that destroys it?

I'll start with a few ideas and you can agree or disagree and perhaps add your own criteria.

  • A charismatic authoritarian leader
  • Suppression of questions
  • Use of fear to keep people in line (shunning, hell)
  • Members are required to hold a narrow, rigid set of beliefs
  • Suspicion and disdain for those outside the faith
  • Literal interpretation of religious text
  • Undo control over the lives of members

I think the most distinctive trait of a cult is that its members become alienated from outsiders and, with time, entirely emotionally dependent on each other. This makes it very hard for those who wish to leave; especially as the are often excommunicated once they do.

Humbly,
Hermit
 

idea

Question Everything
Among mental health professionals, there is a form of trauma that is recognized and treated. It is called Religious Trauma Syndrome. You can read more about this here: Religious trauma syndrome - Wikipedia

My question surrounds the origins of this pathology, which is basically a toxic religious envirnoment. We would all agree that religions like People's Temple (Jonestown) and the Branch Dividians (Waco) were dangerous toxic religions. But what exactly is it that makes a religion toxic? What exactly is it that it harming the psyches of so many people? Where is the dividing line between a religion that is correlated with mental health, and one that destroys it?

I'll start with a few ideas and you can agree or disagree and perhaps add your own criteria.

  • A charismatic authoritarian leader
  • Suppression of questions
  • Use of fear to keep people in line (shunning, hell)
  • Members are required to hold a narrow, rigid set of beliefs
  • Suspicion and disdain for those outside the faith
  • Literal interpretation of religious text
  • Undo control over the lives of members

Kids are traumatized when they learn Santa isn't real. No cult needed, just false beliefs.

I went through it, from believer - it's your life/love/outlook - to "santa"/God isn't real. Your entire outlook, beliefs, identity changes when you learn the truth.
 

Viker

Häxan
Kids are traumatized when they learn Santa isn't real. No cult needed, just false beliefs.

I went through it, from believer - it's your life/love/outlook - to "santa"/God isn't real. Your entire outlook, beliefs, identity changes when you learn the truth.
I don't think it's the same at all. It didn't hurt me to learn that Santa and Peter Cottontail were big fat phonies. No sweat. No tears. No big deal. A minister telling a little already traumatized child that a beloved recently departed family member, from another religion, is going to hell is beyond abuse and cruelty. It should be criminalized and harshly punished.
 
Last edited:

idea

Question Everything
I don't think it's the same at all. It didn't hurt me to learn that Santa and Peter Cottontail were big fat phonies. No sweat. No tears. No big deal. A minister telling a little already traumatized child that a beloved recently departed family member, from another religion, is going to hell is beyond abuse and cruelty. It should be criminalized and harshly punished.

The point is - any mainstream normal religion can cause trauma - not just "cults"

It is a fine line, forcing fact checks on everyone and freedom of speech, freedom to preserve culture.

Krampus was taught to children too.
 

Father Heathen

Veteran Member
Kids are traumatized when they learn Santa isn't real. No cult needed, just false beliefs.

I went through it, from believer - it's your life/love/outlook - to "santa"/God isn't real. Your entire outlook, beliefs, identity changes when you learn the truth.
Discovering that Santa isn't real isn't quite as traumatic as being kept submissive and servile via fear, shame, guilt, cohersion, manipulation, indoctrination, etc.
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I don't think it's the same at all. It didn't hurt me to learn that Santa and Peter Cottontail were big fat phonies. No sweat. No tears. No big deal. A minister telling a little already traumatized child that a beloved recently departed family member, from another religion, is going to hell is beyond abuse and cruelty. It should be criminalized and harshly punished.
I think the blow is softened if things are explained intelligently and honestly.

Like Santa isn't real but the spirit of goodwill and giving keeps Santa alive in people's hearts and minds as adults. A rite of passage that evolves without total and complete disillusionment once the truth is told and things fall into perspective.

Sadly, Hell seems to be the reverse of that.
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
I've experienced religious trauma, left community, 180 changed beliefs, triggered by religious buildings/people.
If you can compare it to learning Santa isn't real I am forced to question your perspective on this subject.
 

idea

Question Everything
If you can compare it to learning Santa isn't real I am forced to question your perspective on this subject.

For some kids, Santa is a big deal. Christmas loses some of its sparkle when that magic is gone.

Same with loss of God, the magic is gone, life feels empty.

20230131_155939.jpg


with time, new beliefs form, a greater appreciation of nature, ability to live with uncertainty, acceptance of what is. With time, you hold the emptiness differently.
20230129_151606.jpg


You live without God, but have a peaceful smile about it.
 

idea

Question Everything
I think the blow is softened if things are explained intelligently and honestly.

Like Santa isn't real but the spirit of goodwill and giving keeps Santa alive in people's hearts and minds as adults. A rite of passage that evolves without total and complete disillusionment once the truth is told and things fall into perspective.

Sadly, Hell seems to be the reverse of that.

Yes, you keep a belief in love, a belief in repentance, a belief in gratitude - keep.


...Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things that a man needs to believe in the most: that people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love, true love, never dies. You remember that, Boy. You remember that. No matter if they're true or not, a man should believe in those things because those are the things worth believing in.
 
Last edited:

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
For some kids, Santa is a big deal. Christmas loses some of its sparkle when that magic is gone.

Same with loss of God, the magic is gone, life feels empty.

View attachment 71514

with time, new beliefs form, a greater appreciation of nature, ability to live with uncertainty, acceptance of what is. With time, you hold the emptiness differently.
View attachment 71515

You live without God, but have a peaceful smile about it.
You haven't came close to anything resembling trauma. Yours is an assumption of nihilism. I am talking about when someone is shamed and guilted into developing unhealthy attitudes of sex, controlled through threats of Hell and an angry god, and traumatized to the point of self hatred and nightmares.
 

idea

Question Everything
I don't think it's the same at all. It didn't hurt me to learn that Santa and Peter Cottontail were big fat phonies. No sweat. No tears. No big deal. A minister telling a little already traumatized child that a beloved recently departed family member, from another religion, is going to hell is beyond abuse and cruelty. It should be criminalized and harshly punished.

That is horrific, sorry you had to go through that.

I left after priest abused my kids, and congregation supported priest (he is in jail now, for life, no parole under Jessica's law).

It's not "cults" that do this, it's mainstream religions that do this. As seemingly innocent as Santa.
 

idea

Question Everything
You haven't came close to anything resembling trauma. Yours is an assumption of nihilism. I am talking about when someone is shamed and guilted into developing unhealthy attitudes of sex, controlled through threats of Hell and an angry god, and traumatized to the point of self hatred and nightmares.

I've had nightmares. Yes, yes, and yes. I'm still taking care of those kids, some adults now.


The gold lining to that cloud - using Santa as a metaphor - from presents delivered by Santa, to appreciation of where those presents really come from, real is better.

Loss of God- gain yourself. Find your own inner strength, your own light. Much better to believe in yourself than God.
 
Last edited:
Top