Black Religious Trauma is real, and it can look different than other spiritual abuse experiences.
This post is part of a series of posts that I’m sharing during Spiritual Abuse Awareness Month in January 2024. You may want to check out the previous posts on the topics of Understanding Spiritual Abuse and Resources for Healing.
My goal with this post is to share some information and resources related to Black Religious Trauma. I want to acknowledge that I am not Black – I am a white, cisgender, middle-class, able-bodied, fat individual. I extend appreciation to my colleagues in this work, Nikki G. and Jonathon Carrington, LCPC for their labor in relation to the topic of Black Religious Trauma
What Is Black Religious Trauma?
First, let’s make sure we have a foundational understanding of trauma. Trauma is about how an event (or multiple events) are experienced by the individual, rather than about the specifics of the event(s). This is why 2 people can experience the same event, and one is able to move forward while the other experiences trauma symptoms within their brain and body.
As defined in this previous post, religious trauma can be defined as the physical, emotional, or psychological response to religious beliefs, practices, or structures that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope and return to a sense of safety
This definition of religious trauma provides a starting point for understanding. However, as Jonathon Carringon, LCPC, shares, “there is a need for terminology that considers the nuance and context [of Black religious trauma] beyond what is typically defined” as religious trauma.
The Black Religious Trauma Recovery Network offers a definition of Black religious trauma that offers that additional nuance and context: :
“Black Religious Trauma refers to the psychological and emotional distress experienced by individuals of the global African diaspora as a result of their involvement or interaction with religious systems, practices or institutions. It encompasses the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals of the global African diaspora within the context of their racial and religious identity.”
There are key elements to consider in the experience of Black Religious Trauma that do not exist within the experience of other racial and ethnic groups. Jonathon shares more about these elements below.
Historical and Cultural Context (from Jonathon Carrington, LCPC)
“When considering the historical and cultural factors that have shaped the experiences of individuals of the global African diaspora within religious contexts, it includes the impact of slavery, colonization, racial segregation, and systemic oppression on religious practices and beliefs.
Many enslaved native Africans in American history learned to read using the Bible as a learning mechanism. However, the Bible used was often an 1807 Slave Bible that endorsed slavery and obedience of one’s master. Enslaved Africans were given a Christian framework of suffering and abusive attachment to a divine authority figure.
These threads have carried through generations in a multitude of ways, including:
- Tensions between traditional African spiritual practices, syncretic religious expressions, and the influence of Eurocentric interpretations of Christianity;
- Conflicts, confusion, or feelings of dissonance regarding one’s faith, racial identity, or both;
- Experiences of discrimination, marginalization, or the internalization of negative racial stereotypes within religious spaces;
- Suppressed emotions and core human needs to protect oneself from further harm;
- Normalization of abuse in religious and spiritual settings due to cultural norms, make it difficult to recognize abusive behaviors of authoritarian church leadership;
- Experiences of trauma shaped by both discrimination and specific religious beliefs, teachings, and practices to which individuals are exposed.”
One Person’s Story
Jonathon also shared an example of one person’s story of Black Religious Trauma to shed light on how the impact of slavery, colonization, racial segregation, and systemic oppression:
“Jermaine was born and raised in a predominantly African American community in the southern United States. From a young age, he was immersed in the traditions and practices of the Black Church, attending services at the local church his family had been a part of for generations. The church played a central role in his upbringing, shaping his worldview and providing a sense of belonging.
Jermaine’s experience within Black churches wasn’t always positive. As he grew older, he began to notice certain aspects of his church’s teachings and practices that caused him distress. The church upheld strict gender roles, placing women in subservient positions and enforcing traditional views on marriage and family dynamics. As Jermaine questioned these beliefs, he faced backlash and condemnation from his church community.
Moreover, the church’s teachings often reinforced harmful stereotypes about race, sexuality, and mental health. Sermons and messages from church leaders perpetuated the idea that Black people were inherently sinful and in need of salvation, contributing to feelings of shame and self-doubt within Jermaine.
Jermaine also experienced discrimination within the church community. Despite his dedication and active participation, he was overlooked for leadership positions, as the church hierarchy favored individuals who aligned more closely with the conservative viewpoints upheld by the church leadership. This exclusion left Jermaine feeling marginalized and undervalued.”
Jonathon continues to provide some insight into how these experiences impacted Jermaine and what Jermaine’s path forward has looked like.
Impact on Mental Health:
“The cumulative effect of these traumatic experiences within the Black Church took a toll on Jermaine’s mental health. He developed feelings of self-doubt, shame, and internalized oppression. The church’s teachings had instilled a sense of guilt and fear, leaving him with a constant sense of inadequacy. Jermaine experienced anxiety and depression, struggling to reconcile his own beliefs and values with those imposed by the church.”
Seeking Healing and Recovery:
“Recognizing the need for healing and support, Jermaine sought therapy from a mental health professional with experience in addressing religious trauma. Through therapy, Jermaine was able to explore and validate his emotions, untangle the harmful beliefs instilled by the church, and develop a healthier understanding of spirituality.
Additionally, Jermaine found solace in connecting with others who had experienced similar religious trauma. He joined support groups and engaged in online communities that provided a safe space for sharing stories, seeking validation, and discussing the impact of religious trauma on mental health.”
Moving Forward:
“As Jermaine continues his journey of healing, he has distanced himself from the Black Church that caused him trauma. He has found spiritual fulfillment in alternative practices and communities that promote inclusivity, acceptance, and personal growth. Jermaine has become an advocate for raising awareness about religious trauma within the Black community and works to create spaces where individuals can discuss their experiences openly and without judgment.”
“Jermaine’s case exemplifies the experience of Black religious trauma, where the teachings and practices of the Black Church can have a detrimental impact on an individual’s mental health and well-being. It highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing religious trauma within communities and providing support for those who have been affected. By acknowledging these experiences and fostering spaces of healing, individuals like Jermaine can find the strength to reclaim their spirituality and nurture their mental health.”
Resources Focused on Black Religious Trauma
The Black Religious Trauma Recovery Network offers several resources related to Black Religious Trauma, and has plans for additional resources to come. The two resources that I share below are open to Black and BIPOC folks who have experienced religious trauma, as well as to allies who want to come alongside those who have experienced religious trauma in the Black Church.
PODCAST: The Surviving the Black Church podcast “sheds light and brings awareness to religious trauma and dismantles oppressive systems within the Black church.” This podcast was born out of multiple conversations that the hosts, including Nikki G. and Jonathon Carrington, LCPC, were having about their own experiences with spiritual and narcissistic abuse with the Black church and as Black individuals in other spiritual settings.
Season 1 introduces the concept of Black Religious Trauma, provides some insight into the hosts’ own experiences, and addresses the impacts on mental health. They are currently gearing up to begin releasing Season 2 episodes, so it’s a great time to give Surviving the Black Church Podcast a listen so you don’t miss a thing.
INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS: One of the main offerings of the Black Religious Trauma Recovery Network right now are online informational sessions, held every other Thursday evening. These sessions combine an informational component with a chance for discussion among those in attendance. Each informational session has a theme, such as “Signs of Abusive Leaders Within the Black Church” or “Addressing Abusive Interpretations of Scripture in the Black Church.” Jonathon and Nikki G. share information and visuals related to that theme, providing time for folks to participate verbally or via chat to share their own experiences, observations, or questions.
You can head over to the MeetUp Page for the Black Religious Trauma Recovery Network to join and be informed about upcoming informational sessions. They have plans to offer even more events and opportunities, so be on the lookout for when those become available.
The Last Word (for now)
If you are someone who has experienced spiritual abuse or religious trauma in the Black Church, I hope these resources help you gain greater understanding of your experience and move forward in healing.
For those of us who care about Black and BIPOC individuals, especially those of us who are doing the work of supporting survivors of religious trauma in a professional capacity, I encourage you to seek out resources such as those shared. Healing from the wounds of spiritual abuse requires a safe community. Resources, such as those provided by the Black Religious Trauma Recovery Network, help us be better allies within that community.
Michelle F. Moseley is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in NC. She believes ALL people deserve respect, compassion, and access to mental and physical healthcare. Michelle specializes in working with survivors of religious trauma and with those who have body image concerns, finding there is frequent overlap in these areas. You can learn more about Michelle by visiting her website at MichelleFMoseley.com or following her on Instagram – @therapy_with_michelle
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