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.
I’m Michelle F. Moseley, LCMHC, a licensed mental health counselor in North Carolina who specializes in working with concerns related to spiritual abuse, religious trauma, and faith deconstruction. I also have lived experience with spiritual abuse and religious trauma.
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, woman. In this post, I am drawing from the work and lived experiences of my colleagues, Nikki G. and Jonathon Carrington, LCPC. I want to thank them for their continued labor in the area of Black Religious Trauma.
What Is Black Religious Trauma?
First, let’s make sure we have a foundational understanding of trauma. Trauma is not solely about the specific event that happens. The experience of trauma is about how an event (or multiple events) are experienced by the individual. 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 (BRTRN) defines religious trauma as “the psychological and emotional harm experienced by individuals subjected to extreme control, manipulation, or abusive religious practices within a specific community.”
BRTRN also 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 is continually working to provide additional resources. When considering these resources, please ensure you are a part of the intended audience. While BRTRN does occasionally offer resources for allies, their focus is on providing support and resources for Black survivors and it is important those spaces be respected.
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 within the Black church and as Black individuals in other spiritual settings.
Topics covered have included mental health and the Black church, the impact of Christian Nationalism in the Black church, characteristics of abusive leaders, and the role of holiness and sanctification in the Black church.
SUPPORT GROUP: BRTRN offers bi-weekly virtual support groups that provide a trauma-informed space designed for the healing and recovering of Black survivors. These groups currently meet on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month at 7pm ET. Each session has a theme and incorporates both guided discussion and opportunities for shared reflection.
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 your 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 with the Black community.
Michelle F. Moseley (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in NC (#12491). 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. She also frequently supports late-identified neurodivergent individuals as they navigate the grief and relief of a new understanding of self. 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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