Have you been questioning your religious upbringing and wondering if it caused more harm than good? If so, you're not alone. In this powerful episode of Our Collective Threads, host and trauma therapist Kelly Rhyne explores the complex and often painful topic of religious trauma. She defines trauma from a clinical perspective and applies that understanding to how religious experiences, particularly those involving the "threat to your soul," can become deeply traumatic.

Kelly delves into the core of religious trauma, explaining how it goes beyond physical harm to impact our spiritual and emotional well-being. She draws on her experience in the therapy room, a deep dive into the documentary "Shiny Happy People," and a personal reflection on her own deconstruction journey. The episode tackles difficult topics, including:

• Defining religious trauma and why it's a new field in clinical study.
• The concept of threats to the soul and how they can be more frightening than physical threats.
• How religious institutions can use manipulation and grooming to instill a sense of belonging for harmful, self-serving agendas.
• The generational trauma passed down through religious interpretations, particularly from authoritarian translations like the King James Version of the Bible.
• Practical steps for healing and deconstruction, including the importance of questioning, studying original texts, and embracing curiosity.

This is a must-listen for anyone on a journey of deconstruction, those healing from spiritual abuse, or anyone curious about the intersection of faith and mental health. Kelly encourages listeners to sit in the mystery of their beliefs and find a spirituality that is authentic and true to themselves.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Intro: What is the episode about?
• 1:18 - What is religious trauma?
• 3:45 - The definition of trauma in the clinical world
• 6:00 - How religious experiences can become traumatic
• 10:30 - How is religious trauma showing up in the world?
• 14:40 - Religious trauma and the grooming model
• 18:15 - The problem with bad translations and authoritarianism
• 23:00 - Starting your deconstruction journey
• 28:00 - Embracing mystery and curiosity in spirituality
• 32:00 - Live card reading from the Psalms deck

Connect with Kelly:

• Podcast: Listen to Our Collective Threads on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
• Instagram: @give_into_love
• TikTok: @give_into_love
• Website: www.giveintolovetherapeutics.com
• Shop: Bookish Therapy by Giving to Love

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! Tell us your thoughts on religious trauma and deconstruction in the comments below. What has your experience been like?