Deconstruction of Faith
Faith may have once been a source of comfort and support. Leaders of religious organizations were supposed to be trustworthy and knowledgeable of righteousness.
Yet over time, some of the teachings didn’t align with your values. They left you feeling hurt, shame, and hypocritical. Fear of never being good enough permeated your sense of worth or the worthiness of people you love.
Questioning doctrine and behaviors was met with judgment, making you think something was wrong with you. It took leaving the unhealthy church culture for you to recognize the traumatizing impact on your life and or your family.
Religious trauma occurs when a person’s religious experience is stressful, degrading, dangerous, abusive or emotionally damaging via manipulation or contempt. These experiences may harm or threaten to harm someone’s physical, emotional, mental, sexual, or spiritual health and safety.
Faith Deconstruction
Faith Deconstruction is a Christian phenomenon where people unpack, rethink, and examine their belief systems and teachings that ultimately feel unchristlike. It’s a process that helps us make room for and make sense of new information that doesn’t fit old paradigms.
Deconstruction is actually part of the cycle of spiritual renewal. Like all cycles of the seasons, it requires the death of the old before something better can germinate, take root, and grow in its place.
Healing from Wounds and Religious Trauma
It takes courage to step out and deconstruct your beliefs. There is often doubt, fear and ostracization when questioning what’s been taught, affirmed, and condemned.
Healing requires a safe place to explore trauma and reconstruct new beliefs about yourself and others that reject fear, and embrace love and acceptance.
