What is religious abuse and religious trauma?

DIVINE All Along recognizes both "religious abuse" and "religious trauma" in our organization.  And while these terms share similarities, mental health professionals interpret them differently.  Frequently, religious abuse serves as the root cause of religious trauma, and those who have undergone abuse may exhibit symptoms of religious trauma as a result.

Religious abuse is the misuse of flawed theology, religious beliefs, and practices to inflict harm or manipulate individuals. It takes various forms, including psychological manipulation, emotional coercion, and even physical harm—all justified or perpetrated under the guise of religious authority, whether intentional or not. People of all ages, especially children, endure lasting harm from religious abuse. This form of abuse attacks fundamental values, often stripping individuals of their agency, identity, and self-trust, replacing them with a rigid set of rules, shame, and a fear of anything perceived as "outside" or "different." 

Religious trauma encompasses a broader concept, encapsulating the emotional and psychological responses to distressing events within a person's overall religious experience. This trauma arises when religious encounters become stressful, degrading, dangerous, abusive, or damaging. Traumatic religious experiences may jeopardize a person's physical, emotional, mental, sexual, or spiritual health and safety. Often, the trauma is not tied to a singular person or event but to a series of occurrences over time that reinforces a traumatizing message or fails  to provide assistance during traumatic situations.