What is religious abuse? Dr. Laura Anderson, in her new book When Religion Hurts You, defines it as:
"The improper use of religious beliefs, teachings, doctrines, and relationships against another person. This might include harassment, humiliation, mind control, psychological abuse, isolation, threats, intimidation, minimizing, denying, blaming, asserting spiritual authority, and making it difficult to leave the religious community."
If you're experienced one or more of the above, our interview with Laura provides some strategies for processing and navigating these experiences. Laura talks with us about:
- Addressing Religious Trauma
- Downplaying Trauma
- How Diagnosing Blames the Individual
- Focusing on the Body
- Eating Disorders and EMPish Communities
- Acknowledging Before Healing
- Two-Choice Dilemmas
- Honoring Grief
- The Demonization of Anger
Check out Episode #60: Banned Books: When Religion Hurts You, with Laura Anderson (part 1 of 2) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.