One of the most challenging aspects of discussing religious trauma is its relationship to the idea of religious abuse. Some individuals may be reluctant to consider their experiences traumatic because to them that implies abuse, and abuse implies a kind of intention. But trauma and abuse are not the same thing, and religious abuse need … Continue reading Religion Gone Wrong: Abuse vs. Trauma
Last time, I introduced this series that I’m calling “Religion Gone Wrong,” about the negative impacts religion can have on people’s lives, and what we can do about it. It’s interesting for me to frame the issues in this way because my approach here on the blog has been intentionally very positive, wanting to uphold … Continue reading Religion Gone Wrong: Religion That Works, Religion That Doesn’t
[Today's reading is the wonderful Parable of the Tenants, which to my mind offers us Jesus' clearest picture of how he understood his ministry. Since I'm still transitioning between series, I thought I'd share these words from 2023 about it. (I've also since done an Integral Reading on it as part of my series on … Continue reading The Cross from Jesus’ Perspective: A Reflection on Matthew 21.33-46 (REPOST)
It’s become a bit of a tradition here that every Fall, I do a series that uses another set of ideas as a sort of mirror through which to better understand Christian faith. It’s become my favourite blogging tradition. In the past I’ve done Integral theory, Indigenous wisdom, permaculture design, and Bhuddhist thought (with one … Continue reading Religion Gone Wrong: Introduction
One of the books I reference most often here is Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It tells the story of a Nigerian girl whose abusive father uses their Christian faith as a weapon to control her. This is an all-too-common theme in literature — not because literature has it out for Christianity or faith … Continue reading Wisdom IN Literature: The Novice of Holloway Hall and The Winter Witch on Religious Abuse
