The Desert Sanctuary

Evolving From Religious Trauma Course – Lesson 8 – Thriving Outside Religion

December 4, 2024

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I went to church for most of my life. Much of that was in conservative, evangelical congregations. There were some positive aspects of being in a community with loving people. But I also understand that there are deep, systemic problems with religious organizations. In addition to trauma-related issues, organizations struggle with exclusion, othering, fear, and control. The trouble with reform is that organizations prefer to stay the same.

It is impossible to change them in any significant way once they have any level of success. However, surviving spiritually and even thriving outside the organization is also possible. We meet new people each day who are surviving and thriving and have been doing so for years. They still have their spirituality even though they might have given up their religion. I think it is because they realize that much of what they were searching for is inside them.