Religious trauma still haunts millions of LGBTQ Americans. Some mental health experts are advocating for religious trauma to be considered an official disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Religious trauma occurs when an individual’s religious upbringing has lasting adverse effects on their physical, mental or emotional well-being, according to the Religious Trauma Institute. Symptoms can include guilt, shame, loss of trust and loss of meaning in life. …
Experts say LGBTQ people — who represent more than 7% of the U.S. population, according to a 2023 Gallup poll — experience religious trauma at disproportionate rates and in unique ways. Very little research has been done in this field, but a 2022 study found that LGBTQ people who experience certain forms of religious trauma are at increased risk for suicidality, substance abuse, homelessness, anxiety and depression.
— Spencer Macnaughton (2024), “Religious trauma still haunts millions of LGBTQ Americans,” NBC News.
Month: January 2024
Review: The Book of Mormon
We went to see the stage show of The Book of Mormon at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. I haven’t laughed so much for ages. It was hilarious. It’s also making some serious points about religion.
In the interval, I was amused to overhear someone saying “There’s a lot of swearing in it.” Well duh, it was written by the creators of South Park. Of course there’s swearing in it.
The set design, choreography, lighting, acting, and music were all outstanding. I especially loved the sparkly lighting when Elder Price was on the stage.
The libretto also explains how Mormonism developed and what their founding myth is. It’s even freakier and less plausible than you thought.
I will try not to reveal too much of the plot — but from here on out there will be spoilers.
Continue readingReverting to your old path
A helpful article from John Beckett on the type of people who revert out of Pagan traditions and back to their original path.
John urges compassion and empathy for people who leave Pagan paths for another religion, and offers suggestions for deepening your understanding of Pagan ideas so that you can avoid reverting.
Continue reading
Changing Paths 