Religion can be a beautiful thing. It can unite people, offer comfort in difficult times, and inspire individuals to lead more meaningful lives. But when religion becomes toxic, it can do just the opposite. It can tear people apart, cause pain and trauma, and inspire individuals to do unspeakable things in the name of their faith. So, what exactly is toxic religion, how can you spot it, and why should you steer clear of it? Let’s find out!
Leaving a traumatic religious experience usually leaves you feeling lost, confused, and unsure of who you are and what you believe. Learning to trust yourself is possible, and it starts with these simple steps:
During deconstruction, many of us step back from attending church, but some events like funerals, weddings, and holiday celebrations draw us back into spaces that feel risky. So, what do you do when you ‘need’ to go, but your body is panicking, or you aren’t sure what to say, how to act, or if you even want to go?
It’s important to remember you can always say no to an event and respectfully decline, but sometimes you need to be in a Christian space because it’s important to you or someone you love. With that in mind, let’s dive into six ways of navigating Christian events while deconstructing your faith.
Do you have someone in your life who is deconstructing and you aren’t sure how to handle it? Do you just know their condemned to hell, or are on the wrong path? As much as you fear for someone, it’s not the stature you should take when talking with someone who is deconstructing their faith. I honor the trust it takes to really listen, so here’s how Christians should respond to those deconstructing their faith.
During the COVID restrictions of 2020, and 2021, many evangelical leaders mistakenly believed that as soon as restrictions were lifted, there would be a revival in church attendance and a zeal for all things Christian. But that’s the opposite of what happened. Because of the sharp drop, many pastors, and Christians are asking themselves, “Why are so many people deconstructing their faith lately?”
During deconstruction, there are a lot of moving pieces. And there are a lot of beliefs shifting. One of the most crucial things you can do is turn your language away from the shame-based scarcity mindset of toxic religion and towards a spiritual life that nourishes you. But what if you can’t discern what shame-based scarcity is versus what is true? I’ve got you, my friend! Here are ten things to stop saying during faith deconstruction
Reading books on a wide variety of topics is a key aspect of deconstructing your faith. I know it has been for me! Over the years, I’ve given and received many recommendations in this genre. Since I’m often asked for these resources, I decided to compile what I hope will be an evolving list that we, as a community, continue adding to as we deconstruct toxic religious culture. Let me know in the comments below what you’ll be adding to your TBR pile!
Deconstructing your faith is hard and can be even more complicated when you’re raising kids in the midst of your questioning. There are a lot of great books out there for adults, but it can be a little more challenging to find books for kids that represent a...
People are leaving the church in record numbers and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Some leave Christianity altogether, but there’s also a growing number of people who don’t want anything to do with the church but still want to hang on to some of their Christian...
There’s something rotten in Denmark and exvangelicals are just over it, with good reason. Perhaps you’ve seen the reports from conservative research group Barna that 1 in 3 practicing Christians stopped attending church during the pandemic. A March 2021 article from...