Religious Trauma Pt 3, How Religious Trauma Brainwashes Women Into Thinking Abuse Is 'Godly'
Oct 27, 2023, 05:00 PM
Is it possible that the very institutions meant to bring solace and guidance can be the ones causing distress and anguish? This was one of the many thought-provoking questions posed on a recent episode of "Hidden Killers," a popular podcast hosted by Tony Brueski. In this intriguing episode, Brueski is joined by Dr. Laura Anderson, a seasoned psychotherapist and religious trauma consultant.
Religious trauma, though often overlooked, is becoming a topic of increasing concern in both therapeutic and societal circles. Brueski dives right in, referencing high-profile cases of religious abuse, such as the one surrounding Josh Duggar. These harrowing stories exemplify how deeply religious beliefs, often distorted and extreme, can damage individuals and entire families.
For those outside these situations, it seems almost straightforward: "Why wouldn't you do things this way?" Brueski poses. Yet, Anderson's in-depth explanation reveals a complex web of indoctrination, fear, and a loss of self. Drawing a comparison between high-control religions and domestic abuse, Anderson underscores the startling similarities. In both scenarios, the "perpetrator or abuser…seek to take away your independence, your autonomy, your sense of self identity, and they replace it with theirs."
The case of Anna Duggar, for instance, serves as a poignant example. Despite her high-profile family, Anna remains deeply entangled in a cycle of abuse, exacerbated by her lack of education, lack of means for self-sufficiency, and the powerful religious beliefs of both her family and in-laws. As Anderson aptly puts it, for Anna and many others, "Where is she going to go? What is she going to do?" Escape is not as straightforward as it might seem.
One of Anderson's main therapeutic goals is to help individuals reconnect with their own voice. Questions like "Who am I?" and "What do I really think?" can be life-changing for someone who's been trained to suppress their individuality and desires.
Anderson also highlights how religious institutions, and many groups outside religion, prey on innate human desires for certainty, stability, and safety. By presenting a clear dichotomy of 'good' and 'bad,' such institutions can manipulate and control adherents through fear, particularly the fear of severe consequences like eternal damnation.
However, why this desire for control? Brueski questions. Anderson posits that, in many cases, it's a blend of the quest for power in patriarchal systems and the longing for safety and certainty. She recalls reading about the origins of world religions and how they often evolve similarly: a need for understanding and certainty leads to rule creation, which then spirals into further rules to solidify power structures.
Religion, at its core, can offer solace, purpose, and community. However, as Brueski reminisces about his childhood experiences with religion—like coloring disturbing biblical scenes in Sunday school—it becomes evident that these teachings, especially when misinterpreted or taught with a malicious agenda, can have lasting traumatic effects.
So, as listeners absorb the revelations from this enlightening discussion, another question emerges: How can society differentiate between genuine spiritual guidance and manipulative control? As episodes like this on "Hidden Killers" unveil the dark corners of faith, it's a question we should all consider.
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Religious trauma, though often overlooked, is becoming a topic of increasing concern in both therapeutic and societal circles. Brueski dives right in, referencing high-profile cases of religious abuse, such as the one surrounding Josh Duggar. These harrowing stories exemplify how deeply religious beliefs, often distorted and extreme, can damage individuals and entire families.
For those outside these situations, it seems almost straightforward: "Why wouldn't you do things this way?" Brueski poses. Yet, Anderson's in-depth explanation reveals a complex web of indoctrination, fear, and a loss of self. Drawing a comparison between high-control religions and domestic abuse, Anderson underscores the startling similarities. In both scenarios, the "perpetrator or abuser…seek to take away your independence, your autonomy, your sense of self identity, and they replace it with theirs."
The case of Anna Duggar, for instance, serves as a poignant example. Despite her high-profile family, Anna remains deeply entangled in a cycle of abuse, exacerbated by her lack of education, lack of means for self-sufficiency, and the powerful religious beliefs of both her family and in-laws. As Anderson aptly puts it, for Anna and many others, "Where is she going to go? What is she going to do?" Escape is not as straightforward as it might seem.
One of Anderson's main therapeutic goals is to help individuals reconnect with their own voice. Questions like "Who am I?" and "What do I really think?" can be life-changing for someone who's been trained to suppress their individuality and desires.
Anderson also highlights how religious institutions, and many groups outside religion, prey on innate human desires for certainty, stability, and safety. By presenting a clear dichotomy of 'good' and 'bad,' such institutions can manipulate and control adherents through fear, particularly the fear of severe consequences like eternal damnation.
However, why this desire for control? Brueski questions. Anderson posits that, in many cases, it's a blend of the quest for power in patriarchal systems and the longing for safety and certainty. She recalls reading about the origins of world religions and how they often evolve similarly: a need for understanding and certainty leads to rule creation, which then spirals into further rules to solidify power structures.
Religion, at its core, can offer solace, purpose, and community. However, as Brueski reminisces about his childhood experiences with religion—like coloring disturbing biblical scenes in Sunday school—it becomes evident that these teachings, especially when misinterpreted or taught with a malicious agenda, can have lasting traumatic effects.
So, as listeners absorb the revelations from this enlightening discussion, another question emerges: How can society differentiate between genuine spiritual guidance and manipulative control? As episodes like this on "Hidden Killers" unveil the dark corners of faith, it's a question we should all consider.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com