Religious Trauma Pt 4, How The LDS Church & Others Like Them Create An Environment Ripe For Abusers To Thrive
Oct 27, 2023, 07:00 PM
Is there a dark side to certain religious environments that fosters an atmosphere conducive to heinous crimes?
The latest episode of the "Hidden Killers" podcast, hosted by Tony Brueski, dove into the murky waters of religious trauma, high control religions, and the association of certain crimes to specific religious communities. Dr. Laura Anderson, a psychotherapist and religious trauma consultant, shared her expert insights, shedding light on some disturbing patterns that have emerged over the years.
Brueski brought up a disturbing trend he's noticed, particularly within the LDS (Latter-day Saint) community. "If you just look statistically at the amount of people who are members of the LDS church, versus the amount of major crimes and horrible things that we're hearing... It's very much out of whack proportionally," he expressed. Citing numerous cases, including the infamous Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell case, Brueski questioned the role of the church's environment in creating such narratives.
Anderson's response was thoughtful but alarming. While she clarified that she could not diagnose anyone outside her professional circle, she did comment on the behaviors. She stated, "...these are natural environments for sociopathic and psychopathic behaviors... environments that are prime for crimes for narcissism, or at least narcissistic behavior." She further expanded on the environment cultivated within certain religious sects, noting that such environments create "boxes" that get smaller and more constrictive, often defined by a select few, leading to warped understandings of ethics and morality.
Beyond the LDS, Anderson pointed out the prevalent issues within other religious groups, such as the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist group, which the Duggar family is associated with, and other sects. Many of these groups operate under a mandate of "dominion" or domination, believing they have a divine right to have control over various sectors of society. This mindset, combined with a belief in persecution, creates a fertile ground for cognitive distortions, allowing for atrocious acts in the name of God.
One of the most compelling points of the conversation was the issue of oversight and accountability. Brueski posed a pertinent question, "Are we at a point where we really need to re-examine our laws and the protections that religious organizations have?" Many religious groups have managed to bypass scrutiny due to the separation of church and state, but the consequences of this lack of oversight can be dire.
Anderson emphasized the intricate relationship between politics and religion in the U.S., suggesting that legislators are well aware of the potential fallout of targeting one religious group: "...they know that at some point that's going to be turned on them because the same standard is going to be applied to them." The financial implications, the potential backlash, and the ties between religious organizations and political entities make this a complex issue to navigate.
The discussion between Brueski and Anderson serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls that can arise when religious environments become too insular, encouraging members to commit heinous acts in the name of faith.
But here's a question to ponder: If our society is hesitant to critically examine religious practices due to fears of persecution or backlash, where do we draw the line between faith and fanaticism?
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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
The latest episode of the "Hidden Killers" podcast, hosted by Tony Brueski, dove into the murky waters of religious trauma, high control religions, and the association of certain crimes to specific religious communities. Dr. Laura Anderson, a psychotherapist and religious trauma consultant, shared her expert insights, shedding light on some disturbing patterns that have emerged over the years.
Brueski brought up a disturbing trend he's noticed, particularly within the LDS (Latter-day Saint) community. "If you just look statistically at the amount of people who are members of the LDS church, versus the amount of major crimes and horrible things that we're hearing... It's very much out of whack proportionally," he expressed. Citing numerous cases, including the infamous Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell case, Brueski questioned the role of the church's environment in creating such narratives.
Anderson's response was thoughtful but alarming. While she clarified that she could not diagnose anyone outside her professional circle, she did comment on the behaviors. She stated, "...these are natural environments for sociopathic and psychopathic behaviors... environments that are prime for crimes for narcissism, or at least narcissistic behavior." She further expanded on the environment cultivated within certain religious sects, noting that such environments create "boxes" that get smaller and more constrictive, often defined by a select few, leading to warped understandings of ethics and morality.
Beyond the LDS, Anderson pointed out the prevalent issues within other religious groups, such as the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist group, which the Duggar family is associated with, and other sects. Many of these groups operate under a mandate of "dominion" or domination, believing they have a divine right to have control over various sectors of society. This mindset, combined with a belief in persecution, creates a fertile ground for cognitive distortions, allowing for atrocious acts in the name of God.
One of the most compelling points of the conversation was the issue of oversight and accountability. Brueski posed a pertinent question, "Are we at a point where we really need to re-examine our laws and the protections that religious organizations have?" Many religious groups have managed to bypass scrutiny due to the separation of church and state, but the consequences of this lack of oversight can be dire.
Anderson emphasized the intricate relationship between politics and religion in the U.S., suggesting that legislators are well aware of the potential fallout of targeting one religious group: "...they know that at some point that's going to be turned on them because the same standard is going to be applied to them." The financial implications, the potential backlash, and the ties between religious organizations and political entities make this a complex issue to navigate.
The discussion between Brueski and Anderson serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls that can arise when religious environments become too insular, encouraging members to commit heinous acts in the name of faith.
But here's a question to ponder: If our society is hesitant to critically examine religious practices due to fears of persecution or backlash, where do we draw the line between faith and fanaticism?
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