Building Language

Religious trauma is the physical, emotional, or psychological response to religious beliefs, practices, or structures that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope and return to a sense of safety.

An ARE is any experience of a religious belief, practice, or structure that undermines an individual’s sense of safety or autonomy and/or negatively impacts their physical, social, emotional, relational, or psychological well-being.

Spiritual Abuse is the conscious or unconscious use of power to direct, control, or manipulate another person. This power dynamic is informed by a spiritual or religious role within the shared community or a belief identifying who has authority within the relationship.

Deconversion is the process of releasing and no longer claiming one's previously held religious beliefs or identities.

Deconstruction is the process of evaluating and altering one’s previously held beliefs, lifestyle, relationship, or worldview.

Reclamation is the process of claiming or reasserting a right to the personal expression of one’s humanity.