Many Christians have heard the saying, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” This is often said to those who are experiencing hardships, trials, and tribulations. This line comes from a verse in the Bible (1 Corinthians 10:13), but it is not talking about hard things in life, but rather temptations. As a result of this misinterpretation, it has been used to victim blame people who are experiencing harm. Implying that the abuse comes from God, and that, if one’s faith is “strong enough,” they can handle it on their own.
We will not be arguing the merits of faith, or the value of religion, but rather looking at how Religious Trauma shows up in people’s relationships, bodies, and lives at large. This training will look at how scripture, religious traditions, and cultural norms are used to assert power and control in intimate relationships. How can someone’s faith can be weaponized against them to cause harm? We will also explore the specific impacts on LGBTQ+ individuals in, and from religious communities. Coming away from this training you feel more comfortable working with both your religious clients and those who have left their faith communities.