Man-made, fear-based, religions have enslaved people for thousands of years. Anyone who is enslaved by any kind of man-made, fear-based, religion needs to escape. Escaping religious enslavement is always traumatic! Dr. Winell calls this “religious trauma syndrome.” She describes the symptoms and results of this enslavement very well. However, in my opinion, she misses the main cause of the enslavement (“The fear of religion is a dangerous trap“, “I fear that you will be corrupted“. and “More Jesus, Less Religion“); therefore, her conclusions do not provide the solution.
- Part 1: RTS: It’s Time to Recognize it
- Part 2: Understanding RTS: The Trauma From Religion
- Part 3: Understanding RTS: The Trauma of Leaving Religion
The escape Dr. Winell proposes is really just another religion — the religion of humanism — although I’m sure she doesn’t realize it.
For discussion purposes, let’s consider the congregants in this popular video. In my opinion, they are being enslaved in a man-made, fear-based, religion. They need to escape. It will be traumatic. Let’s watch the video and then talk about the escape…
The only true escape from man-made, fear-based, religion is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself (Titus 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Galatians 1:4, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:25) as a substitutionary sacrifice for your redemption. Jesus Christ came into the world to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). When John the Baptist asked if Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus Christ told him what he was doing…
Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.” (Matthew 11:4-6)
Jesus Christ is not the head of a man-made, fear-based, religion. Although there are many man-made, fear-based, religions, which enslave people, the Jesus Christ of the Bible provides freedom…
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
Jesus Christ’s purpose is to give you a rich and satisfying life (John 10). Please stop working to obtain God’s favor. Please accept his free gift of salvation. If this resonates with you, or you have more questions, please write to us or join the conversation below.
- The 2 religions of the world as illustrated by Invictus versus My Captain
- A form of godliness (show of religion, piety, holiness, outward righteousness)
- Gnosticism and the altar of special knowledge in the church today
- My name is David, I am a recovering elder brother
- The fear of religion is a dangerous trap
My wife and I are both born again Christians and attend a Pentecostal fellowship which we are not members of. I was diagnosed with Complex trauma due to child hood bullying, the troubles in Northern Ireland, Military service, being brain washed with Calvinism after I got saved, ending up divorced and other personal sufferings as well as those of others. I feel that much of what I was taught only added to my trauma. I stumbled across your site in an effort to find some comfort as my symptoms returned. My faith is both a blessing and cursing to me as I am confused and full of dread, fear and condemnation. I feel that I cant stop the Bible verses going round in my mind and understand this can be a good thing in balance but not to the point of brain washing and torment where I become mentally unwell. How can this be the work of the Holy Spirit? I have no doubt that I have religious trauma and truly seek freedom in such a way that I still have the good things of the faith. Why does my brain work this way? Any advice
So I’m pretty sure I have religious trauma. I won’t go into it. I’m seeking help, but most of what I’ve seen suggests that leaving the faith is the only solution. I don’t want to do that although I am questioning what I believe anymore. But I also don’t want to continue as I am. I grew up in the church. I know all the buzz words and lingo. Freedom and grace and all things are permissible but not all things are profitable. Can you tell me what all that REALLY means? Prayer hasn’t helped, that is just more fear guilt and shame. Any suggestions?
I no longer know what is truth. I did what I was “supposed” to do, only to have it cause me issues when I got older. I am already seeking non-Christian counseling, because 40 yrs of sermons have left me messed up. I am angry at a lot of people, ,but mostly myself. I know they all did what they thought what was best, but abusers usually do. If you would like to recommend a book, I would consider it. But I don’t know if Christianity is the cure for my Christianity. I really do appreciate your time and effort here.
If you, or someone you know, has these symptoms, please seek professional help immediately.
Here’s another example of the trauma involved in escaping from being enslaved in a man-made, fear-based, religion…
Escape from Duggarville: How playing the good Christian housewife almost killed me
Maybe someday she will realize that it wasn’t God who enslaved her to a man-made, fear-based, religious system. But, healing from trauma takes a long time. The more trauma, the longer the healing. Maybe someday she will realize that God is love, not fear. God is freedom, not control. God is life, not death.