I just learned what religion trauma syndrome is recently... I would beat myself up (sometimes literally) because I wasn’t gods idea of good enough. It caused so much depression, anxiety, and fear. I’d have like mental breakdowns, be locked in my room for days, wouldn’t eat right, and I was almost sent to a mental institution because my uncle (who I lived with at the time) was worried for the rest of the family. It was horrible! The extreme depression and anxiety (that left me not able to function properly in society) has happened a couple of times, but aside from the extreme lows I have almost always had anxiety issues because of the Christian belief system. I relate so much to the person in the letter Mrs. Winell read...
The things she is stating in her lecture. This needs to be added to the DSM because religion can cause people to be depressed regardless of what the religious leaders are telling us to think.
I used to cry more when I used to go to church and in the periods when I wasn't I was done with crying and felt a bit lighter and more relaxed though consumed with guilt. I also progressed more when not going to church and started using computers and later on the internet when I wasn't going to church. I used to plateau out when going to church and didn't develop at all as they wanted to keep me in my place. I was really depressed last time I went. People would say those depressed feelings would wear off. I think what happens is that they get used to their depressed state when they reach a plateau and become numb. Also I suffered more with aches when I quit going to church as I suppose I allowed myself to feel my bodily symptoms. It all catches up with you in the same way you get a headaches at weekends or colds when you have time off from work. So many Christian women are so alienated from their own bodies they don't even feel the early signs of serious diseases such as cancer.
I agree, it's upsetting the DSI hasn't recognised RTS. It's difficult to find help, or get support for research on a disorder that isn't listed in the DSI
Me too. I do not have to care about somebody else's agenda and so on. I troubled my self for many years thinking I'm not Ok. I had that idea indoctrinated in my mind that if I'm not Cristian I'm not good at all. I had invested a lot believing that some day I'll be fine, maybe go married and so on. Really I couldn't buy into be a Cristian. But the shitty indoctrination vas there, until I got free. Really I do not have to think in that way any more. Thanks . Regina
I used to lead worship for a drug , alcohol and abuse recovery, now that I'm finally wise to religious damage these days, I look back and I'm amazed that this religious practice is so embedded into society that they think people will be cured from their problems by teaching them things about the fantasy world.....its supposed to be designed to create hope , but we do not need religion to teach hope as it has a very long term adverse effect that this world is brainwashed to believe otherwise, but these videos are bringing awareness to RTS , thank you !!
Marlene winell, keep up the good work ! I was involved in a pentecostal cult for 23 years. I 'am out of this dogmatic stuff for 5 years now. But it damaged me heavily. I still follow therapy, and need a lot of rest. I wish that it was never happened, but i can not go back in time. I have to deal with a lot of emotional mess !
15:07 is a great list of symptoms... I felt 90% of them for many, many years after leaving Christianity. They left me semi functional. I'd work freelance to get money together (which was a serious struggle in itself) but then I would stop doing ANYTHING for as long as I could and remain in a switched off state. Literally weeks would pass by, where I couldn't remember what I did from one day to the next. RTS should definately be recognised as a disorder.
thanks so much for this video. I broke down in tears while you were explaining the effects and the stories of others that made me feel like I'm not alone or crazy for feeling like this. Thanks so much
This is awesome! There is so much around about the freedom that comes from losing your religion that I was starting to wonder why I didn't quite feel the same way. Thanks so much for the introduction to this work.
Thank you for what you do. I thought I was alone. I thought my family weirdness was unique... apparently not. It's like coming out all over again... my life partner when in social situations I "share" about my past... it's not normal and makes others feel uncomfortable ... evidently. My life experiences make others uncomfortable... well I fracking lived it... and attempt to deal with it. Apparently not as well as could be. I would love to diminish it's impact on my life.. my emotional wellness... I am an ALIEN.
Dennis Velco Hang in there man. Although, I can't even imagine what it must have been like for you to go through what you've been through. I really feel like some genuine light is finally being shed on this inconceivably insidious collective bullshit though, and with that perhaps even some greater strides to greater recovery ;) take care
You can recover from RTS. RTS is part of CPTSD. You need trauma therapy to recover from CPTSD. I love this series of videos. I just wish she went more into what it takes to recover from RTS and CPTSD.
I still believe and try to hold on, but my faith has been poisoned and its messed me up so much. She makes some really good points. No psychologist or psychiatrist I have seen has ever understood. They just dont get it and see faith as a choice.
kittycorr33 Still sometimes I float about the house and can't decide what I should do next- get dressed, wash up, go out, what to wear if I go out, because I feel guilty about not practising properly.
@@sandrichka3840 has anyone else migrated to their own form of spirituality? Mine is a mix of lots of different things but it feels good to me. Only a little alone because I don't often find someone like that who also knows what it's like to have been in a cult.
@farvision Hey thanks farvision. It's always nice to see a familiar monicker in the comments sections - my retention of new usernames post-2009 begins to get distinctly patchy. And cheers for the tip about her other videos - I must drop by and check them out. ;8)
Hi, I really need a lot of help with this. Just sent Marlene an email. Is there a group page on fb etc. That I could join? I’m trying to find a therapist who specializes in this.
I went to AA after I deconstructed. I couldn't get past the higher power and it was really hard for me. I deconstructed and now 10-15yrs later I'm back in church and having panic attacks. How many times will I have to go through this?
Quitting religion is harder than quitting addiction. Addition is just a chemical thing you DO. Religious indoctrination is woven into the fiber of you very being. And it is who you ARE. The only way to get past it is quit going deeper into it. It will take a long time to detox from these cultist beliefs. Bug every day you are out of it is a day better off than you were the day before. You must start making new friends, finding new interests, looking at things through new eyes. Over time, it becomes easier. In the meantime, read her book, read everything you can about RTS, watch all the UA-cam videos you can. It is amazingly therapeutic to know you are NOT alone. Replace God with YOU. God's will with YOUR will. Develop your OWN interests. You will get there!! I know from personal experience. It'sa hard and long journey, but all journeys begging with the first step. Then the second. You can do this!!!
Of course fishboise the KKK also felt comfortable killing African Americans back in the day as well. Discrimination and intolerance for other cultures have proven very enlightening to those who choose to claim Christianity is the perfect embodiment of what else; perfection. Marlene is absolutely right in her assessment and evaluation this subject is fundamental toward supporting those who have now been made free from the bondage of religious persecution.
@TheraminTrees Check out her other two videos that I listed on my main page just after this series. There she gives practical things one can do and a video presenting these ideas by you could help a lot of people.
One thing I really struggled with growing up in Church all those years was God deciding and determining we all were bad from the get n' go and estranged from Him simply by being born just because of what Adam supposedly did once upon a time..... Why is it so important that a God has to be # 1 in all things and be constantly worshipped??? And anything in contradiction to that deserves eternal Hell???
@TheraminTrees I'm honored that you would comment on my comment, I've admired your videos for some time now. Maybe you could do a collaboration with her!
indeed, why would a supposedly gracious, loving God leave it up to humans to create religions that destroy people mentally and emotionally to Express himself...? makes no sense.... Christianity twisted my life into an emotional mess for 50 years , what a crappy way to live...I'm free from religion these days after thankfully my survival instincts kicked in but with what years I may have left to live I can hopefully get past this trauma and live with some self respect and dignity.. Thank you for your work Marlene...
My time in church left me disillusioned and disappointed that people who call themselves Christian turned the church into a Country Club and behaved with such insensitivity.
Any religious minded person tells me the world coming to an end and some rapture either next year or forth. i would bet them $5 each that it won't I would have plenty of money to take care of myself and others.
If someone told her "Do not call yourself an atheist. You´re gonna loose your practice." there´s not much doubt about that she does not believe in any god. At least I can´t see any good reason it would be otherwise.
The speaker has a good point unless Christ is real (that is to say fully divine and fully human.) I think you could arrive at this conclusion through reason and then faith. I am not sure if she is an atheist or just angry with God. Her ideas scare me they are the roots of fascism and bigotry towards the faithful. We should let people be free to worship or seek truth however. Also her view of christianity is not what I have been taught as a lifelong catholic. It brings me joy peace and mak
You basically admitting your clueless. Even 10 yrs ago. Any catholic who doesnt understand how this could possibly be a thing is simply a naive fool. A catholic who ignores world news not wanting to learn the illict affairs of ttheir own church. Its not pesty fake news. And until they wise up and pay attention the subject at hand is beyond them.
I just learned what religion trauma syndrome is recently... I would beat myself up (sometimes literally) because I wasn’t gods idea of good enough. It caused so much depression, anxiety, and fear. I’d have like mental breakdowns, be locked in my room for days, wouldn’t eat right, and I was almost sent to a mental institution because my uncle (who I lived with at the time) was worried for the rest of the family. It was horrible! The extreme depression and anxiety (that left me not able to function properly in society) has happened a couple of times, but aside from the extreme lows I have almost always had anxiety issues because of the Christian belief system. I relate so much to the person in the letter Mrs. Winell read...
"Things that have a name get recognized." Thanks Dr. Marlene :)
The things she is stating in her lecture. This needs to be added to the DSM because religion can cause people to be depressed regardless of what the religious leaders are telling us to think.
I used to cry more when I used to go to church and in the periods when I wasn't I was done with crying and felt a bit lighter and more relaxed though consumed with guilt. I also progressed more when not going to church and started using computers and later on the internet when I wasn't going to church. I used to plateau out when going to church and didn't develop at all as they wanted to keep me in my place.
I was really depressed last time I went. People would say those depressed feelings would wear off. I think what happens is that they get used to their depressed state when they reach a plateau and become numb.
Also I suffered more with aches when I quit going to church as I suppose I allowed myself to feel my bodily symptoms. It all catches up with you in the same way you get a headaches at weekends or colds when you have time off from work. So many Christian women are so alienated from their own bodies they don't even feel the early signs of serious diseases such as cancer.
I agree, it's upsetting the DSI hasn't recognised RTS. It's difficult to find help, or get support for research on a disorder that isn't listed in the DSI
That's exactly right: 'leaving your religion is like being born.' That's exactly how I felt----ironically---like I'd been Born Again!
I felt the same thing.
Me too. I do not have to care about somebody else's agenda and so on. I troubled my self for many years thinking I'm not Ok. I had that idea indoctrinated in my mind that if I'm not Cristian I'm not good at all. I had invested a lot believing that some day I'll be fine, maybe go married and so on. Really I couldn't buy into be a Cristian. But the shitty indoctrination vas there, until I got free. Really I do not have to think in that way any more. Thanks . Regina
I used to lead worship for a drug , alcohol and abuse recovery, now that I'm finally wise to religious damage these days, I look back and I'm amazed that this religious practice is so embedded into society that they think people will be cured from their problems by teaching them things about the fantasy world.....its supposed to be designed to create hope , but we do not need religion to teach hope as it has a very long term adverse effect that this world is brainwashed to believe otherwise, but these videos are bringing awareness to RTS , thank you !!
Marlene winell, keep up the good work !
I was involved in a pentecostal cult for 23 years. I 'am out of this dogmatic stuff for 5 years now. But it damaged me heavily. I still follow therapy, and need a lot of rest. I wish that it was never happened, but i can not go back in time. I have to deal with a lot of emotional mess !
15:07 is a great list of symptoms... I felt 90% of them for many, many years after leaving Christianity. They left me semi functional. I'd work freelance to get money together (which was a serious struggle in itself) but then I would stop doing ANYTHING for as long as I could and remain in a switched off state. Literally weeks would pass by, where I couldn't remember what I did from one day to the next. RTS should definately be recognised as a disorder.
Same - I didn't work for 2 years because luckily I could stay home and didn't need to and when I did go back to work, only part time and so difficult.
thanks so much for this video. I broke down in tears while you were explaining the effects and the stories of others that made me feel like I'm not alone or crazy for feeling like this. Thanks so much
This is awesome! There is so much around about the freedom that comes from losing your religion that I was starting to wonder why I didn't quite feel the same way. Thanks so much for the introduction to this work.
Oh my goodness, that video of the kid hit me close to home
Thank you for what you do. I thought I was alone. I thought my family weirdness was unique... apparently not. It's like coming out all over again... my life partner when in social situations I "share" about my past... it's not normal and makes others feel uncomfortable ... evidently. My life experiences make others uncomfortable... well I fracking lived it... and attempt to deal with it. Apparently not as well as could be. I would love to diminish it's impact on my life.. my emotional wellness... I am an ALIEN.
I feel for you brother... you are not alone. Hang in there.
Dennis Velco Hang in there man. Although, I can't even imagine what it must have been like for you to go through what you've been through. I really feel like some genuine light is finally being shed on this inconceivably insidious collective bullshit though, and with that perhaps even some greater strides to greater recovery ;) take care
I feel the same Dennis.
Hello fellow alien. 🖐
You can recover from RTS. RTS is part of CPTSD. You need trauma therapy to recover from CPTSD.
I love this series of videos. I just wish she went more into what it takes to recover from RTS and CPTSD.
I still believe and try to hold on, but my faith has been poisoned and its messed me up so much. She makes some really good points. No psychologist or psychiatrist I have seen has ever understood. They just dont get it and see faith as a choice.
kittycorr33 Still sometimes I float about the house and can't decide what I should do next- get dressed, wash up, go out, what to wear if I go out, because I feel guilty about not practising properly.
+kittycorr33 You can still have faith. Just find a faith that brings peace to your mind and soul. You can believe how you want to believe.
+kittycorr33 Have you heard of Abraham Hicks? I like listening to these - especially the current ones.
@@sandrichka3840 has anyone else migrated to their own form of spirituality? Mine is a mix of lots of different things but it feels good to me. Only a little alone because I don't often find someone like that who also knows what it's like to have been in a cult.
Thank you!
@farvision Juicy wasn't it!
Very refreshing to hear this.
I agree that we need to treat this toxic syndrome for health, well being and survival of our species.
@farvision Hey thanks farvision. It's always nice to see a familiar monicker in the comments sections - my retention of new usernames post-2009 begins to get distinctly patchy. And cheers for the tip about her other videos - I must drop by and check them out. ;8)
Thank you. Thank you. thank you thank you thank you.
Wow, I Read that Article, Amazing....
Hi, I really need a lot of help with this. Just sent Marlene an email. Is there a group page on fb etc. That I could join? I’m trying to find a therapist who specializes in this.
I went to AA after I deconstructed. I couldn't get past the higher power and it was really hard for me.
I deconstructed and now 10-15yrs later I'm back in church and having panic attacks. How many times will I have to go through this?
Quitting religion is harder than quitting addiction. Addition is just a chemical thing you DO. Religious indoctrination is woven into the fiber of you very being. And it is who you ARE. The only way to get past it is quit going deeper into it. It will take a long time to detox from these cultist beliefs. Bug every day you are out of it is a day better off than you were the day before. You must start making new friends, finding new interests, looking at things through new eyes. Over time, it becomes easier. In the meantime, read her book, read everything you can about RTS, watch all the UA-cam videos you can. It is amazingly therapeutic to know you are NOT alone. Replace God with YOU. God's will with YOUR will. Develop your OWN interests. You will get there!! I know from personal experience. It'sa hard and long journey, but all journeys begging with the first step. Then the second. You can do this!!!
CHRISTIANITY IS BASED ON SHAME ,GUILT AND FEAR.
Excellent talk!!
Of course fishboise the KKK also felt comfortable killing African Americans back in the day as well.
Discrimination and intolerance for other cultures have proven very enlightening to those who choose to claim Christianity is the perfect embodiment of what else; perfection.
Marlene is absolutely right in her assessment and evaluation this subject is fundamental toward supporting those who have now been made free from the bondage of religious persecution.
@TheraminTrees Check out her other two videos that I listed on my main page just after this series. There she gives practical things one can do and a video presenting these ideas by you could help a lot of people.
or I like to call it, 'The better you do it, the more screwed you are.'
One thing I really struggled with growing up in Church all those years was God deciding and determining we all were bad from the get n' go and estranged from Him simply by being born just because of what Adam supposedly did once upon a time.....
Why is it so important that a God has to be # 1 in all things and be constantly worshipped??? And anything in contradiction to that deserves eternal Hell???
@TheraminTrees I'm honored that you would comment on my comment, I've admired your videos for some time now. Maybe you could do a collaboration with her!
@ElnAlter Maybe there should be
indeed, why would a supposedly gracious, loving God leave it up to humans to create religions that destroy people mentally and emotionally to Express himself...?
makes no sense....
Christianity twisted my life into an emotional mess for 50 years , what a crappy way to live...I'm free from religion these days after thankfully my survival instincts kicked in but with what years I may have left to live I can hopefully get past this trauma and live with some self respect and dignity..
Thank you for your work Marlene...
You're welcome. Congratulations for freeing yourself. Come to journeyfree.org to find out more about what we do to support folks like you.
Thank you for your work! And for believing in your own path.
You took a steep and narrow path and traversed it . Well done, good sir !
I observe a lot of low level mental trauma in sincere believers.... just visit a xtian only Internet forum and read all the inane nonsense.
My time in church left me disillusioned and disappointed that people who call themselves Christian turned the church into a Country Club and behaved with such insensitivity.
Any religious minded person tells me the world coming to an end and some rapture either next year or forth. i would bet them $5 each that it won't I would have plenty of money to take care of myself and others.
Great idea; I could make a living betting xtians.
At 7:40, Jesus gives her water to drink.
If someone told her "Do not call yourself an atheist. You´re gonna loose your practice." there´s not much doubt about that she does not believe in any god. At least I can´t see any good reason it would be otherwise.
Religion" "How to get money from your pocket into mine" Sheep.
Don't care for your left leaning political ideology. I won't follow your world view or the evangelical one. I reject them both.
The speaker has a good point unless Christ is real (that is to say fully divine and fully human.) I think you could arrive at this conclusion through reason and then faith. I am not sure if she is an atheist or just angry with God. Her ideas scare me they are the roots of fascism and bigotry towards the faithful. We should let people be free to worship or seek truth however. Also her view of christianity is not what I have been taught as a lifelong catholic. It brings me joy peace and mak
The speaker has a good point regardless. Psychological abuse is never warranted no matter how "real" anyone thinks it is.
You basically admitting your clueless. Even 10 yrs ago. Any catholic who doesnt understand how this could possibly be a thing is simply a naive fool. A catholic who ignores world news not wanting to learn the illict affairs of ttheir own church.
Its not pesty fake news.
And until they wise up and pay attention the subject at hand is beyond them.