Overview

Through the rich stories of eight participants, the author explores the psychological, spiritual, and ritual dimensions of religious trauma among queer people. Drawing on current scholarship in the field of trauma studies, the author makes a case for religious trauma as an important frame to understand the experiences of queer people in non-accepting faith communities. Though previous scholarship has limited the recovery from religious trauma to those who exit religious communities, in this research the author analyzes participant stories to understand how queer people might find healing in accepting religious communities. Using self-psychology to understand the depth of trauma experienced in non-accepting communities, the author explores the experience of God and sexual identity within non-accepting communities. Through these narratives, the author demonstrates the potential for post-traumatic growth and life beyond conservative faith communities. Petersen argues for a number of key recommendations for congregations and pastoral caregivers that seek to welcome those who have experienced religious trauma.

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9781793641144

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Reviews

In the dominant culture, religion is supposed to be kept immune from criticism. Maltreatment of marginalized people by religions is excused as 'part of the tenets of the faith.' And yet in every religious community, not only those from which these voices come, queer people are marginalized, persecuted, and traumatized in the name of the Divine, an act that separate people from comfort, connection, and community. Every pastor, pastoral counselor, and person concerned with the creep of religion's intolerance into daily life, should be reading this book. -- Laura S. Brown, University of Washington

Author Information

Brooke N. Petersen is lecturer in pastoral theology, director of the MDiv, MA, MAM programs and coordinator for candidacy at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC).

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