I know that in my last discussion about religion and abuse, I am not clearly understood and perhaps I can't clearly understand the opposite side. What I do know, is that religion isn't a place to heal, if you will, from mental disorders and or trauma from sexual abuse.
Maybe this is the crux of the real problem.
Often religion and its followers Believe that it can. That if only we would believe harder in your God, we too could find peace.
It would be more of a service to those of us who suffer the affects of abuse to be steered to a helping organization. To have our abusers handed over to the justice system...and to help, if need be to stay away from our abusive family. To support us as we stand against abuse.
Keep religion to do what religions does.
Which at this point in my life and my experience, I am not really clear what religion is for. However, I do know what it does not work on.
I am not against God.
Having climbed from the hell hole that abuse puts you in, I know that telling me to have a personal relationship with God is not helpful. I don't even know who I am and I first have to find a personal relationship with me. I need to be supported in doing this. In following my truth; before following Jesus.
While I know to the depth of my being the religious people I know are not unkind...intentionally. They are, I believe just believing that ALL THINGS can be healed by God. And then try and do this with us.
I have many friends who consider themselves Christians and have great Faith.
However, many of these same friends have no idea what my journey from abuse has been like. Nor can they appreciate an abusive parent, an abusive home and a childhood of lost innocence. By telling us God loves us isn't enough.
My fear and concern of the latest Author of Hush is that her message is that the church can heal us.
I am listening to a book by Norah Vincent "Voluntary Madness" - Lost and Found in the Mental Healthcare System. It is an incredible book about what those of us with mind disorders are up against. Even in the Healthcare System it isn't an easy recovery from what ails the mind, body and soul.
This book is showing just how difficult our journey is to finding the core of our pain, dealing with the pain and what society's healthcare system has to offer and to find a way back to the self we left when abused.
This author would be one I would wholeheartedly support!
Recovery isn't pretty and easily found.
Again it is a dis-service to all of us to have religion as a healthcare service.
I know she (Hush author) speaks of counseling; but she wants Christian Counseling. Where religion and its base is the content of the healing modality.
For those who read Hush, I would also like you to read "Voluntary Madness" and then let us pick up the conversation.