Poll Have You Had Bad Experiences With a Church or Religious Organization?

[batgirl]

I thought of this poll due to discussions I've been having with others recently, and also because of how my family was treated by our church after Brian's death. I know many have been traumatized by their church, and some even have PTSD as the result of clergy abuse or other things. Personally, I was molested by a priest at age 11, though it was not traumatic enough to cause PTSD. It did make me resent the church though. So, just curious how many have had bad experiences with their church or religious body.

 

[hodge]

Yes, I've been hurt. It didn't cause my ptsd, but the Church triggers me.

 

[Deleted member 93]

I chose the last one though they were never helpful they were not harmful either. Of course it has been a long time since I have been!

 

[grace5555]

I had to think long and hard before answering this one as it is a trigger and extremely painful...yes, and it is the source of my PTSD.

Grace

 

[goingonhope]

I chose the 3rd choose: No never hurt by our Church, or that of our religion and it has always been helpful.

 

[nie]

I voted yes, but it did not cause my PTSD. The first pastor that I had (at the age of 20) told me that all of my depression was because I wasn't close enough to God. That it was my fault, and that only I could determine what was wrong with my Christian walk. This was very damaging to me. Luckily now I have a new pastor that is much more helpful. . .

 

[anthony]

I added the last choice, as nothing existed to clarify whether the person went to church in the first place.

 

[batgirl]

Oh okay, though I really don't see the point as if you've never gone to church then you just don't vote. There's another poll here about children, and I haven't voted in that one. Are you going to add "I don't have children" to that one so I can vote??

 

[anthony]

It should actually have that option Evie, yes. It acts as a placebo effect for the poll, in essence the counter to the answer often being looked for directly.

 

[anthony]

Just added it into that poll: [DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/thread4937.html[/DLMURL]

 

[batgirl]

Oh okay thanks for the explanation and sorry if I sounded sensitive. I didn't think about the placebo effect. But when you consider that you are right it is important, for statistical purposes. I guess I'd better go vote in that other poll now!

 

[Grama-Herc]

While I do not go to church, Mother does. I have a funny story to share about church. My mom and the ladies decided that I needed to be fixed up with the Tall, Dark, Handsome singer in the church choir!

He was absolutely beautiful and had a voice that would melt butter. Well, we went out on "1" date and I instantly knew This guy is a NUT!

He proceeded to stalk me for months. He left 100's of messages on my answering machine. Left food on my patio after I went to work. He would park his car by mine at work and wait for me. I worked the 3-11 shift so his being there was creepy.

This was in 1991 so the stalking laws were weak at best. I was scared but not traumatized--I don't think! There really was nothing I could do but it did became the joke of the church and the ladies group.

He finally went away, but only after security at work and here at the complex where I live explained the "facts" to him.

Anyway, meeting good people at church is not always the best advise