Overcoming Religious Trauma: The Role of Restorative Justice in the South

Growing up in the South, religion wasn’t a central part of my life. I had Catholic family members, and we would occasionally go to church, but religion was not a constant presence. Church was a place to repent after harm was caused in the community, not a space for worship or spiritual nourishment. I never felt connected to the kind of faith that emphasized guilt, shame, and fear, and it wasn’t long before I noticed how pervasive religious trauma was in my community.I disagreed with the way religion was used to perpetuate harm, especially within marginalized communities. As I grew older and reflected on the experiences around me, I began to recognize the emotional and psychological harm that toxic religious practices had on individuals, including myself.

For those who grew up in faith systems that prioritized moral codes over compassion and repentance over grace, the scars left behind were profound and long-lasting. It was in my later years, particularly during my adult return to the South, that I understood more deeply the intricate ways religious trauma can affect not just individuals, but entire communities.

Religious trauma refers to the emotional, psychological, and spiritual harm caused by religious experiences or teachings. It often stems from toxic doctrines that emphasize fear, shame, and guilt rather than compassion, love, and acceptance. Growing up in the South, even with a limited religious presence in my life, I still observed how these teachings deeply affected people, especially women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. 

The harm wasn’t always overt, but it was there in subtle ways, an underlying current of shame that could become overwhelming. As I became older, I also began to see the trauma many people experienced as they wrestled with their sense of identity and faith. The emotional scars of religious trauma are long-lasting. For many, it manifests as depression, anxiety, and a fractured sense of self. 

Completing my PCRJ at Vermont Law School helped me understand the power of healing through dialogue, accountability, and mutual understanding. Restorative justice, unlike punitive systems that focus on punishment, centers on repairing harm and rebuilding relationships. It’s about reconciliation, recognizing harm, and finding ways forward together. When it comes to religious trauma, restorative justice offers a unique framework not just for survivors, but for entire religious communities.

Restorative justice asks us to acknowledge the harm done, to validate the pain of those who have suffered, and to create spaces where survivors can reclaim their voice and agency. It also requires the painful but necessary task of holding accountable those responsible for the harm, whether that’s religious leaders, institutions, or individual members of the community. In doing so, restorative justice helps reconcile the past and builds a future where further harm is prevented. Healing is deeply personal, but it also has a communal aspect.

​The first step in restorative justice is acknowledging the harm caused. In the case of religious trauma in the South, this is crucial. Religious communities must recognize how their teachings and practices, such as strict moral codes, rigid gender roles, and the demonization of LGBTQ+ identities, have caused harm. Having the harm recognized can be an important first step toward healing. This requires leaders within the faith community to take responsibility, which can begin to rebuild trust in ways that punitive actions never could.

A core principle of restorative justice is creating spaces where individuals can speak their truth and be heard. For survivors of religious trauma, this means providing environments where they can share their experiences—whether in support groups, public forums, or one-on-one conversations—without fear of judgment. These spaces are critical for survivors to process their grief, anger, confusion, and healing. As someone who has walked through both sides of the conversation, I know how powerful and necessary it is to allow people to express themselves fully.

Restorative justice doesn’t focus on blame or punishment but on empathy and compassion. When it comes to religious trauma, this means creating an atmosphere where survivors feel safe to process their pain and anger. It’s not about absolving wrongdoers of their actions but offering a way for survivors to release the burden of resentment and find peace. Forgiveness in restorative justice is a tool for the survivor’s healing, not for excusing harmful actions.

Restorative justice is fundamentally about empowerment. For survivors of religious trauma, particularly those who’ve experienced oppressive teachings, it offers the chance to reclaim one’s narrative. It provides a space to redefine identities, rediscover self-worth, and challenge the systems that perpetuated harm. Through restorative justice, survivors can confront the power dynamics that once left them voiceless and begin to reshape their lives, breaking free from the oppressive beliefs of the past.

Restorative justice isn’t just about healing individuals, it’s about transforming communities. In the South, where religious identity is deeply woven into the fabric of life, restorative justice can be a tool for helping religious communities rebuild in ways that are inclusive, compassionate, and open to change. It involves dismantling harmful doctrines, creating safe spaces for diverse identities, and cultivating a culture of empathy and respect.

Religious trauma is a complex and deeply personal issue, particularly for those of us who grew up in the South. It shapes our sense of self and our relationships with family, faith, and community. Yet, through my experiences of pain and healing, I’ve come to believe that restorative justice offers a powerful pathway forward. By acknowledging the harm, creating spaces for healing conversations, and empowering survivors to reclaim their voice, we can not only rebuild individuals but also transform entire communities. Restorative justice offers a means to heal the scars of religious trauma and create a path toward a more compassionate, inclusive, and loving faith for everyone.