The influence of a religious upbringing on an individual’s mental health is a topic of great importance and complexity. In this recent Reddit post, the user delves into the effects of growing up in a devout Mormon household and its toll on her mental health.
She Was Raised in a Devout Household
Hannah’s mother is a devout Mormon, and she raised Hannah following her beliefs.
Uncomfortable Lessons and Rituals
Hannah yearned to escape the uncomfortable lessons and rituals associated with the Mormon faith from her earliest memories.
She Wanted to Stay Home
Hannah recalls a memory of discreetly slipping out of religious classes to approach her mother, pleading to be allowed to go home.
Not Allowed to Go Home
However, her mother refused and had a woman stationed at the door solely to ensure that Hannah remained inside.
Controversial Mormon Teachings
She told Hannah that she would get used to it and that everything she was learning was what God wanted her to learn.
Outer Darkness
Hannah says that in Mormon class, she was told that Hitler is in the lowest of Mormonism’s three tiers of heaven; there is no Hell, only “outer darkness,” which is where a person will ultimately go if they reject faith.
She Was Told to Be Pure
From a young age, Hannah was taught that it was better to be dead than to be deemed unclean. The heavy burden of this belief system weighed on her, instilling guilt and fostering a sense of inadequacy.
Lead Men Astray
Moreover, she was repeatedly informed that as a woman, her words, actions, and even her choice of clothing could potentially lead men astray.
She Decided to Break Free
Determined to break free from this cycle of anguish, Hannah decided to stop attending church at the age of 18.
Mental Health Struggles
She said that her mother’s insistence on forcing her to attend church significantly affected her current depression and mental health struggles.
She Confronted Her Mother
Now she is in her early 20s, and her mother told her that her depression is her choice and that she has no business feeling this way on the inside.
Enough
Hannah had enough of the emotional abuse and decided to confront her mother.
Her Mother Cried and Recognized What She Had Done
Hannah’s mother started to cry and said she should have recognized her discomfort and not forced her to do anything she didn’t want.
Religious Trauma Is Real
Hannah felt bad about what happened and took to Reddit to ask whether she was wrong for confronting her mother and making her cry.
Right Thing
Hundreds of comments supported Hannah, saying that she did the right thing.
Feelings Are Justified
One Reddit user wrote, “[Not a jerk.] The word Mormon along with mentioning that Hitler is in heaven is an instant [not a jerk]. Religious trauma is a real thing for many people. Your feelings are justified.”
Another Redditor commented, “My Christian parents raised me so similarly. I’m in my 30s and still trying to [sort out] my mind. Don’t worry about her. Worry about yourself and your happiness! You deserve to be free from your mom’s religion.”
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The post Religious Mother Forced Her to Go to Church as a Child – The Toll on Mental Health Was Significant and She Wants Answers first appeared on Wealthy Living.
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Source: Reddit