What is the process of losing faith like? What happens to the person who leaves religion? How do they feel? What remains inside them? After leaving, what does that person take away from their life, beliefs, and worldview?
When people leave a religious community, it can be an extremely painful experience. They might have felt that they were betraying themselves, their family, their friends, or God. Their world view may have been shattered, their sense of self destroyed. In addition, there could also be social pressure against them as well as personal guilt for having left. These emotional residues persist even after departure.
Some common feelings that may remain are guilt, shame, anger, sadness, fear, disillusionment, and anxiety. Guilt is especially strong because many religious communities emphasize it heavily. Many religions say that those outside of their group will go to hell or suffer eternal punishment. Leaving one's faith would mean rejecting this idea, which can cause significant distress. Shame may follow, both inwardly and externally, if someone feels as though they've failed to live up to expectations or abandoned something sacred. Anger is another emotion that often stays with those who have left. They may be angry with the church or God for causing so much harm or frustrated at how long it took them to make such a decision.
Sadness is another feeling that lingers on after departing a religious community. It can be difficult to lose the close-knit relationships that come with being part of a congregation. There may also be disappointment over the loss of a certain way of living or believing. Fear is sometimes present due to not knowing what lies ahead without religion; some people worry about death, judgment day, or eternal damnation. Disillusionment occurs when people realize that all the promises made by their religious leaders were false. And finally, anxiety sets in as individuals try to figure out how to create meaning in life without relying on religion.
These emotional residues can last years, even decades. This is why it's important to seek professional help from a counselor or therapist if needed. A good therapist can guide you through these feelings and help you process them healthily. They may also provide resources and support to get you through tough times. You don't need to go through this alone.
What emotional residues persist after religious departure?
Many people experience various emotions that may linger even after they leave their religion. One of these emotions is regret, which can be caused by feeling like they have made a wrong decision or wasted time. Another emotion is anxiety, particularly when it comes to losing social ties within one's former faith community. Some individuals may feel guilt for leaving, believing that they are betraying their family or God.