The long-term social, psychological, and spiritual impacts of religious ostracism on LGBTQ believers' identity, self-esteem, and moral reasoning
Religious ostracism is defined as the exclusion of individuals from their faith community due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This can take various forms such as verbal and physical abuse, rejection by family and friends, denial of employment opportunities, and even expulsion from one's church or synagogue. It is important to understand how this phenomenon affects LGBTQ people both in the short term and over time because it has far-reaching implications for their mental health, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth.
The immediate effects of religious ostracism are often devastating. Many LGBTQ people report feeling isolated, ashamed, and alone after being ostracized by their religious communities. They may experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
They may struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-worth as a result of internalized homophobia or transphobia. Some may also question their beliefs and their place within their faith tradition altogether, leading to a sense of spiritual crisis or disillusionment.
In the long run, the consequences of religious ostracism can be even more profound.
Many LGBTQ people may feel pressure to change their behavior or suppress their true selves in order to fit in with societal norms or avoid further rejection. Others may distance themselves entirely from religion and lose their sense of connection to something greater than themselves. These experiences can lead to deep wounds that are difficult to heal and may cause lifelong damage to one's identity and sense of belonging.
Religious ostracism can have significant impacts on an individual's moral reasoning process. When someone is told repeatedly that they are wrong or sinful based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity, they may begin to question whether there is any room for acceptance or love in their faith community. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair, which can erode one's trust in God or the divine. It can also make it challenging for them to reconcile their personal values with those held by their community, resulting in cognitive dissonance and confusion about what is right and wrong.
Religious ostracism has far-reaching effects on LGBTQ individuals and should not be taken lightly. Those who have experienced it need support, understanding, and compassion as they navigate these complex emotions and work towards healing and wholeness.
What are the long-term social, psychological, and spiritual impacts of religious ostracism on LGBTQ believers' identity, self-esteem, and moral reasoning?
Research suggests that religious exclusion from community can negatively affect individuals' identity and self-worth, causing them to experience feelings of isolation, shame, and rejection. This, in turn, can lead to internalized homophobia, which is defined as negative attitudes towards one's sexual orientation (Szymanski et al. , 2017).