religious trauma

Leaving the Masjid but Keeping the Faith

Leaving the Masjid but Keeping the Faith

Organized religion has its blessings and its curses. On one hand, it saves you a seat within a larger community focused on mutual values and faith. On the other, it can pressure you to meet norms of conventionality by suppressing certain parts of yourself.

This is especially true for Muslims in America. Not only can performing public displays of faith be even harder because of the stereotypes they face from mainstream culture, but there are many mosques and religious communities who may not accept you for your experiences or identities.

While you try to weigh the pros and cons, having to choose between yourself and your beliefs can cause serious mental health issues; not just anxiety or depression, but trauma and PTSD depending on the experience you had with your faith’s main leaders or elders.

Know that you don’t have to choose. You can leave the masjid, (or temple or church) while still keeping religion, faith, and spirituality in your life.