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What happens when your church convinces you that your own memories, questions, and feelings can’t be trusted? In this episode of Almost Awakened, Bill Reel and Teresa Hobbs unpack the dark art of religious gaslighting — how high-demand faiths twist reality, dismiss legitimate concerns, and make believers doubt themselves under the guise of “God’s will.” We’ll explore: What gaslighting is and how it got its name Five real-world examples from Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, and more How leaders rewrite history, dismiss evidence, and blame the victim The deep psychological harm caused when faith makes you distrust your own perception Practical tools and therapeutic insights for healing from religious gaslighting If you’ve ever been told “you’re misremembering” or “your doubts are from the adversary,” this conversation will hit home. And if you’re working through the trauma of spiritual manipulation, we’ll share concrete steps to reclaim your reality, rebuild trust in yourself, and move forward with clarity.
Support our work: If you find value in these conversations, consider donating:
Need support? If you’re dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org/
Join our Religious Transition support group – https://www.monarchintegrativecoaching.com/circle
The post Holy Manipulation: Gaslighting in High-Demand Faiths appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.
By Bill Reel4.3
609609 ratings
What happens when your church convinces you that your own memories, questions, and feelings can’t be trusted? In this episode of Almost Awakened, Bill Reel and Teresa Hobbs unpack the dark art of religious gaslighting — how high-demand faiths twist reality, dismiss legitimate concerns, and make believers doubt themselves under the guise of “God’s will.” We’ll explore: What gaslighting is and how it got its name Five real-world examples from Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, and more How leaders rewrite history, dismiss evidence, and blame the victim The deep psychological harm caused when faith makes you distrust your own perception Practical tools and therapeutic insights for healing from religious gaslighting If you’ve ever been told “you’re misremembering” or “your doubts are from the adversary,” this conversation will hit home. And if you’re working through the trauma of spiritual manipulation, we’ll share concrete steps to reclaim your reality, rebuild trust in yourself, and move forward with clarity.
Support our work: If you find value in these conversations, consider donating:
Need support? If you’re dealing with spiritual trauma, 1-on-1 coaching and support groups are available at https://awakenandthrive.org/
Join our Religious Transition support group – https://www.monarchintegrativecoaching.com/circle
The post Holy Manipulation: Gaslighting in High-Demand Faiths appeared first on Mormon Discussions Podcasts - Full Lineup.

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