Today we’re going to elaborate a bit more on what Japan has done and why, in terms of protecting children from religious harm. Full disclosure: I am no expert on Japanese law or policy, nor Japanese culture. But I am well versed in religious trauma and how Christianity can and does harm children: that’s what my channel is all about. What I’ll do today is summarize what I know, and we can use this as a springboard into a deeper discussion in the comments.

Definition of Religious Trauma

The Global Center for Religious Research, or GCRR, defines religious trauma consistent with other definitions I’ve seen. The GCRR says religious trauma results from an event, series of events, relationships, or circumstances within or connected to religious beliefs, practices, or structures that is experienced by an individual as overwhelming or disruptive and has lasting adverse effects on a person’s physical, mental, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” Relatedly, the GCRR defines “Adverse Religious Experiences” (AREs), as any experience of a religious belief, practice, or structure that undermines an individual’s sense of safety or autonomy and/or negatively impacts their physical, social, emotional, relational, sexual, or psychological wellbeing. So it follows that AREs lead to religious trauma. 🎥 “Heathens” will soon debut on your favorite streaming platform. Or catch it in theaters! Visit https://heathens.community for all the details! 📚 Order On Monsters and Phantoms on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Monsters-Phant….