Trauma of Religion

Mark Tully considers the drawbacks of an overly strict religious upbringing. What are the pressures on those who stay within dogmatic religions in later life?

While acknowledging the potential for good in religions, the programme includes accounts from those who feel traumatised by childhoods in which freedom of thought was restricted, and those who have carried a sense of unworthiness into later life.

Mark also identifies the narrow line religious parents have to tread between encouraging children to share their faith and imposing it upon them.

But for all that a religious upbringing can traumatise, Mark also recognises the great loss that can be felt when escaping a past which engendered not just fear, guilt and a sense of shame, but provided an early source of meaning, connection and strength.

A Unique Broadcasting Company production for BBC Radio 4.