S6 EP8: Church and Trauma | Pamela  Merritt

Skirts below the knee. No jewelry, accessories, or makeup. Stockings in bed and no relaxing your hair. Does this sound familiar?

For those raised in the church like Alechi, Dani, and their guest - religious trauma healer Pamela Merritt, this conversation is for you. Tune in as Pamela discusses church hurt versus trauma, how the Black community embodies religion, and the often confusing emotions around sex and religion. And be sure to lean in for her advice for reimagining your faith and reconnecting to the divine outside the church.

KEY POINTS:

• Why is church membership dramatically dropping?
• Is the rise in community violence correlated with the lack of connection to spirituality?
• Do we need the church to teach us accountability and structure?
• The positive benefits of the church
• What trauma looks like and how it’s perpetuated from the pulpit
• How to nourish your relationship with the divine outside of the church

QUOTABLES:

“For black church kids, we embody the music. We embody the feel of church. We embody the culture. We embody the community that Black church gives us. So when people come to me for religious trauma, consultations, and they are transitioning, what I'm helping them with is understanding that their religious space does not determine the structure that they have to their life.” - Pamela Merritt

“Once you understand who you are and what your needs are and what your beliefs are, you can reimagine your connection with the divine in a different way.” - Pamela Merritt

GUEST RESOURCES:

Pamela Merritt

holysmokesmovement.com

thefaithcommunity.org

PRODUCTS / RESOURCES:

For more info, visit their website: triggeredafpodcast.com

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Stay connected with your hosts!

Alechia Reese | instagram.com/alechiareese/

Dani Bourdeau | instagram.com/thedanibourdeau/

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