Despite difficulties in religious settings and relationships, religious liberty is deeply meaningful to me. This July 4th marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In connection with that anniversary, some are participating in a worldwide fast to express gratitude for religious liberty. One invitation put it this way: “All are invited to participate in a unified fast to express gratitude for religious liberty and to pray that it be strengthened throughout the...

As a teen, my decision to explore a different Christian denomination was met with unexpected opposition. This is my story of church hurt and spiritual abuse, and my Savior's ability to heal. I write from lived experience, more than twenty years of serving as a church youth leader, and ongoing learning about evidence-based safeguarding that names harm without undermining faith. A Positive Foundation Growing up, church was a positive and important part of my life. Faith was woven into home,...

After years of wrestling with the term spiritual abuse, I found a faith-affirming path to clarity and healing. Art by Sabrina Paredes I write from lived experience, more than twenty years of serving as a church youth leader, and ongoing learning about evidence-based safeguarding that names harm without undermining faith. I know I'm not the only one who has wrestled with this question: If church hurt and spiritual abuse are real, is there room for me to hold onto my faith? I began researching...