Table of Contents
What does exploitation mean in religion?
Spiritual opportunism refers to the exploitation of spiritual ideas (or of the spirituality of others, or of spiritual authority): for personal gain, partisan interests or selfish motives. Usually the implication is that doing so is unprincipled in some way, although it may cause no harm and involve no abuse.
How does religion influence mental health?
Religion gives people something to believe in, provides a sense of structure and typically offers a group of people to connect with over similar beliefs. These facets can have a large positive impact on mental health—research suggests that religiosity reduces suicide rates, alcoholism and drug use.
What causes religious trauma?
Religious trauma syndrome (RTS) occurs when an individual struggles with leaving a religion or a set of beliefs that has led to their indoctrination. It often involves the trauma of breaking away from a controlling environment, lifestyle, or religious figure.
What does the Bible say about apostasy?
Apostasy is decisively turning away from the faith. An apostate is a person who once claimed to be a Christian but has irreversibly abandoned and renounced orthodox Christianity. On the one hand, the Bible warns people who claim to be Christ-followers: God will not finally save you if you do not persevere in the faith and good works.
Are apostates only people who stop being Christians?
The answer is no. Apostates are not people who were Christians and then stop being Christians. Apostates were never Christians to begin with and only later did it become apparent that they weren’t Christians. Here’s the upshot of the whole thing for us: God uses the stories of apostates to warn his people.
What does it mean to be an apostate?
Apostasy is decisively turning away from the faith. An apostate is a person who once claimed to be a Christian but has irreversibly abandoned and renounced orthodox Christianity. There is a tension throughout the New Testament between warning and comfort.
What is apostasy and how can I recognize it?
Question: “What is apostasy and how can I recognize it?” Answer: Apostasy, from the Greek word apostasia, means “a defiance of an established system or authority; a rebellion; an abandonment or breach of faith.” In the first-century world, apostasy was a technical term for political revolt or defection.