Negative Religious Experiences Study

Rev. Dr. Christie Love is the co-founder of The Flipped Table Collective. She is passionate about the research, understanding, and advocacy around issues related to Religious Trauma and trauma-informed ministry practices. For her DMin project at Eden Theological Seminary, Dr. Love conducted a case study with 508 participants to measure negative religious experiences (NRE) and compare and contrast outcome occurrences to the data around the outcomes associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Her case study found:

  1. Like childhood trauma, religious trauma can be measured, which allows outcomes to be traced to negative religious experiences.

  2. Individuals from faith-filled homes may have a low ACE score but have a high NRE score and experience similar negative outcomes.

  3. High and extreme NRE scores impact an individual’s physical health, mental health, and socioeconomic outcomes.

  4. Connections between high and extreme NRE scores and the level of faith and spiritual practices in impacted individuals.

  5. Affinity groups were identified as those more likely to have higher NRE scores. These groups included: LGBTQIA+ individuals, those who had been homeschooled, and individuals whose caregivers were in ministry or served on a mission field.

You can read her full case study here.

Dr. Love is expanding her research to collect data on a national level. This data collection effort seeks to have 3,000 individuals complete the anonymous survey. Results will be used to further understand the impact of negative religious experiences (NREs), their correlation to outcomes, and the impact they have on individuals’ spirituality. This data will also help to create a heat map where the geographical impacts of NREs can be identified and studied. Finally, this data will be used to create resources to train faith leaders, physicians, and mental health professionals to understand the effects that NREs can have on individuals.

To participate in this study, click the button below.

Dear Church Project

This project will allow people to write letters to the church to name hurts and traumas. This is also a place to name the impact on people’s lives and discuss the changes you want to see made in faith spaces.

Pastor’s Trauma Study

This study will explore the level of trauma awareness of pastors, their lived trauma experience, connections, and health outcomes.

Building Use Study

Participate in research for an upcoming book chapter that our Co-Founder, Rev. Dr. Christe Love, has been asked to write. The chapter will explore current ways sacred spaces are being used and innovative ideas to better steward space and resources.