Forest Benedict, LMFT

If you’ve deconverted from Christianity, you probably know what it feels like to escape an oppressive system, only to realize that it still lingers inside you. The fear. The shame. The hypervigilance.

And now, with the political climate heating up—especially with Trump and his movement actively targeting marginalized groups—it may feel like you’re right back in the pews, waiting for another sermon about hellfire and obedience. The same fear-mongering, the same authoritarianism, the same pressure to conform… it’s all eerily familiar.

If politics lately has felt like an unwanted throwback to your religious past, you’re not alone. Many people who left fundamentalist Christianity are noticing that today’s political landscape is triggering old wounds—especially if you’re 2SLGBTQIA+, a person of color, gender-diverse, or someone who simply values freedom over control.

So let’s talk about why this is happening, how it can impact you, and most importantly, how you can take care of yourself through it all.

Why Politics Feels Like Church Again

For many of us who deconverted, leaving Christianity wasn’t just about rejecting a belief system—it was about reclaiming autonomy over our minds, bodies, and lives.

But what happens when the same power structures that once controlled us show up again in politics?

1. The Cult-Like Devotion to a Leader

In many churches, questioning the pastor was seen as rebellion. Loyalty was everything. Sound familiar?

Trump’s movement, much like fundamentalist religion, discourages critical thinking and encourages unwavering devotion. Any dissent is met with accusations of being a traitor, just like questioning your church’s teachings might’ve led to being shunned.

This can stir up deep fears from your past—the fear of speaking up, the anxiety of being cast out, and the overwhelming pressure to conform.

2. The Weaponization of Fear and Shame

If you grew up in Christianity, fear was often used to control behavior—fear of hell, fear of sin, fear of disappointing God.

Now, that same strategy is being used in politics. Fear of the “other.” Fear of change. Fear of losing control.

For those who have deconstructed their faith, seeing these tactics in politics can be jarring. It can reawaken the trauma of being manipulated through fear and guilt.

3. The Targeting of Marginalized Groups

Many of us left religion to escape an environment that made it unsafe to be different. Whether it was being queer, questioning gender roles, or simply thinking for yourself, religious spaces often demanded conformity.

Now, with Trump and his movement targeting 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, reproductive freedoms, racial justice, and gender expression, it’s bringing back that same feeling of being unsafe, of having to hide, of not knowing if your existence will be ‘allowed.’

For those who already lived through that oppression in religious settings, seeing it play out politically can feel like a fresh betrayal.

How This Affects Your Mental Health

Religious trauma isn’t something you simply ‘get over’ by leaving—it imprints on your nervous system until it’s actively healed. When political events start mirroring the oppression you escaped, your body and mind react as if it’s happening all over again.

• Hypervigilance: You might feel constantly on edge, waiting for the next attack on your rights or identity.
• Panic and Anxiety: News headlines might send you into spirals of fear, much like hearing an apocalyptic sermon used to.
• Shame and Self-Doubt: Old programming may creep in, making you question your worth or if you’re overreacting.
• Loneliness: If your deconstruction already cost you relationships, today’s political climate might deepen that sense of isolation.

These are real, valid responses to trauma and the experience of being oppressed and treated unfairly by those in power. But you don’t have to navigate them alone.

How to Cope and Take Care of Yourself

If politics is bringing up your religious trauma, here’s how to protect your mental and emotional well-being:

1. Recognize the Triggers for What They Are

You’re not weak or overreacting. If political news makes you feel unsafe, unheard, or disrespected, that’s not just frustration—it may be trauma resurfacing. It could also be your body’s natural response to experiencing oppression and unfair treatment by those in power. Listen to it. Name it. Honor it. That’s the first step to reclaiming your power.

2. Create Safe Spaces for Yourself

Just like you left the church to protect your mental health, you can create new boundaries now. This might mean:

• Limiting news consumption to protect your peace.
• Curating your social media to avoid constant political anxiety.
• Prioritizing spaces (online or in-person) where you feel seen and safe.

You don’t have to expose yourself to trauma just to stay informed.

3. Find Your People

One of the hardest parts of deconstruction is losing your community. But you can build a new one. Seek out others who understand—whether it’s through online groups, local support circles, or trusted friends.

You’re not alone in this. There are others who see what’s happening, who feel what you feel, and who will stand with you.

4. Reconnect with Yourself

Leaving religion meant reclaiming your own voice. In times like this, self-connection is your anchor.

• Check in with yourself daily. How are you actually feeling?
• Practice self-compassion. If you’re struggling, don’t judge yourself for it.
• Use grounding techniques. Meditation, IFS practices (like this), breathwork, or even just placing a hand on your heart can help bring you back to the present.

You don’t have to lose yourself in the chaos. Your intuition, your power, and your truth are still yours.

5. Get Support if You Need It

Religious trauma runs deep, and political triggers can make it feel unbearable. If you’re struggling, help is available.

I’ve been there. I understand how deeply this all cuts. And if you need someone who gets it, I’m here to help.

Final Thoughts: You Are Not Powerless

The world right now may feel disturbingly similar to the religious system you left behind. And while that’s painful, it’s also a reminder of how strong you are.

You’ve already broken free from one oppressive system. You’ve already unlearned what they told you to believe.

And no matter how dark things seem, that freedom is still yours.

You are not alone. You are not powerless. You are not going back.

If this resonated with you, and you need support navigating your religious trauma or political anxiety in the current political climate, I’m here to help. IFS is a powerful way to heal religious trauma and respond to political anxiety. Reach out today. You deserve support, healing, and a life where you feel safe and free.

In compassionate support,
Forest Benedict, LMFT

🔹 Schedule a session today and start your journey toward emotional balance and empowerment.

For more articles on self-connection, codependency, religious trauma, CPTSD, IFS, connection, healing, and beyond, I invite you to check out my blog and follow for future posts here.

*Created with the assistance of AI