“If your faith doesn’t let you cry, rage, rest, or leave the places that are killing you—it’s not faith. It’s control dressed in scripture.”Spir
“If your faith doesn’t let you cry, rage, rest, or leave the places that are killing you—
it’s not faith. It’s control dressed in scripture.”
Spiritual violence doesn’t always shout. It often whispers.
It doesn’t always bruise the skin. But it bruises the soul, distorts your relationship with truth, and makes you question your worth—even in the sacred places where you were promised peace.
Spiritual violence is real.
And too many Black women have endured it in silence.
🕯️ What Is Spiritual Violence?
Spiritual violence happens when someone uses religion, faith, or sacred beliefs to control, shame, silence, or harm another person.
It shows up in families, churches, mosques, temples, and communities.
It can even hide in language that sounds loving—until you realize it’s trying to erase you.
💔 What It Can Sound Like:
“You need to forgive him—it’s the Christian thing to do.”
“Stop being angry. That’s not what a godly woman looks like.”
“You’re being punished because of something you did.”
“You have to stay. That’s your cross to bear.”
“You should cover for him. Don’t bring shame on the family.”
“Just pray more. That will fix it.”
Sometimes it comes from spiritual leaders.
Sometimes from family.
Sometimes from the parts of us that were taught to suffer in silence and call it strength.
👁️🗨️ What It Really Does:
Shames you for being human
Pressures you to stay in places or relationships that harm you
Twists your faith into something that serves others, but not your freedom
Uses your love of God or Spirit against you
Demands forgiveness from you, without demanding accountability from them
🖤 For Black Women, This Violence Cuts Deep
Too many of us have been told that:
We are strong enough to carry it all
Our suffering is sacred and should not be spoken aloud
We must protect others, even when they harm us
Our anger makes us unspiritual, while silence is seen as holy
Our spiritual traditions have often been used against us—even when they were meant to uplift us.
“They told her to kneel when she needed to run. They told her to hush when she needed to roar.”
🌺 But Here’s the Truth:
✨ You don’t owe anyone your silence in the name of faith.
✨ You don’t have to stay in suffering to be considered good or worthy.
✨ You get to question, unlearn, and rebuild.
✨ You get to walk away from harm—even if it wears holy clothes.
✨ Your healing, your body, your spirit, and your story are sacred.
💬 To Every Survivor Who’s Endured Spiritual Violence:
You are not alone.
You are not less holy for setting boundaries.
You are not wrong for speaking truth, even when it shakes the room.
Your soul is still whole, even if they tried to fracture it with fear.
“Healing is not rebellion. It’s remembrance. It’s returning to the truth that you are already worthy.”
Let your healing be your altar.
Let your boundaries be your prayer.
Let your freedom be your testimony.
