Holy Ghosted: Spiritual Anxiety, Religious Trauma, and the Language of Abuse
Ebook
How to recognize the tactics of spiritual abuse—and save your faith
Are you questioning the church of your upbringing but want to maintain your faith? Do you want to cut ties with your denomination, but fear abandonment by God? Are you struggling with spiritual anxiety—fear of hell, obsessive religious ritual, or feelings of never measuring up?
Tiffany Yecke Brooks first explored reconstructing faith in Gaslighted by God. In this much needed follow-up, she equips readers to understand and name tactics of spiritual abuse and manipulation. Each chapter covers a different method of control found in toxic religious communities—including legalism, indoctrination, praise, and fear—and how to identify and respond to it in a healthy way. Brooks also reframes scriptural passages commonly weaponized by those in power.
Weaving together interviews with diverse Christians and her own experience, Brooks offers a voice to those feeling isolated by spiritual anxiety. Empowered by this guide, readers will learn to trust their intuition, seek truth fearlessly, and love God and neighbor without restraint or fear.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Poisonous Piety
1. Kool-Aid Man Jesus and Other Phobias
2. The Mind and Christ
3. Involuntary Internalized Legalism
4. Discipline—Control through Fear
5. Dogma—Control through Indoctrination
6. Decoration—Control through Praise
7. Denial—Control through Rejection
8. Degradation—Control through Shame
9. Diminishment—Control through Dehumanizing
10. Domination—Control through Power Imbalance
Conclusion: Preach, Write, Act
Discussion Questions
Acknowledgments
“I wholeheartedly plan to utilize Holy Ghosted as a reference material for so many of my therapy clients who are navigating the minefield of deconstruction and the accompanying, pervasive anxiety. Dr. Brooks breaks down the complex nature of this journey in such a relatable, accepting way that is foreign to so many of us who have walked this path.”
—Krystal Shipps, LCPC, licensed therapist and content creator for @mendedliving on TikTok
“Using Scripture and classical literature, Tiffany Yecke Brooks masterfully unravels the knotted religious beliefs that hold Christians in the terrifying grip of shame. If you’ve never completely felt safe with God, Holy Ghosted offers illumination and deep relief.”
—Natalie Hoffman, author of Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Hidden Emotional and Spiritual Abuse
“This book is sure to be a source of peace for anyone who experiences spiritual anxiety. Brooks masterfully describes common sources of spiritual anxiety, examines biblical texts used in support of spiritually abusive tactics, and offers healthier, life-giving interpretations of Scripture. Readers who feel ghosted by God or church will feel seen and heard by this book.”
—Dr. Charles Kiser, coauthor of Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers
“I genuinely can’t remember the last time I connected as personally with a book as I did with Holy Ghosted. It was like the warm embrace of an old friend telling me it’s going to be ok, that I can let go of all the spiritual guilt, anxiety, and pain I’ve held onto for so long. What Tiffany has written is a gift to all of us who spent our lives worried we were a sin away from an eternity in hell. I couldn’t put it down and I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
—Zack Hunt, author of Godbreathed: What It Really Means for the Bible to be Divinely Inspired
“Religious trauma isn’t a fad—it’s a painful reality for an ever-increasing number of Christians. Tiffany does a beautiful job of helping readers understand what it is, why it’s so hard to recover, and where to begin your healing journey.”
—Angela Herrington, faith deconstruction coach and founder of The Deconstructing Faith Summit
- Title: Holy Ghosted: Spiritual Anxiety, Religious Trauma, and the Language of Abuse
- Author: Tiffany Yecke Brooks
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781467465960, 9780802882806, 0802882803, 1467465968
- Resource ID: LLS:9781467465960
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-01-25T03:36:12Z
Tiffany Yecke Brooks is the lead or contributing author on more than two dozen books, including Gaslighted by God: Reconstructing a Disillusioned Faith. A popular speaker for student groups, faith conferences, and academic lectureships, Brooks holds a PhD in American and Dramatic Literature from Florida State University. She has taught literature and writing at the university level.