I have spent a good chunk of a decade within the walls of the most conservative and fundamentalist Pentecostal denomination in Greece. Although I still maintain a faith to the Divine I have now deconstruct and continue to deconstruct many of the beliefs that were instilled in me, with the doctrine of the rapture being one of them. I have also seen first hand the devastating effects such beliefs have to people’s mental health.
The doctrine of the rapture, as I explain bellow, it has also played a big part in some of the social issues we face as humanity today such as the climate change.
Before we go any further: This is not a Bible study nor a theological paper neither an attempt to convert anyone to anything. I’m simple looking to expose the toxicity of certain religious beliefs and how they are used to manipulate and emotionally hurt people. My hope is to play a small part on people’s healing from religious trauma and, if they wish, to explore healthier expression of spirituality.
First things first though. For those who have never came across it…
What is the Doctrine of Rapture?
Although many Christians in the Protestant world will swear this doctrine is around since the time of Jesus the truth is that for 18 centuries no one even mentions it and there is literally not a single line written about it up until the 1830s with John Nelson Darby probably being its creator.
Though Christians who adhere to this doctrine are divided on the when this event will happen the basic idea is that at any given moment and without notice Jesus will come to take (ie rapture) all of the faithful Christians, both dead and alive to be with him forever and ever, while the unfaithful will be left behind to ‘reap what they saw’! At some point after that God will destroy the biggest part of planet earth and then renew it for the believers to repopulate it.
For most fans of the rapture the key Biblical text to support this doctrine is St Paul’s 1st Letter to Thessalonians 4:17 and then go into a wild hunt of proof reading many random and scattered verses throughout the Bible.
The doctrine of rapture is an end-of-days theory favoured by many high-pressure congregations, and the higher the pressure these kind of groups put to their member the frequency and intensity of sermons around the rapture, hell and final judgment increases dramatically.
Worth noting that the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Catholic church mostly reject this doctrine.
This existential uncertainty can trigger intense fear and anxiety, especially for individuals who grapple with questions about their faith, morality, and ultimate purpose.
How Rapture Anxiety Manifests?
Rapture anxiety like all anxieties exist in a spectrum. Each person will experience it in a different way.
Symptoms vary from mild unease to panic attacks and depression. Individuals experiencing this form of anxiety may show symptoms such as insomnia, obsessive thoughts about the end times, social withdrawal, and a heightened sense of existential dread.
The fear of being left behind or facing divine judgment can lead to a pervasive sense of hopelessness and despair, affecting both mental and emotional well-being. This is a fear all high-pressure groups will capitalize on. It will be used to ensure unquestionable compliance with the groups leadership and beliefs, extort money from their members in the form of tithing and many other occasional offerings which would be considered mandatory and you must contribute doesn’t matter how much you may struggle financially already. The fear of being left behind is also used to ensure full participation to the groups activities while slowing cutting off people from their friends and family that are not members.
Individuals who adhere to the doctrine of rapture will constantly made to feel not good enough for anything and constantly trying to please an impossible to please and overcritical deity.
It’s not uncommon for people suffering with rapture anxiety to also manifest symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). They may get triggered by all sorts of things like certain types of music and social settings (eg drinking in a pub or dancing), which will fill them with a dread of them going to hell or being left behind just because they did something which goes against the teachings of the high-pressure group they used to be a member or still are.
Many times after someone leaves a high-pressure group will have to start seeing a therapist to help them heal from all this trauma
Social Consequences
Like any other mental health issue, the consequences of rapture anxiety is not limited to an individual's internal struggles; it can have profound social consequences as well.
As people get withdrawn from their friends and family to spend more and more time with the ‘chosen ones’ this will fill those relationships with unresolved tension and possible unrepairable fractures.
Doctrines like the rapture causes people to be completely indifferent with many social issues like social justice, equity and politics in general. Why bother if everything is going to burn to ashes, right?
As I have mention in the introduction, indifference and even complete denial of climate change is rooted to the doctrine of the rapture. A very common attitude of many conservative evangelicals especially in the US is that if we actively contribute towards Earth’s destruction we will speed us Jesus’ 2nd coming. It’s not an accident that the US abstains from many environmental treaties.
Climate change is one of the key issues the younger generations are in particular anxious about.
Our Healing Journey
Acknowledging that something is not right is the beginning of our healing journey from any mental health issue and rapture anxiety is no different. Here some steps you can take in your path of recovery.
Seek Professional Help
The thing is that most people won’t know that they suffer from rapture anxiety or PTSD. Most of us when we decided to go into therapy didn’t know what exactly is not right with us. You may suffer with things like panic and anxiety attacks, depression, antisocial behaviour and insomnia, those are always valid reasons to see a professional. If you also have a background in a high-pressure group then this may be a good indicator that some form of religious trauma like rapture anxiety might be at play as well.
In this case, trying to find a therapist with some knowledge around the doctrine of the rapture, understanding of religious trauma and faith deconstruction will be very beneficial. If you can’t find one then a trauma informed therapist will be your next best option.Educate Yourself
Understanding the origins and different interpretations of apocalyptic beliefs can provide you with clarity and dispel misconceptions. In this case knowledge is a powerful tool in alleviating irrational fears.
I highly recommend the book Surprised by Hope by Tom Wright where he debunks the whole doctrine of the rapture.
Listening to different podcasts also helped me in processing many of my old antifundamentalist beliefs. Two of my favourites are, The Nomad Podcast and I Was A Teenage Fundamentalist.Peer Support
A very common belief amongst people who struggle with their mental health is that they are the only ones going through this which can increase the sense of isolation and helplessness. Trust me though, whatever you are going through there are many many others who went or still going through similar issues.
Being a member of a supportive and understanding community, either physical, virtual or both will be of invaluable help to your path towards recovery.Mindfulness
Incorporating mindfulness practices is another very good way to help you heal. Feeling disconnect from our bodies is something that happens due to trauma but is also something toxic religion does to us. Trauma doesn’t live exclusively in our minds but also in our bodies. Practices like yoga, meditation and breath work can help us to connect and start listening to our bodies and find where in the body our traumas are stored.- Reevaluate Beliefs
A critical examination of our old beliefs is vital to our recovery and healing from toxic religion and rapture anxiety. This process will help to develop a more nuanced understanding of faith and spirituality. Sometimes we call it faith deconstruction.
Rapture anxiety and religious trauma can have devastating effects in people’s lives but there is hope for recovery. Many of us gone through it and came out stronger and wiser. I believe you can do too!
And remember to be kind to yourself!