Faith to Faithless: Groundbreaking conference to examine lasting impact of religious abuse

Pictured: Pragna Patel [top left], Zara Kay [top right], Dr Kristin Aune [middle right], bottom row left to right: Alexander Barnes-Ross, Yehudis Fletcher, Rachael Reign, Dr James Murphy

Leading experts in the impact of religious abuse and religious trauma will convene in October for a specially organised conference from Humanists UK – the Faith to Faithless Apostasy Conference 2024: The Systemic Nature of Religious Abuse.

The conference offers a unique opportunity to learn about the mechanisms of religious abuse and its lasting impact. The assembled experts will specifically look at the trauma suffered by so-called ‘apostates’ – people who leave high-control religious communities – which can result from abusive behaviours which range from shunning, domestic violence, and coercive control through to so-called ‘honour-based’ violence, which can include sexual violence and attempted murder.

The event has been organised by the expert team behind Faith to Faithless, Humanists UK’s specialist service supporting ex-religious people coping with religious trauma and loss of community. This year’s event will be live-streamed on Wednesday 9 October from 10:00 to 16:00.

‘The high prevalence and varied forms of religious abuse in the UK today, not just sexual abuse, is not widely known or appreciated. It is weekly that we hear from survivors of domestic abuse for example, who are told by religious leaders that the solution for their suffering is that they need to be ‘more submissive’ or ‘better wives’. Former members who speak out have too often been ignored or labelled as ‘bitter’ in the past.’

‘And it isn’t just within the small ‘cult-like’ religions, we are seeing various forms of abuse and cover-up, we often see this within more established faith groups too. Therefore, I’m excited that at last we have so many experts speaking out, not just about the abuse itself, but also the systemic nature of the abuse and how sadly some UK state structures can sometimes cover-up, or even promote it.

Terri O’Sullivan – Humanists UK’s Apostate Services Development Officer

Conference overview

Renowned feminist activist and founder of Southall Black Sisters Pragna Patel will deliver the conference’s keynote address, bringing her extensive knowledge of issues of justice, equality, women’s rights, and religious fundamentalism, and her particular expertise on these issues in a South Asian context. Her insights are expected to shed light on the pervasive and often hidden forms of religious abuse in the UK.

Other speakers include former Scientologist Alexander Barnes-Ross, Nahamu founder Yehudis Fletcher, researcher Dr Kristine Aune from the Centre for Peace and Security at Coventry University, researcher Dr James Murphy from the Open University, Rachel Reign from Survivors Universal UK, which advocates for leavers of the ‘cult-like’ Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), and Zara Kay founder of Faithless Hijabi which provides mental health support for ex-Muslims around the world.

Expert research and first-hand testimony

The conference will explore how some religious systems not only create environments conducive to abuse but also promote it, using religious doctrines and leadership to shield these practices from accountability. Abuse – sometimes framed as morally right in certain religious contexts – is often normalised and covered up in ways that harm individuals and communities.

The event will be divided into two subthemes:

• Religions and rape culture – This theme will focus on how some religious doctrines and leadership create and promote ‘rape culture’ and the far-reaching impacts this may have on those who leave those religions.
  
• Failures of the state – This second theme will investigate how UK state policies may obscure or even facilitate various forms of religious abuse in ways that push vulnerable people further away from the support agencies they may need.

Tickets are available to purchase humanists.uk/events/apostasy-conference-2024 via the Humanists UK website.

Who should attend?

This conference is designed for academics, activists, therapists, human services professionals, such as those working in charities or social services, and policymakers. Those working in relevant fields can count their attendance towards their continued professional development (CPD) requirements.

It is also open to anyone in the general public with an interest in understanding (and addressing) the issue of religious abuse, or in supporting vulnerable individuals leaving high-control religious environments.

Tickets are available for £10 for the general public or professional service providers, with free admission for people who have left high-control religions. Book your place now.

Apostasy Conference 2024 – The Systemic Nature of Religious Abuse | Faith to Faithless

9 October 2024, 10:00
Online

An online conference for academics and practitioners who care about the needs of apostates. The theme of the Apostasy Conference 2024 is ‘The Systemic Nature of Religious Abuse’

More info Register now