Freedom as Spiritual Practice: Christine Greenwald Interview (Safe Spiritual Spaces Interview Series)
Another installment in an interview series about what makes a safe/healthy spiritual space
Welcome back to the Safe Spiritual Spaces Interview Series, where we hear from writers, artists, therapists, clergy, practitioners, and other voices who do work at the intersections of spirituality, creativity, and justice. For each post in this series, I’ll ask our guests the same four questions, and they will share from their wisdom, experience, and research.
Today, we welcome Christine Greenwald!
Tell us a little about your work…
I’m a licensed mental health therapist with an insurance-based private practice in rural Ohio. I see a lot of clients who have complex trauma (including religious trauma!) and/or are LGBTQ+. I also write a weekly blog on Substack that’s all about navigating religious trauma, and I bring a spiritual/therapist’s lens to some of our difficult current or political events.
In your experience and/or research, what are some of the things that make a spiritual space safe?
In my experience, and as a head-oriented Enneagram Five, I need to be in a space that doesn’t expect that I’ll come to the same conclusions they have. I’ve probably done much more research about Christianity than the average church-going Christian, so no, I’m not still “figuring things out” and I’m probably not going to “come back around.” I’m okay with a Christian space if it’s one that is very open to other beliefs and viewpoints. That has been a helpful antidote to the One Right Way thinking of fundamentalism.
And a requirement (for me) is that they be justice-oriented, LGBTQ+ affirming, and interested in challenging oppressive systems! If our life values align, there’s space for freedom of belief, and they’re welcoming of my intellectual streak, it is probably a safe spiritual space for me.
What advice would you give to someone looking for a safe spiritual space after religious trauma?
Don’t give up hope. Safe spiritual spaces can come in lots of forms: it might be a progressive, supportive church in your area, or maybe a meditation group or monthly Taize service. Maybe it’s a collection of friends or acquaintances you’ve met online. Maybe it’s one friend that lives far away but with whom you can be your totally authentic spiritual self. And maybe it’s a little sanctuary—a cozy chair and blanket, maybe a couple candles—that you set up in your own home to give yourself the offering of spiritual peace. And maybe it’s all those things at different points in the journey!
Anything else you’d like to share about this topic or your current projects?
I’ve been lucky enough to find safe spiritual spaces in numerous places in my ex-evangelical journey, from an unprogrammed Quaker meeting to a Taize group to a small progressive Christian church. And sometimes it really is just me. It can feel really lonely, but I promise, there are others of us out there yearning for the same spiritual connections and safe spiritual places—we just need to find each other! Kandi’s blog is a great resource, and you’ll find a great community at my Substack too!
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Please join me in thanking Christine for her words and wisdom. And you should definitely go check out her blog here on Substack.
May we all be free to be ourselves—and extend that same freedom to our communities—in whatever spaces we inhabit!
In Wonder,
Kandi Zeller (she/her)
Love this, Christine. 🩷 no, I’m not “still figuring things out” - I’ve felt this exactly. I want to say so often to mom when she expresses concerns - do you know much I’ve thought about this/how many books I’ve read?!?
Yeah, “figuring things out” undoubtedly means a person has figured it out when we come around to their view. So.much.hubris! Liked this a lot too: “I’m okay with a Christian space if it’s one that is very open to other beliefs and viewpoints... justice-oriented, LGBTQ+ affirming, and interested in challenging oppressive systems!” And thanks for mentioning Taize’! I had seen the term but didn’t know what it was till I looked it up. I think I would enjoy it, which makes me want to find one! Thanks, Kandi and Christine!