Contribute to the community.
Do you have a story to share? A resource that’s helped you? We want to hear it.
Share your story. Write a review of the resource you found helpful. Tell us about art you’ve encountered that’s been healing for you, or a new hobby you’ve picked up as a result. Share a quote you had stenciled on your mirror or taped to the dash of your car.
We can’t promise we’ll publish it, but your contribution may help someone else. Send it our way.
email: tearsofeden.org@gmail.com
2024 Themes:
March - Women’s History Month
April - Sexual Assault Awareness Month, National Poetry Month (Send Poetry Submissions!)
May - Mental Health Awareness, Sexual Freedom, AAPI Heritage Month
June - TBD
July - TBD
Guidelines:
Share personal experience (personal story or how the reviewed resource impacted you or helped you)
Connection to spiritual abuse (either directly or indirectly)
1,000(ish) words or less
Free of "Christianese" or overtly religious sounding language
Avoid preaching
Send to tearsofeden.org@gmail.com in an attached Word doc with a short professional bio (let us know if you want to remain anonymous)
We acknowledge each person is on a personal journey. We are all at different places with our faith, church, God, etc. We try to reflect that in our resources and, at the same time, allow our contributors to be where they are.
For example, someone might describe their relationship with Jesus as more vibrant and deeper than ever. Someone else might not be sure if God is real, or they might not want anything to do with God. We are about allowing both avenues in either space (and anywhere in between).
Please note that neither Tears of Eden, nor the editor, nor the editorial team is responsible or legally liable for any content or any statements made by any author, but the legal responsibility is solely that author’s once an article appears on TearsofEden.org.
One Story.
Hi, I’m Katherine. Let’s get personal for a second. I wanted to share a bit of my story with you. First, I grew up in a Spiritually Abusive home and community. I left that world and headed into vocational ministry. Several years later, I found myself working for a church where Spiritual Abuse was rampant. But I didn’t see it at first. It’s hard to see when the instigators are pastors and elders—who are supposed to be caring shepherds. It’s hard to see when the system protects and perpetuates.
I left that church (I’d done this sort of leaving once before, but it wasn’t any easier). When I started to share my story, I realized this was not an uncommon experience in faith-based communities.
I decided something needed to be done to care for those leaving these communities—reeling from emotional turmoil, trauma, and confusion. That’s how Tears of Eden came about.
Why Tears of Eden?
The name, Tears of Eden, is the result of a few things. Eden is commonly acquainted with thoughts of paradise, and if you’ve experienced Spiritual Abuse (or any abuse) you’ve experienced the exact opposite of paradise. Tears are mourning for the many ways we’ve experienced the opposite of Paradise. Tears are also a good thing. A gift. Learning to grieve is a powerful component of the recovery process, and we don’t want to shy away from acknowledging the things that break our hearts.
If you’ve been wounded in the name of God, I want you to know my heart breaks for you, as it’s broken for myself. I hope you find comfort here. Thank you for coming.