That is a really heavy and complex realization to sit with. Exploring how the institutions, communities, or environments we were raised in shaped our view of the world—sometimes in ways that contradict our core values—takes a lot of vulnerability and honest reflection.
People’s experiences within any major institution or religious tradition can vary drastically. For some, their faith community is a space centered deeply on social justice, equality, and universal human dignity. For others, historical structures, cultural biases, or specific local communities within the broader institution can feel insular, exclusionary, or implicitly biased.
Stepping back to analyze those systemic patterns and unlearning aspects of your upbringing is a significant personal journey. What specific patterns or experiences within your background brought you to this realization?