I spent the best part of a decade within the walls of one of the most conservative and fundamentalist Pentecostal denominations in Greece. While I still hold a sense of faith in the Divine, I have deconstructed—and continue to deconstruct—many of the beliefs that were instilled in me. The doctrine of the rapture is one of them.
I've seen first-hand the devastating effects that such beliefs can have on people’s mental health. And, as I’ll explain below, this doctrine also contributes to some of the major social issues we face today, climate change being one of them.
Before we go any further…
This is not a Bible study or a theological paper. It’s not an attempt to convert anyone to anything. I’m simply here to expose the toxicity of certain religious beliefs and how they are used to manipulate and emotionally harm men and women alike.
My hope is to play a small part in people’s healing from religious trauma and, if they wish, help them explore healthier expressions of spirituality.
What is the Doctrine of the Rapture?
Many Christians, particularly in Protestant circles, believe this doctrine has been around since the time of Jesus. In reality, for the first 18 centuries of Christianity, there is not a single mention of it. The concept appears in the 1830s, likely introduced by John Nelson Darby.
Although believers differ on when the rapture will occur, the core idea is this: at any given moment, without warning, Jesus will return and “rapture” all faithful Christians, both dead and alive, to be with him for eternity. Everyone else will be left behind to “reap what they sow.” Eventually, God will destroy most of the Earth and renew it for the saved to repopulate.
For many who believe in this doctrine, 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is the go-to verse. From there, they cherry-pick other scattered verses to back up this end-times theory.
The rapture is a lot more popular amongst high-control religious groups. The more pressure a group puts on its members, the more frequent and intense the sermons on hell, judgment, and the rapture. It’s worth noting that both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches mostly reject this doctrine.
This kind of existential uncertainty can trigger deep fear and anxiety, especially for those struggling with questions around faith, morality, and life’s purpose.
How Rapture Anxiety Manifests
Like all forms of anxiety, rapture anxiety exists on a spectrum. No two people experience it the same way.
Symptoms can range from mild unease to full-blown panic attacks and depression. Common signs include:
Insomnia
Obsessive thoughts about the end times
Social withdrawal
- Intense fear of divine judgment or being "left behind"
High-control religious groups always look to exploit this fear. It becomes a tool to enforce strict compliance, demand financial contributions (tithes and/or other "mandatory offerings"), and ensure participation in church activities, even when members are struggling financially or emotionally.
People in these environments are often made to feel constantly inadequate, forever falling short of pleasing a critical, impossible-to-please deity.
Many who suffer from rapture anxiety also display symptoms of PTSD. Even when they abandon their previous religion PTSD doesn’t leave them. People can be triggered by certain types of music and social settings (like drinking in a pub or dancing), or anything deemed sinful by their former group. These moments can flood a person with dread that they’ll be left behind, or worse, condemned.
After leaving a high-pressure group, it’s not uncommon for individuals to seek therapy to begin healing from religious trauma.
Social Consequences of the Doctrine of Rapture
Like any mental health struggle, rapture anxiety doesn’t just affect the individual, it can damage relationships and impact wider society.
As people withdraw from non-believing friends and family to spend more time with the “chosen ones,” their relationships suffer, often beyond repair.
Doctrines like the rapture also breed social apathy. Why care about injustice, inequality, or politics if the world is going to end in fire and brimstone anyway?
As I mentioned earlier, denial of climate change is often rooted in the doctrine of rapture. Among conservative evangelicals, especially in the US, it’s not uncommon to hear that accelerating environmental destruction will force Jesus to return even sooner (the so called 2nd coming). This isn’t a fringe view; it’s a key reason the US has abstained from environmental treaties.
And yet, climate change is one of the major concerns of the younger generations today. Imagine their anxiety when some people actively welcome the destruction of the planet.
Our Healing Journey
Acknowledging that something isn’t right is the first step in healing. If you're suffering from rapture anxiety, know that you're not alone, and that recovery is possible.
Here are some steps that may help on your journey:
1. Seek Professional Help
Many people don’t realise they’re suffering from rapture anxiety or religious trauma. You might just know you’re not okay, you may be battling anxiety attacks, depression, insomnia, or difficulty connecting with others.
If you have a background in a high-control religious group, this could be a sign that religious trauma is part of your story.
Look for a therapist with experience in religious trauma, faith deconstruction, failing this a trauma-informed therapist will be your next best choice. Many offer online counselling, which can make accessing help easier and more discreet.
2. Educate Yourself
Knowledge is power. Learning about the history and interpretations of apocalyptic beliefs can dispel much of the fear that surrounds them.
I highly recommend Surprised by Hope by Tom Wright, where he thoroughly debunks the rapture doctrine.
Also, two podcasts that have helped me a lot are:
The Nomad Podcast
I Was a Teenage Fundamentalist
3. Peer Support
A common trap in mental health struggles is the belief that we’re alone. But you are not alone. Many others are walking or have walked this path.
Finding community, whether online or in person, can be a game-changer in your recovery.
4. Mindfulness and Body Work
Trauma disconnects us from our bodies. Toxic religion does the same. Practices like yoga, breath work, and meditation help us reconnect, locate where trauma lives in the body, and begin to heal.
5. Reevaluate Your Beliefs
Faith deconstruction can be painful, but it's also deeply freeing. Questioning and critically examining old beliefs is essential for healing and for developing a more grounded, compassionate spirituality.
There Is Hope
Rapture anxiety and religious trauma can wreak havoc on our mental and emotional well-being, but recovery is possible.
Many of us have come through it and emerged stronger, more self-aware, and more compassionate.
I truly believe you can too.
And please, be kind to yourself. You're doing the hard work, and that’s something to be proud of.