SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
We want TCU students to be part of a religious community that contributes to their growth and development. Mindful that some communities can be detrimental to one’s spirituality and/or mental health, we offer these guidelines to help you discern whether or not your community is healthy.
If you are concerned that your community is not healthy, we invite you to share your experience with us by clicking this form. Information submitted will be kept confidential.
| Healthy Religious Communities | Unhealthy Religious Communities |
|---|---|
| Encourage honesty and transparency | Encourage secretive behavior |
| See people of other races, cultures, and beliefs as different and equally worthy | See people of other races, cultures, and beliefs as good or bad or better or worse |
| Promote universal respect and tolerance for healthy differences | Harbor suspicion and hatred towards outsiders |
| Encourages personal freedom of thought, expression, and choice | Curtail personal freedom of thought, expression, and choice |
| Strengthen self-esteem and enjoyment of life | Weaken self-esteem and enjoyment of life |
| Work for just and holy peace | Promote violence and disunity |
| Encourage critical thinking and questioning | Discourage critical thinking and questioning |
| Leadership concerned about serving the community and welcoming others | Leadership hostile to outsiders and takes from (instead of giving to) community |
| Contributions are made willingly; transparent systems of financial accountability | Contributions are made compulsively; secretive procedures regarding finances |
| Welcome helpful changes and suggestions | Resist change and suggestions |
| Promote relationships with people both inside and outside of the community | Isolate members from relationships outside of the religious community |
| Support members that leave in an affirming way | Curse and penalize all who leave |
| Have clear accountability for leadership | Provide no real accountability for leadership |