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 CommunitiesUnhealthy Religious Communities
Encourage honesty and transparencyEncourage secretive behavior
See people of other races, cultures, and beliefs as different and equally worthySee people of other races, cultures, and beliefs as good or bad or better or worse
Promote universal respect and tolerance for healthy differencesHarbor suspicion and hatred towards outsiders
Encourages personal freedom of thought, expression, and choiceCurtail personal freedom of thought, expression, and choice
Strengthen self-esteem and enjoyment of lifeWeaken self-esteem and enjoyment of life
Work for just and holy peacePromote violence and disunity
Encourage critical thinking and questioningDiscourage critical thinking and questioning
Leadership concerned about serving the community and welcoming othersLeadership hostile to outsiders and takes from (instead of giving to) community
Contributions are made willingly; transparent systems of financial accountabilityContributions are made compulsively; secretive procedures regarding finances
Welcome helpful changes and suggestionsResist change and suggestions
Promote relationships with people both inside and outside of the communityIsolate members from relationships outside of the religious community
Support members that leave in an affirming wayCurse and penalize all who leave
Have clear accountability for leadershipProvide no real accountability for leadership