Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome

A Memoir of Humor and Healing

By: Reba Riley

Narrated by: Reba Riley

Written with humor and personality, this debut memoir recounts a woman’s spiritual quest of experiencing thirty religions before her thirtieth birthday. Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome is for questioners, doubters, misfits, and seekers of all faiths, and tackles the universal struggle to heal what life has broken.

On her twenty-ninth birthday, while guests were arriving downstairs, Reba Riley was supposedly upstairs getting dressed. In actuality, she was slumped on the floor sobbing about everything from the meaning of life to the pile of dirty laundry on the floor.

Life without God was crashing in on her. And she was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. She uttered a desperate prayer, and then the idea came to her—thirty by thirty. And thus she embarked on a year-long quest to experience thirty religions by her thirtieth birthday. During her spiritual sojourn, Riley:

-Was interrogated about her sex life by Amish grandmothers

-Disco danced in a Buddhist temple

-Fasted for thirty days without food—or wine

-Washed her lady parts in a mosque bathroom

-Was audited by Scientologists

-Learned to meditate with an urban monk

-Snuck into a Yom Kippur service with a fake grandpa in tow

-And finally discovered she didn’t have to choose a religion to choose God

In a debut memoir that is funny and earnest, Riley invites questioners, doubters, misfits, and curious believers to participate in the universal search to heal what life has broken. Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome takes you by the hand and reminds you that sometimes you first have to be lost in order to be found.

very healing, thank you

I am so thankful that I found this book. I thought ignoring my issues with the church would be best, but it became clear that I had a chip on my shoulder that wouldn't go away. I kinda thought I was the only one, so I wasn't even aware of a path towards healing. This book helped me to see that it is ok to allow the Spirit to meet me where I am. And I am not in church, and that is ok. I have experienced even more of, what I call, the Holy Spirit and personal growth since I left the church. But that doesn't mean I'm somehow better. In the disco we all are flects of light coming off the same ball. Hating and judging others because of how they worship is like hating yourself. So I'm letting go of my anger at those who made me feel less than worthy and I am continuing my spiritual journey wherever it leads me with a much smaller group to truly fellowship with. I'd rather have a small group that truly cares than a large group that just pretends to for a couple hours on Sunday.

Just what my heart needed!!

I truly enjoyed listening to the audiobook and Reba’s experience with PTCS. Your journey paralleled my own experience with my religious beliefs.

SAME!

I have felt 99% of the author's sentiment most of my adult life. I still feel triggered, bothered, annoyed, etc, at much of the church activities, culture and "Christian-ese," but felt guilty and alone about it.
Reba was very honest and candid about her feelings as far as religion, Jesus, church, and the Godiverse. Her project was quite enlightening to me. I loved it and wish I had the drive to do my own 30 by ... uh well 😳 48?

Relatable and funny

I have a new understanding of my own spiritual injury and a new hope for finding healing from it all. I hope all who have gone through religious trauma can find solace in RR’s story

thank you Reba!

tears flood my eyes writing this review. thank you for accompanying me through the worst and best weeks of my life. as I walk through the hallways finishing up my senior year of college, I am determined to heal my soul. this summer, I decided to extinguish my burning anger towards christianity and give religion a chance. with an open mind i opened this book, which came at the most convenient time. a time where I was living in fear, afraid of death, and overly suspicious of physical symptoms that only turned out to be anxiety. your story distracted me from my fears and quieted my mind, and I remember now what I believe in. the disco ball, the infinite ways to feel and love God. without a fear of dying or crippling fatigue, I rejoice and take on life with all my might. love, maria