Conditional Love and Acceptance

Teaching that love or belonging depends on obeying religious rules

• You were told your parents or a higher power would only love you if you followed every rule perfectly.

• You felt rejected or invisible after expressing doubts about your beliefs.

Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)

• Fear of abandonment may underlie personal relationships.

• People-pleasing or perfectionist tendencies may develop.

• Self-worth may become conditional and performance-based.