Mandated Shunning / Faith-Related Ostracism

When your group formally instructs others to cut contact with you

• After you leave the faith, your friends and family are told to stop speaking to you.

• Leaders make it clear that associating with you is spiritually dangerous for others.

Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)

• Intense grief and loneliness may follow the loss of community.

• Feelings of punishment for making independent choices may arise.

• Trust in future relationships may become difficult to establish.