Episode 3 - From Charismatic Christian to Suburban Witch: Hana O'Neill

Summary

In this episode, Matt talks to Hana, also known as the Suburban Witch, about her journey from growing up in a Pentecostal church to exploring witchcraft and spirituality. Hana shares her experiences of being raised in a strict religious environment and the challenges she faced in questioning her beliefs. She discusses the impact of leaving the church and finding her own path, as well as the realization of the manipulation and control within religious institutions. Hana also reflects on the importance of seeing the church from a fresh perspective and the anxiety that can arise in religious environments. In this conversation, Hana, The Suburban Witch, discusses the harmful effects of religious guilt and shame, particularly in relation to the concept of being born as a sinner. She shares her personal experiences with mental health struggles and how the church exacerbated them. Hana also talks about the emotional manipulation and insecurities perpetuated by charismatic pastors and church camps. She highlights the need for resources and responses for exvangelicals when engaging with religious individuals. Hana then delves into her journey of discovering and embracing witchcraft as a healing practice, finding empowerment in her spirituality, and embracing mystery.

Takeaways

• Religious guilt and shame can have detrimental effects on mental health, particularly when individuals are made to believe they are inherently sinful.

• The concept of being born as a sinner can lead to a negative self-image and contribute to mental health struggles.

• Emotional manipulation and insecurities are often used by charismatic pastors to keep individuals tied to the church.

• Church camps can be emotionally distressing, with activities designed to elicit feelings of guilt and shame.

• Discovering and embracing witchcraft can be a healing practice, providing empowerment and a sense of personal agency.

• Letting go of the need for absolute truth and embracing mystery can lead to a more open and fulfilling spiritual journey.

Notes

• All roads lead to Theology Beer Camp

• April Ajoy’s Linktree

• Witch Talks - Episode 005: Mortellus on Death & Pagan Funerals - A Suburban Witchery Podcast

• Witch Talks - Episode 034: Religious Trauma - A Not So Mini Minisode with Hana

• Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed

• Suburban Witchery (Hana’s Business!)

• https://instagram.com/suburban_witchery

• https://www.tiktok.com/@suburbanwitchery

• https://www.youtube.com/suburbanwitchery

• https://www.facebook.com/suburbanwitchery

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:06 Growing Up in a Pentecostal Church

10:27 Questioning and Deconstructing

14:07 Leaving the Church and Exploring New Interests

26:00 Experiencing a Different Church Environment

31:40 Realizing the Manipulation and Control in the Church

36:40 Seeing the Church from a Fresh Perspective

38:56 Feeling Anxious in Religious Environments

40:29 The Harmful Effects of Religious Guilt and Shame

41:57 The Concept of Being Born as a Sinner

42:55 The Impact on Mental Health

43:21 Emotional Manipulation and Insecurities

44:23 The Cycle of Sin and Self-Harm

45:04 The Emotional Distress of Church Camp

46:29 The Manipulation of Children at Church Camp

48:34 The Creation of an Exvangelical Resource

54:37 Discovering Witchcraft as a Healing Practice

59:02 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Witchcraft

01:03:24 The Empowerment of Being a Witch

01:08:13 Embracing Mystery and Letting Go of Absolute Truth