Murdered Souls, Resurrected Lives

"Soul murder" is a psychological term used to describe the intentional and traumatic neglect and abuse of children, resulting in impaired emotional development. The condition acts as a barrier to feelings of self-worth and joy. Soul murder occurs among exploited women of all races, ethnicities, and faiths.

Faith and religion can help women heal the scars of soul murder, but as veteran minister Irie Lynne Session discovered, traditional biblical interpretations often negatively affect exploited women's self-concepts, making many churches dangerously unhealthy communities for soul-murdered women.

In "Murdered Souls, Resurrected Lives," Session focuses on exploited women's understanding of God and how that understanding shapes their self-perception. Based on her own work with victims of the sex trade, Session offers a theological framework for preaching and teaching resurrection from soul murder, based on tenets of womanist theological ethics, including radical subjectivity, traditional communalism, redemptive self-love, and critical engagement with biblical stories featuring women. With help, soul-murdered women can reclaim their lives.