How Religions Create “Out-Groups”: Belonging, Exclusion, and Moral Control
$7.99
By Valerie Hamaker, MA, NCC, LPC, CPT
Why do human communities so often divide into “us” and “them”? Why are certain people labeled as outsiders, dangerous, or deviant — and what can we do to stop this cycle?
In this powerful workbook, based on Valerie Hamaker’s Sunstone keynote and the groundbreaking scholarship of Gerta Lerner, you’ll explore how societies create and sustain “out-groups,” why scapegoating and dehumanization persist, and how each of us can break the cycle of exclusion.
Blending history, psychology, and faith-informed reflection, Valerie offers both education and guided exercises to help you:
- Understand the six-step process of how societies create out-groups
- Recognize the impact of stigmatization, scapegoating, and dehumanization
- Explore your own experiences of being “othered” — or participating in the cycle
- Learn practical ways to resist systems of dominance and foster belonging
- Write your own Personal Declaration of Belonging
This resource is part teaching, part reflection journal, and part gentle guide for reclaiming your place in community with compassion and integrity.
✨ Perfect for: anyone navigating faith expansion, exploring social justice, or healing from exclusion in religious or cultural settings.
📖 20+ pages of content, reflection prompts, and journaling space.