Nigerian comedian and actor Funnybone has called on the Christian community to recognise that spiritual commitment alone may not resolve the psychological effects of childhood trauma, stressing that therapy and faith can work together.
The comedian made the remarks in a post shared on his official Instagram page on Sunday, where he argued that some personality traits and behavioural challenges are rooted in unresolved trauma rather than a lack of spirituality.
“I hope that one day the church understands that some personality traits have nothing to do with spirituality, and that being ‘born again’ doesn’t erase childhood trauma or behavioral dysfunction,” he wrote.
Funnybone maintained that many young Christians mistakenly believe that being born again is sufficient to heal emotional wounds, whereas unresolved trauma can continue to influence behaviour even after a person embraces the Christian faith.
He said therapy sessions should be prioritised alongside spiritual growth, adding that many believers still struggle with bitterness and emotional pain resulting from difficult life experiences.
“Most young Christians are living with deep childhood trauma and bitterness as a result of their life experiences, yet they assume that being born again is enough. But the truth is, you can be a traumatized, born-again Christian,” he stated.
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The comedian further argued that unresolved trauma often manifests subconsciously and may explain why some individuals who profess Christianity still exhibit unkind behaviour.
“This is one reason why some of the meanest people I’ve met call themselves ‘born again Christians’ because trauma often thrives in the subconscious,” he added.
Expanding on the message in the caption accompanying the post, Funnybone said many Christians tend to define spiritual transformation only by avoiding behaviours such as smoking, drug abuse and sexual immorality, while overlooking deeper emotional and psychological wounds.
“To many young Christians, not smoking, not doing drugs, and not sleeping around are seen as the essence of being a new creation in Christ. Yet, the heart can still be deeply wounded, bitter, or unkind because unresolved trauma often shapes subconscious reactions,” he wrote.
He concluded by emphasising that therapy, religion and spirituality can coexist, encouraging a more holistic approach to emotional healing within the Christian community.
The post has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with many users agreeing that faith and professional mental health support should complement one another, while others debated the role of the church in addressing emotional and psychological challenges.