Memories by Christian adults of childhood bully experiences: Implications for adult religious self-understanding

The relation of adult memory of bullying experiences during childhood with adult religious self-understanding is a neglected area of inquiry by resear chers. Based upon a qualitative research design over a period of four years with Anglo Christian students at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, the researcher concluded that there is a relation between the adu lt memory of bullying experiences during childhood with adult religious sel f-understanding. It is posited, moreover, that bullying is an indication of spiritual crisis expressed outwardly as a desire to be in relation with th e other - but with the opposite result. The relation of bullying with such themes as empathy, hospitality, and friendship are explored as possible cor rectives to this spiritual crisis.