Nigerian comedian Funnybone has sparked an important conversation about faith and mental health after arguing that becoming born again does not automatically heal childhood trauma or emotional struggles.
The comedian shared his thoughts in a candid social media post, urging churches to recognize that not every personal challenge is rooted in spirituality.
According to him, many Christians continue to battle unresolved emotional wounds despite their faith, making professional therapy just as important as spiritual guidance.
Funnybone believes the church often mistakes psychological issues for spiritual problems, a mindset he says can prevent people from getting the help they truly need.
He wrote:
“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 behavioural dysfunction.
“Keen therapy sessions should be prioritized first. 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.”
Expanding on his point, Funnybone suggested that unresolved trauma often shapes a person’s behaviour in ways they may not even recognize. He argued that some people who identify strongly with their Christian faith may still struggle with deep-seated emotional issues because those wounds were never properly addressed.
“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.
“Therapy, religion, and spirituality can co-exist.”
His comments have resonated with many Nigerians as conversations around mental health continue to gain momentum, particularly among younger generations.
In recent years, more public figures have encouraged people to seek professional mental health support while maintaining their religious beliefs, challenging the long-held notion that faith alone should be the answer to every emotional or psychological struggle.
Mental health advocates have repeatedly stressed that therapy is not a substitute for religion, just as faith is not a replacement for professional psychological care. Instead, both can complement each other by addressing different aspects of a person’s well-being.
Funnybone’s message reflects that growing perspective, emphasizing that spiritual growth and emotional healing are not always the same journey.
While prayer and religious practices may provide comfort and hope, he believes unresolved trauma often requires intentional therapeutic intervention to prevent it from affecting relationships, personality and everyday life.
His remarks have since generated mixed reactions online. While many applauded him for speaking openly about a topic that is often overlooked in religious circles, others maintained that faith remains the ultimate source of healing.
Regardless of the differing opinions, Funnybone’s post has reignited a broader conversation about the role of therapy in Christian communities and the need to normalize seeking professional help without viewing it as a sign of weak faith. For the comedian, the message is simple: healing the mind and nurturing the spirit can go hand in hand.
