Elizabeth Smart’s story is not just about survival. It is also about faith, doubt, healing, and personal choice. After the release of the Netflix documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, many people are asking one clear question: Is Elizabeth Smart still Mormon after her kidnapping?
This article answers that question clearly, using verified facts from Netflix Tudum, The New York Times, and TV Insider. Every section is written to answer real human search queries in simple language.
Elizabeth Smart Religion After Kidnapping: What Changed and Why
Elizabeth Smart was raised in a deeply Mormon household in Salt Lake City, Utah. Before her kidnapping in 2002, religion shaped her daily life, values, and understanding of right and wrong.
After being abducted at age 14 and held captive for nine months, her relationship with religion changed forever. According to the Netflix documentary and her interviews, the kidnapping forced Elizabeth Smart to question what she had been taught about faith, shame, and morality.
She does not describe this as rejecting everything. Instead, she describes it as learning to think for herself.
Answer: Elizabeth Smart did not return to her childhood faith in the same unquestioning way after the kidnapping.
Is Elizabeth Smart Still Mormon Today?
This is the most searched question.
Is Elizabeth Smart still Mormon after kidnapping?
The honest answer is: she does not publicly label herself as a practicing Mormon today.
In her Netflix Tudum interview, Elizabeth says:
“I have appreciation for many of the things it taught me growing up. But until I feel like I know for myself, I don’t believe anything anyone sells me anymore.”
This statement shows clarity. She respects parts of her Mormon upbringing, but she no longer follows faith blindly or out of fear.
Answer: Elizabeth Smart forges her own belief system today instead of strictly following Mormon church beliefs.
How Did the Kidnapping Affect Elizabeth Smart’s Faith?
Elizabeth Smart’s trauma was directly tied to religion. Her kidnapper, Brian David Mitchell, used distorted religious language to justify abuse.
According to the documentary:
- She was raped multiple times a day.
- Her abuser prayed after assaults.
- Religion was used as a tool of control.
This caused what experts call religious trauma, where faith becomes associated with fear, guilt, and shame.
Answer: The kidnapping deeply damaged Elizabeth Smart’s trust in religious authority and forced her to separate faith from abuse.
Elizabeth Smart Faith Journey: Before vs After (Table)
| Aspect | Before Kidnapping | After Kidnapping |
|---|---|---|
| Religious upbringing | Strict Mormon household | Independent belief system |
| View of authority | Trusted religious leaders | Questions all authority |
| Understanding of sexuality | Shame-based teachings | Open, educational conversations |
| Faith identity | Defined by church | Defined by personal values |
| Parenting approach | Traditional teachings | Empowerment and consent |
What Does Elizabeth Smart Say About Mormon Church Beliefs Today?
Elizabeth Smart does not publicly attack the Mormon Church. Instead, she focuses on how silence around abuse harmed her.
In the documentary, she explains:
- She was taught extensively about abstinence.
- She was never taught about consent or rape.
- This silence caused her to feel “dirty” and “unwanted.”
Answer: Elizabeth Smart believes religious silence around abuse caused emotional harm, even though the abuse was not her fault.
Elizabeth Smart Netflix Documentary Faith Journey Explained
The Netflix documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart focuses heavily on her internal struggle with faith.
Key revelations include:
- She felt isolated after rescue.
- Male religious interviewers retraumatized her.
- Her captor used faith to justify violence.
According to Netflix Tudum, this documentary is the first time Elizabeth fully explains how faith and trauma collided in her life.
Answer: The documentary shows Elizabeth Smart reclaiming control over belief instead of rejecting faith entirely.
What Religion Is Elizabeth Smart Now?
Elizabeth Smart has not officially declared a new religion.
What she has clearly said:
- She believes in thinking critically.
- She rejects blind belief.
- She values empathy, safety, and truth.
Answer: Elizabeth Smart follows personal beliefs rather than a formal religious label today.
How Did Elizabeth Smart Rebuild Her Life After Abduction?
Elizabeth Smart’s life after kidnapping includes:
- Marriage and children
- Advocacy for abuse survivors
- Public speaking on trauma and consent
Statistically:
- Over 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser.
- Silence increases long-term trauma by up to 60%, according to survivor studies cited in advocacy research.
Elizabeth actively works to break that silence.
Answer: She rebuilt her life through education, advocacy, and open communication.
What Lessons Does Elizabeth Smart Teach Her Children About Faith and Safety?
Elizabeth Smart teaches her children:
- Correct body part names
- Consent and self-defense
- That fighting back is allowed
- That shame has no place in safety
She says clearly:
“If they protect themselves, I will always back them up.”
Answer: Elizabeth Smart prioritizes empowerment over religious shame when raising her children.
Why Is Elizabeth Smart’s Story So Important Today?
Her story matters because:
- 1 in 4 girls experience sexual abuse before age 18.
- Religious shame often prevents reporting.
- Survivors need language, not silence.
Elizabeth Smart proves survival does not require blind faith. It requires truth.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Elizabeth Smart still Mormon after kidnapping?
No, she does not publicly identify as a practicing Mormon today.
2. Did Elizabeth Smart leave the Mormon Church?
She no longer follows it unquestioningly, according to her interviews.
3. What religion is Elizabeth Smart now?
She follows personal beliefs rather than a formal religion.
4. How did kidnapping affect Elizabeth Smart’s faith?
It forced her to question religious teachings tied to shame and silence.
5. Does Elizabeth Smart still believe in God?
She has not clearly defined her belief, focusing instead on personal truth.
6. What is Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart about?
It tells her story of abduction, trauma, and healing in her own words.
7. Is the Elizabeth Smart Netflix documentary true?
Yes, it is based on verified facts and firsthand testimony.
8. Where can I watch Elizabeth Smart documentary?
It is available on Netflix.
9. How did religion impact Elizabeth Smart’s trauma?
Religious silence increased guilt and fear after abuse.
10. What message does Elizabeth Smart share today?
Survivors are never to blame, and questioning authority is healthy.
Final Answer: Is Elizabeth Smart Still Mormon?
Elizabeth Smart’s life after kidnapping is not about rejecting faith.
It is about choosing belief instead of inheriting it.
She respects her past but refuses to let religion define her worth again.
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