Musician and storyteller Elijah Kitaka has shed light on a side of church life that is rarely spoken about, revealing the emotional and psychological toll of growing up as the son of a priest. While many view the church as a sanctuary of peace and spiritual guidance, Kitaka’s experiences paint a more complex picture—one marked by disillusionment, confusion, and silent trauma.
Speaking candidly about his upbringing, Kitaka described how the church, which should have been a place of comfort, instead became a source of emotional unrest. “Church breaks hearts,” he confessed. “Growing up in church as a priest’s son, I was traumatized by the things I saw and heard.”
For Kitaka, the experience of living behind the scenes of church life brought a sharp contrast to the public image of holiness and virtue. While outsiders often revere the church as a haven of truth, Kitaka was exposed to behaviors and conversations that sparked doubt and inner conflict. “It would put you in a position where you question yourself—if what you see or hear is the truth or not,” he said. “These things we see today have been there for ages.”
His reflections highlight issues that continue to plague many modern churches—spiritual leaders involved in public disputes, clashing egos, and performances that sometimes feel more theatrical than sacred. “Pastors engaging in feuds, trading insults, and performing like comedians… this isn’t new,” Kitaka noted. “It’s just more visible now.”
The emotional burden of witnessing such contradictions weighed heavily on Kitaka during his formative years. “I grew up with an existing faith. I used to see light in church,” he shared. “But when I grew up, I started connecting the dots and seeing things differently.”
Perhaps most haunting were the moments inside his own home—conversations overheard that shattered the ideals he once held. “Sometimes I’d hear my priest father on the phone, and the things they’d speak about weren’t exactly reassuring,” he recalled. “And it was happening in the very place I was supposed to feel safe.”
Kitaka’s story is a powerful reminder that beneath the rituals and sermons, there are human struggles often kept hidden in the shadows of the pulpit. His willingness to speak out not only gives voice to his own journey but also invites a deeper conversation about the pressures faced by those who grow up within the inner circles of religious institutions.
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