What is Spiritual Abuse?
Spiritual abuse occurs when a person, who has been given authority within a spiritual or religious context, misuses that authority and abuses those who gave him or her such authority. Similar terms include authoritarianism, manipulation, intimidation, legalism and elitism. Bible-based cults practice spiritual abuse, and are the focus of this website.
The following comments are excerpted from “Healing Spiritual Abuse” by Ken Blue.
Abuse of any type occurs when someone has power over another and uses that power to hurt. Physical abuse means that someone exercises physical power over another, causing physical wounds. Sexual abuse means that someone exercises sexual power over another, resulting in sexual wounds. And spiritual abuse happens when a leader with spiritual authority uses that authority to coerce, control or exploit a follower, thus causing spiritual wounds.
Spiritual abuse may differ from other forms of abuse in that it is rarely perpetrated with intent to maim … Spiritual abusers are curiously naïve about the effects of their exploitation. They rarely intend to hurt their victims. They are usually so narcissistic or so focused on some great thing they are doing for God that they don’t notice the wounds they are inflicting on their followers.
Some spiritual leaders gently coerce their congregations through skillful use of the language of intimacy and trust … At the top end of the continuum I place the deliberate exploitation and domination of the weak by a grandiose, authoritarian dictator.
People who “survive” spiritual abuse often wander in a kind of limbo; they are confused, hurt and angry … They had been intensely dedicated to Christ at one time … The most committed believers are often the most vulnerable to abusive religion.
The authoritarian, narcissistic ecclesiastical abusers of our day are the modern equivalent of the Pharisees whom Jesus scolded. Jesus not only exposed and denounced the Pharisees as false shepherds but also offered himself as advocate for their victims … [Spiritual abuse was] the one social problem Jesus himself seemed to care about most.
How Can We Recognize Spiritual Abuse?
The following comments are excerpted from “Twisted Scriptures” by Mary Alice Chrnalogar.
If you have experienced any of these conditions in your church, it may indicate a misuse of Scripture and/or may represent the presence of abuse and excessive control:
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The church sees itself as “more committed” to Jesus than those not in the church
The church sees itself as “more committed” to Jesus than those not in the church•Church members are rebuked for actions that aren’t really sinful but which merely differ from the leaders’ opinions
Church members are rebuked for actions that aren’t really sinful but which merely differ from the leaders’ opinions•The leader uses verses such as “Touch not my anointed” to imply we can’t criticize leaders without being critical of God
The leader uses verses such as “Touch not my anointed” to imply we can’t criticize leaders without being critical of God•The group emphasizes trusting leaders, having faith in leaders, imitating leaders, and/or being loyal to them
The group emphasizes trusting leaders, having faith in leaders, imitating leaders, and/or being loyal to them•The group teaches people to obey even when it doesn’t feel right
The group teaches people to obey even when it doesn’t feel right•Members must meet in private with leaders when pointing out errors [that the leaders have made]
Members must meet in private with leaders when pointing out errors [that the leaders have made]•The leader teaches that the Bible says to stay away from those who have “fallen away”
The leader teaches that the Bible says to stay away from those who have “fallen away”•The leader teaches that “following Christ” means giving up all personal wishes, desires and goals
The leader teaches that “following Christ” means giving up all personal wishes, desires and goals•The group teaches that God will give you direct revelations for every detail of your life, if only you are listening
The group teaches that God will give you direct revelations for every detail of your life, if only you are listening•The leaders [supposedly] can hear God and know God’s Will better than you can
The leaders [supposedly] can hear God and know God’s Will better than you can•The gray and open areas of your life become narrowed, and absolute rights and wrongs are made very clear
The gray and open areas of your life become narrowed, and absolute rights and wrongs are made very clear•Your group or church believes it has the only valid baptism
Your group or church believes it has the only valid baptism•You become extremely irritated when someone criticizes your group or leaders
You become extremely irritated when someone criticizes your group or leaders•Those who disagree with, or openly challenge, leaders are "causing divisions"
Those who disagree with, or openly challenge, leaders are "causing divisions"•You choose not to associate with people who cause you to question your beliefs
You choose not to associate with people who cause you to question your beliefs•To a great degree, you are disconnected from Christians outside your group and from those who have left it
To a great degree, you are disconnected from Christians outside your group and from those who have left it•You frequently feel you are not being open when you don’t confess or share
You frequently feel you are not being open when you don’t confess or share•You are told that being secretive is a sin
You are told that being secretive is a sin•Other churches simply “do it wrong”
Other churches simply “do it wrong”•You do not wish to include unbelievers in your social life
You do not wish to include unbelievers in your social life•[When you are dating,] your leader exerts control that is as bad or worse than a domineering parent
[When you are dating,] your leader exerts control that is as bad or worse than a domineering parent•Your leader talks about being “unequally yoked” when discussing potential mates not in your group
Your leader talks about being “unequally yoked” when discussing potential mates not in your group•You avoid reading books that might challenge your beliefs
You avoid reading books that might challenge your beliefs•You are told examples of bad things that happened to people who left your group
You are told examples of bad things that happened to people who left your group•You feel guilty when you make your own decisions that go against the approval of your leader (in dealing with non-moral issues)
You feel guilty when you make your own decisions that go against the approval of your leader (in dealing with non-moral issues)•Since your involvement in the group, you have little time for your family and have missed important personal commitments in order to attend group meetings or church activities
Since your involvement in the group, you have little time for your family and have missed important personal commitments in order to attend group meetings or church activities•The leaders publicly rebuke or discipline members for matters that are not necessary to expose to the whole church
The leaders publicly rebuke or discipline members for matters that are not necessary to expose to the whole church•The leaders repeatedly and emphatically request money (and stress that a lack of financial giving is an indication of an unhealthy spiritual life)
The leaders repeatedly and emphatically request money (and stress that a lack of financial giving is an indication of an unhealthy spiritual life)
