Spiritual Abuse

Definition:

“Spiritual Abuse is a form of abuse that manifests when those in religious authority/leadership manipulate and use control tactics to undermine,disempower and subjugate those who look to them for guidance and advice in a religious capacity.”

Although this practice of abuse is known in diverse religions and beliefs systems, the practice of this abuse in christianity or closely linked beliefs system is termed as Spiritual Abuse.

Some traits of Spiritual abuse:

This list is not yet exhaustive. It explores some of the more common current traits that are exercised to the extreme. This results in the followers loss of freedom and ableness to exercise their free will, ultimately the intent is that followers submit their will to the leadership in their service to God. This list is not intended to be a theological debate between doctrines or groups, its seeks to explore what teachings constitute Spiritual Abuse within christianity.

• Hypersensitivity to the devil,demons and demon possession

Persistent prayers against the devil and forces of evil, teachings that illness, bad luck, falling in hard times or things going wrong are because of the devil or forces of evil. The enforced belief that children misbehaving, having accidents or not academically achieving is because of demonic oppression or possession. No other logical explanation is explored.

• Religious leaders are Spiritual mothers and fathers

This enforces subordination, placing the followers in an infantile dependancy on the leaders. To the extent that approval from the leaders in all matters relating to the follower, is sought before decisions are made. Buying a house, choosing a marital partner, medical advice, accepting a job offer, external family matters and legal/court cases. The followers are led to believe they are incapable of making independant decisions that are in God’s best interest and therefore they must seek the approval/guidance of their spiritual mothers and fathers.

• Unquestionable submission

The leaders are to be reverenced and obeyed without questionable doubt. Any follower who had concerns or questions any decisions made by the leadership is often publicly acknowledged as being rebellious, prideful, carnal, not in the spirit (meaning out of sync with God’s will) and disobedient. This matter will often be preached about in a sermon to the other followers although the names may be omitted, the message will carry a warning of God’s judgement falling on that follower if they continue or do not repent.

• Twisting of Biblical truths/scriptures

Much of what will be taught will have elements of truth, to make the teachings credible. However Biblical verses will be partly taught or misconstrued to enforce the personal teachings of the leader or the overall doctrines of the belief system.

• Elitism

Main themes through the teachings and words from leadership will give the impression that their group is special, even more than other followers from a different group of the same belief/faith. Comments such as, “The Lord showed me he handpicked this ministry for such a time as this,” and other words that put the groups status in a closer realm to God than others, will be taught. With this also comes the warnings that if you leave, you will be leaving your blessing, missing out on the next move of God and forfeiting God’s best for you will be heavily emphasied. Followers are often caught between their own desire to do their very best for God and absolute fear of failing God.

• The leadership or its ministry is your “covering”

The notion that God has placed them over life/soul of the follower to be a “covering”. This first taught as a covering of protection but then warnings of leaving the “covering” are taught with absolute fear to the follower that if they leave, they will be uncovered and therefore unprotected from the devil/demons. Much honour and respect is expected to those who “cover” the followers.

• Marriage submission/domestic violence

Wives are to submit and obey their husbands in an subordinate manner. Such inequality is taught to the extent that domestic violence and child abuse is unaddressed and not given serious consideration. Wives are told to forgive and pray through the abuse. Comments such as “The man is the head of the women” and Bibles verses are quoted out of context to enable the abuser to continue and the victims to remain unaided in the dangerous situations. It is often a taboo to go to outside services such as the police, social services or to seek medical aid. Any advice should be sought from leadership inside the group only. At times the leaders will seek to control the wives through advising the husbands what to do. The marriage life is not a private matter. If the wives does seek external help she will be branded as trying to dominate the husband and being disobedient.

• Loss of personal identity, No life outside of group

A great expectancy is required of followers to fully support and attend most if not all, activities, services, prayer meetings, Bible classes, evangelism, etc.  There will not be much, if any time available for personal interestes that are outside of the groups purpose. Followers often give up their time in an effect for approval to be recognized as working for the Kingdom (God’s work) this is often at the sacrifice of personal endeavors, quality marital time, parents meeting the social needs of their children. These are often neglected in order to please the leadership and therefore please God. Those who resist will be seen as being less spiritual, carnal, still in the world, fleshy or not totally sold out to Christ.