I'm writing an article on spiritual abuse. My husband and I encountered it in a church we tried, and I later experienced it on (another) Christian forum.
I've found the authoritarian abuse by leaders in varying positions in the church and on forums, is often confusing, and we don't recognize what it is right away. Sensitive spirits are wounded by professing Christians, who don't seem to care that they inflict pain, and insist their hurtful actions shouldn't be questioned.
It is my belief that spiritual abuse is a severe form of pride, and is a sin and that Christian leaders will do almost anything to keep their sin, and the truth about themselves hidden.
I did cursory research and learned that spiritual abuse is widespread, and I'd like to get feedback from other believers, as to whether they have experienced it or not. I'm including some signs of spiritual abuse:
The following are several signs of spiritual abuse:
I've found the authoritarian abuse by leaders in varying positions in the church and on forums, is often confusing, and we don't recognize what it is right away. Sensitive spirits are wounded by professing Christians, who don't seem to care that they inflict pain, and insist their hurtful actions shouldn't be questioned.
It is my belief that spiritual abuse is a severe form of pride, and is a sin and that Christian leaders will do almost anything to keep their sin, and the truth about themselves hidden.
I did cursory research and learned that spiritual abuse is widespread, and I'd like to get feedback from other believers, as to whether they have experienced it or not. I'm including some signs of spiritual abuse:
The following are several signs of spiritual abuse:
- Stating personal religious convictions and preferences as fact for everyone
- Religious convictions and preferences are stated as black and white
- Requirements for church attendance
- Dress and clothing requirements (appearance is a priority)
- Closed minded about different interpretations of Scripture
- Misinterpretations of scripture
- Questioning the leaders is discouraged
- Judging others
- Excessive gossip
- Hostility towards “heathens” and others who are not believers
- Only people who go to a certain church are believers
- Only reading a certain Bible version is allowed
- Sexuality is seen as dirty, bad, and/or sinful
- Strict discipline standards for children
- Promoting spanking above all other forms of discipline
- Guilt trips for taking vacation and missing church
- Teaching Tithing
- Emphasis on traditions
- Music standards
- Performance appraisals
- Push towards perfection
- Required devotional or quiet time
- Levels or degrees of spirituality
- Focusing on the penalty for sinning
- Emphasis on God “chastening” you
- Looking down on people who have left the church or denomination
- Requiring a refusal of medical services
- Required membership
- Discarding psychology
- Mental health issues are considered sinful or non-existent
- Depression/Anxiety considered a sin
- Your not spiritual enough if something bad happens to you
- God is judging you for sin in your life
- Being told “You need more faith” or “You don’t have enough faith”
- Child discipline tactics that include warnings about God’s wrath
- Rigid black and white thinking/answers to questions
- Too much emphasis on the spiritual and not enough emphasis on the physical
- Fears about the punishments of God
- Negative messages about sexuality
- Taught to deny the apatites of the body
- Emphasis on reading the Bible and praying heavily to appease God and avoid punishment
- Messages that you aren’t spiritual enough
- Your “suffering” (whatever it may be) is a result of some sin in your life
- Your physical illness is punishment for some sin in your life