- Mar 28, 2005
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On my website http://www.personal-communication.org.nz there is a section on Domestic Violence which contains a large list of resources to help victims. This came out of my ten years of being a Domestic Violence victim advisor with the District Court.
Spiritual bullying is no different. It comes from the attitude is "I am bigger than you, more powerful, more knowledgeable; therefore you will do what I tell you or else!"
A lot of the spiritual abuse came out of the Shepherding Movement that originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the 1970s. This required believers to come "under the covering" of a "discipler" in order to progress in their spiritual lives. This othewise useful principle became corrupted by power hungry pastors, elders and homegroup leaders who used it to have control over others. It got so bad that a guy couldn't even go and buy a pair of pants from the shop without getting permission from his shepherd. These power mongers dictated who believers should marry, what books to read, what churches to attend, what college to get their education, how to choose their friends, etc., to the point where their personal lives were not their own. Also, shepherding groups forced believers to confess their most personal sins to the group causing much embarrassment and heartache. Thi is the face of spiritual abuse.
A pastor once tried to tell me to come under his authority. I gave him the bum's rush, walked out of his church and never went back. That's how I dealt with a jumped up peacock obsessed with his own importance and authority!
Spiritual bullying is no different. It comes from the attitude is "I am bigger than you, more powerful, more knowledgeable; therefore you will do what I tell you or else!"
A lot of the spiritual abuse came out of the Shepherding Movement that originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the 1970s. This required believers to come "under the covering" of a "discipler" in order to progress in their spiritual lives. This othewise useful principle became corrupted by power hungry pastors, elders and homegroup leaders who used it to have control over others. It got so bad that a guy couldn't even go and buy a pair of pants from the shop without getting permission from his shepherd. These power mongers dictated who believers should marry, what books to read, what churches to attend, what college to get their education, how to choose their friends, etc., to the point where their personal lives were not their own. Also, shepherding groups forced believers to confess their most personal sins to the group causing much embarrassment and heartache. Thi is the face of spiritual abuse.
A pastor once tried to tell me to come under his authority. I gave him the bum's rush, walked out of his church and never went back. That's how I dealt with a jumped up peacock obsessed with his own importance and authority!
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