Michael Bingham
02-21-2005, 08:44 PM
Spiritual Abuse & Cults defined
Spiritual abuse may not be as easy to detect as other forms of abuse but there are similarities. Physical, Mental and Spiritual, abuse have common characteristics. In all forms of abuse there is and abuser, and one or more who is abused.
Spiritual abuse clinically manifests itself by manipulation, intimidation and domination of the abused person by a religious person of authority or by a religious organization.
Abusive groups have a commonality of symptomatic expression. There is always an “us and them” mentality concerning those outside the group. This serves to manipulate the abused into separating themselves from long held sanctified areas such as the connective bonds formed within the family structure. Scriptures are twisted to intimidate the abused person into separating themselves from parents, spouses or family members, who might otherwise form a reasonable social check and balance. The third manifestation of cultic religion is to dominate the abused in time, talent and treasure, without which the initiate can easily escape the peer group pressure.
There are unique warning signs that one may be in a religious cult, one of which is to observe how non-conformists within the group are dealt with. Christianity for instance teaches that “Those who are spiritual should restore a fallen brother or sister in a spirit of meekness.” (Galatians 6:1.). If in fact non-conformists within the group are dealt with severely and summarily, then the group is acting extra biblical and must be suspect at least and avoided for the best.
Another hallmark of a cult is in its treatment of truth, all truth. There is always a bending and a fixation about truth within cultish religion. Often there is distinction of behavior and discrimination within cults giving preferential treatment as one climbs the ladder of authority. Spiritual abuse is generally greater upon those in the group who are commonly held as lowest in value. The abused are told not to question anything that leadership does. Inconsistencies are explained away on those rare occasions where explanations occur.
Cultic Religion in what ever form it takes is implacable and intolerable of the God given gift of freedom of expression, thought and conduct. It seeks for the own survival of its distorted gospel. Far from being good news) it beats down any free intellectual discussion and has the attitude of, “park your brain at the door, before you enter”.
All Religious groups have their own symboligy and culture, without which they are non- descript. The thing that sets religious abuse apart from good religious practice is its fruit.
Is the group open to other streams of religious observance? This does not mean that all good groups believe everything everyone else believes, but are they open to listen to other points of view? Does the group exhibit kindness and encourage relationship with those outside the groups’ walls? If not they have moved from a positive movement to being an exclusionary and a cultish one.
Cultic religion may be clearly defined by having an almost endless list of observances, practices and more importantly, things one should not do. This may range from a strict dress code to diet, from forbidding devotees from participation in holiday observance to prohibitions on viewing television or attending the movies. Spiritual abuse promotes an overhanging cloud of fear within the abused. They are continually in fear of not being approved by authority figures within the group. They become ashamed of their human feelings of sexuality and affection. They suppress their emotions and conform to what others expect them to be, not who God made them as.
Deliverance from spiritual abuse need not be a prolonged process. It is indeed dependent upon the help one receives. When those religiously abused come to a proper understanding of the vast depth and breadth of the love of God, the deliverance can be quite progressive.
A misunderstanding of the Grace of God and a perpetual quest for religion by self-performance will hinder and delay the deliverance process. It is hard for the spiritually abused to comprehend the true Biblical perspective that we cannot do anything to make God love us more, and we cannot do anything that would make God love us less. Such is the case for true biblical Grace.
There may well be a process of decontamination from spiritual abuse. Often the abused is left with feelings of guilt and loss. Former “friends” reveal that their “friendship” was merely part of peer acquaintance rather than true friendship by their actions. This often comes as a real shock to those who have left the group.
A “pendulum effect” is often observed in those recently separated from spiritual abuse. Often those departing from cults, engage in behavior that swings as far away from the abuse as possible even into destructive habits and poor social rehabilitation. This is a manifestation of reactionary behavior and with self awareness usually passes. Of course the cult will use such reports of such bad behavior to increase its stranglehold on those they still dominate, instilling more fear of “departing from the faith”. Etc.
After this first stage will come a real period of anger and resentment within the abused. This is natural and should be worked through with positive reinforcement by trained and loving assistance. But worked through and left behind it must in order to be made healthy and whole.
One may know that he or she has achieved complete “victory” over spiritual abuse when one reengages somewhere in a healthy balanced religious life, without aberrant behavior.
Healthy behavior is marked by being able to find that certain place of spiritual rest and enjoyment, without all the baggage and lists of requirements. You allow yourself health and happiness resting in the relationship of unconditional love from God and healthy expressions of peace and contentment within, that you alone are not responsible to do all that God needs to get done in all the Earth today. The journey required to get out of spiritual abuse is worth it. The vistas of freedom reward those set free with a new outlook of happiness and a golden sunrise of new hope and better days.
Spiritual abuse may not be as easy to detect as other forms of abuse but there are similarities. Physical, Mental and Spiritual, abuse have common characteristics. In all forms of abuse there is and abuser, and one or more who is abused.
Spiritual abuse clinically manifests itself by manipulation, intimidation and domination of the abused person by a religious person of authority or by a religious organization.
Abusive groups have a commonality of symptomatic expression. There is always an “us and them” mentality concerning those outside the group. This serves to manipulate the abused into separating themselves from long held sanctified areas such as the connective bonds formed within the family structure. Scriptures are twisted to intimidate the abused person into separating themselves from parents, spouses or family members, who might otherwise form a reasonable social check and balance. The third manifestation of cultic religion is to dominate the abused in time, talent and treasure, without which the initiate can easily escape the peer group pressure.
There are unique warning signs that one may be in a religious cult, one of which is to observe how non-conformists within the group are dealt with. Christianity for instance teaches that “Those who are spiritual should restore a fallen brother or sister in a spirit of meekness.” (Galatians 6:1.). If in fact non-conformists within the group are dealt with severely and summarily, then the group is acting extra biblical and must be suspect at least and avoided for the best.
Another hallmark of a cult is in its treatment of truth, all truth. There is always a bending and a fixation about truth within cultish religion. Often there is distinction of behavior and discrimination within cults giving preferential treatment as one climbs the ladder of authority. Spiritual abuse is generally greater upon those in the group who are commonly held as lowest in value. The abused are told not to question anything that leadership does. Inconsistencies are explained away on those rare occasions where explanations occur.
Cultic Religion in what ever form it takes is implacable and intolerable of the God given gift of freedom of expression, thought and conduct. It seeks for the own survival of its distorted gospel. Far from being good news) it beats down any free intellectual discussion and has the attitude of, “park your brain at the door, before you enter”.
All Religious groups have their own symboligy and culture, without which they are non- descript. The thing that sets religious abuse apart from good religious practice is its fruit.
Is the group open to other streams of religious observance? This does not mean that all good groups believe everything everyone else believes, but are they open to listen to other points of view? Does the group exhibit kindness and encourage relationship with those outside the groups’ walls? If not they have moved from a positive movement to being an exclusionary and a cultish one.
Cultic religion may be clearly defined by having an almost endless list of observances, practices and more importantly, things one should not do. This may range from a strict dress code to diet, from forbidding devotees from participation in holiday observance to prohibitions on viewing television or attending the movies. Spiritual abuse promotes an overhanging cloud of fear within the abused. They are continually in fear of not being approved by authority figures within the group. They become ashamed of their human feelings of sexuality and affection. They suppress their emotions and conform to what others expect them to be, not who God made them as.
Deliverance from spiritual abuse need not be a prolonged process. It is indeed dependent upon the help one receives. When those religiously abused come to a proper understanding of the vast depth and breadth of the love of God, the deliverance can be quite progressive.
A misunderstanding of the Grace of God and a perpetual quest for religion by self-performance will hinder and delay the deliverance process. It is hard for the spiritually abused to comprehend the true Biblical perspective that we cannot do anything to make God love us more, and we cannot do anything that would make God love us less. Such is the case for true biblical Grace.
There may well be a process of decontamination from spiritual abuse. Often the abused is left with feelings of guilt and loss. Former “friends” reveal that their “friendship” was merely part of peer acquaintance rather than true friendship by their actions. This often comes as a real shock to those who have left the group.
A “pendulum effect” is often observed in those recently separated from spiritual abuse. Often those departing from cults, engage in behavior that swings as far away from the abuse as possible even into destructive habits and poor social rehabilitation. This is a manifestation of reactionary behavior and with self awareness usually passes. Of course the cult will use such reports of such bad behavior to increase its stranglehold on those they still dominate, instilling more fear of “departing from the faith”. Etc.
After this first stage will come a real period of anger and resentment within the abused. This is natural and should be worked through with positive reinforcement by trained and loving assistance. But worked through and left behind it must in order to be made healthy and whole.
One may know that he or she has achieved complete “victory” over spiritual abuse when one reengages somewhere in a healthy balanced religious life, without aberrant behavior.
Healthy behavior is marked by being able to find that certain place of spiritual rest and enjoyment, without all the baggage and lists of requirements. You allow yourself health and happiness resting in the relationship of unconditional love from God and healthy expressions of peace and contentment within, that you alone are not responsible to do all that God needs to get done in all the Earth today. The journey required to get out of spiritual abuse is worth it. The vistas of freedom reward those set free with a new outlook of happiness and a golden sunrise of new hope and better days.