Spiritual Abuse Questionnaire
Do you know a loved one, or a neighbor, or a co-worker who is in a cult or an abusive church?
Perhaps you could give them our generic Spiritual Abuse Questionnaire
This questionnaire leads individuals to answer basic Yes or No questions so that one can think critically on their own - something that is generally not allowed in abusive systems.
Spiritual Abuse, It's Effects, And How To Help Those Damaged By It
Spiritual Abuse occurs when a leader, church or a belief system, whether well intentioned or not, dominates, manipulates or castigates individuals through fear tactics, mind control, or some other psychological or emotional abuse. Below is a list of articles that help clarify different forms of spiritual abuse, abusive systems, abusive churches, unbiblical authority structures, and of course, cults that are rife with spiritual abuse. Sadly, the mask of spiritual abuse deception can be worn by anyone. If you have been spiritually abused, take heart, the Real Jesus desires to help and heal you as he has helped countless others.
Whether you have experienced spiritual abuse, co-pastor abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, clergy abuse, spouse abuse, anger abuse, control abuse, workplace abuse, etc., we hope and pray that our website and the listed articles may somehow help you find hope and strength and healing in your time of need. Simply reading articles can help to identify problems and clarify issues. Jesus CAN help you as He has helped so many others in your situation. The God of all grace wants to heal your pain.
Abusive Churches
Is Your Church Free from Cultic Tendencies? - SCP
Uncovering Churches That Abuse - 11 Questions - R.F.S.A.
How to Recognize if Your in a Cult - Let Us Reason
Articles on Spiritual Abuse
How to Recognize and Deal With Spiritual Abuse
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse
What is Spiritual Abuse?
Authority Abuse
All forms of spiritual abuse inevitably lead back to the one who is the abuser; and most often it is the leader of the spiritual group. Authoritarian abuse can simply be defined as a misuse and over emphasis on authority. Many abusive systems claim they are 'led by God' and therefore justify their 'abusive behavior' by saying they are 'God's leaders', etc. Abusive leaders damage people in countless ways. Read more at the following articles:
Beating the Sheep
Beating the sheep is a process whereby a religious leader or system uses and abuses people to their own ends. This end result of beating the sheep (people) is usually so bad that people never return to any church, no matter how good and Biblical it might be.
Biblical Counseling Resources
Fear of Man
Legalism and Formalism (Dangers of)
Pastoral Abuse (Abusing Pastors and the Flock)
Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership
Biblical Eldership: Restoring the Eldership to Its Rightful Place in the Church
Responsibilitis of a Good Shepherd - Sandy Simpson
The Fallibility of Ministers - J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
Recovering From Spiritual Abuse
Recovering from spiritual abuse is a very painful process. Most people who have never been abused spiritually [or physically, etc.] do not understand what recovering from spiritual abuse is like; and sadly, most people assume that once a person leaves an abusive system/group/leader/workplace the problem is over. In many cases the suffering increases. Although a person may be free from the ‘outside influence’, the person now has to come to grips with their own crushed personality. Furthermore, in recovering from spiritual abuse, the emotional trauma, mental scaring and painful memories that people struggle can take many years to go away. We empathize with those who are suffering and trying to become free from spiritual abusers. We hope that the Recovering from Spiritual Abuse articles below can be of help to any and all who are reading this.
Assurance - J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
Getting Out and Getting On: Dealing With the Grief Process Experienced in Exiting a Cult - Fisher
How to Find a Good Church Home - Let Us Reason
Scripture Abuse and Patterns in the Cults
The Bible, once misinterpreted, quickly becomes the most abused book in the world. Scripture abuse includes inaccurate quotations, twisted translations, ignoring the immediate context of Scripture, reading into a text what is not there and about 16 more major abuses. These abuses (perversions) of Scripture form the vast and subtle Scripture twisting justifications of spiritual abusers. It is true that the abuse of Scripture is the foundation of an abusers deceit. Don't be fooled by those who would supplant [to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery] your eternity through Scripture abuse.
