Religious Abuse

Currently there are at least four major, identifiable perspectives on how people best understand and recover from religious abuse. Both secular and faith-based (Christian) adherents can be variously identified in each of these approaches. This book examines these viewpoints and evaluates their various strengths and limitations. It concludes that each perspective is helpful to the extent possible, given the limitations of its respective philosophic or theological assumptions. This book summarizes each viewpoint and suggests a larger contextual perspective, helpful to better understand involvement in and recovery from religiously abusive environments. The conclusion is an integration of the various conceptual frameworks, and a different model (SECURE) is described that includes essential principles and practical strategies necessary for recovery from religious abuse. Suggestions are made for future research and study both for academics with interest in the cultic studies and counseling fields, and for various people negatively affected by religious abuse and in need of recovery.

Shaking uncontrollably, nauseated, curled into a fetal position, waiting to hear my "sentence" from the elders of my church...For those who have experienced abuse at the hands of those who represent the divine, such a scene is all-too-familiar. But traumatic wounds suffered in a place that should represent safety, security, and comfort can be some of the most confusing wounds of all. Therapist Connie Baker knows better than most what it's like to suffer-and survive-religious abuse. With authenticity, openness, and careful consideration of many different faith traditions, she provides a path to hope and healing.

As a pastor with 40 years of experience, Keith Wright came to realise that a dichotomy exists within the walls of many churches. While many churchgoers find the environment wonderfully embracing and supportive, the fact is that religion can offer both a positive and a negative experience. Religious abuse affects millions of church members and church leaders in every denomination. It can be blatant, but it can also be extremely subtle and unintentional. Keith Wright believes that only when we recognise and acknowledge the problem can we work toward positive change that allows us to truly benefit from the good. Individuals, church leaders, Christian educators, sociologists, psychologists and other counsellors who have experienced or witnessed the results of religious abuse will find the personal stories in this book revealing and enlightening.

Asserting that spiritual abuse in the church is more common than we realize, Ken Blue examines the causes of spiritual abuse, identifies abusive patterns, offers healing to those who have suffered abuse and describes how leaders should model the gospel of grace.

Jack Watts' startling personal story of being victimized by religious abuse and then sinking into alcoholism and self-destructive behaviors will resonate strongly with the many thousands of those who have been disenfranchised or even crushed by institutionalized religion. Recovering from Religious Abuse will help these walking wounded discover how to come to terms with their past as they heal from the inside out. Jack speaks to his readers as one who has been there, has felt their pain and bitterness, their desire to get even, their belief that they are worthless. But now he shares a new story of one who has finally found spiritual freedom and a deeply satisfying relationship with the God from whom he had once been alienated. Defining "religious abuse" as the use of spiritual authority to manipulate, harm, or use another person for personal gain, this practical step-by-step recovery manual takes readers on a journey that helps them fully realize the extent of the impact of their religious abuse, and progressively moves them toward healing and recovery. This 91-day plan includes daily readings, prayer, journaling instructions, and scriptures for reflection.

This book identifies and analyzes the forms, causes, and potential treatments of religious abuse. Religious abuse can include experiences of sexual, physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental abuse connected to a religious context. The book will help readers understand different types of religious abuse, including where the perpetrator is a religious leader, a group, or a system, as well as when there is an overtly spiritual element connected to the justification for the abuse. It also describes common experiences of those who have experienced religious abuse and some treatment approaches that will be useful to mental health providers when their clients present with these experiences. The rigorous scholarly approach of this book provides an academically grounded insight into this complex topic. As such, it will be a key reference for those studying and working in Religious Studies, Religion and Psychology, the Sociology of Religion, and Counseling and Mental Health.

"Offering more than promises, this 11-step plan rescues those who have been victimized by religious abuse and gently guides them into healing and recovery."--Page 4 of cover.