Some symptoms of

SPIRITUAL ABUSE

Extract from

Savage Shepherds

by Adam Harbinson

In Christian cults or abusive churches the degree of mind control will vary in intensity from group to group and will often take the form of some, and sometimes all of the following elements:

•  There will be some degree of control over the lifestyle and time of its members.

•  There will be an attempt to dictate what its members should read, even eat and with whom they spend their

    'off' time.

•  Members will be discouraged from attending churches from other denominations.

•  There will often be a claim, implicit or explicit, that they have a monopoly of the truth.

•  Members will often live together in groups, perhaps in communes, but not necessarily. You will often find them

   moving house to be close to each other or to their place of worship or centre of activities. Family and non-group

   associates will be eclipsed, or shunned.

•  They are normally built around a single charismatic character, a self-appointed leader with complete authority,

   usually a very self-centred and self-seeking person.

•  Members are taught not to question the teachings, practices, or ideas of the leader because he or she is 'God's

   anointed.'

•  A member may not be told everything up front when joining the group. Instead, controlling ideas and restrictive

   demands will be drip-fed.

•  The leader will always attract the attention and veneration of the members upon himself or herself.

•  There will usually be a tendency to withhold truth from non-members. The members believe that outsiders

   wouldn't understand the practices of the group.

•  There is usually a system in place that imposes a financial commitment. Tithing will be taught and enforced, but

    in addition, members will be required to tithe exclusively to the group . Anything given elsewhere doesn't count.

Most of the elements listed above could easily be identified in the Shepherding Movement with which I was familiar until the early nineties. It is not an exhaustive list however, nor are they limited to cults or what might be regarded as 'odd religious groups.' They are just some of the tools of the abusers' trade, a profession that knows no denominational boundaries as they work to create an unhealthy form of the basic ingredient of community; group identity.

In its pathological form, group identity emerges as a strong 'them and us' attitude that enables the leaders to isolate the flock from outside influences. In this way, the abnormal can become the norm.

However, it is more productive to focus on the antibody, rather than become obsessed by the dissection and analysis of the viruses. Many people are bored by church life, there is nothing abnormal in that. However, if you feel fear, guilt or condemnation, or if you are discouraged from interpreting Scripture for yourself under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth whom Jesus promised will guide us into all truth, then it is your responsibility as a Christian to heed the warning lights. Stay clear!

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