Spiritual abuse and religious abuse are types of abuse.
In this post:
Five types of spiritual or religious abuse
1 sexual
2 relationship
3 economic
4 medical
5 psychological
Although the words harassment and abuse may be used interchangeably, in legal contexts, laws may define these words differently. From the perspective of psychology, we may refer to harassment as a pattern of acts that leave people feeling distressed, uncomfortable, and discriminated against.
In
contrast to harassment, abuse refers to actions that result in harm whether that harm be
overt bodily harm or psychological harm resulting in such impairments as anxiety
or mood disorders including phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual
disorders, psychotic disorders, impaired memory due to head trauma, and other mental
disorders.
👉 Read
more about Spiritual and Religious Harassment
Spiritual
or religious harm may include the loss of a meaningful source of coping and
support in that many people draw on their faith to cope with life problems. The
harm may be nuanced if the person retains their faith but loses their faith
community, which is no longer a safe place—especially when the victim is
blamed or viewed skeptically and members rally to support the abuser.
The terms
spiritual and religious are often used interchangeably. Religious can be a
narrower term referring to a specific religion like Christianity, Judaism, or
Hinduism. In contrast, spirituality may refer to a variety of spiritual practices
like meditation that need not be tied to a specific religion or experiences like
feelings of awe when experiencing nature or a sense of connectedness to God. In a broad sense, practicing a religion is one way of being spiritual.
Spiritual or Religious Abuse
Spiritual
or religious abuse may occur within a sacred or secular context and may be
carried out by a spiritual or religious leader or one’s peers. Spiritual or religious
abuse can result in different forms of harm, which can be worsened when multiple
types of abuse are combined.
A clergyperson who sexually assaults a congregant is an example of two types of abuse: sexual abuse and religious abuse.
Sexual assault often results in a range of psychological symptoms, which vary in intensity and duration depending on such factors as the relationship to the abuser, and the intensity, duration, and frequency of the abuse. In traumatic cases, the effects of sexual abuse can last for years and severely interfere with vital relationships. Recovery may require psychotherapy and prolonged support.
The religious abuse component can also vary in terms of the pre-abuse
relationship between the clergyperson and the congregant (e.g., counseling,
friendship) and the location of the abuse. For example, a sacred place is
usually considered a sanctuary—a place where people may expect to relax, let
their guard down, and feel safe as they worship. When a person is violated in a sacred place, the place of abuse, and similar places, become persistent noxious reminders of the abuse and can interfere with the spiritual blessings associated with the place as well as supportive relationships connected to the place. In addition, the abused person may lose considerable trust in the clergy, experience anger with God and the church, and lose an important part of their identity, their faith, should they leave faith altogether.
Five Types of Spiritual or Religious Abuse
Examples of spiritual or religious abuse may include using sacred texts, interpretation of sacred texts, or self-reported messages from a god or a spirit to coerce someone to do something that causes, or is likely to cause harm.
Coercion may include inducing fear due to threats of eternal punishment, spiritual torment, or bodily harm in this life. Coercion is persistent psychosocial pressure that can be difficult to resist by vulnerable people.
People who are deeply committed to their faith can be vulnerable to abusive tactics that induce fear, guilt, and shame in the believer who does not comply with the persuasiveness of a spiritual leader.
Following are some examples of acts that may be classified as spiritual or religious abuse by the nature of the act or when a person is harmed by the act.
1. Sexual abuse
Clergy or leadership pressure to perform any sex act in a sacred place or any place by a religious leader
Adult coercion of a minor to perform any sex act in a sacred place or by a religious leader in any location
2. Relationship abuse
A religious leader may pressure a congregant to end healthy and meaningful relationships with certain people resulting in loss of loving family or friend connections. Some religious leaders interpret their texts in ways that identify some relationships as unacceptable in their faith community.
A religious leader may pressure a congregant or family member to make commitments of time to the extent that a marriage is destroyed or employment is lost. Some married religious leaders go on extended and/or frequent trips, which result in the neglect of their spouse and children.
3. Economic abuse
Pressure tactics to make excessive donations or investments resulting in economic harm
Pressure tactics to invest in buildings or projects that are not sound investments or those the person cannot afford thus resulting in economic harm
Tactics can include long services with music and persistent pleas to reach a visually presented goal, which creates social pressure to give. Some Christian leaders may add "God-pressure" claiming "you can't out give God."
This type of abuse has been called "fleecing the flock."
4. Medical abuse
Pressure to participate in religiously motivated civic protests where there is a risk of bodily harm. Medical abuse can include claims that "God will protect you." When people are hurt, a religious leader may justify the harm by calling it persecution.
Pressure to participate in spiritual activities where there is a high risk of infection. The pressure can include claims that "God will protect you" despite evidence of believers ending up in hospital or even dying.
Pressure to refuse evidence-based medical treatment or interventions for spiritual or religious reasons when the refusal is likely to result in illness or death
5. Psychological abuse
Pressure to participate in any spiritual practices or activities that produce discomfort or
distress. Some religious leaders are able to induce guilt or shame a person into acting in ways they would not normally act.
Pressure to comply with rules that interfere with a happy life like the number of children one can have or what pleasant activities are religiously permissible
Pressure to participate in groups that use strategies known to produce distress or trauma such as so-called conversion therapies
Pressure to witness or share their faith with family, friends, and others in an aggressive effort to convert them to a specific religion and thereby losing important supportive relationships. Some groups compel their congregants to "witness" in a way that is disrespectful to others such that the person who is "witnessing" not only loses relationships but may be harmed by the person angered by the intrusive witnessing.
Spiritual or Religious Abuse and Children
Children are especially vulnerable to spiritual or religious abuse because they usually trust the adults in their life. Parents and other caring adults need to ensure children are safe from abuse when in religious programs and activities.
Some spiritual or religious people are so zealous for their faith that they disrespect the beliefs of parents and attempt to force children to pray or convert without their parents' consent. Some teach religious stories to children or religious doctrines without their parents' consent.
News stories and court decisions provide evidence that spiritual and religious leaders abuse children in sacred places.
Read more about Sexuality and Morality in Christian Cultures
in A House Divided available from the publisher and on AMAZON
Coping with Spiritual or Religious Abuse
It is easy
to suggest leaving the organization or relationship where the abuse occurs;
however, to leave an abusive setting may require external support from a trusted friend, abuse
hotline worker, or a psychotherapist. It is not easy for people to break long-term ties.
In addition to general medical services for bodily harm, psychotherapy may be needed to recover from a range of symptoms or conditions such as those suggested above. In some cases, clinicians may also be members of the same faith tradition as the person who has been harmed. Also, pastoral counseling may be a viable option.
In the US,
people in immediate danger can call 911.
The US
National Domestic Violence Hotline link is: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/family-violence-prevention-services/programs/ndvh
Conversion Therapist Comes Out & Apologizes
Psychotherapists and pastoral counselors can find more evaluation resources, including measures related to spiritual harassment and abuse in:
Assessing Spirituality and Religiosity
AMAZON link
👉 Read more about Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy
What to do About Church Sexual Abuse
Sexual Abuse Prevention- Church Mutual
Evaluate Ministry Safe and similar programs
Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention
Policy Manual for Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Prevention
Helping to Manage the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in Church
How to cite this post in APA style
Sutton, G. W. (2021, September 21). Spiritual or religious abuse. Psychology Concepts and Theories. Retrieved from https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2021/09/spiritual-or-religious-abuse.html
Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is www.suttong.com
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Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.
Limitations of Terminology
If you need
to distinguish between harassment and abuse from a legal perspective, consult
the laws where you live. If you need to understand the difference in terms of
the workplace, consult the policies where you work and/or applicable law. Most
of us will need advice from an attorney to understand the implications of law.
post updated 11 April 2022
