Definition: Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual abuse is the mistreatment of a person who is in need of help, support or greater spiritual empowerment, with the result of weakening, undermining or decreasing that persons spiritual empowerment The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by Johnson & VanVonderen
Spiritual abuse occurs when a person in the position of spiritual authority uses his or her position to control another person. It involves placing the needs of the person in authority over the needs of the person seeking help. Spiritual abuse can also include forcing people to live up the rigid rules and contributes to a belief based on legalism. No matter how much the individual does or how hard they try it is never good enough leaving them feel unworthy spiritually.
A few examples would include demands for certain behaviors (more prayers, more commitment, more meetings), blaming the person for problems they have because "they dont have enough faith", sanctions against a person for not conforming to rules (dress code, hair, etc.), not permitting people to ask questions of the authority figures, coercing or forcing an person into a sexual situation, and sexual harassment. These are examples of how a person in spiritual authority could use their power to undermine the spirituality of another.
Just as in a family the parents can use their authority and position to undermine the well-being of the children so can people in positions of spiritual authority. I have had clients who have been abused by nuns, priests, ministers, and cults. There is a double abuse when the individual being abused is also dependent on the abuser such as children in orphanages, and the families of an abusive religious leader.
In all these examples not only is there the abuse itself (which causes its own damage) but there is a second abuse in the spiritual relationship the victim has with God. Any time a person in religious authority uses the power of God to assert his or her will over another they portray God as hurtful and abusive. The victim is then robbed of a healthy spiritual relationship.
Copyright 1999: Lee Marsh