Also see left sidebar buttons ~ many research links available
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.*Spiritual/Religious Abuse is addressed first, scroll down for Domestic Abuse/Violence section* Also see – Further Reading: Blogs and Resources, bottom of page.
.SPIRITUAL ABUSE describes the process by which a religious authority misuses power and the trust of their flock in order to meet their own needs or the needs of the system.
Many evangelical churches with sound and solid Biblical doctrine can be considered aberrant or “cultic” when they practice techniques of manipulation and thought reform.
Please read here concerning the many different aspects of this type of manipulation and spiritual abuse including development, practice and recovery from the phenomenon.
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Spiritual Abuse and Patriarchy – “In Christian groups where Patriarchy is valued, as a main component of the Christian faith, spiritual abuse can be found. The theological underpinnings of this flawed belief system need to be examined and exposed for the error that it brings to the Christian faith and the harm that it brings to God’s people.” Excellent Resource
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Haven For Broken Wings – A Safe Place For Victims of Abuse
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Dr. George Simon’s Dealing With Manipulative People
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Liberty for Captives ~ See Purpose page
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1 in 6 ~ Info – Options – Hope: For Men who were sexually abused as children. Many resources available (also for Family, Professionals)
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A Cry For Justice: Awakening the Evangelical Church to Domestic Violence in its Midst (Read More below under Domestic Abuse)
Moved By Faith: Reclaiming Her Voice in the Aftermath of Domestic Violence (Read More below under Domestic Abuse)
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How Can I Tell If My Church is ABUSIVE? How Thought Reform Works in a Spiritually Abusive System : CULTIC DYNAMICS IN BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
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Under Much Grace: Resources for Recovery from Spiritual Abuse ~ Read Mission and Bio Statement Here
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*****BECAUSE IT MATTERS ~ Freedom from Abuse in Christianity
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Rethinking Vision Forum: Examining the Fallacies of Vision Forum’s “Godly” Family Living. Patriarchy, Quiverfull, Multigenerational Faithfulness, History, Associates, Affiliated People, Organizations, Ideas
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Watchman’s Spiritual Abuse Profile: Defined, Common Characteristics, Biblical Response, Effects, Recovery
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Quivering Daughters: Offering gentle encouragement for women while addressing emotional and spiritual abuse within authoritarian families. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Ps. 147:3)
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Sovereign Grace Ministry Survivors 
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Recovering Grace: Exposing Teachings of Gothardism ~ A Generation shines light on the teachings of IBLP & ATI
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~Vision Forum, Gothardism, Patriarchy, Mutigenerational Faithfulness: Research from Under Much Grace~
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“When I decided that to examine the loaded language term of “multigenerational faithfulness,” describing how Vision Forum and her affiliates refer to the term, I anticipated covering the concepts in just a few blog posts. Really… The ambiguous and nebulous term itself actually lacks substance in and of itself, so I did not anticipate that the term was indeed as loaded as it proved to be when I looked at exactly what they taught. I realized that the term was misleading, but I did not fully realize just how they used it to encapsulate so much of their core doctrine. Upon reviewing the downloadable sermons and written material available, I was quite surprised to realize just how much the term “multigenerational faithfulness” represents for Vision Forum and their affiliate teachers and supporters.
Even considering small sections of specific teachings became far more complicated that I anticipated, because of the subtlety of it all. That’s why the system works as well as it does. About 20 years ago, in a Minerth Meyer book that talked about manipulation in relationships, I recall how they pointed out the subtlety of the serpent. Snakes always avoid direct conflict unless making eye contact with prey or responding defensively to an immediate threat, and they do not knock on your door to announce their arrival when they want curl up on your living room couch. They find opportunistic ways to “sneak in” by concealing themselves in packages (Trojan horses) that you actually carry in yourself or they find breaks in the foundation of your home…..Read more ~ Also this page will give you a Summary of Posts about Multigenerational Faithfulness
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The Family Inegrated Church (FIC)….”which promote the traditional idea of family as central to the restoration of Christianity within Western Civilization. I am deeply disturbed by this trend because groups such as Vision Forum headed by Doug Phillips promote the family but with rigid, legalistic standards of acceptable conduct. These extra-biblical standards are dangerous in my opinion but are marketed and widely accepted by many unsuspecting Christians as Biblically sound and orthodox.”
WHAT IS THE FIC?
The FIC is the Family Integrated Church, an “affinity group” or a “special purpose religion” for homeschooling families, something that emerged from the Christian homeschooling movement. These churches cater to families that homeschool, as apparently, not all churches have a history of being supportive of this population of believers. However, in the FIC, anyone who does not fit the typical ideal of the homeschooling family does not feel welcome in these churches. Therefore, there are no elderly people or people who do not fit the ideal of a traditional, nuclear family. In order to participate in the life of the church, anyone without a husband/father must be “adopted” by a “normative” family. If worship is that complicated for the “non-normative,” then why would anyone who didn’t fit their standard want to attend? Read the rest of article (and research site)
Cure for Cultural Decline or New, Gnostic Disease
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RECOVERING FROM RELIGIOUS ABUSE /MIND CONTROL
- Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center – Dr. Paul Martin
- MeadowHaven – A Place To Rest, Heal And Grow – Rev. Bob Pardon
- Freedom Of Mind Center – Steve Hassan
- Ethical Standards for Thought Reform Consultants
- Starting and Maintaining Support Groups
- Cult Information of AFF’s Cult Information Service
- Excultworld.Com
- FACTNet
- Refocus
- Recovery From Spiritual Abuse
- REST ministries: Spiritual Abuse Recovery
- SOSA — Survivors of Spiritual Abuse
- Wicked Shepherds.com
- Spiritual Abuse Recovery
- OVERCOMING THE BONDAGE OF REVICTIMIZATION
- The Awareness Center: Jewish Survivors Of Spiritual Abuse
- CEASE – Helping Survivors Of Abusive Seventh Day Adventist Clergy
- SNAP – The Survivors Network Of Those Abused By Priests
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COUNTERCULT RESOURCES
- Alpha and Omega Ministries
- Answers In Action
- Atlanta Christian Apologetics Project
- Biblical Discernment Ministries
- Christian Apologetic & Research Ministry
- Christian Apologetics and Bible Prophecy at the Jeremiah Project
- Cults & New Religious Movements: A Bibliography
- Cults On Campus
- Dialog Center International
- Evangelical Ministries to New Religions – highly recommended!
- How Cults Work.Com
- Jim Jones, Jonestown, and Official San Francisco
- Let Us Reason Ministries
- Midwest Christian Outreach
- New England Institute of Religious Research Website
- Personal Freedom Outreach
- Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries
- REVIVE – Student Organization Countering College-Targetting Cults
- Religious Information Network – Walter Martin
- The Ankerberg Theological Research Institute
- Watchman Fellowship*****
- Welcome to Cultlink
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ARTICLES OF INTEREST
How Do You Study The Bible After Someone Has Bludgeoned You With It? Cognitive Dissonance and Bible Study Difficulties After Spiritual Abuse
How to RESIST UNDUE INFLUENCE Index (resources and help)
NEW CULTS OF BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY: Theological Innovations in the Postmodern Age
Legalism: A Zeal for God, or Self?
One is Your Master, Even Christ
The Use of Mind Control in Religious Cults (Part One)
The Use of Mind Control in Religious Cults (Part Two)
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The Following are from the website: Because It Matters~Freedom From Abuse In Christianity
Happy Promise Keeper Public Rebuke & Record
Running the Race & Fighting the Fight
Making a Molehill Out of a Mountain
Is Your Pastor a Serial Bully?
A Look at Why Abuse Victims Stop Attending Church
Being Reconciled to the Church After Hurt
When the Church Assaults the Sanctity of Life
What the Bible Says About Abusive Pastoral Authority
Abuse in the Church Brings Judgment of Sodom
Floating in Pots of Sick Irony
Are We Ruining God’s Image By Speaking Out?
Does God Need Us to Protect His Reputation?
The Christian Personna — articles about how Christians are perceived by everyone else.
Abuse Allegations in Christian Homes for Troubled Teens
Former Hephzibah House Students Continue to Raise Awareness
Mrs. Williams of Hephzibah House Writes About Women
Ron Williams of Hephzibah House Writes About Discipline
Raising Awareness About Abusive “Homes” for Kids
Government Regulation of Churches
The Church and Political Power
The Church, Homosexuality, Sodom & Gomorrah
Teachings of Abuse in the Church
ARTICLES ABOUT SPIRITUAL ABUSE
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More Articles
Abusive Churches
by Pat Zukeran of Probe Ministries Churches That Turn Into Cults by Marlene Jones-Skurtu Authoritarianism in the International Churches of Christ By Dr. Ronald Enroth Eight Distinctives of an Aberrational Christian Group On NEIRR’s site Elements Of Spiritual Abuse Overview of the seven characteristics of shame-based relationships as presented in “The Subtle Power Of Spiritual Abuse”. A Watchman Fellowship article. Is Your Church Free From Cultic Tendencies – a Checklist From the October, 1991 Spiritual Counterfeits Project Newsletter The Power Abusers: When follow-the-leader becomes a dangerous game Dr. Ronald Enroth takes a look at “shepherding” and “discipling.” Recovery from Spiritual Abuse By Sharon Hilderbrant, M.A. “They Told Me That If I Left…” Article from REST Ministries
Traumatic Abuse In Cults : An Exploration of an Unfamiliar Social Problem By Daniel Shaw. Uses Siddha Yoga as an example of an abusive cult Uncovering Churches That Abuse Questions that help determine whether or not a church is abusive. From Ronald Enroth’s book Recovering from Churches That Abuse Voices From The Fringe “Former members report the tragedy of churches that driftinto the distorted behavior more expected of a cult.” By Dr. Ron Enroth.
What do (Abusive) Churches and Cults Have in Common? Adapted from The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen![[WWW]](http://wikispot.org/wiki/eggheadbeta/img/sycamore-www.png){kind=small}
Abusive Churches, by Pat Zukeran
Abusive Churches: Leaving Them Behind, by Pat Zukeran
They Told Me That If I Left…, by Ron Henzel. One of the most insidious features of Spiritual Abuse … is the state of terror in which it leaves so many of its victims.
Getting Out and Getting On, by by G. Richard Fisher. Dealing With the Grief Process Experienced in Exiting a Cult
Authoritarianism in The Church, by Steve Martin
Stories (actual accounts of church leadership abuse and authoritarianism)
WHAT IS “HYPER-AUTHORITARIANISM?”, Identifying Abusive Leadership, By Steven Lambert
The Other Side of Discipleship, by Lawrence A. Pile
When Should A Christian Leave A Church?, by John G. Reisinger (3 parts)
Eastern Regional Watch Links to a number of articles on Spiritual Abuse
Overcoming Spiritual Abuse, by Maxine Pinson
Legalism, by Ray Stedman
The following articles by Richard Damiani
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PATRIARCHY
The Patriarchy and Patriocentricity Debate
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Essential Viewing/Listening (Click this link)
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Propaganda Techniques
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** Frequently used propaganda techniques in Spiritually Abusive groups
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Ad Hominem – Attack your opponent’s person rather than the argument itself. Literally “against the man”
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Ad Hominem Abusive (Sub category of Ad Hominem) – An attack on the character or other irrelevant personal qualities of the opposition—such as appearance—is offered as evidence against their position. Such attacks are often effective distractions (“red herrings”), because the opponent feels it necessary to defend the self, thus being distracted from the topic of the debate.
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Ad Hominem Circumstantial (Subcategory of Ad Hominem) -A Circumstantial Ad Hominem is one in which some irrelevant personal circumstance surrounding the opponent is offered as evidence against the opponent’s position. This fallacy is often introduced by phrases such as: “Of course, that’s what you’d expect him to say.” The fallacy claims that the only reason why he argues as he does is because of personal circumstances, such as standing to gain from the argument’s acceptance.
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Appeal to Authority – Citing authorities or respected figures to support an argument or to discredit or negate an argument made by an opponent. This effectively thwarts the debate and the argument.
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Appeal to Fear** – Fear is used to destabilize people so that they will be more likely to do or believe something that they would not otherwise choose under normal circumstances
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Appeal to Force** (Argumentum ad Baculum) – Use of force and threats of force to “win” a debate. (baculum is a walking stick)
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Appeal to Ignorance (also Argument from Silence) -An appeal to ignorance is an argument for or against a proposition on the basis of a lack of evidence against or for it. If there is positive evidence for the conclusion, then of course we have other reasons for accepting it, but a lack of evidence by itself is no evidence.
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Appeal to Prejudice** – Using emotive terms and connotation to attach moral benefit or goodness to the argument. Attach the modifier “Biblical” to that which should not be questioned. “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” It can also be used negatively. “The opinions and unrelated beliefs of a non-Christian cannot really be trusted, even regarding matters that do not relate to morality or Scripture.”
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Argumentum Ad Nauseum – An idea is repeated relentlessly until it is accepted. Especially effective when there is a great deal of milieu control.
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Argumentum Ad Populum – (also called the “bandwagon” and “inevitable victory”) Persuasion based on social proof
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Big Lie – Create a message that is so complex but contains enough truthful elements so that people will not identify all the fictitious and fallacious elements. By the time it is recognized, many of the ideas are a part of the fabric of the debate and widely accepted.
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Black-and-White Fallacy** (also called the Either-Or Fallacy or False Dilemma) – Presents information so that there are only two possible choices, one of which is far more appealing than the other. Obsures the difference between that which is contrary vs contradictory.
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Common Man – Taking on of the characteristics of the target audience to make the message more palatable
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Demonizing the Enemy** – Dehumanize the enemy and remove elements of commonality so that the target is easily dismissed, worthless, and of “non-person” status
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Direct Order – Simplification of the decision making process so that followers will respond to very simple commands without question or need for additional problem solving
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Euphoria – Use of emotionally charged and euphoria producing events to perpetuate good feelings and utopian ideals
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Flag-waving – Capitalizing on patriotic sentiments to further one’s agenda.
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Glittering Generality – The use of positive connotation and vague statements to present an argument as very desirable without evidence to support glittering claims
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Intentional Vagueness** (also “Fuzzy Logic”) – Conclusions are not directly stated and the message may be intentionally vague so that individuals may draw their own conclusions, and the speaker does not have to be held directly accountable for the ideas. This works well in concert with other propaganda techniques.
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Oversimplification (also “Fallacy of the Simple Cause”) – Very complex processes are described with trite explanations that do not provide a faithful perspective for the target audience. Trite explanations are used to reduce rationales into faulty causalities.
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Quoting Out of Context (type of “Straw Man” argument) – Selected quotes are extracted from a passage so that without the full context of the passage, the meaning is greatly distorted.
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Rationalization** – Positive and unrelated aspects of something are offered as evidence for an argument’s validity. “But they can’t teach wrong doctrine because they have a lovely family”
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Red Herring – (large category of several fallacies) Irrelevant but compelling aspects of an argument are offered as a distraction from the core issues in order to derail the debate.
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Redefinition** – Assigning new meaning to an old term, but this is a logical boobytrap because of the ease of equivocation and confusing meanings. “He who defines, wins.”
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Reductio ad Hitlerum (type of Red Herring – see also Transference) – Suggestion that a popular idea is associated with something deplorable, hateful and unthinkable so that people will react and reject the argument or source of information based on the association.
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Repetition – A rhetorical or literary device that is lyrical and gets stuck in one’s mind like an advertising jingle. It is akin to argumentum ad nauseum, but also has literary quality.
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Scapegoating** – A single cause or element is identified and vilified as the source of all undesirable circumstances or outcomes. The scapegoat distracts the audience from other possible contributing factors.
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Slogans – Short phrases or motto used to make emotional appeals and support ideas. Slogans become “thought stopping” techniques quickly and become communication shortcuts that suspend critical thought.
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Steriotyping (also “Name Calling” or “Labeling”) – Reduces people, events, practices or ideas to capitalize on prejudice to evoke fear or distain.
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Straw Man** – The Prince of All Fallacies (Subtype of “Red Herring”) – Attempt to refute an opponent’s position, and in the context is required to do so, but instead attacks a position—the “straw man”—not held by the opponent. Argues to a conclusion that denies the “straw man” the arguer has set up, but misses the target. A common straw man is an extreme man. Extreme positions are more difficult to defend because they make fewer allowances for exceptions, or counter-examples.
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Testimonial – Reports or testimony from trusted sources are offered, out of context, in support of or for vilification of an idea, person, etc.
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Transference** – Projection of either positive or negative qualities to something or someone in order to connote qualities that may or may not be related. It capitalizes on emotional response and is related to “Guilt by Association” and “Reductio ad Hitlerum”
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Unstated Assumption** – Beliefs are implied or stated indirectly because a direct statement would seem less credible. “Women’s suffrage is outside the prescriptive will of God and Kingdom Architecture.” As a woman and a voter, you now have been told that you are acting outside the will of God and willingly disobedient. Any Christian understands that willful disobedience of God and the Scriptures is sin. The speaker can imply that they have not accused anyone of sinning, skirting accountability; however their inference that voting for women is a sin is understood.
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Source: Under Much Grace
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DOMESTIC ABUSE Christian victims of domestic violence face the same hurdles to leaving an abusive relationship as do other victims, but they also have religious or biblical concerns, which make it difficult even getting to the stage of admitting abuse is happening without fearing ‘eternal condemnation’. We may also ask ourselves whether our experience within the relationship is what God intended for us, whether being fearful in our marriage is an aspect of love? Source
No matter who you are, you are likely to have some experience of Domestic Abuse at some stage in your life.
Biblical Divorce for Abuse, Adultery and Desertion by Barbara RobertsUnder what circumstances does the Bible permit divorce? May a divorced Christian remarry? Christian teaching on divorce and remarriage has varied widely. Interpretation of the biblical texts on divorce and remarriage has been hotly contested and the debate is still very much alive.Among those most hurt by the uncertainty and lack of consensus are Christian victims of marital abuse (otherwise known as domestic violence, battering, intimate partner abuse, family violence). Such people often think they must choose between two unpleasant alternatives: endure abuse, or face condemnation by God and church people for disobeying the Bible.Not Under Bondage, written by a survivor of domestic abuse,
- explains the scriptural dilemmas of abuse victims
- carefully examines the scriptures and scholarly research
- shows how the Bible sets victims of abuse free from bondage and guilt.
Some conclusions of Not Under Bondage are:
- The Bible distinguishes between “treacherous divorce” and “disciplinary divorce”.
- Disciplinary divorce is permitted by the Bible. This applies in cases of abuse, adultery or desertion, where a seriously mistreated spouse divorces a seriously offending spouse.
- Treacherous divorce is condemned by the Bible. It occurs when a spouse obtains divorce for reasons other than abuse, adultery or desertion.
- If the offending partner was sexually immoral, the Bible allows the non-offending partner to remarry.
- If the offending partner abused, deserted or unjustly dismissed the other, and the offender has been judged to be ‘as an unbeliever’, the Bible allows the mistreated partner to remarry .
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Moved By Faith: Reclaiming Her Voice in the Aftermath of Domestic Violence ~ From ‘About’ page:
“Trying to escape the cycle of Domestic Violence? Me too!
Creating a community where women can come together and share, find hope, inspiration, and real tools….” Join Lara and Emma
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An Open Letter To Stormie Omartian by Barbara Roberts. “Oodles of books have been written advising Christian women how to have great marriages. Trouble is, most of them are clueless about the dynamics of domestic abuse so they give atrocious advice which could be toxic or life threatening to a victim of abuse.”
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ARE YOU IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP?
Do You:
… feel as though the boundaries keep shifting?
… feel as though you can never do the right thing?
… often feel guilty for something you have not done?
… feel as though you are walking on eggshells?s
… often change your social engangements because of your partner?
… wish he/she would change and be nicer to you?
… spend more time thinking of what your partner wants than what you do?
Does your partner:
… get jealous easily, even without reason?
… nag or belittle you frequently?
… always want to know where you have been and what you have been doing?
… threaten to hurt himself or the children if you don’t comply?
… sometimes just seem to totally ignore you for hours or days?
… insist on having sex even if you don’t really want to?
… embarass you in front of friends or family?
… belittle your accomplishments or trash your ideas?
If you can answer yes to most of those, then chances are, you are in an abusive relationship. Read more about the Warning Signs of an Abusive Personality and also have a look at the Characteristics of domestic abuse victims. Source
Becus
Why consider the religious or spiritual issues of Religion and Domestic Violence?
Because these are fundamental not only to the believing victim and abuser as well as their Church, but also to all those who live in a culture which is largely based upon Christian moral values and traditions.
Religious people across all denominations are not exempt from Domestic Abuse, however, there appears to be a serious lack of understanding regarding abuse and the dynamics of abusive relationships and their impact upon the lives of people involved within churches and demoninations generally.
When considering Religion and Domestic Violence we have to realise that religious or spiritual factors are central to the victim’s understanding and response. His/her own faith and the support of Church members can be vital in helping the healing process, while a lack of understanding regarding the Biblical perspective on abusive relationships by the victim or those he/she turns to for spiritual guidance and support can add to the emotional, physical and financial hurdles already faced.
Many women in abusive relationships feel they ought to submit to their husbands out of duty, that they have no right over their own body, life or even opinions. Quite often this misconception is furthered by advice from clergy, elders, rabbis or other members of the Church or congregation. Some men may feel trapped by their beliefs in an abusive relationship, unsure of their position towards their wives or girl-friends. Some men may feel that unless they lord it over their partners, they are not doing as they ought to in the sight of God, that their position is one of Master, of Lord of the household. Often quotations or excerpts from the Bible are used to justify abusive behaviour, or the suppression by one member of the household of another. This in itself is a form of spiritual abuse. Source
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FURTHER READING: BLOGS AND RESOURCES (In progress)
Not Under Bondage Barbara Roberts
The Following are Recommended Abusive Religion & Spiritual Abuse Links from A Quiver Full of Information
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Baptist Women for Equality blog
The Barnabas Ministry “ helps people deal with unsatisfying, difficult, unhealthy or abusive church experiences”
Breaking Their Will: Shedding Light on Religious Child Maltreatment (book) by Janet Heimlich as well as the author’s blog Religious Child Maltreatment.
Broken Flowers of the Catholic Homesteading Movement
Commandments of Men “Examining the dark, hyper-fundamentalist side of the Christian faith, including movements such as Patriarchy, Quiverfull, Courtship, Family Integrated Churches, Christian Homeschooling, the Religious Right, and many more.”
The Cult Next Door survivor blog
Emotional Abuse and Your Faith
Exposing Dictator/False Pastors
Freedom For Christian Women Coalition
Includes links to the Seneca Falls 2 Evangelical Women’s Rights Convention
Freedom From Abuse Network “Freedom from emotional, spiritual, sexual & physical abuse from within the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (IFB) churches, christian schools, group homes and colleges.” Also includes Bill Gothard’s organization.
Former Hephzibah Girls Survivors blog
Free Elsie FACEBOOK [private] group for girls who survived Patriarchy-influenced homeschooling.
Galatians 4 Blog that points our false teachers and tries to warn sincere Christians of abuse.
Hephzibah House [official cite]
Ill-legalism Site supporting recovering legalists
Independent Spirits: Freedom from the Umbrella of Deception web site for survivors and other ex-ATI/IBLP members.
Jen’s Gems LINK I LINK 2Vision Forum leader’s abuse
Author Kathryn Joyce’s blog (Author of Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement)
Quivering Daughters Blog and book by survivor [daughter] of the Quiverfull movement.
Are Scott and Andrea Bass a Quiverfull Family [abuse story]
Sovereign Grace Ministries Survivors
Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse [book]
Submission Tyranny in Church & Society [blog of Author, Waneta Dawn see her novel below]
Three in One Makes Five Survivor blog
Under Much Grace “Resources for Recovery From Spiritual Abuse” Blogger Under Much Grace offers a long, helpful list of information sources on Hephzibah House along with information for survivors of abuse at that institution. She also offers Three Things You Can do to Stop the Abuse at Hephzibah House.
Unspoken Words a Message survivor’s blog
Why Not Train A Child? This blog discusses the abuse committed by followers of Michael and Debi Pearl
Women in Ministry Offers a “dialogue on the issue of women in ministry and the freedom for women to teach the bible in a public setting.”
