4 ICSA TODAY
D
r. Joost Meerloo’s The Rape of the Mind (Merloo, 1956)
examined how mental coercion exploits empathy and
perception to steal a person’s autonomy. In abusive
religious environments, what might be called a rape of the
soul and also the mind occurs. The International Cultic Studies
Association’s Spiritual Abuse Resources (SAR) program defines
spiritual abuse as follows:
Spiritual abuse, sometimes called religious abuse,
results when individuals are deceived and or [sic]
otherwise manipulated in ways that cause detrimental
changes to core elements of the self, including
one’s relationship to God, religious/philosophical
beliefs, self-determination, and the capacity to think
independently. Though often associated with cultic
groups, spiritual abuse may also occur in mainstream
denominations when pastors or others misuse their
authority or when individuals violate the ethical
boundaries of proselytizing or other kinds of influence
situations. (SAR, n.d.)
Although spiritual abuse can happen in almost any spiritual
or religious environment, in this article I specifically examine
spiritual abuse as it occurs in Bible-based groups. People who
have been wounded in other belief systems, however, may
find that much of this discussion resonates with their own
experience.
Many examples in this article focus on nondenominational
churches. However, abuse can and does happen in mainstream
denominations, but the dynamics can be different. Pastors or
leaders can have controlling tendencies even if they manage
to stay within the framework of their denomination. Abuse
can also occur when pastors are so rigid and legalistic about
the doctrines of their denomination that rules and regulations
become more important than individual congregants.
By Maureen Griffo
D
r. Joost Meerloo’s The Rape of the Mind (Merloo, 1956)
examined how mental coercion exploits empathy and
perception to steal a person’s autonomy. In abusive
religious environments, what might be called a rape of the
soul and also the mind occurs. The International Cultic Studies
Association’s Spiritual Abuse Resources (SAR) program defines
spiritual abuse as follows:
Spiritual abuse, sometimes called religious abuse,
results when individuals are deceived and or [sic]
otherwise manipulated in ways that cause detrimental
changes to core elements of the self, including
one’s relationship to God, religious/philosophical
beliefs, self-determination, and the capacity to think
independently. Though often associated with cultic
groups, spiritual abuse may also occur in mainstream
denominations when pastors or others misuse their
authority or when individuals violate the ethical
boundaries of proselytizing or other kinds of influence
situations. (SAR, n.d.)
Although spiritual abuse can happen in almost any spiritual
or religious environment, in this article I specifically examine
spiritual abuse as it occurs in Bible-based groups. People who
have been wounded in other belief systems, however, may
find that much of this discussion resonates with their own
experience.
Many examples in this article focus on nondenominational
churches. However, abuse can and does happen in mainstream
denominations, but the dynamics can be different. Pastors or
leaders can have controlling tendencies even if they manage
to stay within the framework of their denomination. Abuse
can also occur when pastors are so rigid and legalistic about
the doctrines of their denomination that rules and regulations
become more important than individual congregants.
By Maureen Griffo
