Spiritual abuse is the manipulation of one individual or group of individuals by another individual or group of individuals using religious or spiritual rhetoric. It is a real issue today, with so many people in churches being manipulated, taken advantage of, and brought under condemnation. Such tools as Biblical literalism, fundamentalism, and pyramid style tithing laws do much damage to what could be a strong faith.

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Some ministry leaders have attempted the enforcement of unnecessary rules and tight government policies in the church in order to promote and further their personal gain. Some use fundamentalism and biblical literalism to hold a firm grasp on those in their churches. Do not bear an unnecessary burden!

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Signs Of An Abusive Or Legalistic Ministry

* All policies set and decisions made by one person. * Nepotism employed in appointment of church leadership. * Undue financial requirements enforced upon the membership (forced tithing, pledges, disclosure of private financial records). * Special preference given to the wealthy and powerful, and to those who make large contributions to the church or church staff. * Church spending and salaries of church staff not disclosed in detail. * Financial statements not openly shared with congregation. * Use of statements invoking guilt and shame to manipulate members to contribute to the support of certain projects. * “Inner circle knowledge” (“deeper spiritual truths” revealed only to those who are “dedicated to the ministry”). * Special behaviors reflect deeper spiritual experience (e.g. speaking in tongues, visions, prosperity, health). * Difficult conditions attributed to spiritual weakness (e.g. sickness, poverty, doubt). * Church standing conditional to behavior (no dancing, no drinking, no smoking, hair length, specific dress, no card playing, etc.). * Constant feelings of anxiety and insecurity due to not being able to abide by these rules. * Condemnation passed on all who disagree with the rules of the church group. Use of scriptures such as Psalm 105:15 “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm” to validate this belief is common evidence of manipulative ministry. * Inability of church or ministry leaders to accept when they make bad decisions. * Elitism (“our church [ministry] is the only true church [ministry]” “no other group is as good as ours” “all other groups are dead”)

If the statements above describe the experience you have with a church, ministry, or individual you are involved with, and you are feeling alienated, taken advantage of, or inadequate, please do not turn your back on religion!

from http://www.ourfellowship.org/recovery.html