Spiritual abuse is a form of abuse that occurs in the name of a cult, god, faith or any other form of a belief system. It is used by someone who is or believes they are of spiritual authority to manipulate or gain control over a single person or group of people.
Spiritual Abuse comes in many different forms, these include but not limited to:
Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Financial Abuse
Controlling
Neglect
Isolation & Exclusion
Brainwashing
Under the guise of mis-reading spiritual texts, propaganda or being fanatical those capable of spiritual abuse can begin to control, manipulate and create fear over their victim. The abuse is easily blamed on a spiritual power rather than the abuser becoming the blamed this makes it easier to succumb and accept the abuse.
Spiritual abuse can also lead the abused to become abusers themselves in the form of spiritualisation or acceptance; this could lead to torture, domination, and theft, in a worst case scenario murder.
Why do people abuse ?
There are many reasons why spiritual abuse occurs, although not extensive some of the reasons are:
Inherited behaviour from experience or living in a similar setting, this makes it seem normal behaviour.
To dominate and control what others do.
Manipulating the victim(s) the ability to change how someone thinks and behaves through mind games, this is more to ensure the abuse can continue. Making it feel like the victims fault rather than the abuser, to also ensure it is not reported due to fear of reprisals or non-belief from the authorities.
To gain total obedience and submission from the victim(s).
For some form of personal gain such as power, financial, sexual etc...
Feeling of extreme superiority, being worshipped can be a feeling of having total power.
The ability to blame behaviour on a more supreme being, making it easier to abuse.
Symptoms of spiritual abuse?
Victim feelings & behaviour
Feel afraid of those who are their to protect, comfort and offer spiritual help.
Feelings of hopelessness and enclosed or trapped.
Obsessed with trying to appease even at the expense of personal safety.
Feelings of anger and resentment both towards self and abusers.
Feeling isolated and feelings of loneliness.
Loss of own opinion, beliefs or behaviours.
Loss of independence, possibly leading to mental illness
Feelings of anxiety around people or entirely loss of any emotional feelings.
A change of acceptable reasoning or behaviours.
Fear of expressing own personal beliefs.
Abusive behaviour
Belittling, humiliating or constantly criticizing.
Constant obedience to those with power
Blaming a higher being for their behaviour.
Ignoring or dismissing your opinions or achievements.
Constantly checking where you are, what you're doing, where you have been through requests or even following etc...
Physical hurt or threaten to hurt / kill you.
Threats against your children or threats to get the children / victim taken away or separated.
Damaging or destroying your property, or something you care for.
Social isolation from others with different opinions
Fear of leaving or total isolation if it occurs
Secrecy and emphasis on finances or decisions
Treating you as an object or animal rather than a person of equality.
Forcing themselves upon you, either in a violent or sexual manner.
Increased commitment being expected rather than volunteered
The feeling that those with power are above the law
Misusing spiritual texts or scriptures
Loss of a personal identity
Elitism, or belief that you are the chosen one(s)
Reasons for not reporting spiritual abuse
Thoughts that this form of behaviour was normal.
Fear of reprisals if an attempt is made to leave.
Fear the children will be taken away from me or/and live with the abusers (Cult etc...).
Fear of friends, family who wish to remain within the setting.
How do I support myself or my children?
Fear of not being believed.
No support for me, where do I go, I have no friends or family.
Others kept telling me to stay, pressurized to stay.
Threats of violence if wishing to leave the setting.
Knowing others who have left, if they have been treated badly.
The fear of outside, the belief that it is safer within the setting rather than outside of it.