Читать книгу Field Guide to the Wild World of Religion: 2011 Edition - Pamela J.D. Dewey - Страница 22

“Spiritual abuse is the misuse of a position of power, leadership, or influence to further the selfish interests of someone other than the individual who needs help. Sometimes abuse arises out of a doctrinal position. At other times it occurs because of legitimate personal needs of a leader that are being met by illegitimate means. Spiritually abusive religious systems are sometimes described as legalistic, mind controlling, religiously addictive, and authoritarian. The most distinctive characteristic of a spiritually abusive religious system, or leader, is the over-emphasis on authority. Because a group claims to have been established by God Himself the leaders in this system claim the right to command their followers.” (www.watchman.org/profile/abusepro.htm)

An increasing number of websites, as well as books available in Christian and secular book stores, have brought to the attention of the public the reality that abuse within some religious groups is not limited to just physical matters. When a leader or group uses claimed “authority from God” to harm the mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing of participants, the result is spiritual abuse. This can be just as dangerous and debilitating as physical abuse. Thus, much of the content on spiritual abuse cult-watch websites may be devoted to documentation of those factors in the teachings and methods of the groups and teachers under consideration which may contribute to the potential for spiritual abuse.