Religious Abuse Recovery

Abuse of Power Defined 

Anyone can abuse power; however, it is especially disorienting when done by someone in a position of trust or authority. Abuse of power is the unethical use of power in relationships, leadership and professional interactions. 

Fundamentally, the abuse of power violates healthy relationship boundaries, possibly involves actions in which a person exceeds their designated authority, and results in negative impacts for those it is directed at.

A person abusing power may use their personal or positional influence to manipulate an individual or group for their own gain. When power has been abused, it is often characterized by particular patterns of behaviour such as: coercive control, coercion, manipulation, pressure to conform, deception, misuse of Scripture, and heavy-handed authoritarian leadership. 

Other tactics used to abuse power are: favouritism (giving preferential treatment to one over another) cronyism (giving preferential treatment or positions to friends at the expense of others), and nepotism (giving preferential treatment or positions to family at the expense of others). 

At times, abuse of power may also be accompanied by a level of secrecy, cover ups, and protectionism. If that secrecy is broken, one may observe the mistreatment, discrediting, or ostracization of the one reporting the abuse. Protection of the governing organization’s image is often prioritized above the care of the victim, creating greater harm to that individual/group referred to as the “second wound.” 

Abuse of power can take on many forms including physical, sexual, psychological, social, and spiritual violations. Sadly, abuse of power can produce psychological, physiological, and even spiritual harm, that is often long-term. This negatively impacts how we relate to God, others, and even ourselves. When someone has endured abuse of power, they often experience significant injury to their sense of self and autonomy, as well as a loss of feeling safe. They can also lose their sense of community, belonging, and purpose, which are key resiliency factors. 

When abuse of power happens, it interferes with important aspects of one’s personhood such as: 

1. Autonomy

2. Agency

3. Dignity

4. Sense of self

5. Sense of safety 

Spiritual Abuse is also a form of abuse of power. 

Please review these brief descriptions of Spiritual Abuse

When abuse of power happens in a faith context, it can also be considered spiritual abuse. In this survey, when asked about witnessing or experiencing abuse of power, spiritual abuse is included in that terminology. 

Scot McKnight and Diane Langberg capture the essence of spiritual abuse in these two quotes:

1) “It is characterized by a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour in a religious context.” Scot McKnight 

2) “…simply put, it is taking the sacred and using it to control, crush, coerce…” Diane Langberg, Redeeming Power

Lisa Oakley & Tim Humphries also provide a helpful definition of spiritual abuse in their book Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse. They suggest spiritual abuse is, “Mistreatment of a person who is in need of help, support, or greater spiritual empowerment, with the result of weakening, undermining, or decreasing, that person’s spiritual empowerment or someone using their power within a framework of spiritual belief or practice to satisfy their needs at the expense of another.” 

Book for Reference: 

Broken Trust by F. Remy Diederich

Bully Pulpit by Micheal J. Kruger 

Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Lisa Oakley & Tim Humphries

Powerful Leaders? by Marcus Honeysett

Redeeming Power by Diane Langberg 

Right Use of Power by Cedar Barstow 

Something's Not Right by Wade Mullen 

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen 

Traumatized by Religious Abuse by Connie A. Backer 

What Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat 

Wounded Faith by Neil Damgaard