Churches That Abuse

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Churches That Abuse
Author Dr. Ronald Enroth
Cover artist The Aslan Group
Country United States of America
Language English
Subject(s) Spiritual abuse
Genre(s) Christianity
Publisher Zondervan
Publication date 1991
Pages 121
ISBN ISBN 0-310-53292-2
Followed by Recovering From Churches That Abuse

Churches That Abuse, first published in 1991, is a best-selling sociologically-oriented book written by Dr. Ronald Enroth about Christian churches and organizations he perceives as "spiritually abusive" and the effects these groups can have on their members. A primary theme of the book is to demonstrate, through case histories of individuals, couples, and families whose lives have been negatively affected by practices of certain Christian churches, that "spiritual abuse can take place in the context of doctrinally sound, Bible-preaching, fundamentalist, conservative Christianity."[1] The book also attempts to outline the backgrounds of the leaders of these groups, and explain how the groups evolved to the point of becoming, in his mind, spiritually abusive. It has been praised by many in the anti-cult movement, including Margaret Thaler Singer, Ph.D [1], Michael D. Langone (director of the American Family Foundation) [2], Dr. Paul R. Martin[3], and James Leo Garrett, Jr. (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary)[2].

Contents

[edit] Characteristics of an "abusive church"

The book lists what Ronald Enroth believes are several identifying characteristics of "abusive churches," including:

[edit] Control-oriented leadership

According to the book, "...experience with authoritarian leadership is, unfortunately, not unusual for people who have been a part of spiritually abusive groups. Control-oriented leadership is at the core of all such churches. These spiritual power holders become strong role models, and their dogmatic teaching, bold confidence, and arrogant assertiveness become powerful forces of influence. They use their spiritual authority to intimidate the weak and those who consider leaving their flock." (Page 42)

[edit] Spiritual elitism, perceived persecution

According to the book, "The spiritual elitism of abusive churches can be seen in some of the terminology they use to refer to themselves: "God's Green Berets," "God's End-Time Army," the "faithful remnant," the special "move of God." As one ex-member put it, "We believed we were on the cutting edge of what God was doing in the world. I looked down on people who left our movement; they didn't have what it took. They were not faithful to their commitment. When everyone else got with God's program, they would be involved in shepherding just like we were." ... If abusive churches are exclusive and special, it follows that they will be targets for persecution, or so their leaders seem to feel." (Page 61)

[edit] Manipulation of members, fostering dependency

According to the book, "Spiritually abusive groups routinely use guilt, fear, and intimidation as effective means for controlling their members. In my opinion, the leaders consciously foster an unhealthy form of dependency, spiritually and interpersonally, by focusing on themes of submission, loyalty, and obedience to those in authority. In all totalitarian environments, dependency is necessary for subjugation." (Page 53)

[edit] Life-style rigidity

According to the book, "Traditional evangelical churches value and respect individual differences. For the most part, they encourage people to become unique persons in their own right, not mere photocopies of someone else. Authoritarian, manipulative fringe groups, on the other hand, encourage clones and promote cookie-cutter life-styles. ... authoritarian churches demonstrate an excessive focus on such concerns. The restricted life-style and limits on personal freedom that follow are just other examples of the need to control that all abusive churches exemplify. Conformity to prescribed standards is achieved, more so than in mainline churches, through peer pressure and pastoral directives." (Page 54 and 70)

[edit] Emphasis on experience

According to the book, "Quite clearly, the excesses at Community Chapel demonstrate what can happen when spiritual experience dictates theology and then necessitates a re-interpretation of Scripture. Subjective experience takes care of the theological loopholes that the Bible seems not to address. The leadership of Community Chapel promoted the view that one could accept certain doctrines and practices if they could not be disproved from Scripture, rather than accept them because of a strong conviction they were right because they were taught in God's Word. It has been said that commitment without careful reflection is fanaticism in action, and that certainly was the case at Community Chapel." (Page 26)

[edit] Harsh discipline of members, information control

According to the book, "Virtually all authoritarian groups that I have studied impose discipline, in one form or another, on members. A common theme that I encountered during interviews with ex-members of these groups was that the discipline was often carried out in public-and involved ridicule and humiliation. ... Members of all abusive churches soon learn that the pastor or leader is beyond confrontation. ... Unwavering obedience to religious leadership and unquestioning loyalty to the group would be less easily achieved if analysis and feedback were available to members from the outside. It is not without reason that leaders of abusive groups react so strongly and so defensively to any media criticism of their organizations." (Page 78, 81, and 84)

[edit] Painful exit processes

According to the book, "leaving an abusive church situation can be extremely difficult, calling into question every aspect of life members may have experienced for the period of time they were involved. ... Leaving a restricted and abusive community involves what sociologists call the de-socialization process whereby the individual loses identification with the past group and moves toward re-socialization, or reintegration into the mainstream culture. There are a number of emotions and needs that emerge during this transition process. How one deals with these feelings and affective experiences has a significant impact on the overall healing that is required. Many have described the aftermath of abusive-church involvement as comparable to that of rape victims, or the delayed stress syndrome experienced by war veterans. It is recovery from what might be called spiritual rape." (Page 89 and 90)

[edit] Groups discussed

The following groups and religious leaders are discussed in the book:

[edit] Follow-up book

Ronald Enroth has written one follow-up book, entitled Recovering From Churches That Abuse (ISBN 0-310-39870-3).

[edit] Analogous books

  • Recovering from Churches that Abuse, Publisher: Zondervan (August 1994), (ISBN 978-0310398707).
  • The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, co-authored by David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen, published in 2004 (ISBN 1-556-61160-9).
  • Toxic Faith, co-authored with Stephen Arterburn and Jack Felton, published in 2001 (ISBN 0-877-88825-6).

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Churches That Abuse (Reviewer: Margaret Thaler Singer).
  2. ^ a b Apologetics Index - Churches That Abuse.
  3. ^ CRI Journal - CRJ0112A.

[edit] External links