Spiritual Abuse: Fact or Fiction

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Subdued

I'm not sure that it's appropriate in all cases. Making the proper authority(ies) aware, perhaps; but not just anybody. What good does that do?

Are we to believe that the proper authorities respond appropriately in ALL CASES????

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

If so .. and a shepard holds this type of authority over his flock ... it would mean that pastoral abuse .... is lot more common place than saint abuse ...

Sure.

It is a two sided coin though, Daniel.

Authority is balanced by servanthood.

The authority of the pastor can be abused; but the fact that he is a servant makes him vulnerable to mistreatment also.

[Subdued]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

It's annoying to work with someone that can't make the distinction.

True! Perhaps the person doesn't know the right way to obtain healing...? OR, maybe they just enjoy the attention/drama. Depends on the person, I suppose. Wounds do need time, and sometimes attention, to heal, though. But as SE said, picking at the scab could cause more damage.

[Michlow]

I feel once again that I need to make a distinction, there is a difference between those who are born and raised in an abusive environment, and those who just experience it for a time.

Those who are born in it, are made to think that it is normal. It colors and distorts their entire view of the world around them. It is much harder for them, because they effectively need to first be shown that they have a distorted image, and then they need to be helped to build a true and Godly foundation.

Those who never gain the revelation that what they were "sold" was a lie, are those who walk away from God and everything associated with Him. They harbor great bitterness and become hardened and antagonistic towards the things of God.

Those who are born in a healthy environment, but for a time find themselves in an abusive environment, have an edge up, so to speak. They are more likely to realize that there is a problem a lot sooner, and to get out while only minimal damage has been done. They are also more likely to seek a healthy environment, and to forgive and "move on".

[Subdued]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Are we to believe that the proper authorities respond appropriately in ALL CASES????

NO WAY!

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Sure.

It is a two sided coin though, Daniel.

Authority is balanced by servanthood.

The authority of the pastor can be abused; but the fact that he is a servant makes him vulnerable to mistreatment also.

Yet it's the abusive pastor that seems to forget that he is a servant ... and believes he must be served

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Are we to believe that the proper authorities respond appropriately in ALL CASES????

Are we to believe that anything with the human element involved works properly in all cases?

Of course not.

But that doesn't justify vigilante justice and lynch parties. You can't take the law into your own hands and circumvent the God-ordained system and expect to come out unscathed.

[Sister Alvear]

I told my husband some time back that I know why some have written on those abuse sites....especially women...

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Sure.

It is a two sided coin though, Daniel.

Authority is balanced by servanthood.

The authority of the pastor can be abused; but the fact that he is a servant makes him vulnerable to mistreatment also.

Good point! And one side of the coin we don't hear about real often.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Yet it's the abusive pastor that seems to forget that he is a servant ... and believes he must be served

Of course that happens.

I don't know of anyone naive enough to say otherwise.