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episode 244: Am I Being Spiritually Abused?
If your husband uses scripture to coerce you and control you -
If he accuses you of sin, saying that God revealed this information to him -
If he makes unilateral decisions for you and the family -
You may wonder, "Am I being spiritually abused?"
And the answer is yes.
Abby is on the podcast to take a deep dive with Anne into what spiritual abuse looks like and how she sought and found deliverance. Tune in to the BTR.ORG podcast and read the full transcript below for more.
Spiritual Abuse Boils Down To Control & Coercion
Abusers use spiritual abuse to coerce and control victims. This can look like:
* Coercing the victim into sexual activity using scripture or the misogynistic logic that it is her "wifely duty" to be submissive
* Refusing to help with household duties
* Convincing the victim that she does not have access to God's direction and must submit to his revelation or intuition
* Making unilateral decisions
* Controlling the finances
* Refusing to let the victim work
* Accusing the victim of "sin"
* Controlling whom the victim can associate with
* Controlling the victim's hobbies
This list isn't exhaustive, but may help victims identify specific areas that the abuser is using spirituality and religious texts to control and coerce her.
Spiritual Abuse Isolates Victims
By nature, spiritual abuse is generally very isolating. Victims may not be allowed to associate with others outside of the faith community. Abusers may refuse to allow victims to have contact with their families and friends.
In Abby's case, she was denied medical care, access to education, and contact with her family:
I was even, and my children, likewise, were also prevented from getting medical care because of this same issue. He would say, "God's going to heal you. You don't need a doctor." So that conditioning and fear was there for a long, long time. And so it was a big risk for me [to seek support].
Abby, Member of the BTR.ORG Community
It Is Possible to Seek Safety From Spiritual Abuse
Many victims of spiritual abuse feel trapped in a situation that may feel impossible to escape from.
Often, not only is it the abusive spouse keeping the victim isolated, but family members, friends, and clergy enable the abuse and isolation.
Even though it may feel daunting, it is absolutely possible to seek safety from spiritual abuse.
Abby's deliverance came in stages. She began learning about abuse, worked toward separation, and ultimately divorced her abuser and began building a beautiful new life for herself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swkKweIESsU
BTR.ORG Is Here For You
We are here for you as you begin your own journey toward safety.
The BTR.ORG Group Sessions are here for you to process trauma, ask questions, and find the community you deserve. Join today.