Resources
Spiritual Abuse 101
We’re actively updating our resource page and we’d love your contribution of ideas!
All resources are selected for the purpose of aiding in the understanding of Spiritual Abuse. Their selection is not an endorsement of any individual or organization.
“Without language we cannot speak our stories.”
Spiritual Abuse Awareness Month 2023
Traumatized by Religious Abuse
“I think this book is for anybody who has experienced spiritual abuse, for those who know someone who has experienced spiritual abuse, and for spiritual leaders in any faith community.” - Ginny Barker
Listen to Uncertain Podcast Interview with Connie Baker HERE
Spiritual Abuse Awareness
January 2022 was Tears’ first Spiritual Abuse Awareness Month. We featured four different interviews with folks working to raise awareness about Spiritual Abuse. You can listen at the following links:
S3:E1 - When is it Spiritual Abuse? with Laura Barringer
S3:E2 - Power and Control in Spiritual Abuse with Connie Baker
S3:E3 - Talking to People About Spiritual Abuse with Amy Fritz
The Betrayal Bond.
by
Patrick J. Carnes
Recommending this book for anyone who might need to understand abuse, specifically the bond that occurs between abuser and victim. There’s a psychological, physiological, emotional, and spiritual component to abuse. At the end of each chapter, there are detailed exercises that would be helpful to go through with a therapist or support group.
My Story of Spiritual Abuse
Judy Wu Dominick aptly describes a chronic experience of Spiritual Abuse in her article My Story of Spiritual Abuse
Her reasons for sharing publicly are worthy ones, and when many survivors have difficulty describing there experience, I’m grateful Judy was willing to share her story
Holy Hurt - All in the Family - Ep. 4
A great overview of the impact of developmental trauma combined with trauma we might experience within a spiritual community. Hosted by Hillary McBride.
This Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists
By Eleanor D. Payson, M.S.W.
If you have experienced Spiritual Abuse in a faith-based community, odds are high you’ve encountered Narcissism. Eleanor Payson’s book discusses NPD at length, breaking it down, giving guidelines for navigating this confusing relationship, and helping someone distinguish when it’s time to say goodbye to the relationship.
When Narcissism Comes to Church
“Spiritual abuse bears a particularly sinister twist, as principles and maxims of faith are wielded as weapons of command and control, and faith leaders abuse their power for the sake of feeding their own unmet emotional needs. The victim feels just as perplexed and confused as one who has experienced emotional abuse but experiences it from a seemingly more authoritative source – a holy source” (125)
Mind Control in Spiritual Abuse.
How the system reshapes the narrative and dictates how a person views the world.
Healing from Religious Trauma
Anderson not only writes with a non-comparison approach, but also with a mind towards the physical, emotional, psychological, and other impacts of trauma. In this broad view, Anderson yet recognizes that just as everyone’s trauma looks a bit different, so does each person’s recovery.
Redeeming Power
Diane Langberg has long been a champion for the shadow world of Spiritual Abuse Survivors. She has a keen grasp of power dynamics, an understanding of the spiritual element involved in faith communities where abuse occurs, and she’s not afraid to call it like it is. Redeeming Power, is just what the church needs.
Uncertain podcast interview with Diane HERE
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse.
David Johnson & Jeff Vanvonderen
This book is in The Vault, and is a great primer for understanding and defying Spiritual Abuse. Focused audience for those who identify as Christian.