SRN’s Questionaire – Spiritual Abuse and Group Dynamics – Are You in the Middle of it But Even Don’t Know it?

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Spiritual Abuse and Group Dynamics – Questions to Consider

Questions To Help Identify Specific Areas of Spiritual Abuse, Deception, and Fraud

By Chris Lawson
SRN (Spiritual Research Network)

The following two scriptures are reflective of what happens when authority is abused within a spiritual/church setting, i.e. self-exaltation, heavy handed leadership, etc.

“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Old Testament, Jeremiah 5:31)

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.” (New Testament, 3 John 9-10)

The following list of questions is to help you, the reader, think through a number of things that perhaps you have never seriously considered on your own before.

As you read the questions, circle either YES or NO.  When you reach the end, go back through the list and prayerfully consider the questions that you have answered YES to. Answering YES to any of the following questions may be an indication of an unhealthy problem in your group or with your leaders.

Answering YES to more than just a few questions is a definite cause for alarm. If this is the case, it is recommended that you take a much closer look into your group’s or organization’s history, purpose, and goals.  Observe closely the methods, activities, and lives of the leaders. Are they using abusive and manipulative tactics on people?

If you believe that you are being abused in any way, it is highly recommended that you seek immediate help from balanced individuals and relatives who are outside of the influence of your group and its leaders.

Remember, you have the freedom to make your own choices and to be free from controlling and manipulative people.  Controlling, abusive, and manipulating people will only mock, chastise and attempt to control you even more when their ploys, methods and artful ways of controlling others have been exposed.

Lastly, if you are suffering physical harm in any way or are involved against your conscience in any activity, you have the freedom to call emergency personnel by dialing 911.

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOUR CHURCH OR GROUP’S LEADERS
Are you in any way fearful of your leader(s)?
YES / NO
Does your church or group revolve around one main charismatic personality who is the final arbiter of “truth”?
YES / NO
Do your leaders make claims of being “Anointed,” having “Elijah’s Mantle,” having “Apostolic Authority,” etc?
YES / NO
Does the main leader, or the leaders in your church or group always insist that they are right?
YES / NO
Does your group, church or movement employ an “Moses/Aaron” style of leadership (Old Testament Theocracy) where the pastor/leader hears directly from God like “Moses” (unlike a plurality of elders that comprise church leadership as the New Testament emphasizes)?
YES / NO
Does the pastor/leader of your group, church or movement surround himself with “people-pleasers,” or with men who maintain biblical leadership characteristics as found in I, II Timothy and Titus?
YES / NO
Is you group, church or movement set up like a pyramid, with a hierarchy – with one single man at the top?
YES / NO
Are you allowed to freely ask questions about the background of your leader(s) and your group without being looked down upon or being considered “divisive”?
YES / NO
Click here to complete this questionaire and read comments from Chris Lawson.

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