Hell as depicted in a medieval fresco at the Church of St. Nicolas, Bulgaria, Author Edan Anton Lefterov, (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)
“Spiritual abuse is the act of making people believe — whether by stating or merely implying — that they are going to be punished in this life and/or tormented in hell-fire forever for failure to live a life good enough to please God and thus earn admission to heaven…Spiritual terrorism is the most extreme form of spiritual abuse and may cause serious mental health problems.”
–“Spiritual terrorism” by Boyd C. Purcell, MA, PhD [1A]
Many Christians would be offended by the expression “spiritual abuse”, especially as defined above.
Unfortunately, there are those who distort Christian beliefs, utilizing them for self-gratification and self-aggrandizement.
Religious leaders have at times weaponized religion, focusing on the most vulnerable among their flock. The cult leader and mass murderer, Jim Jones of the People’s Temple, is just one example of this.
More often, church leaders have stood by and tolerated abuse (spiritual, physical, sexual, and financial) both by clergy and church members, damaging their Christian witness and repelling non-believers. The Catholic Church sex scandal is a case in point.
While complicity by the organized church with abusers may not technically qualify as spiritual abuse according to this definition, it is experienced by a significant number of believers as such.
Forms of Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual or religious abuse can take various forms. But all forms of abuse involve control [1B].
- If inflicted by a romantic partner, family member, or friend, such abuse may involve ridicule of the victim’s religious beliefs, interference with the victim’s exercise of his/her religion, or misinterpretation of religious doctrine to justify mistreatment of the victim [2][3].
- If inflicted by clergy, it involves the misuse of religious authority to humiliate, harass, intimidate, exploit, or engage in sexual activity with the victim [4]. The sale of indulgences by the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages is one illustration. Forced conversion — whether by Islam or the Inquisition — is another.
Impact of Spiritual Abuse
In the short term, religious abuse can result in discouragement and demoralization. In the long term, it can result in lasting trauma (anxiety, depression, etc.) and the loss of faith.
The latter can manifest either as profound grief and a sense of abandonment by God, or profound anger and a rejection of God [5]. In either case, there is a spiritual wound created.
Read more…
Dessert – Cakes, Cookies, Pie, and Pastries, Source US Dept. of Agriculture/Agricultural Resource Service, Author Peggy Greb USDA/ARS, (PD)
“Now everyone, of course, is at war with himself in the sense that he feels dual, made up of body and soul.”
–Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen [1]
“Humans are amphibians…half spirit and half animal…as spirits they belong to the eternal world, but as animals they inhabit time.”
–CS Lewis, “The Screwtape Letters”
All of us struggle with inner conflict at times. We are filled with competing passions, desires, inclinations, hopes, and dreams. Not all of these are good or good for us.
Modern society tends to cater to these passions and desires. We are encouraged toward self-actualization; urged to pursue self-interest, develop self-confidence, and employ self-help strategies, when we encounter obstacles to the immediate fulfillment of our desires.
Socialism
Socialist government promises, on a larger scale, the satisfaction of our desires. There is little focus on the nourishment man’s soul derives from individual responsibility or disciplined effort against the odds.
Entree v. Dessert
In other words, we ignore the entree, in favor of dessert. But we ignore the entree at our peril.
The exclusive pursuit of pleasure and self-satisfaction is futile. It does not lead to inner peace. Quite the opposite. The constant focus on self only makes us more self-centered — unconcerned with the needs of others, while increasingly empty. Read more…
JK Rowling, Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/kingkongphoto/46147317015/, Author John Matthew Smith & http://www.celebrity-photos.com, Laurel, MD (CC BY-SA 2.0 Generic)
“Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal.”
–JK Rowling
Harry Potter author JK Rowling recently had the temerity to identify several transgender women as biological men.
Her comments on this topic ignited a social media firestorm, though Rowling maintains she is deeply sympathetic with those whom Christians recognize as suffering from sexual dysmorphia [1][2].
Transphobes and Gender-Critical Feminists
MSNC called Rowling a “transphobe” and described her statement as “attacking trans women” though among the biological men she mentioned was a rapist [3].
There was briefly an issue as to whether Rowling would be prosecuted under Scotland’s new Hate Crime and Public Order Act [4][5][6]. (See, below.) The ongoing dialogue on transgenderism actually garnered Rowling death threats.
The Diminished Value of Women
Clearly, any violation of political correctness trumps rape in the Woke hierarchy of punishable crimes (just as perceived racism trumps rape) [7][8].
Biological women, it would seem, have diminished value.
Indeed, the women (now typically termed people who menstruate) defending themselves against the Transgender Movement are today characterized as “gender-critical feminists” [9].
The Christian Viewpoint
The view of Rowling’s critics is that her refusal to acknowledge transgender women as women denies these biological men the dignity to which they are entitled as human beings.
Christians would say that ALL human beings have value in God’s eyes — regardless of their biological sex or gender identification — but that gender dysmorphia distorts perception, depriving its victims of the full lives God intended for them.
It is for this reason and NOT out of hatred that Christians oppose hormone replacement therapy (now known as gender-affirming therapy) and damaging sex-reassignment surgery (now known as gender-affirming surgery).
Philadelphia Montage, Source Six images on Wikimedia Commons, Author en:User:Jleon (Transfered by MSClaudiu/Original uploaded by Jleon), (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)
The following is by Kelly Campbell, a staff attorney at Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia https://clcphila.org/. CLCP is a faith based organization which provides free legal services to the poor through the dedication of volunteer attorneys, law students, and paralegals. CLCP staff members, also, pray with willing clients.
As poverty has always been an issue close to my heart, I am proud of having co-founded the predecessor to CLCP. Dennis Abrams, a respected trial attorney mentioned below, was a co-founder of both organizations. He is now the President of CLCP.
I encourage you to pray for CLCP and give, if you are able to do so. More information about the concept of Christian legal aid can be found above.
Jaimee Hatcher, CLCP Exec. Dir., explains it this way: “If our work is only legal then it dies when our clients die. However, if our work is both legal and soul focused it has the ability to have an impact that lasts for eternity.”
“Aurelia is a co-pastor at her Church, and she spends time praying with patients at a hospital in the city…Aurelia found herself in a predicament when she was wrongfully sued by someone she had once considered family.” Read more…
“The Resurrection of Jesus Christ” by Jacopo Tintoretto (1565), Church of San Cassiano, Venice, Source Web Gallery of Art (PD).
“But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!...'” (Luke 24: 2-6).
Wishing You All A Blessed Easter!
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse
https://avoicereclaimed.com
“The Sanhedrin Trial of Jesus” (16th Century), Italian School, original oil painting in a private collection, Source https://henryzaidan.medium.com/italian-school-the-sanhedrin-trial-of-jesus-01-work-interpretation-the-bible-with-footnotes-39a0a516c279, (PD)
In First Century Jerusalem, the Great Sanhedrin was a court both of civil and criminal jurisdiction, comprised of 71 judges.
During the trial of Christ, there were multiple instances of procedural error and prosecutorial misconduct. Here are some:
Illegal Arrest
- The use of an accomplice to effectuate an arrest was forbidden. Since Judas had aided Christ in His ministry, he would have been considered such an accomplice [1A].
Improper Timing
- Christ was tried for a capital offense during Passover, though this was forbidden [1B].
Secrecy/Bias
- The Sanhedrin was lawfully in session only between the morning sacrifice at 9AM and the evening sacrifice at 3PM. Christ was arrested and tried there during the night [1C].
- Contrary to Jewish law, Christ was examined by a single judge at each of two private preliminary hearings – first by Annas, Pres. of the Sanhedrin (John 8: 12-14), then by the High Priest, Caiphas (John 18: 15-27) [1D]. However, private preliminary hearings and the use of a single judge were forbidden as fostering secrecy and bias [1E].
- Jewish law required two sessions by the Sanhedrin for condemnation, a day apart [1F]. A sentence of death had to be deferred until the following day, in the hope that some argument in favor of the accused might come to light. This requirement was ignored in Christ’s case.
- The Sanhedrin had already met three times with a view toward plotting Christ’s death (John 7: 45-52; John 11: 45-49, 53; and Luke 22: 1-2).
Fluid and Unsubstantiated Charges
- Not only were the charges against Christ vague, they shifted continually. These included treason against the nation of Israel (Mark 14: 57-60), blasphemy (Mark 14: 61-64), “perverting” the nation of Israel (Luke 23: 1), forbidding tribute to Rome (Luke 23: 1), fomenting riot (Luke 23: 5), and treason against the Roman Empire (John 23: 12).
Hampered Defense
- Christ was given no time to prepare a defense, to which He had a legal right.
“Satan before the Lord” (c. 1750), Vatican Museum, Source Web Gallery of Art, (PD)
“There are three root causes for war on earth: political conflicts, religious conflicts and economic conflicts.”
-Mikhail Gorbachev, “Perestroika“
Many people today would agree with the conclusion reach by Mikhail Gorbachev, the former President of the USSR. Indeed, the sentiment he expressed fuels the move toward a one world government [1][2].
Spiritual Warfare
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail…So the great dragon was cast out…called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world…” (Rev. 12: 7-9).
But the war between good and evil has been ongoing since time immemorial [3][4]. In fact, it predates time and underlies all earthly conflicts (Luke 10: 18)[7].
Human hearts are the battleground on which this war is fought. Oh, it may play out across centuries and continents — in the air, on the land, and on the sea. But at stake is our eternal destiny, not material resources or territorial boundaries. Read more…
“Family Group” by Henry Moore (1949), Tate Museum, Britain, Author Wmpearl (CC BY-SA 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication)
Pro-Life advocates contend that the US Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) which overturned Roe v. Wade (1973) restored America’s heritage of protecting human life at all stages [1]. But that is only partially correct.
Much of the nation believes that Dobbs is a reversion to a dark time when desperate women were forced to seek back alley abortions at the risk of their lives.
Public opinion to that effect has yet to be changed [2][3].
Why Abortion?
“The abortion industry culture hates God and God’s image bearers. It destroys human life and leads its participants to be part of a dreadful slaughter [4].”
–Jonathan Alexandre, Sr. Counsel for Governmental Affairs, Liberty Counsel https://lc.org/
Women seek abortions for a combination of reasons [5]. These include financial pressures (40%), timing (36%), partner related issues (31%), and the need to focus on other children (29%).
Socioeconomic status, age, health, and marital status all play a part. Moreover, many women view abortion as less painful than giving up a child to adoption [6]. Read more…
Photo by John Moore/Getty Images, https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/03/world/us-mexico-border-cnnphotos/.
These days a discussion of the problem of illegal immigration quickly deteriorates into a dispute along political lines. However, the Felician Sisters of North America see in the faces of migrants fleeing brutal conditions in their home countries the face of Christ [1][2].
The article below is by Sr. Maria Louise Edwards of Aguilas del Desierto whose mission is to reduce the death and suffering of migrants in the desert along the southern border.
Aquilas receives over 2500 calls for help a year. Urgent calls are relayed to federal authorities closest to the suspected area.
Regularly scheduled searches (covering 10 to 12 miles/day) are conducted twice monthly by the Felicians. Most rescues are coordinated with the Border Patrol.
“…As Felicians, we are called to care for the marginalized with compassion and without judgment…There is a lot of debate these days about immigration and the security of our southern border, but the truth is, people are dying the the desert trying to get to the US. It doesn’t matter why, it doesn’t matter whether it’s right. What matters is that living beings are suffering. They need help, and they deserve dignity for the light of God inside of them…” Read more…
Diamond in situ, South Africa, Author Gery PARENT (PD)
We continue with an examination of the treasures of darkness.
Secrecy
“Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You” (Ps. 139: 12).
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord. No secret plot, no hidden motive by others can harm us, if God does not allow it.
Whatever may befall us, God will use for good (Rom. 8: 28). He has numbered the very hairs on our head (Luke 12: 7). We are safely in His care.
Security is, therefore, the fourth treasure of darkness.
Evil and Sin
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness…” (Isa. 5: 20).
We may at times be discouraged. It may appear that the world is growing ever more dark, ever more evil. But Christ has overcome the power of darkness. And we are promised justice – if not in this world, then the next.
Justice is, therefore, the fifth great treasure of darkness. Read more…
A Lawyer's Prayers 