Abusive Churches

Digging through some files I came across a 3-fold tract made from one normal typing/copying sheet.  I don’t know where I got it, and there are no notations as to where it came from, where it was printed, author, etc.  I probably picked it up at either an apologetics conference or a biblical counselors’ conference — either way it is many years old.  

The tract is titled, “Religious Abuse, Addiction and Fanaticism.”  On the front fold are definitions for the words, “Fanatic,” “Religiosity,” “Addiction,” “Abuse,” and “Toxic Faith.” 

When you open the front fold you come to “Characteristics of Religious Addicts & Abusers,” which cover 2/3rds of the inside section.  The other 1/3d of the open page, and continuing on the reversed side of that fold, is the section I find most important for imparting to others, as I’ll cite below.  The last section is, “Suggestions for Intervention.”

Here is are the most important things to notice:

Rules of Abusive Churches

1.  Leadership is form the top down — replacing the need for God’s power and preventing any responsibility or accountability to others.

2.  When a problem arises, find a scapegoat.

3.  Mistakes are not allowed, acknowledged or repented.

4.  Ignore reality.  One must be happy and confident in the fellowship of fakes.

5.  Irrational drive to appear perfect.

6.  Questions, answers and opinions are not allowed.  Questions show lack of faith.

7.  No deviation allowed outside the boundaries of ones’ role of conformity.

8.  Trust the leaders, not ones’ self or anyone else.  Outsiders are lost, inspired by Satan.

9.  Nothing and no one is more important than the system.

10.  Faith in the system is more important than facts.  Contradictory information is of the devil.

11.  Members report on anyone who doesn’t fit in or who thinks independently.

12.  Members are monitored through testimonies, confessions, and by conformity to appearance code or rules.

13.  Members are discouraged from socializing outsiders.

14.  Members must act disinterested in outside influences and activities in order to appear holy.

15.  Members are afraid of outsiders and outside information.

16.  Scripture is overruled by leaders’ viewpoints and statements.  Members ignore scripture that contradicts the leaders.

17.  Strong anti-society and anti-Christian attitudes prevail.

18.  Too many questions are cause for excommunication.

19.  Leaders often act naive when presented with questions.

20.  Decisions and financial matters are handled secretly.

Roles Within Abusive Churches  

1.  Manipulative leaders live in fear of losing control and of being found out; must constantly manipulate and spin any information to appear righteous.  True “religious addicts.”

2.  Co-conspirators are the leaders’ “enablers” who live in fear of rejection by the leaders.  Must act as insulators with members and outsiders.

3.  Victims feel unworthy and fearful of rejection.

4.  The outcasts and rebels — live in confusion.

Results of Abusive Churches

1.  Victims become “Robots or Rebels.

2.  Lies must be protected by more lies.

3.  Nervous breakdowns.

4.  Stress related physical disorders.

5.  Divorces.

6.  Rejection of children or family members who leave the group or disobey the rules.

7.  Hidden immorality, sin, financial fraud, alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling problems.

Two Classes in Abusive Churches

1.  The deceivers.

2.  The deceived.

If you encounter these rules, roles, or results, do not stay with that church — and warn others to leave also!

UPDATE 10/4/16:  On of my readers searched out the origin of the tract, and it was written by Kathleen Lewis, who sent me her book, "The Church Without A Name."  Apparently it was in the package with the book.  Lewis has a wealth of information about the "2X2" cult.