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In the last few weeks, physical and sexual abuse against women and minors at the hands of religious leaders has been in the news. As horrific and tragic as any abuse is, it has become commonplace for these types of tragedies to come into the limelight.
I remember when the movie Spotlight came out about decades-long sexual abuse cover-ups by the Catholic church, I thought, “This is a Catholic problem caused by forcing priests to be celibate.” It wasn’t long before new incidents proved my hypothesis of religious sexual abuse being a strictly Catholic problem wrong. Shortly after the #metoo movement came the Protestant churches, mainly evangelical #churchtoo movement. Both movements created a platform that allowed women to share their experiences around sexual abuse. The #churchtoo movement emphasized the sexual abuse experienced within church environments.
The stories that broke in the last few weeks once again show sexual abuse is more extensive than its Catholic and Evangelical versions. On October 30th, a story out of Dallas, TX, came out detailing Imam Wisam Sharieff’s abuse of a woman revert and her daughter. Please be warned that the story will be incredibly graphic if you click the link. Then, on November 12th, news broke that The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, resigned after they failed to take sufficient action after learning about sexual abuse that took place within Christian summer camps.
These latest stories strike incredibly close to home for me as the last and final religious institutions my family has associated with are the Episcopal Church and Islam. Candidly, these stories have been the ‘straws that broke the camel’s back’ regarding my willingness to participate in or identify with any religious institution.
What I want to help clarify in this article are the three primary means by which religious leaders can so prevalently abuse their followers. The combination of power dynamics, cultural norms, and institutional cover-ups creates a fertile ground for abuse by religious leaders.
Power Dynamics
Power dynamics refer to how power is distributed and used within a relationship or group. It plays a crucial role in enabling religious leaders to abuse their followers by establishing an environment of fear, dependency, and control.
In her 2021 book Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, author Amanda Montell shares the behaviors that scholars have identified as best describing the ‘cult criteria.’
“charismatic leaders, mind-altering behaviors, sexual and financial exploitation, an us-versus-them mentality toward nonmembers, and an ends-justify-the-means philosophy.”(pg. 32)
Religious institutions are built on qualities such as finding a ‘gifted’ (code for charismatic leader), spiritual behaviors meant to alter our way of thinking and living, in-group/out-group dynamics, and building the ministry at all costs. The result of emphasizing these qualities leads to the mass amount of sexual abuse coming to light.
Because religious leaders occupy positions of authority, it creates an imbalance of power that leaves followers vulnerable. For example, when a pastor, bishop, imam, etc., is publicly acknowledged as “called by God, “ questioning the leader is akin to questioning God. Furthermore, when followers are brave enough to question suspicious behavior, the leader or the institution they represent quickly spins the incident. This behavior is so prevalent psychologists came up with a term for it: gaslighting. Again, Amanda Montell explains:
“When language works to make you question your own perceptions, whether at work or at church, that’s a form of gaslighting…Across the board, gaslighting is a way of psychologically manipulating someone (or many people) such that they doubt their own reality, as a way to gain and maintain control.” (p. 137)
The very structure of the institution is built so tools like gaslighting, special language (e.g., this is an attack by satan to test us), and in-group/out-group dynamics to foster a culture where questioning the leader’s motives or actions is discouraged. It only takes a single follower being silenced after speaking out to instill fear in every other follower that speaking up can jeopardize their spiritual standing or community acceptance.
The psychological impact of these power dynamics is profound, with many individuals developing a dependency on their leaders for guidance and validation, making it difficult to challenge or report abusive behavior. Furthermore, leaders may exploit this dependency by instilling fear of punishment or damnation, leading followers to believe that their loyalty is a measure of their faith. Ultimately, the intertwining of authority and fear creates a toxic environment where abuse can fester unchecked, demonstrating the urgent need for accountability and support systems within religious organizations to protect vulnerable members.
Victim Blaming and Cultural Norms
Victim blaming and cultural norms play a significant role in perpetuating abuse within religious contexts. One tool that reinforces these harmful dynamics is ‘thought-terminating clichés.’ These are catchphrases that shut down critical thinking and discourage questioning of authority figures.
“Coined in 1961 by psychiatrist Robert J. Clifton, this term refers to catchphrases aimed at halting an argument from moving forward by discouraging critical thought.” (pg. 84)
In religious settings, these clichés often include phrases like “Everything happens for a reason” or “It’s all part of God’s plan.” Such statements not only dismiss the experiences of victims but also discourage further investigation into potential abuse.
These cultural norms create an environment where victims are often blamed or silenced. By discouraging honest conversations and critical thinking, religious communities inadvertently protect abusers and increase followers’ dependency on religious leaders. This dependency can be exploited, with victims often feeling “special” or “chosen” when singled out by authority figures, not realizing they’re being groomed for abuse.
The cycle of victim-blaming and cultural silencing makes it increasingly difficult for victims to speak out or seek help. As followers become more dependent on religious leaders, these authority figures are viewed as infallible or even god-like, further enabling potential abuse.
Institutional Cover-Ups
American author and activist Upton Sinclair, in his book The Jungle, wrote;
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” — Upton Sinclair
The truth is that institutional cover-ups play a critical role in enabling religious leaders to evade accountability for abuse, primarily through prioritizing the organization’s reputation over transparency and victim support. We see this, particularly with the stories of the Catholic church, #churchtoo, and Archbishop of Canterbury. In each instance, other clergy and institutional leaders knew early on about the abuse but silenced victims in the name of ‘protecting the institution.’
Currently, the Anglican Church is dealing with a reckoning among their Bishops, as the opening sentence of this Sky News article points out:
“Bishops refused to call for the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign because they were thinking about their own promotion prospects, one senior church figure believes.” (Culture of fear and careerism stopped bishops calling for Archbishop to resign, says senior Church figure)
The Church of England isn’t unique. Many religious leaders are motivated to protect their public image, future job prospects, and reputations within the larger institution. As a result, they employ tactics to downplay or outright deny abuses, thereby maintaining a façade of purity and integrity. This not only protects the abuser but also creates an environment where victims feel unsafe coming forward.
Furthermore, the need for established mechanisms for accountability within these institutions exacerbates the problem. Many organizations operate without clear protocols for reporting and investigating abuse. When allegations arise, they are often handled internally in a way that favors the institution rather than the victims. A clear example is The Austin Stone’s spin on bringing in an organization called MinistrySafe to conduct an investigation. The mission of MinistrySafe is to protect churches, not victims. These tactics remove the burden or responsibility on the institution and its leaders, placing it on the victim or relying on non-disclosure agreements.
The pervasive nature of religious, sexual abuse is not just a crisis of faith — it’s a damning indictment of the very institutions that claim to offer salvation and a path to a relationship with God. As we’ve seen, power dynamics, cultural silencing, and institutional cover-ups create a perfect storm for predators to operate with impunity. It’s time we acknowledge that these are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a systemic rot that has infected religious organizations across the spectrum. The question now is not whether abuse exists but how many more victims must suffer before we collectively decide that enough is enough. For those brave souls ready to break free from the chains of religious manipulation and seek help, know that you are not alone.
Resources for Victims of Religious Abuse
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) — Offers support for survivors of sexual abuse, including those from religious contexts.
- Recovering from Religion — Provides resources and support for individuals leaving harmful religious experiences.
- SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) — Supports survivors of clergy abuse across various religions.
- Therapy Route’s Guide on Religious Trauma Syndrome — Offers information and resources for healing from religious trauma.
Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a courageous step towards reclaiming your life and faith on your terms. The path to healing may be long, but you don’t have to walk it alone.
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Thanks for stopping by and reading this article! If my work has served you or you want to contribute to creating authentic faith connections, consider becoming an Authentic Faith Advocate.
Thanks for stopping by and reading this article! If my work has served you or you want to contribute to creating authentic faith connections, consider becoming an Authentic Faith Advocate.