Episode Details

In this faith-focused podcast episode, Anne Blythe, M.Ed, talks with a victim of ritual abuse. Here’s how one woman’s story can help protect you and your family.

We recognize that many victims of spiritual abuse find religion and spirituality traumatizing, while others find religion and spirituality comforting and healing. Please know that you are welcome and loved in this community, no matter where you are on the spectrum of spirituality.

Our BTR.ORG Group Sessions are a safe space for you to process the grief that often accompanies spiritual abuse. Please attend a session today.

How Does Spiritual Abuse Affect Victims?

Spiritual abuse takes many forms. From abusive men using scripture to coerce wives, to clergy counseling victims to “forgive and forget” abuse and infidelity. Victims of religious abuse may find that religion and spirituality are traumatizing. Women in our community experiencing spiritual abuse share that they get triggered when they:

• Enter a place of worship
• Hear certain verses of scripture
• Clergy, other male leadership or congregation members approach them
• Hear or sing spiritual songs or hymns
• Pray

In the case of Anna M. Jonathan, a member of the BTR.ORG community. The severe spiritual abuse she endured in the form of ritual child abuse did not deter her from engaging in healthy religious and spiritual practices later in life.

Can Victims Of Spiritual Abuse Find Healing?

Many victims of spiritual abuse find healing. Some through disengaging from religious practices, and others through finding a new relationship with their Higher Power.

Victims experience trauma and feel powerless in a scary or painful situation. When this happens over and over, as in instances of psychological and emotional abuse, infidelity, and coercion. Victims may experience a unique level of trauma that makes healing feel impossible.

However, as victims take courageous actions to protect themselves from harm, educate themselves about abuse, and seek community and validation. Healing becomes possible.

Spiritual abuse is one of the most insidious forms of control over another person. Abusers taking advantage of, or completely ruining, another human being’s relationship with their Higher Power is purely cruel.

At BTR.ORG, we want you to know that we trust you however you need to heal from spiritual abuse. Whether that’s by re-engaging with religious and spiritual practices in a new way, or stepping away. We understand and support you.

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