My heart is heavy as I have received multiple messages today from women and daughters who say they have just now found the courage to confront the fact that they are (or have been) in physically or emotionally abusive relationships, justified by religious teachings. I am responding to each one personally, but for those who have yet to find the words, or who cannot reach me, I offer these resources:
National Domestic Abuse Hotline - 1−800−799−SAFE(7233)
Signs of Abuse and Abusive Relationships
Peace and Safety in the Christian Home
Elizabeth Esther:
Top 10 Signs of a Spiritually Abusive Church – Part 1 & Part 2
Tips for Recovering from a Spiritually Abusive Church
Tips for “Moving On” from an abusive church experience
Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center
Boundaries: When to Say YES, When to Say NO, To Take Control of Your Life by Cloud and Townsend(recommended by Elizabeth)
If you are in an abusive situation, please seek help immediately. No act of abuse is justified by the Bible or desired by God. If you are struggling to process abuse in your past, please seek counseling. (Note: It may be important to seek counseling outside of your current church if its leaders are perpetuating or covering up the abuse.)
In the near future, I will host a series on spiritual abuse to increase awareness regarding this troubling phenomenon whose existence is more prevalent than I ever knew.
Please limit comment responses to additional resources. This is not an issue to debate, but one that most complementarians and egalitarians would condemn as reprehensible.
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