Explainer: What is spiritual abuse?
By 
Dr Selina Stone2023-06-27T15:42:00
In light of recent allegations of spiritual abuse at Soul Survivor Watford and the church formerly known as Anaheim Vineyard, Dr Selina Stone explains what spiritual abuse is and how to identify it in our communities
Spiritual abuse can be understood as a separate category of abuse, or simply as a form of abuse (eg. emotional or psychological) that takes place within a religious setting. In many cases, it can appear in subtle ways or go unrecognised.
In her book Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse (SPCK Publishing), Dr Lisa Oakley, a psychologist who has committed her career to research in this area, highlights several examples of what spiritual abuse might look like:
Related articles
-
Interviews‘There was a lot of psychological bullying’. Matt and Beth Redman on Mike Pilavachi abuse
Matt and Beth Redman’s new film Let There Be Light explores the emotional abuse the couple experienced at the hands of Soul Survivor’s Mike Pilavachi. They spoke to Megan Cornwell about why they made it, and what they hope will change in the Church
-
OpinionAs a Christian doctor, I know allowing assisted dying will be a disaster
The Isle of Man’s newly passed Assisted Dying Bill is not a compassionate safeguard, but a dangerous enabler with ethical missteps that forces doctors into legal grey areas. The welfare of society’s most vulnerable is at stake, says Graham McAll
-
InterviewsNew Wine trustee Bishop Jill Duff: ‘I’m sad Mike Pilavachi hasn’t apologised’
An independent review into the links between Mike Pilavachi and New Wine has found that senior leaders at New Wine failed to ensure that Pilavachi was fit for youth ministry. Premier’s Kelly Valencia speaks to Rt Rev Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster and chair of trustees of New Wine, about the findings
More from Opinion
-
OpinionNicaragua’s Easter crackdown on Christians is no anomaly
Christians in Nicaragua are being subjected to a disturbingly routine suppression by their government – yet, as Ellis Heasley reports, the Church remains committed to voicing its faith
-
Opinion3 urgent tasks the next pope must get right
As the Catholic Church prepares for its next pope, Jay Valero outlines three priorities that the Church — and the world beyond it — will need him to focus on
-
Opinion“Uncle John”: Remembering the man who changed the face of evangelicalism
John Stott, once named among of the 100 most influential people in the world, possessed a borderless influence that shaped the global evangelical movement. Ahead of Stott’s birthday (27 April) Dr Donald Sweeting honours his dear friend’s life
- Issues
- Topics A-Z
- Writers A-Z
- © 2025 Premier Christianity
Site powered by Webvision Cloud