As Ashley Hooker says in her article on spiritual manipulation, it can take many forms. Unfortunately, it feels like spiritual manipulation is running rampant in our world today, both within the church and Christian homes, and outside of it.
Have you had any personal experiences with spiritual manipulation? Or witnessed someone else/a group of people being spiritually manipulated? If so, as you look back on the situation, what were some of the signs that you/others were being spiritually manipulated? Do you have any tips on identifying or avoiding spiritual manipulation? Thanks for sharing!
Good topic and an interesting article that deserves attention. Hooker defines spiritual manipulation as the following.
It is the act of using your spiritual or religious beliefs to gain control or exert power over someone else. You may have witnessed or experienced this without even knowing.
She goes on to say thisâ which I believe gets right at the heart of the matter>>>
They want to control what others believe as truth.
Thatâs it, isnât it? But wait! Isnât that what happens in all churches at all times? Itâs also what controls auditing and editing and censorship on forums like this one. Itâs the driving force for every media outlet and even many or most daily conversations with friends, coworkers and family members. We tend to attribute strong negative connotations to the topic, because itâs earmarked as âspiritualâ and as âmanipulationâ while in reality itâs the basis for almost any conversation where one seeks to have influence upon another.
We shouldnât consider it âspiritual manipulationâ simply because your pastor presents ideas and concepts that he wants you to believe as truth. Thatâs practically everything he says on any given Sunday. The author correctly identifies the problem as the desire to control what others believe.
Itâs striking to realize that so many churches (and forums) have what they think of as âopen-door-policiesâ where all are welcomed in. But beware. Once in the door and in a seat, and may God help you if you become âa regularâ â they will indeed desire to control what you believe. Itâs natural, but is it good?
This article identifies the practice as spiritual manipulation and something for us all to be aware of. Doesnât it include âforbidden thoughtsâ and theological differences? For example-- you are welcome here, but to remain you have to be Trinitarian. You must not entertain certain theological concepts that we donât acceptâ indeed, we will censor such conversations.
Censorship is a manifestation of trying to control what someone believes.
Pastors handing out their approval of individuals like candy. Some people will do anything, including covering up scandal, for that pastoral pat on the head.