Spiritual abuses to be aware of amid the Coronavirus

We live in unprecedented times as far as pandemic meets globalisation.  And there is bound to be a fear response in all of us, some overtly, and some very covertly.

At times like these it’s best that we band together and find ways of supporting one another, but unfortunately the opposite trend is more prominent.  This is saddest in communities that should be beacons to the world, namely the church.

All kinds of abuses occur in places where protection and safety should be paramount.  And in such times as we’re facing, spiritual abuse will spike!

Be wary of these examples of spiritual abuse occurring in churches or by leaders:

·                   pushing forward ‘no need to change anything’ agendas

·                   putting the focus on attending church for reasons of ‘maintaining unity’

·                   Being told to “stop being so fearful” or “stop promoting fear” (we’re all allowed to join in the discourse — indeed, it’s healthy to do this; to have our fears calmed through dialogue)

·                   spreading harmful theologies, like “the blood of Jesus protects us all” or “you’re in sin for being fearful”

·                   not considering the elderly, the infirmed, the vulnerable in their congregations

·                   refusing to engage on the issues, and actually promoting fear and panic by denying the situation, because they’re “not going to add fuel to the fear”

·                   insisting that tithes and offerings be paid — when everyone, including many businesses, is suffering economically

·                   disciplining congregants for sharing information or having normal conversations — which everyone is free to have and to share

·                   telling people that if “we fast and pray” God will bring the pandemic to a rapid conclusion — which may happen in any event, but to say God WILL do it leads people to rely on it, and people feel betrayed by “God” if it doesn’t happen

The opposite motivation can also tip into abuse, like the following:

·                   churches or leaders acting like authorities and taking on enforcement roles (other than being sensible, wise and sensitive in protecting congregants — this is expected)

·                   leaders disciplining people harshly (instead of providing loving pastoral reminders) in the immediate instance that someone sneezes or accidently shakes a hand or provides a hug 

·                   making everything about the pandemic — even in crises there is the need for balance (good leadership embodies calmness in the storm)

·                   causing people to feel more stressed when there is the opportunity to reduce fear

Spiritual abusers will emerge significantly in the current situation, because fear is ramped up in everyone.  People who would not normally be abusive may tip into such patterns of behaviour because of the unacknowledged anxiety.

At times such as this, even more so, we need to band together as neighbours, loving strangers in their humanity, making space for fearful responses, understanding with empathy that everyone is experiencing this emergency in the only way they can — personally.

We can all give a pastoral response to what is being experienced, and this is the only response that will quell the fear.

Now is the time for leaders everywhere, including church leaders, to provide a neighbourly, servant-hearted approach, to bear people’s suffering, in serving humanity through this crisis.

Photo by Adrian Infernus on Unsplash