TOXIC FAITH - Surviving SPIRITUAL Abuse (Part 1)

Dr. Stephen Arterburn answers questions inspired by his book,
TOXIC FAITH: EXPERIENCING HEALING FROM PAINFUL SPIRITUAL ABUSE.

Taped in Long Beach, CA, circa 1991.

PART ONE

Topics covered:

What is Spiritual Abuse?
What is an Outcast?

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Cult
• Spiritual
• Abuse
• Manipulation
• Fear
• Control
• Church
• Christian
• Religions
• Muslim
• Atheist
• Mormon
• Jehovah's
• Witness
• Wicca

[dp6224]

I read the book. It absolutely brought freedom into my mind, and showed me things that I was caught up into that had changed my life and way of thinking. I was sucked into a church that "demonstrated" the power of god. Real things happened (healings, salvation, etc.), and the pastor was really called by God. The problem came when the pastor went astray and became involved with control, then secret adultry, then abuse that included guilt, and outcasting. I was so taken in untill I read the book!!

[CultFree]

awesome!

[blinkwater]

The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is our teacher, when we replace the Spirit with people to teach us we eat second hand revelations and we open ourselves for abuse. Dont replace the Spirit as teacher in your life.There is no better teacher.seek the real truth and you will find it.

[schmiigle]

this made me feel so emotional..exactly what my church is like..

[PROPAGANDA32]

The most important thing is to love one another. All spiritual gifts are used for the sake of other people's good. They are nothing without love. Love is the factor we seek in church not the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit. God will power His Spirit, the Holy Spirit when we love one another, when we obey God's leading. We need to build up in Christ's love because surely the enemy will attack when we do the work of God. No wonder Jesus commends us to "love one another". Victor in Christ

[yahssis]

I don't know if he remembers me but years ago, back in 1996-1997 I talked to Mr Arterburn or his associate on the phone. He warned me about the church I was in. Long story short, I was excommunicated both in person and on paper. My life fell apart, I went through a lot of healing time, medications, more abuse from people, especially ministers, and finally years later I am FREE and helping OTHERS! Praise God!

[evidenceonlythanx]

Religion in the modern world is based upon self-delusion. Religion gives self-delusion RESPECTABLILITY. Religion teaches you can believe WHAT-EVER you want to believe, simply because it suits your purposess or gives you comfort of mind. This has NOTHING to do with seeking TRUTH through rational thinking. Once a group or individual has accepted the idea you can believe whatever one wants, disregarding verifiable evidence, sickness of mind and corruption of good thinking will soon follow.

[VVAUGHN06]

@zorrow78 I know what you mean. Glad there are others who went through this.

[brutus301]

Christ is in your heart. Just ask. Then be willing and ready to listen

[Wargoat6]

Although I was not in a cult, I've been a part of many churches that were "sub-cultic" in their practices: dishonest, evasive, manipulative. Not life destroying or controlling, but they sure didn't mind being coercive or using people.

[sisterberthabangers1]

RELIGION IS THE DEVIL'S DICK!!!

[usecori]

I worked with several people at a fabric store during High School/college from 1975-1979 who were members of Bennett's Community Chapel Church in Burien, WA.. I attended as a visitor once (on several co-workers' invitation, as I believe in Jesus' salvation and resurrection/ascension). I wasn't prepared for how utterly un-biblical their practices were till I saw it. The church was was a CULT. I seriously think the pastor was mentally unbalanced. There was child abuse there as well.

[usecori]

I worked with several people who went to the church that had the spiritual partner thing. I visited it once on their invitation, as I believe in Jesus' salvation and did not know of their practices. The church was in Burien, and it was a CULT. I seriously think the pastor was mentally unbalanced.