Toxic Faith - Surviving Spiritual Abuse

for concern over cult-related damage, institutional abuse & psychological problems.
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ex-l

ex-BK

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Toxic Faith - Surviving Spiritual Abuse

Post15 Oct 2011

Dr. Stephen Arterburn answers questions raised by his book, 'Toxic Faith: experiencing healing from painful spiritual abuse'.

Arterburn speaks of a heavily American Christianised context but I remark on the similarities and especially the analysis of the power structures in "toxic faiths". Yes, I think Brahma Kumaris, once it embarked on its path of deceit and deception, became an increasingly toxic faith.

Leaders, Co-conspirators, Enablers, Victims ...
Dr. Stephen Arterburn wrote:Is the religion serving the people or are the people serving the religion ... when you see a big organization set up with religious leader on top, with co-conspirators underneath deceiving people that the leaders are right on target, then enablers sitting back with transparent blindfolds not seeing the reality and letting it happen then all these victims ... that is when it is time to move on.

If we become a leader and we become detached, and we don't stay in accountable relationships ... we think we are the only ones who know the truth and have the vision then the power starts to take over and gradually manipulate people in the name of god and then in the name of religion. It starts with good intentions, and then deteriorates because people are not locked into good, strong relationships that not only encourage them but confront them when they see them to start messing up.

It all starts wonderful in the beginning, then it turns sour like any addiction ...

Religions get unhealthy because of finances, they overspend, overextended themselves and then they have to do certain things in order to keep the money coming in, they start to distort the truth so people with give money.

I think we see this structure perfectly in the BKWSU, e.g. Janki Kripalani as the leader; Jayanti Kripalani, Charlie Hogg, Mohini Panjabis etc as the co-conspirators encouraging the adherents to believe the Jankis of the world really at the Top 8 souls in the worlds (after all, one day they might occupy the guru's throne; then the suave, educated Neville Hodgkinsons, Chris Drakes, Neil Hawkes etc, add as the enablers. People perfectly capable of seeing what is going on, getting paid off with a slightly more comfortable seat and more interesting service. Not doing or saying anything.

In such a system, the poor like center-in-charges, even though they may be abusive others, are little more than victims themselves. Of course you get good people who are attracted to do something really good, and some have, but at what price.


Part 1 is, here.

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