RECOMMENDED RESOURCES ON ABUSE IN THE "CHURCH"

Recommended resources on the topic

🕒Last updated: January 16, 2020￨Originally Published: September 23, 2019 by Safe from Harm

I have been adding some 'further recommended resources' at the end of some posts, but I've realized I'll keep on adding new suggestions whenever I find something interesting to share. So, I thought it would be better to organize them in one post, which will be updated more frequently. 

One thing I can guarantee: no cruel, judgemental or insensitive material will ever be shared here!

1.

While I was suffering from multiple symptoms of CPTSD, desperately looking for information on 'abuse in the church', and later 'spiritual abuse' - one of the many new expressions I had to learn along the way - , shockingly, I came across many articles which sided with the abusive "pastors" (!), full of cruel, judgemental and incompassionate discourses towards the victims. Basically, they were all about how the victims were "sinful" and "unrepentant", which led the "pastors" to become abusers - obviously not using this term. What?! Still suffering from the brainwashing and gaslighting effects back then, they only made me feel worse and terribly lonely. 

I ran into some excerpts of the following book on the internet, which ultimately led me to acquire it. For the first time through this excruciating experience, I was not alone.  

• Broken Trust: a practical guide to identify and recover from toxic faith, toxic church, and spiritual abuse , F. Remy Diederich. In case you want to read some of his writings before buying the book, please, check his site.

2.

• In this extremely interesting and compassionate lecture for caregivers of victims of abuse and trauma, Dr. Diane Langberg reconciles Christianity and the unbearable feelings of pain and suffering that victims of abuse and trauma go through. I totally recommend the whole video, but you can watch from 42:35 on. Watch the video here.
• Concerning abuse of authority in the church, check Dr. Diane Langbergs's interview here.

3.

• This post ('The one place that should never be a safe haven for narcissists') is an instigating reflection of narcissists in the "church" from a survivor's perpective.
• 6 Warning signs of a bad pastor and spiritual abuse, Stephen Altrogge. If you are not sure you are in an abusive "church", these are very good red flags/billboards to consider.
• What does the Bible say about narcissistic behavior? Extremely interesting connection between 2 Timothy 3:1-7 and narcissistic behavior. Another compelling reason for us to keep on fighting against narcissistic abuse in the "church".

4.

•  Intrusive thoughts are one of the symptoms derived from accute anxiety related to CPTSD. In this article from Anxiety and Depression Association of America (Unwanted intrusive thoughts), Martin Seif and Sally Winston offer an accurate description of what intrusive thoughts are, debunking prejudices and myths. A relief for all the victims who are plagued by this particular symptom of CPTSD. 
• This is one of those rare compassionate articles of someone who understands the problem because she has been through it. In Intrusive thoughts and feelings with high anxiety, Amanda Greyman shares her sensitive and accurate approach on a tormenting problem that plagues those with chronic high anxiety: the intrusive thoughts. 

5.

• In this article (Narcissistic abuse victim syndrome is like being in a cult), Kristen Milstead share a very interesting research in which she reveals plenty of similarities between narcissistic abuse and cult victim syndrome.

narcissisticabuseinthechurch.blogspot.com

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