Religious Power & Control
and the
Cycle of Religious Abuse
R_e_l_i g i_o_u_s _T_r_a_u_m__a_ I_n_s_ti_t_u_te_ Honeymoon/ Recommitment Tension Phase Building Phase
Cycle of Abuse
Explosion Phase
© Laura Anderson, LMFT // @ms_elleanderson // www.lauraandersontherapy.com Honeymoon/ Recommitment Tension Lovebombing Phase Intense feelings of belonging and connection Building Increased understanding from others Romanticized version of a relationship with a Phase savior figure Group camaraderie Celebration of how others were saved from evil Increased sense of acceptance Presention of the church family Celebration of eternity in heaven Presentation of glamorized idea of giving up control and having someone else to guide them Once the person commits to the group or savior figure they may feel a rush of emotions or physiolgically feel different (perhaps lighter or more connected) like they have tapped into a source greater than themselves
Explosion Phase
© Laura Anderson, LMFT // @ms_elleanderson // www.lauraandersontherapy.com Honeymoon/ Recommitment Tension Phase Building Phase
Cycle of Abuse
Explosion Phase
© Laura Anderson, LMFT // @ms_elleanderson // www.lauraandersontherapy.com Honeymoon/ Recommitment Tension Decreased patientce & understanding Phase Decreased tolerance for not Building learning/applying religious teachings Increased rule following Phase Decreased explanations for why certain rules apply ("because god said so") Decreased reasoning and logic Decreased sense of self Villianizing of critical thinking skills Increase of submission to authority Increased self-blame and shame of incorrect actions Required compliance Decrease in being able to ask questions/share doubts and confusion Increased dependence on external people and sources (e.g. clergy, religious texts) Decrease trust in self
Explosion Phase
© Laura Anderson, LMFT // @ms_elleanderson // www.lauraandersontherapy.com Honeymoon/ Recommitment Tension Phase Building Phase
Cycle of Abuse
Explosion Phase
© Laura Anderson, LMFT // @ms_elleanderson // www.lauraandersontherapy.com Honeymoon/ Recommitment Tension Phase Punishment for sins or un-condoned Building behaviors (e.g. going outside the group for help, going against group rules, sins) Phase Threats of excommunication or disfellowship Actual removal from the religious system Public humiliation (e.g. required public repentance, disclosure of "sinful" behaviors to the larger religious group) Required repentance Requirement to take ownership for things that have been done to you with severe consequences for not taking personal responsibility Threats of what will happen to an individual if they are out from the protection of the religious system Physical violence Sexual violence
Explosion Phase
© Laura Anderson, LMFT // @ms_elleanderson // www.lauraandersontherapy.com Honeymoon/ Recommitment Tension Phase Building Phase
Cycle of Abuse
Explosion Phase
© Laura Anderson, LMFT // @ms_elleanderson // www.lauraandersontherapy.com Honeymoon/ Recommitment Tension Phase Reconciliation Building Repentance Apologies Phase Promises that this will not happen again Some concerns addressed Placating statements ("this was for your own good" or "you're a baby-believer, you wouldn't know any different") Requirement of the victim to take partial or full ownership in what happened Restoration plans Promises of connection and relationship Reminiscing on how good it used to be (in the love-bombing phase) Reminder that the religious system is looking out for you/knows what is best for you
Explosion Phase
© Laura Anderson, LMFT // @ms_elleanderson // www.lauraandersontherapy.com Honeymoon/ Recommitment Tension Phase Building Phase Why does someone stay?
Explosion Phase
© Laura Anderson, LMFT // @ms_elleanderson // www.lauraandersontherapy.com Honeymoon/ Recommitment Tension Phase Building Brainwashing/Indoctrination Phase Hopes, Dreams & Possibilities Denial Fear and Terror Family, Friends & Relationships Love Culture's Positive view of Religion
Explosion Phase
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The dynamics of a system of power and control are often confusing and subtle. Each individual dynamic in and of itself may not feel particularly abusive, controlling or even "that bad". However, when these are combined with and added to one another we begin to see a system that is designed and intended to exert power and control over others by their rules, requirements, punishments and consequences for not adhering to the specific requirements of the group. A system of power and control requires an individual to believe, think and act on specific rules and dynamics to be a part of the group. Failure to adhere to this can result in severe consequence including being excommunicated from the group.
© Laura Anderson, LMFT // @ms_elleanderson // www.lauraandersontherapy.com