| Of all kinds of abuse, abuse of the human spirit is the most pervasive and insidious.
Its manifestations include hopelessness, cynicism, anger and rage, an apathy leading to violence, and alienation from self.
Child sexual abuse by clergy is certainly the most strident example of spiritual abuse. Many victims become adults stripped of any ability to develop a spirituality. In this case the perpetrator has been seen as the mediator of spiritual realities. In some religions, the sacramental role of the clergy makes this unmistakable. And, for many years, the inability of churches to respond may amount to what can be considered and institutional sanctioning of abuse.
There are other less dramatic yet, at the same time, very powerful and more pervasive situations of spiritual abuse in our society:
The stranglehold to consumerism creates a spiritual alienation that inhibits intimacy, undermines self efficacy and stifles ecstasy and wonder.
The unequal social system that favors the rich few oppresses the human spirit.
In many instances, it is difficult to separate the perpetrator from the victim. Systematized abuse engages the nonreflective participation of unaware citizens who are both abuser and victim. Those most acutely aware of their abuse are the many victims of oppressive forces. Those who profit from the situation are the most entrenched, who need to block out awareness. Their denial adds to the toxic nature of their activity.
Spiritual abuse, then, establishes an environment that normalizes other kinds of abuse.
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