The blog entitled “Is Your Church Guilty of Spiritual Abuse? Check the Top Ten Signs” by Michael Camp is instructive. My interest in the topic is to understand how a Christian organisation could fail so badly that the government is required to set up a royal commission to deal with how churches resolve issues – unimaginable crimes. Today in Australia we have a Royal Commission examining “Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse”. Although there is no doubt that child sexual abuse is the worse offence imaginable, to my mind there is a fundamental flaw in churches that prevents them from handling even trivial issues let along criminal activity. This is happening to me as I write this. I am also interested in whether churches are encouraging participation or even promulgating the existence of the Royal Commission in Australia.

Michael Camp defines the condition called “Spiritual abuse” as:

“When those in spiritual authority manipulate, intimidate, and control others out of lust for power or fear of sin or insignificance. One or more of these signs doesn't necessarily mean abuse is present, but the more signs, the more likely it is taking place.” He then goes on to lest ten signs of this condition. While I don't entirely agree with all of these, it is early days for me in terms of examining why church in particular cover-up criminal activity and abuse their power over trivial and minor issues.

Below is a brief summary of what Michael Camp states – go to his web site for the entire article. I don't necessarily agree with all he says; I do however agree with the sentiment and tenet of what he writes.

http://deepthoughtpub.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/is-your-church-guilty-of-spiritual.html

1 – Your pastor has an authoritative style of leadership.

2 – You are expected to commit to rigid rules for church membership and submit to church leaders' authority.

3 – The church has a very wide view of what's considered non-negotiable doctrines and behaviors and a very narrow view of what's considered negotiable.

4 – Any expression of concern about church decisions, teachings, or behavior of leaders is interpreted as disloyalty or sin.

5 – The church deflects tough questions about their faith and doctrine. Only safe questions are allowed.

6 – Church discipline is overdone and over taught in the church. Leaders will deny this by pointing to the percentage of discipline cases.

7 – Your church and/or denomination has ex-member websites with stories of spiritual abuse.

8 – The church has a very strict definition of gossip.

9 – The church interprets Bible verses on women in submission to the nth degree.

10 – A church deals with cases of sexual abuse [and other offences] in ways that serve the interest of the church not the interest of the victims and their families.

From < http://deepthoughtpub.blogspot.com.au/ > accessed 28 September 2013

The terms of reference of the Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse can be found at; < http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/our-work/terms-of-reference/ >