It is NOT spiritually abusive or inappropriate to disagree, whether on doctrines or other issues, even in public. Keep in mind, though, that it is always crucial to maintain respect by not belittling or attacking. It is NOT abusive to hold to certain standards of group conduct. It becomes abusive when others are spiritually degraded or shamed because they do not maintain the same standards. It often involves overriding the feelings and opinions of another, without regard to what will result in the other person s state of living, emotions or spiritual well-being.
Spiritual abuse occurs when spirituality is used to make others live up to a spiritual standard.
This promotes external spiritual performance also without regard to an individual s actual well being, or is used as a means of proving a person s spirituality. My spiritual leader tells me I haven t taken on the mantle as spiritual head of my home. A number of us wanted more info on how church income was spent. As I asked questions at the next meeting, the room got icy, and later I was told, Stop trying to create a faction in the church. The church I went to pastor, got hooked on the weight issue, and I was told I had to lose weight, my job was on the line.