The book that named spiritual abuse: back in print for the first time in a generation, with a new index.
Long before “religious trauma” and “church hurt” entered the vocabulary, sociologist Ronald M. Enroth documented what happens inside authoritarian churches: congregations that look doctrinally sound from the pews but run on fear, guilt, and control. Drawing on dozens of interviews with ex-members, Churches That Abuse tells their stories, including eleven years inside George Geftakys’ Assembly, the medical-neglect deaths of Hobart Freeman’s Faith Assembly, a pastor’s wife’s “handmaid,” and more.
Enroth identifies the marks of an abusive church that counselors and survivors still use today. Its leadership is control-oriented and accountable to no one. It manipulates members through fear, guilt, and threats. It fosters elitism and a persecution complex. It imposes rigid, legalistic demands on how members live. It discourages dissent and disciplines harshly. And it makes leaving painful, marked by shunning.
Written from inside evangelicalism, not against it, this is neither an attack on the church nor an apology for it. It is a sober, compassionate field guide to the difference between spiritual authority and spiritual abuse, and a way out for those caught inside.
This Garrett County Press edition restores the complete 1992 text, newly typeset, with an index created for this edition.
We have been waiting a long time for such a book. It is a landmark event in this field and will be of immense value to former members of abusive groups, their families, and helping professionals.
Director, American Family Foundation (now the International Cultic Studies Association)
Not only of value to the religious community, it will be of great use to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, physicians, and academicians. This is a book for those helping and those needing help. Timely, authoritative, and valuable. Gripping reading!
clinical psychologist and emeritus professor, University of California, Berkeley
A timely work. Enroth shows not only the individual crises suffered by abused believers, but the challenges these churches pose for the whole of Christianity. A very sobering and thought-provoking effort.
Provost, Fuller Theological Seminary
Churches That Abuse is a book which the Christian church has long been waiting for ... a well-documented and invaluable exposure of spiritual abuses resulting from power-hungry leaders who use guilt, fear, and intimidation to control their churches. This is a most essential tool for the discernment so much needed today.
Director, The Dialog Center International, Denmark
A much needed and singular volume of case studies related to churches which abuse their members. Having collected the testimonies of numerous persons who have departed from such abusive churches, Enroth has woven this material into a larger tapestry of interpretation of the characteristics and methods of abusive churches. This he has done with professional skill and pastoral concern.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
In story after chilling story, Enroth reveals how authoritarian fringe churches mislead their flocks and inflict harm. Perhaps this book will prevent more potential victims from being ensnared by religion's outlaws.
Publisher, Group magazine
Enroth demonstrates convincingly that authoritarian preachers, who twist Scripture and pass themselves off as Spirit-filled men (seldom women) of God, unconscionably exploit the trust of sincere and credulous believers for their own selfish benefit. We can benefit much from this timely, informative, and helpful treatment of the problem.
Indiana State University
