Seneca Falls 2Seneca Falls 2July 24, 2010July 24, 2010Orlando, FLOrlando, FL

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Complementarianism,Complementarianism,Spiritual Abuse & Spiritual Abuse & Undue InfluenceUndue Influence

How the Church has been How the Church has been Manipulated to AcceptManipulated to Accept

Traditions of MenTraditions of Men

Cynthia Mullen Kunsman, RN, BSN, MMin, NDCynthia Mullen Kunsman, RN, BSN, MMin, NDwww.UnderMuchGrace.comwww.UnderMuchGrace.com

Problems with Problems with ComplementarianismComplementarianism

Distorted the TruthDistorted the Truth

Denied the Church Informed ConsentDenied the Church Informed Consent

Gaining and Maintaining PowerGaining and Maintaining Power– HegemonyHegemony

Theories of Undue InfluenceTheories of Undue Influence

TOOLS toTOOLS toObjectively QualifyObjectively Qualify

Subjective BehaviorSubjective Behavior

Describe manipulation Describe manipulation (works of the flesh)(works of the flesh)

Jesus used parables in this wayJesus used parables in this way

““Subtle & Crafty”Subtle & Crafty” Influence Influence

Snakes avoid direct conflictSnakes avoid direct conflict

Everyone is vulnerableEveryone is vulnerable– Appeal to human natureAppeal to human nature

– Stress & major life transitionsStress & major life transitions

– Dire need ~ Dire need ~ vs.vs. ~ solutions to problems ~ solutions to problems

Primary Effect of Undue InfluencePrimary Effect of Undue Influence

Keep the target off-balanceKeep the target off-balance– Confused and strivingConfused and striving

Shift the target into a passive stateShift the target into a passive state

– Change brain waves (altered consciousness)Change brain waves (altered consciousness)BetaBeta (Active rational thought) (Active rational thought)

AlphaAlpha (Passive relaxed alertness) (Passive relaxed alertness)

Some people learn that certain ways of doing Some people learn that certain ways of doing things produce certain resultsthings produce certain results

Levels of ConsciousnessLevels of Consciousness

Biblical SupportBiblical Support

Dr. Walter Martin’s Dr. Walter Martin’s “Two Types of Fruit”“Two Types of Fruit”

– Fruit of the life livedFruit of the life lived– Fruit of the doctrine taughtFruit of the doctrine taught

Whatever you do Whatever you do

in in word or deedword or deed

Corresponds with the two approaches to Corresponds with the two approaches to cults: theology and behaviorcults: theology and behavior

Does the Bible Tell us About Does the Bible Tell us About Spiritual Abusers? Spiritual Abusers? Dr. Paul MartinDr. Paul Martin

Of the Of the 210 verses210 verses in the Bible concerning in the Bible concerning falsefalse teachers, teachers, falsefalse prophets and prophets and PhariseesPharisees

47% 47% (99 verses)(99 verses) BEHAVIOR BEHAVIOR

31% 31% (66 verses)(66 verses) FRUIT FRUIT

12% 12% (24 verses)(24 verses) MOTIVE MOTIVE

ONLY 10%ONLY 10% (21 verses)(21 verses) DOCTRINEDOCTRINE

Models & TheoriesModels & Theories of Undue Influence of Undue Influence

Describe the behavioral dynamics and Describe the behavioral dynamics and separate elements of the process of separate elements of the process of manipulationmanipulation

Unwritten rules of a groupUnwritten rules of a group

Further study in social proof and pressureFurther study in social proof and pressure– Dr. Phillip Zimbardo’s MIT lecture Dr. Phillip Zimbardo’s MIT lecture

(online @ www.UnderMuchGrace.com)(online @ www.UnderMuchGrace.com)

Basics about Basics about How How Undue Influence WorksUndue Influence Works

Hassan’s BITE ModelHassan’s BITE Model

Henke’s Henke’s Spiritual Abuse Spiritual Abuse ModelModel

Authoritarian Authoritarian too much emphasis on authority and hierarchytoo much emphasis on authority and hierarchy

Image Conscious Image Conscious special appearance = elite status w/Godspecial appearance = elite status w/God

Suppresses Criticism Suppresses Criticism no questioning of leaders / doctrineno questioning of leaders / doctrine

Perfectionistic Perfectionistic performance & conformity (shame-oriented)performance & conformity (shame-oriented)

Unbalanced Unbalanced majoring on minor doctrinemajoring on minor doctrine

Cialdini’s “Weapons of Influence”Cialdini’s “Weapons of Influence”

Commitment & ConsistencyCommitment & ConsistencyAuthorityAuthoritySocial Proof Social Proof (Zimbardo video @ undermuchgrace.com)(Zimbardo video @ undermuchgrace.com)

ReciprocityReciprocityLikingLikingScarcityScarcity

Nice synopsis atNice synopsis atwww.LuciferEffect.comwww.LuciferEffect.com

Robert Lifton’s CriteriaRobert Lifton’s Criteria

Psychiatrist who Psychiatrist who attended the Korean attended the Korean POWs who exited POWs who exited indoctrination campsindoctrination camps

Eight dynamics / Eight dynamics / techniques employed techniques employed by ideological by ideological systems to displace systems to displace one’s discernment one’s discernment with that of the groupwith that of the group

1.1. Sacred ScienceSacred Science

2.2. Milieu ControlMilieu Control

3.3. Mystical ManipulationMystical Manipulation

4.4. Loading the LanguageLoading the Language

5.5. Demand for PurityDemand for Purity

6.6. ConfessionConfession

7.7. Doctrine over PersonDoctrine over Person

8.8. Dispensing of ExistenceDispensing of Existence

1.) S1.) S aa cc rr ee d Sd S cc ii ee nn cc eeGroup’s doctrine perceived as the Ultimate Group’s doctrine perceived as the Ultimate TruthTruth

No accountability & aggression toward criticsNo accountability & aggression toward critics

Leadership becomes the source of truthLeadership becomes the source of truthRank and file member is powerlessRank and file member is powerless

Questioning of doctrine (and group Questioning of doctrine (and group leadership) forbidden and punishedleadership) forbidden and punished

““Aura of sacredness”Aura of sacredness”Comfort & security ~ vs. ~ guilt and fearComfort & security ~ vs. ~ guilt and fear

2.) M2.) M ii ll ii ee u Cu C oo nn tt rr oo llLimited CommunicationLimited Communication & & BehaviorBehavior

Within the groupWithin the group

Info from pre-approved sources outside the groupInfo from pre-approved sources outside the group

Presumption of the group’s possession of Presumption of the group’s possession of the ultimate truth the ultimate truth (elitism)(elitism)

Paternalistic engineering of the truth Paternalistic engineering of the truth through controlthrough control

Pessimistic view of discernment of followersPessimistic view of discernment of followers

Arm of the flesh vs. Holy SpiritArm of the flesh vs. Holy Spirit

2.) M2.) M ii ll ii ee u Cu C oo nn tt rr oo llFear-mongeringFear-mongering

Black & White ThoughtBlack & White Thought– IdealizationIdealization of model of model

citizens and leaderscitizens and leaders

– DevaluingDevaluing and and demonization of criticsdemonization of critics

Ostracizing & punishment Ostracizing & punishment of non-compliant of non-compliant membersmembers

3.) 3.) MM yy ss tt ii cc aa llMM aa nn ii pp uu ll aa tt ii oo nn

Manipulation of circumstances to appear Manipulation of circumstances to appear spontaneous and divinespontaneous and divine

Sense of awe as an indication of the truth Sense of awe as an indication of the truth promoted by the grouppromoted by the group

Appeal to authorityAppeal to authority““Timely tears”Timely tears”Social proofSocial proof

Mystical aura surrounds the system to Mystical aura surrounds the system to strike a sense of awe in the followerstrike a sense of awe in the follower

4.) L4.) L oo aa dd ii nn g g the Lthe L aa nn gg uu aa gg ee

Suppresses spontaneous critical thoughtSuppresses spontaneous critical thoughtThought-stopping clichésThought-stopping clichés

Stifles doubt & criticismStifles doubt & criticism

Vague, poorly defined termsVague, poorly defined termsImplied beliefsImplied beliefs (“fuzzy logic”)(“fuzzy logic”)

Unstated assumptionUnstated assumption (direct statements would (direct statements would likely be rejected)likely be rejected)

Terminology unique to the groupTerminology unique to the groupIntensifies effect of isolation & elite statusIntensifies effect of isolation & elite status

5.)5.) DD ee mm aa nn d for Pd for P uu rr ii tt yyGroup defines certain thoughts, feelings, Group defines certain thoughts, feelings, behaviors labeled as sinfulbehaviors labeled as sinful

Shame-based systemShame-based system

Keeps members off-balance via inferiorityKeeps members off-balance via inferiority

Control measure used for distractionControl measure used for distraction

Unattainable expectations demandedUnattainable expectations demanded

System of man made legalistic standards System of man made legalistic standards based on condemnationbased on condemnation

6.) C6.) C oo nn ff ee ss ss ii oo nnOpen confession before the group as an Open confession before the group as an act of purificationact of purification

Self-degradation which intensifies Self-degradation which intensifies personal vulnerability personal vulnerability (alpha level of (alpha level of consciousness & dissociation)consciousness & dissociation)

Members become judgmentalMembers become judgmental

Pressure to confess “crimes” that have not Pressure to confess “crimes” that have not been committed been committed (reconstruction of personal history)(reconstruction of personal history)

Gain special favor with & merge with the groupGain special favor with & merge with the group

7.) D7.) D oo cc tt rr ii nn e e oo vv ee r Pr P ee rr soso nn

Every individual’s experience must be Every individual’s experience must be redefined to meet the needs of the group redefined to meet the needs of the group per their pre-conceived moldper their pre-conceived mold

Rather than serving to help the individual, Rather than serving to help the individual, they become expendable in order to they become expendable in order to advance the agenda of the groupadvance the agenda of the group

7.) D7.) D oo cc tt rr ii nn e e oo vv ee r Pr P ee rr soso nn

End Justifies the Means End Justifies the Means in favor of the groupin favor of the group

Rigidity – No adaptation of the modelRigidity – No adaptation of the model

All aspects of individuality must be All aspects of individuality must be subordinated to the group paradigmsubordinated to the group paradigm

– RE-INTERPRETATION of experienceRE-INTERPRETATION of experienceDetails of Personal historyDetails of Personal history

Unique experience, sensitivities or feelingsUnique experience, sensitivities or feelings

– Diversity or individual differencesDiversity or individual differences

8.) D8.) D ii ss pp ee nn ss ii nn g ofg ofEE xx ii ss tt ee nn cc ee

The group determines who has the right to exist The group determines who has the right to exist and who does notand who does not

Denial of Christian statusDenial of Christian status– No intramural doctrines! All beliefs of the group are No intramural doctrines! All beliefs of the group are

essential doctrineessential doctrine

Superiority of group membersSuperiority of group membersDemonization of non-membersDemonization of non-members

Non-conformists are denied personhoodNon-conformists are denied personhoodRejectionRejection

Annihilation Annihilation

TRUSTTRUSTyouryour

Inner Witness!Inner Witness!