Why women are spiritually abuse by the church?

Eve’s strength rather than her weakness singled her out for satins deceptive attack. Her ability to nurture life itself must have gotten satins attention. For since the fall it is this part of a women’s nature that has caused her the greatest pain. It can be seen in the rise of abortion in the last 100 years. More to the point, it can be seen in the constant physical and emotional attacks against women worldwide.

Although spiritual abuse is a relatively new term, its practice has persisted ever since the serpent in the Garden of Eden distorted and outright lied about God's words to Adam and Eve. In doing so, he managed to create doubt in their minds regarding the character of God and His relationship to those He had created. Especially women!

Spiritual abuse is an umbrella term primarily describing three different kinds of harmful acts:

(1) Mistreatment: a person in a self-imposed position of authority mistreating another person

(2) Manipulation: the use of religious words or fear of losing one’s salvation to manipulate someone for personal gain or control

(3) Twisting Scripture: in order to twist the truth.

Works of a spiritual nature can look noble, virtuous and inspiring, however, as the old saying goes, "Looks can be deceiving." Or, to quote Proverbs 16:2: "All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD." 

 

Far more women fall victim to spiritual abuse than men. Usually, although there are acceptations, women that find themselves spiritually abused are by the most part single, or  married to quite men. Men, that would never even consider standing up for their wives as protectors against false accusation. In other cases, their husband does not attend church leaving them to fend for themselves against the bigotry of church leaders.

Within the Christian Church System, strong women are often seen as rebellious, ambitious and often accused of having a Jezebel spirit. The accusations leveled against women are neatly packaged in Bibles versus. 

 

It does not seem to matter whether the women is a young aspiring women minister in Latin America or Anne Graham Lotz, that daughter of the world famous evangelists Billy Graham, who inherited her father’s mantle for evangelism. It seems that we as women have to constantly prove that we have a close relationship with God. If the person being lead to bring a message to God’s children is a women, her message is often questioned by men. When asked why her message is not accepted the answer is simple, “She is a woman. She is not supposed to be doing that.” And when she is allowed to take on the mantle of a ministry, it has to be with a man’s permission and guidance or not at all.

Bigotry against women has existed since the fall. Adam exhibited it when be blamed “the women whom though gavest to me.” (Gen 3:13) However, very few things have been more legalized with in the church than those based on a women’s place. Very few denominations will even confess that their particular denomination started because of a woman. Or more to the point that the early churches were began in the home of women, who out of compassion or a need to hear the word opened the doors of her home. And as a result, a new church was born.

Ignoring the simple reality that God made men and women to stand as equals, has allowed the church to continue to be divided as men and women continue to battle over who is in charge. Or more to the point, who stands as an authority figure, and who needs to bow to it.