Seemingly harmless new Christian religious movements in South Africa pose serious threats of spiritual abuse

Abstract

This article argues that Citizen rights in South Africa are as well protected as the structures that ensure their protection. Strict measures are in place to clamp down on the abuse of women and children. Domestic violence is treated in a very serious light. But what about spiritual abuse that occurs in seemingly safe environments – in the church or within religious groups? What about the victims of this type of abuse? In this article the dynamics of spiritual abuse within seemingly harmless new Christian religious groups in South Africa and the effects of spiritual abuse on their victims are exposed. The article maintains that serious threats of spiritual abuse occur within some of the new Christian religious movements in South Africa despite their seemingly harmless outward appearance. It is furthermore contended that measures to curb these abuses are lacking.