Karen Wanjico has designed a workshop to help Americans heal from spiritual abuse. RNS photo by Tracy Simmons/Spokane Faith & Values

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Turn away from her mother like the rest of her congregation, or be exterminated by God at Armageddon — which could come any moment — with no hope of resurrection.

Wanjico, of Casa Grande, Ariz., was 17 years old when she chose to go with the congregation and shun her mom. Looking back now, at age 49, she says it was the most devastating thing she’s ever done.

After earning a Master of Divinity degree and working several years as an advocate for victims of sexual abuse, Wanjico can talk about what happened to her: She was spiritually abused.

Pete Evans, chief investigator for the Dallas-based Trinity Foundation — a group that investigates religious fraud — said spiritual abuse is widespread and takes many forms.

“We would say it’s rampant throughout the U.S.,” he said.

Spiritual abuse, Wanjico explained, is when authoritarian religious groups use power and control to instill fear and guilt into worshippers, manipulating them to behave a certain way.

Similar to domestic abuse, if victims don’t deal with the trauma, Wanjico said, it can damage one’s mental health, relationships and worldview.

That’s why she’s created “Recovery from Spiritual Abuse: From Hurt to Healing,” a daylong workshop designed to help people understand the dynamics of spiritual abuse and how to move toward healing and forgiveness. She’s hosted the workshop in Montana and will hold an upcoming session here.

“I think one of the realities is that we don’t have ways in our culture to deal with toxic spiritual stuff and because of that, pain is allowed to maintain for far too long,” said the Rev. Paul Rodkey of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Spokane.

“In my career I don’t know how many hundreds of people have come in who have been deeply wounded by the Christian church, usually by the narrow-minded, judgmentalness of it. … It’s like domestic violence abusers, same dynamic: ‘I love you, but I’ve got to beat you.’ The theology of oppression is somehow an example of Jesus? Really?”

He said gays and lesbians are easy targets for spiritual abusers, but just about anyone can become a victim.

Evans has studied spiritual abuse extensively, particularly in cults. He said false healings are a common form, where people believe they will be healed, sometimes even give money, and then are told they have a secret sin or don’t have enough faith.

He’s seen people escape, but to some, the consideration of a change is more frightening than remaining in the uncomfortable situation.

Wanjico said when people are kicked out of the faith communities because they disobey or if they leave on their own will, they re-enter the world lost.

“They’re outside of the group now, so there’s a good chance of depression, suicide, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide; some pretty serious things can occur,” she said. “They’re very suspicious of trying to make friendships. … How do you define yourself if you’re no longer a member of XYZ?”

When Wanjico left her faith community at age 27, she wasn’t sure how to find a new community because she was told everyone outside her group was worldly. “They’re fornicators. They’re drug addicts. So who do I hang out with? What do I do?”

Evans said healing can come through frank discussions. “Oftentimes, victims are relieved just by talking … and finding they are not alone.”

The “Recovery from Spiritual Abuse” workshop includes discussions and healing exercises.

Wanjico is creating a parallel workshop for professionals and family members designed to help them understand and provide support for those who have left or been expelled from spiritually abusive faith groups.

(Tracy Simmons is the editor of Spokane Faith & Values.)

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NEWPORT, Wash. (RNS) On Sunday Sravasti Abbey welcomed a new novice nun to its community. In an ordination ceremony Daniela Mieritz took vows and became Venerable Thubten Jampa. Ruby Pan also took vows to become an Anagarkia.  Audio slideshow by Tracy Simmons/Spokane Faith & Values.

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The Spokane Islamic Center wants something mosques all across the country are seeking and can’t seem to find: an educated, bilingual, experienced imam who understands American culture. RNS photo by Tracy Simmons/Spokane Faith & Values. *Note: This image is not available to download.

According to the report “The American Mosque 2011” by University of Kentucky professor Ihsan Bagby, half of all mosques in the U.S. have no full-time staff, and only 44 percent of imams work as paid, full-time leaders.

In Spokane, the Muslim community has been seeking a leader for 18 months and counting.

“It’s hard for a small mosque like ours to compete,” said Mamdouh El-Aarag, who serves on the mosque’s board.

According to Bagby’s study, only 36 percent of mosques with attendance between 101 and 200 have a full-time, paid imam. The Spokane mosque draws about 250 people for Friday prayers.

For now, volunteers take turns delivering sermons and leading prayers; that’s been the routine since the Islamic center was built in 2009. El-Aarag said it’s made the community strong, but has its downsides as well. He said the volunteers aren’t experts in Islamic scriptures and worship attendance isn’t as steady as it would be with a full-time imam.

“What we’re looking for is hard to find; it’s a hot commodity,” El-Aarag said. “One option is maybe downgrading our requirements and finding someone with not as much experience, someone we can help and work with.”

Jocelyne Cesari, director of Harvard University’s Islam in the West Program, agrees that what the Spokane Islamic Center is seeking is in high command.

Cesari blamed the dearth of interdisciplinary training offered in the U.S. More programs would allow clerics to become competent in both Islamic theology and American culture, she said.

As of 2011, according to Bagby, 48 percent of imams had at least a bachelor’s degree in Islam. Of those, just 6 percent earned their degree in the U.S.

There are only three institutions in America where one can study to become an imam — the Graduate School of Social and Islamic Sciences in Virginia, Zaytuna College in California and Bayan Claremont at Claremont Lincoln University in California.

Cesari said the Spokane mosque may indeed have to make some compromises in its search. For example, she said, the community may have to choose between a charismatic person in tune with the young and professional audience, and an expert in theology trained outside the U.S.

The Spokane Islamic Center wants something mosques all across the country are seeking and can’t seem to find: an educated, bilingual, experienced imam who understands American culture. RNS photo by Tracy Simmons/Spokane Faith & Values. *Note: This image is not available to download.

The key to attracting an imam in a competitive market, she said, is to make the position stand out.

“The major issue is to make the position attractive financially to young people, and especially young couples. The challenge is to professionalize the imam position to ensure they get the most educated and competent persons,” she said.

El-Aarag said he’s certain the right imam will come along when the time is right.

“It will happen in due time, in God’s time,” he said. “We just have to keep looking.”

(Tracy Simmons is the editor of Spokane Faith & Values.)

KRE/AMB END SIMMONS

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