Spiritual Narcissism In The Church

At this point in the lives of those who have been part of Armstrongism over the decades, we have all known narcissists in the church. Sadly, a large percentage of the leadership of the hundreds of splinter groups are spiritual narcissists. They are the best men the church has ever seen leading the best COG's since the apostles walked this earth. God speaks in and through them and all should do well to heed their perfect words. Don't ever think of questioning them...

What is spiritual narcissism? These narcissists are at your church, yoga class and more by Charles Trepany

Narcissists are everywhere − and, yes, that includes church. 

 

If you've been involved in a church, yoga class, meditation group or other religious or spiritual community, odds are you've come across a spiritual narcissist, or a narcissist who uses spirituality and religion as a means to garner attention and validation, also known as narcissistic supply, to control others. 

 

By no means does someone being religious or spiritual mean they're a narcissist. Rather, psychologists say, spiritual narcissists distort religion and spirituality to cater to their own selfish interests, as well as to punish and abuse others.

Even if you have only been part of Armstrongism for a short while, you already know how distorted from reality it all is.

Spiritual narcissists will often take religious teachings out of context in order to gaslight people into doing what they want them to do or to justify their own mistreatment of others. If you speak out or raise questions to a spiritual narcissist, expect a smear campaign, in which the narcissist criticizes your faith, spiritual practice and morals. 

 

Like all narcissists, spiritual narcissists also lack empathy, caring only about themselves. Because of this, being perceived as spiritual and enlightened is often more important to them than actually being spiritual or enlightened. 

 

"They act like they speak for God and, if you don’t do what they want, then you’re against God. Essentially, they put themselves between you and God and claim that if you don’t do whatever they want you to do, then you’re not a 'true believer' or that you’re a bad person," Cole says. "They never practice what they preach." 

 

In extreme scenarios, spiritual narcissists may even start cults or become cult leaders, says Stephanie Sarkis, a psychotherapist and author of "Healing from Toxic Relationships: 10 Essential Steps to Recover from Gaslighting, Narcissism, and Emotional Abuse."

"Anyone that's in a position of power can inflict narcissistic abuse on others, and, particularly when it's a spiritual organization, you have people that might be vulnerable, that may be more of a target for narcissists," Sarkis says. "There's inherent power in leading a group of people." What is spiritual narcissism? These narcissists are at your church, yoga class and more