People seek religious affiliation for various reasons and in different ways. Often, they grow up in a particular tradition. Some have no formal religious training. Occasionally, people attend religious functions for purposes such as placating their partner or parent, making social contacts, or finding a supportive community. Most often, however, people who participate in religious functions seek direct or indirect connection with the Divine, the Source of creation. Inherent in every religious tradition is some balance between direct spiritual experience and teachings drawn from oral and written doctrine rooted in the history and experience of the participant group. In extreme cases doctrine becomes dogma, rigid and concrete rules for behavior, thoughts, and feelings. When organizations embrace a dogma that supercedes any and all direct spiritual experience, religious abuse takes hold. Many individuals experience confusion and pain as a result of religious abuse. Theologians have identified classic situations associated with religious abuse. The following are danger signs: Emphasis on the threat of discipline and excommunication (being excluded from the church family) The group's claim to have the only Truth of God creates fear of thinking outside the leader's teachings. Discipline may include public ridicule from the pulpit when a member openly disagrees with the leadership. Authoritarian leadership Authoritarianism is evidenced when questioning teachings of a pastor is considered disobedient. The result is unchecked power, which releases the pastor from accountability. Even in congregations where there are other church leaders, authoritarian leadership may still occur if they unquestioningly accept the pastor's teachings. Isolationism Religious abuse often involves leaders pressuring members to avoid or distance themselves from family and friends who are not involved in the group. Sometimes, parental and marital relationships experience conflict because the religious group requires members to ignore and/or condemn the opinions of others that are not in accord with the group's teachings. If you suspect that you or someone you care about might be in a religious group exhibiting some of these characteristics, talk with someone outside the group whom you respect as a loving, wise spiritual person, or talk with a professional who has experience dealing with religious abuse.