How would you define a Destructive Cult?
The Narcissist Push/Pull Game
Narcissists Are Wolf’s In Sheep’s Clothes
The Golden Cord of Unity?
In our former toxic-church, a now deceased Brother’s prayer/hope was that we would all be one and unified; he had visions of seeing a golden cord holding us all together. It was a wonderful picture of what he hoped we would eventually become. It’s my opinion that he wanted this desperately for our ‘church’ because there were so many instances of ‘faction’ events. (See article on ‘Faction’) There was gossiping, backbiting, spying, that led to a feeling of mistrust and acting or having to put on a facade so nobody would suspect something wrong with you. The real faction and dissension was originating from the narc-elder himself to remove people that he perceived as a threat to expose his sins (and charade).
Below is an excerpt relating this this so-called ‘Unity’ from the book ‘The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse (pp. 90). [Emphasis mine in bold.]
• Matthew 5.9—“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”
• Philippians 2.2—“Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”
• Ephesians 4:3—“… being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Peace and unity are important in the body of Christ. But experiencing true peace and unity does not mean pretending to get along or acting like we agree when we don’t. Verses like these have been used to get people to act unified when they are not. The result is a “can’t-talk” relationship system in which problems get swept under the carpet and leaders are not held accountable for their actions. Because the people are not really unified at all, dissension and strife grow through gossip and backstabbing.
Johnson, David. Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, The: Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church (p. 90). Baker Book Group – A. Kindle Edition.