A few studies have been done on narcissism within church leadership. Not many, but a few. In the general population, results of such studies show that 1-6% of the population is narcissistic. Within church leadership that rate may be as high as 30%… and a few studies demonstrate it may be even higher than that.
Dictionary.com defines narcissism as
extreme selfishness, with a grandiose view of one’s own talents and a craving for admiration, as characterizing a personality type.
One article in Psychology Today describes it as:
grandiosity, a lack of empathy for other people, and a need for admiration. People with this condition are frequently described as arrogant, self-centered, manipulative, and demanding. They may also concentrate on grandiose fantasies (e.g. their own success, beauty, brilliance) and may be convinced that they deserve special treatment.
Sound familiar? Compare this to some of your experiences with former church leaders, or compare it to this list.
Is it any surprise that someone with grandiose views of themselves, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others might silence those who would otherwise speak out about their wrongdoing? They require the silence of those who disagree with them to preserve their illusions. They demand it to maintain their control. They need to silence anyone who might oppose them to have any hope of satisfying their enormous appetite for admiration.
But how do they silence? By gaslighting, by shaming, by blaming. By making us doubt ourselves or think that everyone else is on the side of the abuser. By grooming us for mistreatment. By calling us names, dehumanizing us so that others feel less guilty for joining the mistreatment… for making them afraid not to join because if they don’t, they’ll also be mistreated. And oddly enough, also by being silent — by ostracizing, shunning, and giving he silent treatment to their targets.
Have you been silenced by a narcissist or another abuser? How were you silenced? And what will you do about it?
6 Tactics Narcissists Will Use To Silence You
The Sound of Silence
When churches silence, part 1
When churches silence, part 2
When churches silence, part 3
When churches silence, part 4
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In response to your question have we ever been silenced yes are we dealing with alledged menof god who are guilty of the sins in the aforementioned articles yes will we allow the silence to continue no i am appalled at the lengths these unholy pretenders will go to in order to coverup their illegal and immoral behavior soon the light of truth will reveal all in their own words. To all who are dealing with this satanic mentality know with certainty Exposing these atrocities will bring condemnation upon you. These battles are spiritual and the men who practice this behavior are mentally and spiritually wicked having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. They are great pretenders and paint themselves as righteous and holy men. They eviscerate their opposition in order to discredit and silence them. If you are in a battle against ungodly men gather the evidence and wait upon the lord for his direction as to when to expose them. Then DO NOT BACK DOWN DO NOT QUIT. We have been in a battle for 3 years now and have seen every kind of sneaky underhanded trick in the book used against us. Now it our turn to fight stand by for the rest of the story legal action is still ongoing JEFF RAMAJ