SYMPTOMS OF A THEOCRATIC ADDICTION

SYMPTOMS OF A THEOCRATIC ADDICT

• Inability to think, doubt, or question religious information and/or authority related to
• Black-and-white, good/bad, either/or simplistic thinking: one way or the other,
• Shame-based belief that you aren't good enough or you aren't doing it right. If
• Magical thinking that God will fix you/ do it all, without serious work on your part.
• Scrupulosity: rigid obsessive adherence to rules, codes of ethics, or guidelines.
• Uncompromising judgmental attitudes: readiness to find fault or evil out there
• Compulsive or obsessive studying, going to meetings or conventions, quoting scripture
• Believing that sex is dirty; believing our bodies or physical pleasures are evil
• Compulsive overeating and being overweight
• Isolation and breakdown of relationships
• Psychosomatic illness: back pains, sleeplessness, headaches, hypertension
• Manipulating scripture or texts, feeling specially chosen, claiming to understand all 'The Truth'
• The ultimate temptation of the believer is to assume that his or her way to God is 'The Truth', and thus only way for others.

The next few pages are liberally taken from the book "When God becomes a Drug"

SYMPTOMS OF A THEOCRATIC ADDICT

Religious addicts overreact to changes over which they have no control.

Much of religious addiction and abuse revolves around control. Things and concepts are kept orderly, with everything in its place. There are no questions or doubts. The safety of black-and-white thinking is that it eliminates the hazards of making a wrong choice, of making mistakes, and not of being spiritually mature. You cling to rules and become rigidly scrupulous in order to feel safe. You fear questions or conflicting information, because everything you have been brought up to believe is right might be proven wrong.

Religious addicts constantly seek approval and affirmation

Your self-esteem and confidence are rooted in acceptance and approval the elders, the organization, and the people in the congergation. You are codependent on 'The Organization'.

Religious addicts usually feel different from other people.

All your life you were told you were different. You were the chosen, the sanctified, the blessed, the people who carried God's name.

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