General Discussion

Victims of abuse in some Christian nationalist-leaning megachurches have reported experiencing a range of harms, including sexual assault, psychological manipulation, financial exploitation, and spiritual abuse. These abuses are often linked to autocratic leadership structures and a culture that prioritizes institutional reputation over victim welfare.

Types of Abuse Reported
Victims have reported various forms of abuse within specific megachurches or denominations, some of which are associated with Christian nationalist ideologies:

Sexual Abuse: Numerous investigations, such as those within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), have uncovered hundreds of sexual misconduct cases, with leaders often moving perpetrators to different locations rather than reporting them to law enforcement. Recent high-profile cases, like that involving Robert Morris of Gateway Church, have brought renewed attention to how these institutions handle allegations.

Psychological and Spiritual Abuse: Abuse tactics can include public shaming, scare tactics involving threats of divine judgment, forced repentance, and the manipulation of religious beliefs to demand unquestioning obedience. Leaders may force specific lifestyle choices (e.g., how to dress, act) and use religious texts to enforce patriarchal norms and submission, which critics link to broader Christian nationalist ideologies.

Physical and Financial Exploitation: In some extreme cases, victims have been subjected to long hours of unpaid work, sleep deprivation, food and shelter restrictions, and physical assaults.

Culture of Cover-up: A common complaint from survivors is that church leadership prioritizes protecting the organization's image and power over supporting the victim. This often leads to victims feeling isolated, blamed, and further traumatized when their experiences are dismissed or covered up.

Connection to Christian Nationalism

While not all Christian churches or megachurches are tied to Christian nationalism, some reports suggest an overlap where the ideology exacerbates the conditions for abuse. Christian nationalism's emphasis on absolute authority, rigid patriarchal roles, perceived victimhood, and an "us vs. them" worldview can foster environments where leaders' power goes unchecked and dissent is suppressed.