Cultural Abuse

What is cultural abuse?

Cultural abuse occurs when abusers exploit components of their cultural identity and beliefs to exert control and oppress others. Usually, this is done in a subtle manner but its effect can be very much felt by the victims being oppressed or controlled. Cultural abuse can fall into the category of institutional abuse if prevalent within a Christian community setting. It can create blockers to deal with fairness, and access to resources and opportunities, plus also skew or jeopardize access to justice.

Gender abuse can also be influenced by culture, which can be ignored by the Christian society as an unintended consequence utilized as a convenient explanation.

God’s thoughts on cultural abuse

The Bible says in Mark 7, verse 13 that we nullify the word of God, making the word of God inapplicable, because of the traditions of men. This can be seen in certain settings in our Christian communities and how our culture affects how we practice our Christianity. This results in compromises that tend to fuel and benefit certain groups of individuals within that Christian community. God states clearly that this is unacceptable and that it also destroys the ability of His word to be made effective.

The Bible also says in Acts 17, verse 26 that God has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth. This verse shows why cultural discrimination or oppression that is culture-driven and disadvantages others in our Christian setting is very much anti-Christian practice.

What are the signs of cultural Abuse?

The abusive signs of cultural abuse are more related to emotional, mental, and psychological effects. The indicators related to cultural abuse are not evident as they don’t leave visible bruises but they do leave very deep effects on their victims.

Like all forms of abuse, cultural abuse can be inflicted in a variety of ways, but some frequent ones are:

The dismissiveness or underplay of the victim’s access to equality and fairness
Violation or prevention of the victim’s freedom of choice
Controlling, restricting, or limiting the victim’s actions
Forcing or imposing cultural beliefs laced as the word of God upon victims
Manipulating spiritual readings and practices to justify or excuse abuse
Threatening the victim for wanting to break free from the control of the abuser
Labelling the victim as rebellious, non-conformist, or a bad influence in wanting freedom of choice
Preventing someone from wearing certain clothing dictated by their cultural practices
Enforcing a set of codes of conduct without consent from the victim
In some instances, verbal abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse can be prevalent practices within a victim’s cultural abuse oppression
Labelling the victim as sinning against God for wanting fairness, freedom of choice, and justice
Labelling oppressive demands on victims as a spiritual humility and obedience to the word of God
If the cultural abuse is at a church level, then ways of operation and practising of Christianity will be entwined with cultural practices that will control church members and make it difficult to speak out against the unfairness of it

What are the Impacts of cultural abuse?

Feeling a sense of injustice
Inability to achieve your aspirations
Depression and feeling you don’t have a voice
Experience of isolation and being cut off if you speak up
Inability to freely speak your mind on culturally sensitive issues
Fear of being labelled as rebellious
Restricted or controlled choices in personal and professional settings

In conclusion, do not ignore the signs and impacts of abuses in your life. Doing so limits God’s best for you and your life aspirations. Find ways to start your healing process. Whilst not speaking to experts may not be readily available to you, however, you can begin to take steps towards effective self-healing Christian options like meditation, prayers, scripture declaration immersion, identity in Christ refocusing and retreats.

Remember, life is not a rehearsal. God always wants you to choose freedom in Jesus Christ. To be free, you have to decide to be 100% responsible for the change you want to see in your life, even though you may be 100% blameless for the life challenges you find yourself facing. As such, be ready for change. As the solution to overcoming life challenges will usually involve a combination of spiritual insights and practical professional skills, on things God will show you to do to surge ahead. As always, remain blessed with divine health and wellbeing.

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