Sociopathic Leadership - Revision history

Admin at 03:27, 27 August 2015

2015-08-27T03:27:16Z

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			[[Category:Legalism]]
			[[Category:The Message]]
			[[Category:Message churches]]

Admin at 20:07, 25 July 2015

2015-07-25T20:07:11Z

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	Some message churches have become cult-like. Just as a cult cannot be truly explored or understood without understanding its leader, so these churches cannot be understood without clearly understanding the pastor.		Some message churches have become cult-like. Just as a cult cannot be truly explored or understood without understanding its leader, so these churches cannot be understood without clearly understanding the pastor.

Admin: /* Reference */

2015-07-10T00:20:33Z

Reference

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	*What do you know of your leader’s childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood? Does he or she fit the pattern?		*What do you know of your leader’s childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood? Does he or she fit the pattern?

	=~~Reference~~=		=General References=

	Lalich, Janja and Tobias, Madeleine, ''Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships'', ''Chapter 4 - The Cult Leader'', Bay Tree Publishing, 2nd edition (May 30, 2006)		Lalich, Janja and Tobias, Madeleine, ''Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships'', ''Chapter 4 - The Cult Leader'', Bay Tree Publishing, 2nd edition (May 30, 2006)

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Admin: /* The Profile of a Sociopathic Pastor */

2014-11-10T03:26:06Z

The Profile of a Sociopathic Pastor

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	Sociopath and psychopath are really the same thing. The term "sociopath" is preferred by those that see the causes of the condition as due to social factors and early environment, while the term "psychopath" is used by those who believe that there are psychological, biological, and genetic factors involved in addition to environmental factors. Typically psychopathy refers to a condition where the individual lacks a sense of empathy or morality, while sociopathy differs in sense of right and wrong from the average person.		Sociopath and psychopath are really the same thing. The term "sociopath" is preferred by those that see the causes of the condition as due to social factors and early environment, while the term "psychopath" is used by those who believe that there are psychological, biological, and genetic factors involved in addition to environmental factors. Typically psychopathy refers to a condition where the individual lacks a sense of empathy or morality, while sociopathy differs in sense of right and wrong from the average person.

			Psychopathy is most commonly assessed with the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, Revised (or the PCL-R) created by Dr. Robert Hare which is a 40 point scale. Any score that is greater or equal to 25 would generally be considered a psychopath (or sociopath). A normal score would be considered to be 5 or less.

	In the case of a sociopathic pastor, they may exhibit some, or all, of the following characteristics to a greater or lesser extent:		In the case of a sociopathic pastor, they may exhibit some, or all, of the following characteristics to a greater or lesser extent:

Admin: /* The Profile of a Sociopathic Pastor */

2014-11-10T03:21:30Z

The Profile of a Sociopathic Pastor

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	=The Profile of a Sociopathic Pastor=		=The Profile of a Sociopathic Pastor=

	A sociopathic pastor may exhibit some, or all, of the following characteristics to a greater or lesser extent:		Sociopath and psychopath are really the same thing. The term "sociopath" is preferred by those that see the causes of the condition as due to social factors and early environment, while the term "psychopath" is used by those who believe that there are psychological, biological, and genetic factors involved in addition to environmental factors. Typically psychopathy refers to a condition where the individual lacks a sense of empathy or morality, while sociopathy differs in sense of right and wrong from the average person.

			In the case of a sociopathic pastor, they may exhibit some, or all, of the following characteristics to a greater or lesser extent:

	==Glibness and Superficial Charm==		==Glibness and Superficial Charm==
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	==Entrepreneurial Versatility==		==Entrepreneurial Versatility==

	Sociopathic pastors have an innate ability to attract followers who have the skills and connections that they themselves may lack. The longevity of the group is dependent on the willingness of the leadership to adapt as needed to preserve the group.		Sociopathic pastors have an innate ability to attract followers who have the skills and connections that they themselves may lack. The longevity of the group is dependent on the willingness of the leadership to adapt as needed to preserve the group.

	=Recognizing a Sociopathic Pastor=		=Recognizing a Sociopathic Pastor=

Admin: /* Callousness and Lack of Empathy */

2013-01-19T05:40:51Z

Callousness and Lack of Empathy

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	Sociopathic pastors readily take advantage of others, expressing utter contempt for the feelings of others. Someone in distress is not important to them. Although intelligent, perceptive, and quite good at sizing people up, they make no real connections with others. They use their “people skills” to exploit, abuse, and wield power.		Sociopathic pastors readily take advantage of others, expressing utter contempt for the feelings of others. Someone in distress is not important to them. Although intelligent, perceptive, and quite good at sizing people up, they make no real connections with others. They use their “people skills” to exploit, abuse, and wield power.

	Sociopathic pastors ~~leaders~~ are unable to truly empathize with the pain of their victims. Church members engage in denial about this callousness, because it’s so difficult to believe that someone they love so much could intentionally hurt them. It therefore becomes easier to rationalize the leader’s behavior as necessary for the general or individual “good.”		Sociopathic pastors are unable to truly empathize with the pain of their victims. Church members engage in denial about this callousness, because it’s so difficult to believe that someone they love so much could intentionally hurt them. It therefore becomes easier to rationalize the leader’s behavior as necessary for the general or individual “good.”

	==Irresponsibility==		==Irresponsibility==

Admin: /* Grandiose sense of self */

2013-01-19T05:34:50Z

Grandiose sense of self

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	==Grandiose sense of self==		==Grandiose sense of self==

	Sociopath pastors ~~enjoys~~ tremendous feelings of entitlement. They believe everything is owed them as a right. They present themselves as a special leader: enlightened, a vehicle of God, uniquely gifted, the only appropriate leader of the church, and sometimes the most humble of the humble.		Sociopath pastors enjoy tremendous feelings of entitlement. They believe everything is owed them as a right. They present themselves as a special leader: enlightened, a vehicle of God, uniquely gifted, the only appropriate leader of the church, and sometimes the most humble of the humble.

	Paranoia often accompanies the grandiosity, reinforcing the sequestering of the group and the need for protection against any one who has left the church. They create an us versus them mentality.		Paranoia often accompanies the grandiosity, reinforcing the sequestering of the group and the need for protection against any one who has left the church. They create an us versus them mentality.

Admin: /* Reference */

2013-01-19T03:16:54Z

Reference

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	=Reference=		=Reference=

	Lalich, Janja and Tobias, Madeleine, ''Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships'', Bay Tree Publishing, 2nd edition (May 30, 2006)		Lalich, Janja and Tobias, Madeleine, ''Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships'', ''Chapter 4 - The Cult Leader'', Bay Tree Publishing, 2nd edition (May 30, 2006)

Admin: /* Entrepreneurial Versatility */

2013-01-19T03:15:45Z

Entrepreneurial Versatility

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	Sociopathic pastors have an innate ability to attract followers who have the skills and connections that they themselves may lack. The longevity of the group is dependent on the willingness of the leadership to adapt as needed to preserve the group.		Sociopathic pastors have an innate ability to attract followers who have the skills and connections that they themselves may lack. The longevity of the group is dependent on the willingness of the leadership to adapt as needed to preserve the group.

	==Recognizing a Sociopathic Pastor		=Recognizing a Sociopathic Pastor=

	As you read the descriptions above, you may notice characteristics that match and explain some of the attributes, attitudes, and behaviors of your pastor. Unmasking or demystifying the leader is an important part of postcult recovery. Becoming familiar with the characteristics of this personality disorder may help you prevent being revictimized.		As you read the descriptions above, you may notice characteristics that match and explain some of the attributes, attitudes, and behaviors of your pastor. Unmasking or demystifying the leader is an important part of postcult recovery. Becoming familiar with the characteristics of this personality disorder may help you prevent being revictimized.
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	*How many of the traits listed above did you observe in your leader?		*How many of the traits listed above did you observe in your leader?
	*Were there second-level leaders in your group? Did they psychologically resemble the leader or were they devoted disciples blindly following orders?		*Were there second-level leaders in your group? Did they psychologically resemble the leader or were they devoted disciples blindly following orders?
	*What do you know of your leader’s childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood? Does he or she fit the pattern?		*What do you know of your leader’s childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood? Does he or she fit the pattern?

	=Reference=		=Reference=

	Lalich, Janja and Tobias, Madeleine, ''Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships'', Bay Tree Publishing, 2nd edition (May 30, 2006)		Lalich, Janja and Tobias, Madeleine, ''Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships'', Bay Tree Publishing, 2nd edition (May 30, 2006)

Admin: /* Reference */

2013-01-19T03:15:14Z

Reference

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	=Reference=		=Reference=

	Lalich, Janja and Tobias, ~~Madeleline~~, ''Take Back Your Life'', Bay Tree Publishing, 2nd edition (May 30, 2006)		Lalich, Janja and Tobias, Madeleine, ''Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships'', Bay Tree Publishing, 2nd edition (May 30, 2006)