Lundy Bancroft on Narcissists vs Abusers for The Audacious Life podcast
The first half to two thirds of this video of what the speakers describe, how they describe the typical views of abusive men, is reminiscent of some Christian Gender Complementarians and their views, and what some complementarian adherents believe.
Especially if you are a Christian single woman who’s wanting to marry AND in particular you were raised by Christian parents or in a church that taught traditional gender roles (perhaps under the phrase or label of “gender complementarianism“) please pay special attention to the video below.
Under “gender complementarian” teachings (and just mainstream, evangelical or Baptist and Christian dating advice), Christian women have been taught to accept all sorts of toxic teachings and to accept on-going mistreatment from a spouse (and from other people in their lives).
Chances are good that if you’re a single Christian woman who was brought up to believe in gender complementarian teachings that you were heavily encouraged to adopt people pleasing or codependent behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes, which will make you attractive to abusers and people with personality disorders (many of whom can be abusive).
Additionally, if you do marry an abusive person (whether he is emotionally, sexually, verbally, or physically abusive) the majority of Christian churches and denominations teach women that divorce is not an option, not even in cases of abuse.
You (if you’re an abused wife asking a Christian for advice or help in regards to your marriage) will usually be told just to “submit more,” give your spouse more sex, and to pray about it – but none of those methods will change your spouse or cause him to stop abusing you.
There is nothing you can say or do that will get your husband to stop abusing you – (Link): nor is it your responsibility to try to fix or change your spouse in the first place.
You have to go into a marriage to a self professing Christian man knowing before-hand that if your spouse turns abusive, that you must eventually divorce the guy, and you most likely won’t get any help or encouragement in that area from your church, church group, church friends, or pastor.
Most churches and pastors will shame, pressure, and guilt trip an abused wife to stay in the abusive marriage at all costs, because they value the institution of marriage above the safety and mental health of the abused wife.
If you’re a Christian woman in an abusive marriage, your church, church friends, and your preacher will never, ever give you permission to divorce – but you don’t need their permission or approval – you just need your own. It’s your life, not theirs.
(Link – to video on You Tube): Lundy Bancroft on Narcissists vs Abusers for The Audacious Life podcast
Excerpts, video description (from text below the video on the You Tube page):
I’m happy to interview Lundy Bancroft, author, and expert on male abuse behaviors and tactics.
Lundy has 30 years experience working in the field of abuse. His book “Why Does He Do That” is a one of the first I read and it helped tremendously.
Lundy is a lifelong advocate for the safety of women and children and it shines through in his books. You may be wondering whether you’re in a relationship with a Narcissist or an Abuser or someone who’s both.
…In this interview Lundy covers
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- – Differences between the Narcissist and Abuser
- – Why differentiating between them matters.
- – His background and what led him to advocate for women
- – What we as a society can do to create healthy male allies
- – What male abuser programs look like and how successful ones keep in close contact with the woman who’s been abused
- – How men and women are conditioned to expect and accept domineering “sexy” qualities
- – Personality disorders vs. abuse orientation – Inability to empathize vs. choosing NOT to empathize
- – Healing from trauma and how we can intentionally connect with others who are on the healing journey through Lundy’s Peak Living Network (PLN)
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Note: this network is not specifically for abuse survivors and is meant for people outside of deep crisis who are able to give 50% and receive 50%. Focus on YOU 100% first, if you’re in deep crisis.
The video below is about 50 minutes long. Link to the video on You Tube.
Related:
(Link): What Christians Really Think About the Church’s Relationship Advice by Anna Broadway
(Link): Life Lessons After Recovering from Codependency – I Can’t Save You, and I No Longer Want To
(Link): Not all Narcissists are Grandiose – the ‘Vulnerable’ Type can be Just as Dangerous
(Link): Church Forced Out Woman Who Complained Pastor Regularly Sexually Harassed Her
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