ORIGINAL RESEARCH

 

Postorale begeleiding van die geestelik verwonde persoon

 

Pastoral counselling for spiritually wounded people

 

 

Wentzel Coetzer

Skool vir Kerkwetenskappe, Potchefstroomkampus, Noordwes-Universiteit, Potchefstroom, Suid-Afrika

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

On the one hand, religion could fulfil an edifying and enriching role; on the other, it could be destructive and devastating if it uses unethical, manipulating and controlling techniques and coercive measures to promote the goals of a leader or a system. Insecurity and doubt regarding a person's own competence and worth flowing from painful events in the past tend to make people vulnerable. Often, spiritual wounds lead to a warped image of God; a warped self-identity as a Christian; intense pain in family relationships; overwhelming feelings of disillusionment; problems with personal borders; a lack of basic life skills; a lack of trust and purpose in life, as well as fluctuating phases of opposite emotions, like depression, anger and joy. Once denial has been overcome, counselling towards healing can start. Such counselling should primarily focus on joining a support group, spiritual healing, healing with regard to habits of thought, social recovery as well as physical healing.

Keywords: godsdienstige misbruik; geestelike verwonding; emosionele verwonding; geestelik afknouerige stelsel

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Full text available only in PDF format.

 

 

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Correspondence:
Wentzel Coetzer
Posbus 19320
Noordbrug 2522
Suid-Afrika
Email: wentzelcoetzer@telkomsa.net

Received: 05 Nov. 2009
Accepted: 07 June 2010
Published: 31 Aug. 2010