The paper addresses the issue of pathological patterns of spirituality present within evangelical movements, understood not as doctrinal deviation, but as distorted ways of experiencing faith on the psychological, relational, and existential levels. The point of departure is a distinction between an integrative spirituality—encompassing the whole person (body, emotions, reason, and the spiritual dimension)—and an escapist spirituality which, despite its religious language and intensity of practice, leads to anxiety, control, perfectionism, and spiritual burnout. The presentation will examine key mechanisms contributing to the pathologization of spirituality, such as the “over-spiritualization” of difficult emotional experiences, spiritual perfectionism grounded in earning God’s love, scrupulosity and an anxiety-driven image of God, as well as abuses of authority and spiritual violence within religious communities. The paper also engages with issues related to evangelical exorcism and the so-called “generational curse,” interpreting them in light of research on transgenerational trauma and psychogenealogy. Within this framework, the concept of a generational curse functions as a religious narrative describing real phenomena of intergenerational transmission of trauma, unconscious family loyalties, and entrenched patterns of fear and guilt. The paper argues that the excessive demonization of psychological and familial problems may lead to secondary trauma, spiritual abuse, and the reinforcement of an anxiety-based image of God.
When Faith Hurts: Pathological Patterns of Evangelical Spirituality