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Sociopathic Leadership: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Psycopath.jpg|right|250px]] | |||
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. | ||
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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. | ||
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: | |||
==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= | ||
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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? | ||
= | =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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[[Category:Legalism]] | |||
[[Category:The Message]] | |||
[[Category:Message churches]] | |||