When Faith Becomes a Weapon: Surviving Spiritual Manipulation & Domestic Abuse

What happens when faith is weaponized against you? When the very institution meant to protect and guide you becomes the foundation of your abuse?In this gripping and raw podcast, Anna Marie Lopes shares her journey of surviving the dangerous intersection of spiritual manipulation and domestic violence within the church. At just 18, she was drawn into a world where biblical principles were twisted to control me. By 19, she was married to a youth pastor—a man who used his position of power to justify verbal, mental, physical, sexual, financial, and spiritual abuse. For six years, she endured unimaginable cruelty while being told she was fulfilling my role as a “good Christian wife.”But the most shocking part? Her abuser wasn’t just a pastor—he was grooming a minor and having an affair, yet he remains in the pulpit to this day, protected by a system that refuses to hold him accountable. Even her own mother, a survivor herself, sided with him—forcing her to navigate betrayal, isolation, and the painful realization that abusers thrive in spaces designed to hide them.This podcast is a call to break the silence. It’s a deep dive into the realities of religious abuse, the insidious ways narcissists manipulate faith, and the resilience it takes to break free. If you’ve ever questioned how predators continue to thrive in positions of power—or if you’re a survivor searching for validation, healing, and hope—this is for you.You are not alone. And together, we’re shattering the illusions, reclaiming our voices, and exposing the truth.🎙️ Subscribe now and join the conversation. It’s time to unmask the wolves in sheep’s clothing.Connect with your host, Brooke Deanne here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emotional Trauma Quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to gain clarity on where you’re struggling, identify the hidden blocks keeping you from thriving, and learn how to begin rewriting your story.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Healing Meditation Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Three powerful guided hypnosis meditations created specifically for survivors of trauma and narcissistic abuse. These meditations are designed to help you regulate your nervous system, calm anxiety, and foster deep emotional healing—grab yours now and start your journey to inner peace!Connect with Anna Marie here:InstagramFree Resources:1. Free reclamationprintable cards & wallpapers for listeners by Brave & Free2.Healing & CPTSD Community Hub where I host the domestic abuse support circle every month + other free events, resources and inclusive space for trauma survivors to connect, share, and heal3. Book "Twisted Scriptures"