“Do you trust me, Maya?” Damien, the cult leader, asked, his voice coated with a deceptive warmth. His loyal follower knelt at his feet, her head bowed low, and wet strands of hair clinging to her face. Her shoulders quivered – not from the cold, but under the crushing weight of what was about to unfold.
Outside, the storm raged -- a violent tempest battering the walls, as if nature sought to break in and witness the unfolding horror. The wind howled with an almost human wail, while rain beat furiously against the windows. Yet inside, the air was suffocatingly still, heavy with unspoken dread.
“Prove it,” Damien whispered, his hand lightly brushing her cheek, the touch cold and possessive.
Damien sat elevated on a chair that resembled a throne, his presence dominating even in the dim light. The storm outside seemed to bow to his will, its wrath a reflection of the power he wielded within. His eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity, a perfect mix of charisma and menace, as he gazed at the woman kneeling before him.
“You are my most faithful, Maya,” he murmured, his voice both a command and a caress. “You’ve given me everything -- your loyalty, your trust. Now, could you give me more? Prove your devotion is limitless.”
You're not a victim for sharing your story
His touch lingered, cold fingers wrapping around her skin like the tendrils of a shadow. His words seeped into her, poisoning her thoughts and drowning her sense of self. Maya felt herself being pulled deeper into the abyss of his control, the internal storm battling the one outside. The rain pummeled the windowpanes harder, and she wondered -- did the sky weep for her, or was the Earth itself trying to wash away the sin of what was about to happen within these walls.
“Do not fear,” Damien said softly, his voice a seductive promise. “Fear is for the weak. You are strong. You are mine.”
The final word – mine – struck her like a blow, sending an icy shiver down her spine. This was not love. It was not protection. It was ownership. Maya was no longer her own. She had become an object, a vessel for his need to dominate, to twist even the purest faith into submission.
The room fell silent then, save for the relentless rhythm of the rain and the distant rumble of thunder, Damien smiled, triumphant, as the storm outside began to settle – its rage finally spent.
But within Maya’s heart, a new storm was brewing.
A GRIM REALITY UNFOLDS
The chilling narrative above could easily come from the pages of a novel, yet it echoes the real-life accounts of countless victims of abuse in religious settings.
Betrayed by her faith: Ex-KOJC member details years of Quiboloy's sexual abuse
THE KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST
One such testimony is that of Teresita Valdehueza, a Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) member, who recounted her harrowing experiences at a Senate hearing during a stormy day – an apt reflection of the turbulence in her life. She detailed the years of abuse she endured under the hands of Davao-based pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed Appointed Son of God. Her words were piercing as she relived the horror:
“Sleeping beside a man I believed to be chosen by God was for me a great privilege, an opportunity for a sinner like me.” Valdehueza narrated. “But what followed shattered my sense of faith and trust. Without a word, after turning off the light, [Quiboloy] embraced me, undressed me, and violated me with his lustful act that left me in shock and speechless.”
Quiboloy had turned his despicable actions into something sacred in the eyes of his followers, telling her, “This is the fulfillment of God’s revelation.”
A WIDESPREAD ISSUE: RELIGIOUS ABUSE
Sadly, the abuses perpetrated by spiritual leaders are not confined to fringe groups like Quiboloy’s KOJC. Mainstream religious institutions, including both Catholic and Protestant churches, have been marred by similar allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Catholic Church has faced widespread scandals spanning decades, most notably the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by clergy. In the U.S., the issue came to the forefront in the 1990s, with thousands of victims stepping forward. Investigation revealed systemic abuse and cover-ups within the Church hierarchy, culminating in criminal prosecutions and massive financial settlements.
Pope says the Catholic Church must be ashamed of Belgium sexual abuse
The Boston Archdiocese scandal, exposed by investigative journalists, revealed how Church officials protected predator priests by moving them to different parishes rather than confronting the issue. The global reckoning that followed led to reforms within the Church, though the scars remain deep.
To date, the Catholic Church has paid billions in settlements to victims, and several dioceses have declared bankruptcy under the financial strain. Grand jury reports, such as those from Pennsylvania and New York, have exposed the shocking extent of the abuse and the institutional attempts to silence the victims.
PROTESTANT CHURCHES
Protestant denominations have also been tainted by similar scandals. The Southern Baptist Convention, one of the largest Protestant groups in the U.S., has been rocked by revelations of sexual abuse over the past two decades. Investigations by media outlets uncovered over 700 cases of sexual misconduct involving Southern Baptist pastors, deacons, and volunteers – many of them involving children.
An independent investigation commissioned by the denomination revealed that the abuse claims were mishandled for decades, with leadership often protecting abusers or discouraging victims from coming forward.
Evangelicals need to focus on church's sexual abuse epidemic, not just Trump or drag queens - USA Today
INDEPENDENT CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES
The problem isn’t limited to large denominations. Evangelical leader Bill Gothard, founder of the Institute of Basic Life Principles, faced multiple accusations of sexual harassment and abuse. Though his teachings promoted a strict Christian lifestyle, he used his authority to exploit followers. Gothard’s case, though less prominent, highlights the deep-rooted issues of sexual misconduct even in independent ministries.
COMMON PATTERNS IN RELIGIOUS ABUSE
These scandals share disturbingly common patterns: charismatic leaders abusing their spiritual authority to exploit followers sexually, emotionally, or financially. Institutions often prioritize their reputation, covering up misconduct rather than addressing it. Victims are frequently silenced, their pleas for help ignored or suppressed.
A CALL FOR VIGILANCE
A comprehensive study by cult expert Susan Raine emphasizes the need to focus on the dynamics of “power” and “grooming” within religious communities. Most abuse, she argues, comes not from strangers but from trusted individuals within a victim’s immediate environment – family, community leaders, or religious figures.
The findings urge society to move beyond the concept of “stranger danger” and acknowledge the threats closer to home. With each new story, the cracks in religious institutions grow wider. It is a sobering reminder of the need for constant vigilance, transparency, and justice for those who have been silenced for too long.
The storm, though calmed, is far from over.
Content & editing put together in collaboration with ChatGPT
Head photo courtesy of Everypixel.com
Still photos courtesy of philstar and freepik.dom
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