Rev. Colleen Irwin

 When Faith Is Used as a Weapon

When faith is used as a weapon, it overwhelms me—and I imagine it overwhelms others too. It overwhelms because it twists something meant to heal into a tool that divides and controls. I came across this on Threads and couldn’t stop thinking about it:

“Jesus wasn’t crucified for telling people to go to church.
He was crucified for calling out religious leaders who weaponized faith to gain power.
If that makes you uncomfortable, ask yourself why.”

It hit me hard—not because it was shocking, but because it was so familiar. I see it play out all the time in today’s world, where “Christian values” are preached loudly, yet the basic teachings of compassion, care, and community are often ignored.

Spiritualist Perspective

As a Spiritualist, I don’t worship Jesus in the traditional Christian sense. But I do revere him as a great teacher—a spiritual master whose life was dedicated to love, healing, and truth. He called people to look within. He spoke out against hypocrisy. And yes, he challenged the very power structures that used religion to dominate others.

Today, we still see faith used as a weapon. People in power wrap themselves in religious language while stripping away services that help the poor, the sick, the vulnerable. They legislate harm and call it holy. That doesn’t lead spiritually—that controls by disguising itself as righteousness.

If you’ve ever felt uneasy watching someone use religion to shame, silence, or dominate—trust that feeling. That discomfort is sacred. It’s your soul recognizing truth.

There is Hope

If the church hurt you, if judgment silenced you, or if faith made you feel unworthy—
You are not broken. You are awakening.

You don’t have to stay silent. Do not accept spiritual gaslighting. And you’re not alone. There’s a growing chorus of people—seekers, healers, teachers—who are reclaiming faith as something rooted in love, not fear.

Let’s be lights for each other. We need to speak up when religion is used to harm. Let’s live the values of compassion, kindness, and courage that great teachers like Jesus modeled.

He didn’t die to build an institution.
He lived to remind us how to love.

Call It Out

You don’t have to stand at a pulpit to stand for truth.

Be kind to someone others overlook.
Speak up when someone twists faith into fear—say, “That’s not okay.”
Choose compassion, especially when judgment comes easier.

However you show up—lead with love.
Every act of integrity lights the way for someone else.