Navigating Covert Narcissistic Abuse in Front of Children
Navigating Covert Narcissistic Abuse in Front of Children: A Patristic Perspective
The early Christian fathers addressed the issue of protecting children from exposure to immoral behavior, which can be related to the modern concern of navigating covert narcissistic abuse in front of children. Tertullian, for instance, wrote about the dangers of exposing children to immoral influences, emphasizing the need for vigilance in maintaining a virtuous environment [3].
In the patristic view, maintaining moral purity was crucial, especially in the presence of children. The fathers were concerned that children might be corrupted by witnessing or being exposed to immoral acts. For example, Hippolytus and Cyprian cautioned against the dangers of public shows and the impact they could have on Christian behavior, suggesting that such environments could lead to moral corruption [1].
The early Christian writers also discussed the importance of shielding children from lust and immorality. Augustine noted that even lawful pleasures shrink from the public eye, highlighting the natural human inclination towards modesty [5]. This perspective underscores the importance of creating an environment that protects children from exposure to behaviors that could be harmful or corrupting.
In the context of covert narcissistic abuse, the patristic emphasis on maintaining a virtuous and modest environment can be seen as relevant. The fathers' warnings against exposing children to immorality and their emphasis on the importance of moral purity can be applied to the need to protect children from the harmful effects of narcissistic abuse. For instance, the Testament of Reuben advises against giving heed to lustful thoughts, which can be related to the need to avoid exposing children to abusive or manipulative behavior [4].
The patristic writers also highlighted the importance of parental responsibility in protecting children. Tertullian discussed the need for parents to be mindful of their behavior and its impact on their children, emphasizing the role of parental guidance in shaping the moral character of the young [2].
Sources
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — ON THE PUBLIC SHOWS.[1] (part 6): infamy is delightful to see or to recognise; it is a pleasure, nay, even to learn it. People flock thither to the public disgrace of the brothel for the teaching of obscenity, that nothing less may be done in secret than what is learnt in public; and in the midst of the laws themselves is taught everything that the laws forbid. What does a faithful Christian do among these things, since he may not even think upon wickedness? Why does he find pleasure in the representations of lust, so as among them to lay aside”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. XI.--THE RULE OF VEILING NOT APPLICABLE TO CHILDREN. (part 2): woman already belonging to Christ's discipline! For she showed that marriage likewise, as fornication is, is transacted by gaze and mind; only that a Rebecca likewise some do still veil. With regard to the rest, however (that is, those who are not betrothed), let the procrastination of their parents, arising from straitened means or scrupulosity, look (to them); let the vow of continence itself look (to them). In no respect does (such procrastination) pertain to an”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XVI.(8)--OTHER CHARGES REPELLED BY THE SAME METHOD. THE STORY OF THE NOBLE ROMAN YOUTH AND HIS PARENTS, (part 1): I am now come to the hour for extinguishing the lamps, and for using the dogs, and practising the deeds of darkness. And on this point I am afraid I must succumb to you; for what similar accusation shall I have to bring against you? But you should at once commend the cleverness with which we make our incest look modest, in that we have devised a spurious night,(9) to avoid polluting the real light and darkness, and have even thought it right to dispens”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — I.--THE TESTAMENT OF REUBEN CONCERNING THOUGHTS (part 3): done the abominable deed. For while Jacob our father was absent with Isaac his father, when we were in Gader, near to Ephratha in Bethlehem, Bilhah was drunk, and lay asleep uncovered in her chamber; and when I went in and beheld her nakedness, I wrought that impiety, and leaving her sleeping I departed. And forthwith an angel of God revealed to my father Jacob concerning my impiety, and he came and mourned over me, and touched her no more.[2] 4. Pay no heed, there”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 18.--OF THE SHAME WHICH ATTENDS ALL: SEXUAL INTERCOURSE. Lust requires for its consummation darkness and secrecy; and this not only when un- 277 lawful intercourse is desired, but even such fornication as the earthly city has legalized. Where there is no fear of punishment, these permitted pleasures still shrink from the public eye. Even where provision is made for this lust, secrecy also is provided; and while lust found it easy to remove the prohibitions of law, shamelessness found it impossible to lay aside the veil of retirem”