By Michael Gwarisa
Have you ever wondered why a grown man, well-respected in his community, perhaps even holding a doctorate, would roll in the mud and eat grass at the instruction of a self-proclaimed prophet who never finished school? The answer often lies in the psychological forces at play — mental health issues that empower charismatic yet narcissistic religious leaders while disempowering and psychologically entrapping their followers. These leaders often display traits of narcissism, delusion, or sociopathy, while their congregants, whether through trauma bonding, spiritual manipulation, or Stockholm Syndrome, end up surrendering reason in exchange for a perceived divine connection.
History is littered with such examples. In 1978, Jim Jones orchestrated the infamous Jonestown massacre, also known as the Guyana tragedy, convincing over 900 of his followers to drink poison in what he called a revolutionary act to enter heaven. More recently, in 2023, Paul Mackenzie, a Doomsday cult leader in Nairobi, Kenya, led more than 100 of his followers, including women and children, to their deaths through forced fasting and starvation. In Zimbabwe, disturbing scenes unfolded at Madzibaba Ishmael Chokuronga’s Lily Farm in Nyabira, where bodies of dead congregants, including respected academic Professor Muhwati, were discovered. And who could forget the early 2000s era of Madzibaba Nzira, whose spiritual authority silenced even the most educated followers?
In Zimbabwe, the trend persists in the guise of modern-day prophets — charismatic figures often referred to as “Papas,” who command unquestioning devotion from their followers despite glaring red flags. To dive deeper into the nexus between these preachers and their congregants, we invite you to sit back, relax, and follow through this article as we unpack the mental health dynamics that enable such disturbing religious control, where the pulpit becomes a stage for psychological warfare, and faith turns into submission.
To help us unpack the mental health link between religious leaders and their passive followers, mental health and counselling expert Mr. Camilious Machingura said there were mental health connotations linked to the behaviour of cult-like leaders and their followers.
Have you wondered why followers of some African Initiated Churches (AICs), or Mapostori, are so gullible to religious abuse, harmful practices, and retrogressive beliefs? How do they manage to disarm their educated followers of their knowledge and manipulate them? What magic or charms do they use? It all comes from mental health issues,” said Mr. Machingura.
One such mental health issue, he says, manifests heavily within religious circles — Grandiose Delusions and Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
“Most of these religious leaders have what we call Grandiose Delusions, and Narcissism . It is a symptom of an underlying mental health disorder. A significant number of religious leaders of AICs suffer from this mental disorder. People who experience these delusions are convinced of their own greatness and importance, and they will resist any attempts to persuade them that they are mistaken.”
This delusion, according to Mr. Machingura, involves believing in a special, and sometimes secret, connection or relationship with someone or something important. For example, a person with this delusion of grandeur may believe they are a spy or that they alone are responsible for relaying messages to the president, other world leaders, or God (Healthline, June 2017).
“Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) involves a pattern of self-centeredness, lack of empathy and consideration for other people, and an excessive need for praise and admiration. You need to note that these people with NPD are manipulative, patronizing, and demanding. They use fear, guilt, and emotional cohesion to control their followers and maintain power over them,” added Machingura.
Stockholm Syndrome, Jerusalem Syndrome, and Cult Followers
A number of religious leaders from both traditional apostolic sects and contemporary Pentecostal churches have been implicated in one or more criminal and immoral activities. Some have been accused of rape, others of corruption at the highest level, and others of murder. Despite the damning reports and, at times, unquestionable evidence in court, these figures still command a huge following. In fact, in Zimbabwe, if you want to start a fight with no end in sight, publicly ridicule or criticize a charismatic prophet or “Papa.” Their legion of followers will descend on you like a tonne of bricks. This is mainly because narcissists possess charismatic traits to charm, attract, and control followers.
“They are orators who use persuasive language, employing logical fallacies, rhetoric, and storytelling. Combined with grandiosity, they can control you. You hear the followers saying ‘Papa, Papa, Papa!’ when they see their leaders. In case you want to know why their followers easily fall for grandiose and narcissistic religious leaders — most of their followers are prone to the Stockholm and Jerusalem Syndromes,” said Mr. Machingura.
Stockholm Syndrome was first diagnosed in Sweden when the abused were found to have developed affection for their tormentors, defending and protecting them from prosecution — love induced by fear.
You’ve probably met someone who has been to Jerusalem and visited the place where Jesus was crucified or walked the path Jesus took during the triumphal entry. These people feel like they have achieved or entered heaven already. Well, psychologists have a term for such behaviour.
“It’s called the Jerusalem Syndrome. This involves hysterical behaviour in reaction to being overwhelmed by visiting a place of historical and religious significance. It was first discovered in Jerusalem. It can also happen when a person meets or interacts with a highly revered person — a religious leader who portrays himself as God or a demigod, a highly respected political leader, or a celebrity. Once someone has Stockholm Syndrome combined with Jerusalem Syndrome, they don’t see anything wrong,” he added.
People can develop hysterical behaviours to the point of near worship of their revered figure. They are willing to do anything to please their hero, blindly and irrationally following their perceived supernatural personality.
“When grandiose and narcissistic leaders have a huge following prone to Stockholm and Jerusalem Syndromes, it becomes a recipe for disaster for development and progressive mindset shifts. Religious-driven child marriages are largely a result of the above combination. Followers believe in every utterance from the revered narcissist leader because he made them believe he is closer to God — a Grandiose Delusion.”
Pronouncements and decrees made by the “Man of God,” “Prophet,” or “Messenger,” must be complied with by followers. The followers, who may have their own mental health predispositions, become easy and willing prey. Women congregants accept polygamy as a God-given, prophet-sanctioned decree. Young girls are manipulated using fear of a curse on one hand, and their desire to please and appease the revered spiritual leader on the other.
The level of emotional manipulation, mind control, and persuasion by a mentally unstable leader makes the fight against religious-driven child marriages a real and formidable task.
Malignant Narcissism in Religious Circles
Malignant narcissism can be a more destructive form of the personality disorder. In addition to the typical signs of narcissism, a malignant narcissist might be aggressive, paranoid, or sadistic, taking joy in other people’s pain. They tend to display antisocial behaviour, disregarding the rights or safety of others. The aforementioned Jim Jones, Paul Mackenzie of the Doomsday cult in Nairobi, and our very own Madzibaba Ishmael are striking examples of malignant narcissism gone wrong in religious circles.
There is nothing wrong with worshiping God and going to church, however. As you worship the Almighty, leave room for normal reasoning and stay open-minded in order to detect these mental health traits early — before it’s too late. We also encourage anyone experiencing mental health challenges to seek professional help.
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