Is this some form of an abuse from a religious parent?

Question

I am 23 male...i grew up in a strict catholic household where my parents esp my dad was almost like a fanatic about daily bible reading and prayer rituals......Now when I look back,I do remember a certain event which took place when I was just 8 years old....As usual,my dad asked me to join them for prayers...But this time,I refused and he got really angry..turned into this crazy out of control freak who beat the c**p out of me with a stick over and over....i still remember i cried the whole night and others-my mom and my elder brother were like its no big deal........I gradually turned into my shell,reclusive,shy and a socially awkward guy with zero confidence till my late teens... Now I am of course living away from them for good and have changed my personality using self-improvment books and other human potential courses....Life is going great and have more peace now.......

My question is - Would you consider what my father did to me - as some form of abuse - coz i think he had no right to do it to a kid who was too small and immature to even comprehend such "religious" matters...There were countless other times when he used to scold me for not showing any interest in prayers and church....I obviously was emotionally scarred for a long time and took a long time to recover....What do you make of this?

Answer 1

That was definitely abuse* You should tell dad he is an a*s hole*

Answer 2

I have had some of the same encounters and I am still living with my parents and over time I have changed into the opposite of what I am. So here is what I say. Is it abuse, yes it is very much so, but one ,and I mean no offense, there is no use holding grudges over what could have been and should have been remember most parents lived when beating was a don't ask because I won't tell you but who cares sorta thing. None the less there is no excuse for it and through your life you will grow and they will get what is coming and you will get what you deserve (in a good way) for what they did to you. Always remember life is what you make of it and it is too short to always have a chip on your shoulder.

Answer 3

yeah, thats physical abuse,

if he used a stick and hit you over and over again

Answer 4

wow, I'm sorry you had to live through that. if there was repetetive abuse, then I think It would be child abuse, although now I dont think you could press charges because it was  so far in the past. I am really sorry that your life was so effected by this. I am only 13 and wonder what my religious choices hold for my future. I hope you are leading a happy and healthy life now. good luck and hope my answer helped  

Answer 5

just leave it in the past, forgive and let live.