Spoils of the Kingdom : Clergy Misconduct and Religious Community [first edition]

In Spoils of the Kingdom, Anson Shupe investigates clergy misconduct as it has recently unfolded across five faith-based groups. Looking at episodes of abuse by leaders in the Roman Catholic, Mormon, African American Protestant, white Evangelical Protestant, and First Nations communities, Shupe tackles hard questions about the sexual abuse of women and children; about economic frauds perpetrated by church leaders (including embezzlement, misrepresented missions, and outright theft); as well as about cases of excessively authoritarian control of members' health, lifestyles, employment, and politics.Drawing on case evidence, Shupe employs classical and modern social exchange theories to explain the institutional dynamics of clergy misconduct. He argues that an implicit contract of reciprocity and compliance exists between congregants and religious leaders, which, when amplified by the charismatic awe often associated with religious authorities, can lead to misconduct.