Spiritual Blackmail

There is what one calls religious or spiritual blackmail. It falls more generally under religious abuse. A classic form of it is accusations to the effect that "You are unforgiving." If it comes from a trusted pastor or supportive friend, it is one thing. If it comes from someone with whom one is seeking to address a genuine problem, "You need to forgive" may be inappropriate, or represent blackmail of the spiritual or religious kind: drop your effforts to address this, or I'll shame you, accuse you, damage you, with claims of spiritual malady. OBSERVATION: Many Christians are cowed by religious or spiritual blackmail. It can work. Basically it is the appeal to guilt, fear, threat.