Introduction
*originally published on www.NormanPatterson.com
We live in an age where lies, delusions, false accusations, and irrationality are more and more common. One that is becoming more common is what is called False Memory Syndrome. (FMS)
In the last several years, many people have exposed the sexual abuse of significant figures. Harvey Weinstein and Jeff Epstein come immediately to mind. The bravery of those who spoke out is commendable. Sexual abusers and preditors should be exposed and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The Bible affirms the prosecution and punishment of the guilty, as do all decent human beings, whether they are Bible-believing Christians or not.
However, in the wake of the exposure of ungodly sexual behavior has risen a phenomenon called False Memory Syndrome. This Syndrome occurs when people begin to "remember" sexual abuse, particularly by parents, that never happened.
What is False Memory Syndrome?
Dr. John F. Kihlstrom, professor of psychology at the University of California in San Francisco, has suggested the following definition:
A condition in which a person's identity and interpersonal relationships are centered around a memory of traumatic experience which is objectively false but in which the person strongly believes. Note that the syndrome is not characterized by false memories as such. We all have memories that are inaccurate. Rather, the syndrome may be diagnosed when the memory is so deeply ingrained that it orients the individual's entire personality and lifestyle, in turn disrupting all sorts of other adaptive behavior. The analogy to personality disorder is intentional. False Memory Syndrome is especially destructive because the person assiduously avoids confrontation with any evidence that might challenge the memory. Thus it takes on a life of its own, encapsulated and resistant to correction. The person may become so focused on memory that he or she may be effectively distracted from coping with the real problems in his or her life. (Kihlstrom, 1997)
The article goes on to say:
People caught in the grip of FMS believe that current adult problems all result from childhood trauma. They assume new identities as "sexual abuse survivors," and refuse to have contact with anyone who does not agree with this newly adopted history. Once kind and loving to their families, they now estrange themselves from them.
The False Memory Syndrome Foundation writes:
What are false memories? Because of the reconstructive nature of memory, some memories may be distorted through influences such as the incorporation of new information. There are also believed-in imaginings that are not based in historical reality; these have been called false memories, pseudo-memories and memory illusions. They can result from the influence of external factors, such as the opinion of an authority figure or information repeated in the culture. An individual with an internal desire to please, to get better or to conform can easily be affected by such influences.
Child abuse does happen and needs to be dealt with by the authorities, and the accused need to go through the established due process in our legal system. No one denies that. The problem, however, occurs over the accuracy of claims of recovered or "repressed" memories of abuse.
Enablers of FMS
The False Memory Syndrom Foundation published chapter 3 of Mark Pendergrast's excellent book on this topic called Victims of Memory: Sex Abuse, Accusations, and Shattered Lives. The chapter is titled How to Believe the Unbelievable.
Concerning false memories, Pendergrast wrote:
It doesn't take much -- just a small seed, planted in your fertile brain by a television program, a book, a friend, or a therapist. Maybe, just maybe, all of your problems stem from childhood incest. Maybe you've forgotten it. Maybe that's why you are uncomfortable at family reunions. Maybe. No, no, that's insane! Forget it, not Dad, not Mom! You try to dismiss the idea. But it won't go away. It takes root, sends out creepers, and grows. Soon the mental kudzu is twining out of your ears, sending roots down to your gut, taking over your life. It's true! Your worst fears were justified! Numerous types of "evidence" are used to provoke and "prove" the reality of repressed memories. These include hypnotic regression, sodium Amytal, dreams, visualizations, bodily pangs or marks, panic attacks, or just general unhappiness. I will review each of them in turn, but it is important to understand that debunking one method or symptom really isn't the point, because another can easily take its place. Once the seed is planted, once the idea takes hold, it doesn't matter what method is employed. The results are almost foreordained.
Well-meaning pastors, therapists, friends, and family can enable a person vulnerable to suggestions to recover memories that never happened. People trying to make sense of their present problems can be, and often are, susceptible to suggestions that the root of their problems must come from repressed memories. Once that door is open, those suffering from their mental and spiritual difficulties exacerbate them by believing that they are the victims of sexual abuse that never happened.
The fallout is unimaginable. Innocent parents are shocked to hear their grown children accuse them of atrocities that have no foundation in reality. Sadly, to maintain the delusion, entire families are accused of covering for the perpetrator(s). The reason for this is there is no evidence of the abuse.
There is often, however, plenty of evidence of actual sexual abuse when it happens. It is highly unlikely an entire family system would or could cover up child molestation. Once the pill is swallowed, those with False Memory Syndrome have to continually deny the open, honest, and truthful testimony of all persons allegedly involved.
Legal and Scientific Articles
The Foundation has excellent legal articles since people suffering from this Syndrome, at times, attempt to bring legal action.
It also has information on the science behind FMS. In fact, the entire site is filled with helpful resources to help both the victims of false memory syndrome and those who suffer from being accused of heinous acts that never happened.
More Light!
I encourage my readers to understand FMS better, especially if you know anyone who believes the unbelievable or has been falsely accused. I also encourage Christians to remain vigilant in prayer for anyone involved in this syndrome. The pain of those who suffer from any involvement is unimaginable. But we have faith that God can and will answer our prayers and bring more light!
1 John 1:5-7
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
