Under the Banner of Heaven
by Jon Krakauer | Nonfiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 1400078997 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 1400078997 Global Overview for this book
Registered by silverstarry of Berkeley, California USA on 9/1/2020
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
1 journaler for this copy...
Although I learned a little about the founding of the Mormon religion by Joseph Smith in one of my history classes, I never studied Mormonism in depth. Krakauer was very detailed about the origin of this religion, as well as its growth and the current splinter groups. He is explicit in describing the differences between the Latter Day Saints and the numerous fundamentalist groups that wish to follow the church's original teachings (principles such as white supremacy and polygamy as a requirement for going to heaven).
While I tend to have a "live and let live" attitude about most things, it sickened me to read about girls as young as twelve being forced to marry their stepfathers. The fact that this practice still occurs today is ridiculous. Girls who try to refuse are told that they will face eternal damnation. Some of the girls' stories reminded me of the recent Marcus Wesson trial.
As a tax payer (although not in Utah or Arizona), it bothered me to learn that the men have their "plural wives" go to the welfare office to get government assistance to pay for their scores of children:
"Thirty three percent of [Colorado City]'s residents receive food stamps - compared to the state average of 4.7 percent. Currently the residents of Colroado City receive eight dollars in government services for every dollar they pay in taxes; by comparison, residents in the rest of Mohave County, Arizona, receive just over a dollar in services per tax dollar paid....Fundamentalists call defrauding the government 'bleeding the beast' and regard it as a virtuous act."
Fundamentalists communities such as Colorado City function as cults where the leader serves as dictator, in this case forbidding its members to watch television, read newspapers, or have any contact outside of their "religion." Members are told that "film clips showing Apollo astronauts on the lunar surface are part of an elaborate hoax foisted on the world by the American government." The leader determines the rules. After a child was killed by a Rottweiller, Colorado City's leader sent young men to collect all dogs within the city limits and shot them all.
As thorough as the author was, the one thing I wish he had followed up on was Allen, the husband of Barbara and father of Erica. I would like to hear what he thinks of his two brothers murdering his wife and daughter, as well as whether he is still involved with the fundamentalist sect.
Beyond the extensive history and the bloody assault, this book poses interesting questions about faith and fanaticism.
On a shallow note, I must admit that I kept humming the South Park "dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb" song every time I saw the cover of this book on my table!
While I tend to have a "live and let live" attitude about most things, it sickened me to read about girls as young as twelve being forced to marry their stepfathers. The fact that this practice still occurs today is ridiculous. Girls who try to refuse are told that they will face eternal damnation. Some of the girls' stories reminded me of the recent Marcus Wesson trial.
As a tax payer (although not in Utah or Arizona), it bothered me to learn that the men have their "plural wives" go to the welfare office to get government assistance to pay for their scores of children:
"Thirty three percent of [Colorado City]'s residents receive food stamps - compared to the state average of 4.7 percent. Currently the residents of Colroado City receive eight dollars in government services for every dollar they pay in taxes; by comparison, residents in the rest of Mohave County, Arizona, receive just over a dollar in services per tax dollar paid....Fundamentalists call defrauding the government 'bleeding the beast' and regard it as a virtuous act."
Fundamentalists communities such as Colorado City function as cults where the leader serves as dictator, in this case forbidding its members to watch television, read newspapers, or have any contact outside of their "religion." Members are told that "film clips showing Apollo astronauts on the lunar surface are part of an elaborate hoax foisted on the world by the American government." The leader determines the rules. After a child was killed by a Rottweiller, Colorado City's leader sent young men to collect all dogs within the city limits and shot them all.
As thorough as the author was, the one thing I wish he had followed up on was Allen, the husband of Barbara and father of Erica. I would like to hear what he thinks of his two brothers murdering his wife and daughter, as well as whether he is still involved with the fundamentalist sect.
Beyond the extensive history and the bloody assault, this book poses interesting questions about faith and fanaticism.
On a shallow note, I must admit that I kept humming the South Park "dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb" song every time I saw the cover of this book on my table!
Journal Entry 2 by silverstarry at Little Free Library at 411 A Street in Petaluma, California USA on Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Released 3 yrs ago (9/1/2020 UTC) at Little Free Library at 411 A Street in Petaluma, California USA
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