≡ Libro Gratis Beyond Belief The Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religions Cami Ostman Susan Tive 9781580054423 Books

Beyond Belief The Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religions Cami Ostman Susan Tive 9781580054423 Books

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Beyond Belief The Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religions Cami Ostman Susan Tive 9781580054423 Books

This is an important book of essays. The book contains essays from women in a variety of fundamentalist religious traditions and is divided into three parts--those entering the religion, those immersed in their faith, and those who leave or escape from the belief. The good thing for me about a book of essays is that I can read a few, set the book aside for awhile, and then come back to it. But with this book, I read each of the three sections in one sitting. And I admire all the women who contributed their stories, as well as the editors who compiled this important book.


Tags : Beyond Belief: The Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religions [Cami Ostman, Susan Tive] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <div><I>Beyond Belief</I> addresses what happens when women of extreme religions decide to walk away. Editors Susan Tive (a former Orthodox Jew) and Cami Ostman (a de-converted fundamentalist born-again Christian) have compiled a collection of powerful personal stories written by women of varying ages,Cami Ostman, Susan Tive,Beyond Belief: The Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religions,Seal Press,1580054420,Essays,Sexuality & Gender Studies,Patriarchy - Religious aspects,Patriarchy;Religious aspects.,Religion,Religion;Controversial literature.,Women and religion,Women and religion.,Biography & AutobiographyReligious,Controversial literature,Patriarchy,Philosophy of religion,RELIGION Essays,RELIGION Sexuality & Gender Studies,Religion - Socialissues,ReligionEssays,Religious,Religious aspects,SOCIAL SCIENCE Sociology of Religion

Beyond Belief The Secret Lives of Women in Extreme Religions Cami Ostman Susan Tive 9781580054423 Books Reviews

This well-written collection of narratives. Yet it is a difficult-to-digest volume because. It provides a glimpse into the beliefs, practices and processes that shape the lives of many--often in unfortunate ways. It's a thought provoking, but necessary, read for anyone interested in understanding how the complexities of faith and religion can impact a life.
I'm about halfway through the book, and losing steam. After reading the very positive review in the Washington Post, I expected more. Most of the pieces so far are snippets, without any real understanding of how the stories affected the authors' lives or their views of religion (positively or negatively). I'd prefer fewer stories with more depth in each one.
I liked this book, but expected more exciting stories - maybe the author's point was that the effects of religion are not always dramatic. I think it was well written and had a nice diversity of religious backgrounds represented. I was not expecting a book on how to deal with being a product of an extreme religion - it was not billed as that and if you are looking for a self-help book, this isn't it. It's still an interesting read of mini-memoirs.
Amazing stories of women in "extreme" religions. No matter your views or feelings on organized religion this offers new in sights on how women are perceived and treated within those organizations. There are mainstream, fundamentalist and alternative organizations covered. I do recommend you review the short biographies on each author in the back of the book as you read their stories. They give some additional information that provide more of the stories.
Based on authentic first-person accounts (which barely scratch the surface of religious abuse among extremist sects), one cannot help but scream out in rage, horror and injustice. Like Jesus Camp before it, this book details what can easily happen when religious beliefs are taken too far (Jesus Camp's Becky Fisher was unapologetic about turning young, helpless, impressionable children and teens into literal warriors for Christ).

The book is divided into three segments eight stories about entering extreme (in the eyes of these women) religions, nine on life within these religions and nine dealing with the journeys out and into secular worlds with true hope, freedom and purpose.

One example is the tragic tale of a young lesbian, who was confronted by her god-fearing parents shortly after she became of age. Resorting to emotional blackmail and genuine concern for her immortal soul (a fabricated concern over nothing that religions have exploited for millenia), she is forced into pastoral "counseling" and expected to pray the gay away (or failing that, to remain abstinent, miserable and married to a man she has no physical or emotional attraction to).

This timely tome carries an unequivocal message - it is all too easy to use religion to abuse children (without even resorting to genital mutilation). The fifth commandment is a prime tool for this - one-sided, dictatorial and cruel. "Spare the rod spare the child" also comes to mind.

The contributors who came forth through the sludge and swamps of psychological and physical trauma to make their stories known to the world deserve our unwavering admiration, gratitude and support. If there is anything that can end the institutional child abuse that is so pervasive throughout religions "meek and mild" and extremist, books like this can. People can be slaughtered on the altars of religion, but ideas and books will endure far longer.

If you know or suspect someone who is or has been abused in the name of religion, give them your support, contact the authorities if need be, and give them a copy of this book, to show them that there is still hope in the world.
I bought this book for a few reasons
1. it was the book I've always wanted to write but didn't know where to start
2. my friend Leah Lax has her essay included and I wanted to read her story
3. I'm a Jehovah's Witness who has left and returned. No one knows the impact of the word disfellowshipped unless he or she has experienced it. I thought no one could ever understand the kind of alienation I felt. This book reminded me others have navigated through two worlds, the secular and the religious. Like me, they've struggled with belonging to either one.

I haven't finished the book, but I have enjoyed what I've read so far and look forward to writing a full review on my blog www.inthepm.wordpress.com.
Ostman and Tive have produced a tremendously readable and vitally important book. For those of us who grew up in a fundamentalist church/community, the stories contained in Beyond Belief are all too recognizable. Despite the fact that these stories are told by women from a variety of fundamentalist (I wouldn't say "extreme," since most of these churches are pretty mainstream, a minor quibble) churches, I (a man, raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses) recognized the feeling of leading an inauthentic life, the deeply-held belief that any doubts or questions must spring from your own broken-ness or lack of faith, the (justified) fear of losing family and friends should you venture outside the gate... I found myself grinding my teeth and muttering angrily during each one of these stories. Harrowing and painful, sometimes funny, always written with the ring of truth and clarity of prose, these stories moved me deeply. Highly recommended.
This is an important book of essays. The book contains essays from women in a variety of fundamentalist religious traditions and is divided into three parts--those entering the religion, those immersed in their faith, and those who leave or escape from the belief. The good thing for me about a book of essays is that I can read a few, set the book aside for awhile, and then come back to it. But with this book, I read each of the three sections in one sitting. And I admire all the women who contributed their stories, as well as the editors who compiled this important book.