Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith
stevebetz.vox.com
Many detractors of Mormonism exist, some even came from within the church itself. Like other religious sects, Mormons will excommunicate those with too much Satan in them, fearing a bad relationship with a bad “individual” will cause the church itself to be excommunicated from God, with Whom the church, certain members of anyway, is in direct contact with.
The church – I write church with the hope of encompassing the many off-shoots that exist – banishes people, acts, and things. No coffee and donuts after service for them; strong drink is strictly prohibited. The Mormons – no doubt a curious people – don’t believe in body or mind altering substances. But how is this so? Doesn’t the intake of life itself, not to mention the specific tangibles within it, alter one’s world, for better or for worse?
The refugees, among them DeLoy Bateman, will not hesitate to use new-found reasoning as their raft out of the religion. Krakauer did extensive research, and conducted many interviews in collecting the contents of this, “Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith,” a book which captures Mormonism from inception onward.
Who am I to consider Mormons insane for claiming they have a personal relationship with God? I don’t like to consider them insane, however wrong I might consider them. They believe in free practice of religion, as do I. This book could be enjoyed by anyone who likes books about spiritual beliefs.
