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Reviews tagging 'Hate crime'
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer
11 reviews
lily1304's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.25
I definitely learned a lot about the history of Mormonism - although I'm curious how a Mormon would tell the story differently, since Krakauer's version is unflattering to say the least. There's some true crime drama.
I was really interested in a section about the insanity defense for one of the murderers - Krakauer reflects on what separates a completely normal religious belief from a pathological delusion - in particular, the belief that one can talk to God. Here and in Into the Wild, I really admire Krakauer's ability to explore a true story as a parable about the peculiarities of American culture.
There were definitely slow sections that I skipped though, and Krakauer is so harsh on the wackiness of Mormon beliefs and history that I found myself feeling defensive and I'm not even Mormon. The LDS Church as a global institution has PLENTY of issues, but I assume that most Mormons don't really believe that the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are literally true and binding, just like most Christians don't see the Bible that way. I think the reality that most Mormons are pretty normal people is not a factor in this book.
I was really interested in a section about the insanity defense for one of the murderers - Krakauer reflects on what separates a completely normal religious belief from a pathological delusion - in particular, the belief that one can talk to God. Here and in Into the Wild, I really admire Krakauer's ability to explore a true story as a parable about the peculiarities of American culture.
There were definitely slow sections that I skipped though, and Krakauer is so harsh on the wackiness of Mormon beliefs and history that I found myself feeling defensive and I'm not even Mormon. The LDS Church as a global institution has PLENTY of issues, but I assume that most Mormons don't really believe that the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants are literally true and binding, just like most Christians don't see the Bible that way. I think the reality that most Mormons are pretty normal people is not a factor in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Hate crime, Gun violence, Incest, Xenophobia, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Rape, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, and Misogyny
If I were Mormon I imagine I would take serious issue with Krakauer's characterization of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young
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