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ramoore11 's review for:
Unfollow: A Journey from Hatred to Hope
by Megan Phelps-Roper
I first learned of Westboro in college, when someone I knew in the military was going to counter-protest/be a human shield between the Westboro protestors and a military member's family during a funeral. I've been curious about them since then, so when I learned of this book I knew I needed to read it.
The story is told semi-chronologically, and the first half to two thirds is definitely slow. However, Megan gives a very detailed description of what her life was like within the church, when she first started having doubts or second thoughts about the church and her family, and then finally making the decision to leave and what it was life after leaving.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone curious about Westboro. If you are interested in religion and why people may leave a congregation nor religion they grew up in, this may also be an enlightening read.
The last chapter is VERY applicable to the polarized state of the US right now (in 2021) even outside of the lens of religion or politics.
My favorite quote from the book comes from the final chapter: "In short, the principles underlying the freedom of speech recognize that all of us are susceptible to cognitive deficiencies and groupthink, and that an open marketplace of ideas is our best defense against them."
The story is told semi-chronologically, and the first half to two thirds is definitely slow. However, Megan gives a very detailed description of what her life was like within the church, when she first started having doubts or second thoughts about the church and her family, and then finally making the decision to leave and what it was life after leaving.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone curious about Westboro. If you are interested in religion and why people may leave a congregation nor religion they grew up in, this may also be an enlightening read.
The last chapter is VERY applicable to the polarized state of the US right now (in 2021) even outside of the lens of religion or politics.
My favorite quote from the book comes from the final chapter: "In short, the principles underlying the freedom of speech recognize that all of us are susceptible to cognitive deficiencies and groupthink, and that an open marketplace of ideas is our best defense against them."