Crazy for God

by Christopher Edwards

Genres: Cults

233 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Emily Costelow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't heard a lot of information surrounding the Moonies cult, and I was really interested in reading a book with a firsthand experience joining, living in, and finally leaving a cult. I had found this book at a book sale for $2, and am dedicating most of 2023 to learn more about cults.

The pace of the book was a little odd. It felt like the beginning drug on getting Chris indoctrinated into the cult, to eventually him living within the cult. Then all of a sudden, his father and a group of men are able to save him from the group (the actual chapter that details this is about 2 pages long and the writing style in this singular chapter really threw me off)

I did like hearing more about the first hand experience Chris had within the Moonies, however I would have liked more description from the others who had been saved from the cult, his rehabilitation, etc. The 2-weeks at points became very repetitive (although that could have been a way to point out how cults drag you in by setting repetitive schedules, tasks, etc)

Definitely give it a read. I think this style of writing isn't something I enjoy. It was a bit too fast-paced for what I typically like.

[MsChris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look inside the life of cult members in the Universalist Church (Moonies). I think one has to weigh in the author's biased of the accounts represented in the book. He is very much anti-cult and so many times he is telling about certain events or brainwashing but then keeps interjecting "but in my head I was questioning" when after his first week or two with the cult you can tell he is absolutely not questioning anything any longer. I think this is part of the downfall of this book that it's not a truly honest account because (I assume) he doesn't want to make himself look bad or weak. Some outside research will also need to be done by the reader because while certain teachings are hinted at or touched on they are not really explained. So without outside research it's hard to know exactly what he's talking about.

[Nik Maack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that details one man's experience with a cult. Fascinating & horrifying, I really enjoyed it. A great memoir of a dark time, well written and simply expressed.

[Elly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kandırılmanın, hem de bariz bir şekilde çok saçma olgulara inandırılmanın çok kolay olduğunu görmek ürkütücüydü.