Amish Confidential: The Bishop's Son Shatters the Silence

by Chris Burkholder

SCANDAL ROCKS AMISH MURDER, SEXUAL DEPRAVITY. Forget the images of 19th century farmers, close-knit families, and hard-working craftsmen immune to the stresses of our modern times. The Amish find themselves facing ever-greater scrutiny as reports of polio outbreaks, child abuse, rape, incest, and bestiality grab the headlines. Once the symbol of better, simpler times, the closeted world of the Amish is now in the spotlight and at the center of growing controversies. Chris Burkholder, the son of an Amish bishop, has shattered the silence. At the cost of being excommunicated and ostracized by his own father, Chris reveals what it is like to grow up in a world where brainwashing, terrifying violence and sexual depravity are commonplace. In Amish The Bishop’s Son Shatters the Silence, Chris Burkholder shares his harrowing tale of abuse and reasons that compelled him to leave his family and faith in search of a new life among the ‘sinful and condemned world’ of the rest of us Americans.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

214 pages, Paperback

First published December 22, 2005

Reviews

[Abbie Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some parts were difficult to read when it came to the element of abuse towards children and animals. What courage it must have taken to turn away from your family and all you've ever known to start over with no more than pocket change and the clothes on your back. This personal account of a little Amish boy who grows into a man questioning his religion and commitment to the Amish community. I found this to be an inspiring story of faith and perseverance through a dark childhood in the not so simple Amish church.

[Daniel Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is not likeable. His descriptions of abuse he participated in, or made no attempt to intervene, are not apologetic or sincere in regret.
Still the widespread sexual abuse of animals and the way Amish communities deal with it was surprising.
Still I hope the author has a better life now and I wish him luck.

[Kbreach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insights. I would like to hear other voices ... additional experiences

[Melissa Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was worth the read! My Neverending curiosity kept me engaged. Some anecdotes were shocking to say the least. Curious if there will be a follow-up book.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disturbing book - relatively short but difficult to read due to the frequent, graphic descriptions of animal and child abuse - both physical and sexual. I would not have persisted in reading it, but for the regional interest. The author writes about places I know, about my area of Missouri. He actually had a book signing at my local grocery store - so I bought the book. Bought it also because of a life-long fascinations with the Amish, having grown up not far from a community in Pennsylvania. So I persisted and finished the book, but it took forever. It is not really about the Amish. Rather it attempts to be a Bildungsroman - one of those "author overcomes childhood adversity" books. But it is not even that - not much is learned. It more closely resembles a confessional autobiography, say that of St. Augustine's. Course the author did not convert to a new religion only to a new way of life but it must have been just as traumatic - he was reborn into a different culture, a different world - hence his powerful need to justify himself, to darken his previous life. So like Augustine he highlights his pre-conversion sins, glories in his previous depravity. This is difficult to read, because, unlike Augustine whose sins were the normal failings of roman adolescents, Burkholder's sins were true perversions. There is little edifying about his story. The reader's sympathy is not drawn towards the author, but rather to his father - a man struggling to maintain his faith, his community, his values - but doing so in harsh, stupid ways. Whatever value this book might have probably lies in its vivid description of the turmoil, emotional and psychological, of an "outsider" trapped inside a small close-knit, ingrown authoritarian community.

[Earlene Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was enlightening, but not earth-shattering information. Yes, they are very strict and appear to be very devout, and the activities described as occurring within the Amish community may be shocking to some, but the Amish are a sub-set of society at large, and in any sub-set, you will find unsavory, even atrocious behavior, and often among those whom you would least expect - religious leaders, teachers, those in other roles of leadership. On that basis, I found the book interesting, but I was not surprised nor shocked by some of the behavior - as in any society, bad things happen, but they cannot be attributed to the religion as the cause, nor do they necessarily represent that culture as a whole. I have heard similar stories from everyday, normal, or what they would call "English" families. But then again, as they believe, that is probably to be expected as we are all destined for hell.

One thing I will note - I appreciate the pain he must have gone through, and the effort it must have cost him to write and publish these memories, but an author loses all credibility with me when there are numerous, and obvious, grammatical, spelling and typographical errors throughout the book. Editor, anyone?

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like a bad car wreck. What I was reading was disturbing but I could hardly put the book down. I have heard some stories about the Amish community but to actually read the stories by someone who had experienced them was shocking. This is a community of people that are so insular that it's not surprising that some of the things that are shared in this book are happening. Be prepared to run the gamut of emotions as you read the life of Chris Burkholder.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insider's view on one of the most seclusive religious sects in America. I was not prepared for how humble, modest, generous and selfless the Amish could be; asking to serve extra prison time in place of others and instantly forgiving murders was heart wrenching. Of course the Amish remain actual human beings as well: petty, jealous, cheap and above all, funny!

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an eye opener!!Do not let kids read!!!

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an eye opener!!!! Let your kids read.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised on so many levels!