Under the Banner of Heaven

from Aita - Wednesday, November 03, 2004
accessed 1171 times

Just wondering if anyone has read this book. Complete Title:

UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN - A Story of Violent Faith

By- Jon Krakauer

A friend of mine lent me this book after he heard about my past. It's a true story, or stories actually, about the Mormons. It specifically touches on the Fundamentalists, who still practice polygamy.

As I was reading it there was so much I could relate to. And I kept thinking that this would be the kind of book someone should write about The Family, about us.

The book tells various stories, all centered or related to the main story, which is the murder of a young woman and her baby girl in the name of God. It's a true story and it also goes into the Mormon's beginnings to help you understand the mindset of the men who committed the crime.

Anyway, if anyone has read it and would like to comment. If not I definitely recommend it for anyone who is interested in reading about the power a religion can have over a person, the charismatic leaders of various movements, etc. All stuff which we can relate too.

I'll end this with an excerpt from the book, regarding religious geniuses. According to a psychologist quoted in the book, most religious leaders suffer from "narcissistic personality disorder", distinguished by:

(Book quote)

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, indicated by five or more of the following:

1. An exaggerated sense of self-importance.

2. Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.

3. Believes that he or she is "special" and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special, high-status people.

4. Requires excessive admiration.

5. Has a sense of entitlement.

6. Selfishly takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends.

7. Lacks empathy.

8. Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.

9. Shows arrogant, haughty, patronizing, or contemptuous behaviors or attitudes.

Narcissists erupt with self-righteous indignation whenever they believe others are breaking the rules, acting unfairly, or getting more than their fair share of the pie. They have no compunction about breaking the rules themselves, however, because they “know” they're special and the rules don't apply to them.

When narcissists are confronted by people who disparage the legitimacy of their extravagant claims, they tend to react badly. They may plunge into depression - or become infuriated.

(End book quote)

Sound familiar anyone?