Sunday, April 27, 2008

The Secret Lives of Saints


Child Brides and Lost Boys in Canada's Polygamous Mormon Sect, by Daphne Bramham.
Quickie Recap: You might be shocked to learn that B.C. is quickly becoming Canada's Utah - a safe haven for people who break the law in the name of religion. By the end of this book, you won't be able to say you didn't know about it; you won't be able to turn a blind eye.
Quickie Review: This book sells itself. It's so topical that all I had to do is carry it in my arms a couple of days at work and people were stopping me to discuss. This has clearly become a Canadian problem too, and we have a duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves. I was shocked to learn of the lax policies at border crossings; how is it that no one questions an unaccompanied child entering a country on foot? Why are law enforcement and even our judiciary system ignoring the problem? This book made me angry. It was great in raising all sorts of questions I hadn't really bothered to ask myself, but it fell a little short on answers. What can we do to make a difference? I guess that's up to us.
Quickie Recommendation: Yes, inform yourself for those who cannot.

6 comments:

Lorna said...

I saw this the other day at Collected Works---now I have to buy it.

I'm not sure how I feel about the right to choose a religion that diminishes you, but millions are doing it, and maybe this book, and the Quran, will help me to get my thoughts together

Jay said...

This book is all about how we have the freedom to practise religion, but that this right has LIMITS.

sinner said...

but who decides who makes those limits?

the border crossing thing is a long explanation about policy and liability but basically there is no law or regulation that prohibits, say a 14 year-old from crossing the border on his/her own or requires them to have any authorization. it's a judgement call by the officer and you know that dealing with juveniles can become quite complicated

Anonymous said...

Caught my interest. So now am gonna have to get the book and read it... See what you did... Especially now with the whole business with the compound in Utah...

Ruth said...

I ran across this book in Chapters yesterday, and now it's on my reading pile. Another good book on the subject is What Peace There May Be by Susanna Barlow. Her story of abuse and isolation, and the search for some kind of peace and understanding within the family is told from the perspective of being the middle child in a family with 46 kids. It's an amazing read that sheds more light on the polygamous lifestyle from a viewpoint we rarely get to hear.

anne... said...

have you read 'under the banner of heaven' by jon krakauer? also a good read about mormons... i especially loved the account of how the religion was developed. really good.