Under the Banner of Heaven
Book Description
Jon Krakauer ventures into the complex terrain of religious extremism in this penetrating examination of faith pushed to its most dangerous boundaries. When two fundamentalist Mormon brothers commit a shocking double murder, claiming divine revelation as their justification, Krakauer uses this horrific crime as a gateway into understanding the shadowy world of religious fanaticism that exists within America's borders.
This investigation takes readers deep into isolated communities across the American West, Canada, and Mexico, where approximately forty thousand Mormon Fundamentalists practice beliefs that mainstream Mormonism abandoned long ago. These communities operate under the absolute authority of prophets who claim direct communication with God, practicing polygamy and maintaining complete control over their followers' lives while preparing for an apocalyptic cleansing of the world.
Krakauer weaves together the story of the Lafferty brothers with a broader exploration of how religious conviction can transform into dangerous zealotry. He examines the historical roots of Mormon fundamentalism and reveals how charismatic leaders exploit faith to justify actions that defy both civil law and moral boundaries. The narrative exposes the psychological mechanisms through which ordinary believers can be led to commit extraordinary acts of violence in God's name.
Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, this work offers crucial insights into the nature of religious belief itself, challenging readers to consider how faith communities can either nurture spiritual growth or enable destructive extremism.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)
📄 Length: 372 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religious fundamentalism
- ✓ Explore Mormonen
- ✓ Explore Mormon church, doctrines
- ✓ Explore Fondamentalisme
- ✓ Explore Religious fanaticism
- ✓ Explore General
- ✓ Explore Mormons
- ✓ Explore Religion
