'Tis the Season
Documentaries on fundamentalism, two quick reads, a crazy cake account, and more.
Hi there,
As the holidays approach, I’d like to share with you some things I’ve read and watched about fundamentalist religious groups over the years that have haunted me ever since. But they’ve also made me feel so thankful for my own life.
Watch
God Forbid: This new documentary on Hulu tells the sordid tale of the Falwells and their downfall after a sex scandal, as well as how evangelical politics have poisoned American democracy.
Keep Sweet: This Netflix documentary series came out this summer, and details the horrifying life story of Warren Jeffs and the Mormon fundamentalist sect he exercised total power over.
The Keepers: This Netflix documentary series is a few years old and is deeply disturbing. It’s about the murder of a nun in Maryland and the story of abuse happening in the Catholic Church there.
One of Us: This Netflix doc has also been around for several years, and follows the lives of three members of ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities who left after fleeing abuse.
The Newburgh Sting: Released in 2014, this documentary goes behind the scenes of the case of group of Muslim men accused of trying to attack a New York synagogue who were actually entrapped by the FBI. It was originally available on HBO but you may need to search around to find it.
Read
The Prophet of the Andes: I’m a little bit biased because I know the author through my time at CUNY, but I have to say that I really found this book fascinating. Did you know that a group of Peruvians went through a long spiritual awakening that eventually led them to convert to Judaism and move to Israel? Me neither. It’s a wild story.
I’m Glad My Mom Died: Yes, the title is shocking. But I assure you if you read the book you’ll understand why. This wildly popular, very well-written memoir follows the life of a Mormon child star who survived abuse and multiple mental illnesses. I finished it in less than a day.
Follow
Sideserf Cake Studio posts some absolutely incredible cakes that do not look at all like cakes. You will especially enjoy this if you watched “Is It Cake?”
Do
This holiday season, please consider giving a tax-deductible gift to a nonprofit news organization in your city or state, or one that reports on a topic that’s important to you. If you need ideas, let me know!
Until next time,
Rachel