Sex Cult Nun: Growing Up in and Breaking Away from the Secretive Religious Family That Changed My Life

Sex Cult Nun: Growing Up in and Breaking Away from the Secretive Religious Family That Changed My Life

  • Downloads:1701
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-12-02 02:19:16
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Faith Jones
  • ISBN:B08XQQLYC3
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Educated meets The Vow in this story of liberation and self-empowerment—an inspiring and crazier-than-fiction memoir of growing up in and breaking free from the Children of God, an oppressive, extremist religious cult。

Faith Jones was raised to be part an elite army preparing for the End Times。 Growing up on an isolated farm in Macau, she prayed for hours every day and read letters of prophecy written by her grandfather, the founder of the Children of God。 Tens of thousands of members strong, the cult followers looked to Faith’s grandfather as their guiding light。 As such, Faith was celebrated as special and then punished doubly to remind her that she was not。

Over decades, the Children of God grew into an international organization that became notorious for its alarming sex practices and allegations of abuse and exploitation。 But with indomitable grit, Faith survived, creating a world of her own—pilfering books and teaching herself high school curriculum。 Finally, at age twenty-three, thirsting for knowledge and freedom, she broke away, leaving behind everything she knew to forge her own path in America。

A complicated family story mixed with a hauntingly intimate coming-of-age narrative, Faith Jones’ extraordinary memoir reflects our societal norms of oppression and abuse while providing a unique lens to explore spiritual manipulation and our rights in our bodies。 Honest, eye-opening, uplifting, and intensely affecting, Sex Cult Nun brings to life a hidden world that’s hypnotically alien yet unexpectedly relatable。 

Download

Reviews

Melissa

I’ve always found religion fascinating, including extreme forms like cults。 I particularly love memoirs from those who have left。At times, this book read as though it was being narrated by a bystander as opposed to the person who lived it。 At first, I was a bit put off by the style, but sometimes that’s how we have to tell those stories, the ones that are hard to get through。This book is filled with sexual assault, violence, child abuse, rape and molestation。 There were many moments that it was I’ve always found religion fascinating, including extreme forms like cults。 I particularly love memoirs from those who have left。At times, this book read as though it was being narrated by a bystander as opposed to the person who lived it。 At first, I was a bit put off by the style, but sometimes that’s how we have to tell those stories, the ones that are hard to get through。This book is filled with sexual assault, violence, child abuse, rape and molestation。 There were many moments that it was hard to stomach and a large part of the book was disturbing, but I really appreciated the insight Jones had。 This one has been compared to Educated and I can definitely see that, but it will likely be a lot more triggering for many。 。。。more

Mary

Ooof。 Hard to read at times, a given, considering the subject。 Truly astounding how Faith was able to start over so many times and achieve really great things in her life。 Probably could have benefited a bit from more in the narrative about how she ever worked out her relationship with her parents and forgave them。 Use of present tense does add a great sense of urgency。

Ash Tree

4。5 Review coming…

Geff Ratcheson

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily。Wow。 I am at a loss on how to review this book。 There are really 3 parts: 1。 The description of how the author was treated by this very evil cult as a child。 This section is very hard to read, both due to the general evil, & the author's emotionless tone & descriptions which makes the child abuse (both sexual & otherwise) & manipulation of non cult members sound acceptable。 I THINK her tone was to demonstrate ho I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily。Wow。 I am at a loss on how to review this book。 There are really 3 parts: 1。 The description of how the author was treated by this very evil cult as a child。 This section is very hard to read, both due to the general evil, & the author's emotionless tone & descriptions which makes the child abuse (both sexual & otherwise) & manipulation of non cult members sound acceptable。 I THINK her tone was to demonstrate how she was feeling as child & in some ways shows the evil more clearly as a result。 Her tone changes changes significantly as the book progresses。2。 Where the author starts to get a clue that something isn't quite right in Jesus paradise。。3。 Where the author amazingly turns into a successful lawyer & figures out more of her personal growth issues than I've ever dreamed of (& I've been involved in the human potential movement for almost 50 years!)。The book was also hard for me as I am somewhat spiritual but I despise ALL organized religion。 As the author realizes at the end of the book her former cult & Christianity in general was created by humans, not God; & it's often there so the powerful remain powerful。 I also feel very strongly in a similar manner about corporations, Most politicians, fascists, & the far right。The book did reminded me of a brief period in my mid 20's where I was involved as the guitar player for a band of a local Seattle cult called the "Love Family" I never interacted with most of the cult, just the musicians, but even that was numbing (I did this because I was a professional musician who had taken a couple years off & I needed a pretty low quality band to accept my low quality playing so I could get my chops back。 I also was a heavy drinker at that time)。 I got my guitar chops back in 3 months or so & I left。I don't know if "The Love Family" was related to her group, "The Family" There were several things I did see in common (taking biblical names, polygamous marriages with it always being 1 male & multiple females), but if there was child abuse I was totally unaware of it。 Women were generally very subservient, though; similar to what the author dealt with。 Again, I have no detailed knowledge, & other than drinking to much, I really did nothing wrong。 I am very curious if the 2 groups were related as they seem to have a lot in common。This book brought back those memories。 I hadn't though of that experience in decades。Rating this in stars is difficult for me。 The first 1/3 - 1/2 was extremely hard to read; than it became more interesting。 I am glad that most of the worst perpetrators are dead。 There is a significant amount of disturbing (R rated) sexual content, and not just with children。 I think the content was necessary for the author to tell her story。I kind of said this earlier, but I liked that in the end, the author realized that there is a good chance much of the bible isn't accurate。 I personally have stronger negative feelings than that; but with her background, that was a huge step。 。。。more

Virginia

Fantastic Strangelings Book Club (bonus reads): https://thebloggess。com/2021/11/10/he。。。 Fantastic Strangelings Book Club (bonus reads): https://thebloggess。com/2021/11/10/he。。。 。。。more

Jane

Trigger warning: sexual abuse, pedophilia, rapeFaith Jones, whose grandfather founded and led the Children of God cult, gives a harrowing account of her upbringing as a member of the cult。 The book is very disturbing in so many ways。 There are graphic descriptions of abuse, including sexual abuse of children。 It was pretty terrifying to read about and I found it hard to get through some of the more disturbing portions of the book because the subject matter was so unsettling。 Faith delves deep in Trigger warning: sexual abuse, pedophilia, rapeFaith Jones, whose grandfather founded and led the Children of God cult, gives a harrowing account of her upbringing as a member of the cult。 The book is very disturbing in so many ways。 There are graphic descriptions of abuse, including sexual abuse of children。 It was pretty terrifying to read about and I found it hard to get through some of the more disturbing portions of the book because the subject matter was so unsettling。 Faith delves deep into the beliefs of the cult, how members were manipulated, abused, and controlled, and how that abusive behavior continued throughout generations of members。 I didn't feel the graphic depictions were there for shock value, but rather to shed light on how deeply harmful and traumatic these experiences had been for so many。 Still, some of it I wish I had only skimmed through instead of reading word for word, just because of the subject matter。 It actually made me feel physically ill many times。 The thought that people genuinely bought into the idea that rape is a way of sharing love, and that saying no isn't okay, was really difficult for me。 I was glad to see Faith navigate her way into society outside of the cult where she could assess her life, set and achieve goals, and work on coming to terms with the way she was raised。 There were many times in the book where I thought "She's almost free!" So when she finally was able to get herself out, it was wonderful to watch her growth。 I found myself really inspired by her strength and bravery。 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Ashley

Fascinating, dark, disturbing and redeemed。 This book was difficult to read as far as the traumatic experiences that were had。

Jame (Enthuse_Reader)

Wow!!! I remember hearing and reading it on the news when I was really young, and how disturbing the “cults” in manipulating and destroying ones lives。 Thank you #GoodreadsGiveaway #FaithJones and #WilliamMorrowBooks for this #memoir #SexCultNun in exchange for my honest review。 This book is so compelling and captivating that I finished this book in one day! It offers more than what we read and heard about the founder David Berg and his followers, and I questioned why one would willingly do thin Wow!!! I remember hearing and reading it on the news when I was really young, and how disturbing the “cults” in manipulating and destroying ones lives。 Thank you #GoodreadsGiveaway #FaithJones and #WilliamMorrowBooks for this #memoir #SexCultNun in exchange for my honest review。 This book is so compelling and captivating that I finished this book in one day! It offers more than what we read and heard about the founder David Berg and his followers, and I questioned why one would willingly do things for him。 Faith Jones gave a resounding voices and bravery to escape the tormenting situation to write about the experiences and behind the scenes! Wow!!! A must read and I give this book a 5⭐️。 My only criticism is the usage of the word “nun”。 。。。more

Mary Nee

Not an easy book to read! An alarming memoir!

Catherine Welsh

I never received the book! Lets blame it on the USPS。 Sorry。

Jenny (Reading Envy)

This is the second book I've read by someone who grew up in Children of God aka The Family, forced into questionable practices because of decisions their parents made。 Faith Jones' grandfather is actually the founder, Mo, of this one。CW for sexual abuse, religious brainwashing, psychological harm, etc。For such a vibrant title, the book is a bit dry。 Most of it is just sad, knowing how many years Faith and her family suppressed their own desires to try to follow all the crazy rules。 If you've nev This is the second book I've read by someone who grew up in Children of God aka The Family, forced into questionable practices because of decisions their parents made。 Faith Jones' grandfather is actually the founder, Mo, of this one。CW for sexual abuse, religious brainwashing, psychological harm, etc。For such a vibrant title, the book is a bit dry。 Most of it is just sad, knowing how many years Faith and her family suppressed their own desires to try to follow all the crazy rules。 If you've never had an inside view, there's nothing like a child who suffered through it for a chilling perspective。 Another interesting component is a childhood lived almost entirely outside the United States。Her journey into law follows an interesting logic and I'm glad she found a way to learn past how The Family wanted to limit her。 。。。more

Rennie

Incredible book and such an incredible person。 This isn’t always easy reading, sometimes it’s so brutal I was cringing, but she writes so brilliantly and eloquently about her experiences and how they shaped and then reshaped her that it’s well worth it。 It’s beautifully written too。And no, she’s not a literal nun, but yes, the word nun does appear in the book - quite early on, actually - and she clearly explains (and shows, in my opinion) why that applies to her time and experience in the Family Incredible book and such an incredible person。 This isn’t always easy reading, sometimes it’s so brutal I was cringing, but she writes so brilliantly and eloquently about her experiences and how they shaped and then reshaped her that it’s well worth it。 It’s beautifully written too。And no, she’s not a literal nun, but yes, the word nun does appear in the book - quite early on, actually - and she clearly explains (and shows, in my opinion) why that applies to her time and experience in the Family, considering how she was expected to live and what she had to sacrifice under which terms, while at the same time, being in a sex cult。 I found it a pretty apt title and label for such a shocking juxtaposition, actually。 You just have to consider more of the common parlance of how “nun” is used - for example it’s used quite often to describe certain life phases or conditions, like when someone isn’t dating or having sex, etc。, and as shorthand for ideas around deprivation and sacrifice。 And of course her experience is even more than that - she even says something at one point about feeling as if she was married in some way to her belief system, I think it was, and the way it was phrased was reminiscent of the nuns as brides of Christ bit。 So as long as you’re not wildly offended at the use of the word nun in the title and the publisher deviously using it because surely it’ll make this book fly off the shelves since anything nun-related makes for the hottest bestsellers (🙄) there’s so much to appreciate here。 I’m sure it’ll draw inevitable comparisons to Educated although I didn’t particularly like that one and I really loved this。 It’s the best breakdown I’ve read of how the Children of God operated too。 Insanity all around。 It makes her accomplishments all the more impressive。 。。。more

Helen Thompson

I received this book in a give away。 I had the hardest time getting past the first 100 pages。 Then everything fell into place and I could not put it down。Jones skillfully provides the mental framework to understand her past as an indoctrinated individual in hopes of helping others “stand up for themselves。” This remarkable account of self-liberation is not to be missed

Michelle

What an alarming memoir! This book is about a young lady breaking free from the Children of God-(a cult notorious for sexual abuse)。 She was raised to pray for hours on end and had to suffer abuse from the cult members。 Her family was deeply involved in the cult-her grandfather was considered to be prophet。 So when she was on the receiving end of the abuse the members were really harsh。 Though I was wincing and felt so angry over some of the abuse in this book I could not stop reading! This is a What an alarming memoir! This book is about a young lady breaking free from the Children of God-(a cult notorious for sexual abuse)。 She was raised to pray for hours on end and had to suffer abuse from the cult members。 Her family was deeply involved in the cult-her grandfather was considered to be prophet。 So when she was on the receiving end of the abuse the members were really harsh。 Though I was wincing and felt so angry over some of the abuse in this book I could not stop reading! This is a shocking story, the author doesn’t hide any of the cult’s horrible actions or beliefs。 You can tell she was writing from her soul。 The whole time I was reading I could feel my want for her to break away growing。 So if you want to read a story that gives you the truth about what went on in the cult this book is it。 If you want to read about a young lady with huge determination to make her life her own this is the book。 I really applaud Faith Jones, she is a remarkable person。 To live through the abuse and decide to break away took so much courage and strength。 I highly recommend Sext Cult Nun! I received an uncorrected proof edition of Sex Cult Nun in a gracious giveaway on Goodreads by William Morrow。 I based my review on my opinion alone after reading Sex Cult Nun。 。。。more

Daniel

This book is intense。 Like many other readers have probably noticed, it can get graphic, and uncomfortably so。 I enjoyed the pure honesty this book and the author have to offer on such a frightening and personal subject。 Very well written, if almost too descriptive at some points。 I'm sure writing this book was therapeutic, but I assure you that reading it will not be。 This book is intense。 Like many other readers have probably noticed, it can get graphic, and uncomfortably so。 I enjoyed the pure honesty this book and the author have to offer on such a frightening and personal subject。 Very well written, if almost too descriptive at some points。 I'm sure writing this book was therapeutic, but I assure you that reading it will not be。 。。。more

Kris Dickinson

This was very disturbing, horrifying and riveting at the same time。 Very well written。 I felt horrible for this woman and the way she was raised。 Noone should ever have to deal with, or even know about, some of the things she was subjected to。 I was happy to read at the end that she is on her own, away from the Family, and doing well!

Barred Owl Books

A memoir that must be read and talked about so that we can prevent this from happening and help others who might be in need of escape。

Shelby

This book started off interesting, but I was unable to finish it due to the graphic nature of some disturbing topics。

Jenny Lawson

A fascinating but disturbing memoir about the life of a woman raised in the Children of God cult。 Not always easy to read but very compelling。

Sarah

This book was a punch in their gut and a slap in the face。 Faith Jones is is one of the strongest people I’ve ever seen。 As uncomfortable as this memoir could get, and it got EXTREMELY uncomfortable, I think everyone should read it。 These horrendous things don’t stop happening just because we don’t talk about them。

Robin

Please note: The descriptions of sexual abuse of children, teens, and adults are explicit and may not be for everyone。 Also horrifying is the parental neglect that occurred。 My fascination with the Children of God cult (later known as The Family International) started in the late 1970s when a co-worker quit and visited a year later saying she joined the Children of God group and was just glowing, saying how much she loved it。 I have always wondered how caught up she got in this totally immersive Please note: The descriptions of sexual abuse of children, teens, and adults are explicit and may not be for everyone。 Also horrifying is the parental neglect that occurred。 My fascination with the Children of God cult (later known as The Family International) started in the late 1970s when a co-worker quit and visited a year later saying she joined the Children of God group and was just glowing, saying how much she loved it。 I have always wondered how caught up she got in this totally immersive cult。 So even though I had read other books about this group, I was eager to read Faith Jones' account since she was the granddaughter of the founder David Berg and would have inside knowledge of the practices。Faith starts with a short history of her family's involvement with evangelistic religion that started in the early 1900s and continued to the late 1960s when her grandfather (David Berg) started his own version of preaching and subsequently gathered followers into his "family。" After that, Faith starts with the story of her family fleeing the city of Macau, settling in a remote beach area where Faith and her family lived under the rules of the Children of God leader, which included hours of learning scripture and practicing devotionals, witnessing (proselytizing to whoever would listen), and chores。 Also practiced by the women was "flirty fishing," which was enticing "System" men into having sex for money, provisions, or to join the group eventually。 More horrifying were the sex practices involving children and teens as sanctioned by David Berg。 Faith eventually cuts ties with the group (but not without suffering through various sexual traumas) and works towards becoming a successful lawyer。My only issue is that the word "nun" in the title is a misnomer and I'm unsure why it was included since the term was never mentioned in the book unless it is to describe the "nun-like" devotion to God and Christ。The publisher's comparison to Educated is apt and it is also similar to Ruth Wariner's The Sound of Gravel。 However, neither of these authors went through the extensive sexual abuse Faith Jones suffered。Thanks to the publisher, HarperCollins, for the advance reading copy。 This is due to be published in November 2021。 。。。more

Erin Sapp

This book was something else。 I love stories of fundamentalism and cults, but this one was a bit too much to handle at times。 I received it as a Goodreads giveaway, and I am glad I did because I would have never picked this myself。 It has great insight into the Children of God cult, and the author's personal growth and things learned is absolutely amazing and somewhat relevant to what is going on today with Christian Nationalism。 Reader beware: There are graphic descriptions of sex acts with min This book was something else。 I love stories of fundamentalism and cults, but this one was a bit too much to handle at times。 I received it as a Goodreads giveaway, and I am glad I did because I would have never picked this myself。 It has great insight into the Children of God cult, and the author's personal growth and things learned is absolutely amazing and somewhat relevant to what is going on today with Christian Nationalism。 Reader beware: There are graphic descriptions of sex acts with minors。 This is not for everyone。 。。。more

Ellen

While I can understand the author’s need to tell her story and the publisher’s need to share it, the title is absurdly misleading。 In not even the most generous definition of NUN is the word fitting here。 Nuns take vows, usually as adults or older teens, of chastity and prayer, in both eastern and western religious traditions。 Faith Jones was born into a Christian cult that glorified the rape of children。 The word “nun” does not once appear in the book, to the best of my recollection, as it shou While I can understand the author’s need to tell her story and the publisher’s need to share it, the title is absurdly misleading。 In not even the most generous definition of NUN is the word fitting here。 Nuns take vows, usually as adults or older teens, of chastity and prayer, in both eastern and western religious traditions。 Faith Jones was born into a Christian cult that glorified the rape of children。 The word “nun” does not once appear in the book, to the best of my recollection, as it shouldn’t。 It’s not in any way descriptive of the author’s experience。 So why include it in the title? I’ve always had a fascination with nuns, I admit, even as a Jewish child and now as a Soto Zen Buddhist。 The publishers are acting irresponsibly and with intentional greed with this misnomer。 They know the title will sell books despite the deception。 They are trying to appeal to readers of EDUCATED, I understand that, but they are sinking low to accomplish that goal。 I’ll be curious to hear if the author discusses this during her publicity rounds。 。。。more

Transgender Bookworm

Disclosure : I received an ARC through the #goodreadsgiveaway program courtesy of William Morrow Books 。 My review is my honest opinion 。 I am wary to critique a persons life story especially one as traumatic as Ms。 Jones 。 So I won’t be giving any critique to the substance of the story 。 How could you criticize a persons life story。 Faith Jones spent the first 22 years of her life trapped within the fundamentalist cult Children of God AKA The Family 。 The Family , a Pseudo-Christian end times m Disclosure : I received an ARC through the #goodreadsgiveaway program courtesy of William Morrow Books 。 My review is my honest opinion 。 I am wary to critique a persons life story especially one as traumatic as Ms。 Jones 。 So I won’t be giving any critique to the substance of the story 。 How could you criticize a persons life story。 Faith Jones spent the first 22 years of her life trapped within the fundamentalist cult Children of God AKA The Family 。 The Family , a Pseudo-Christian end times missionary cult , was founded by Faith’s grandfather who claimed to be a prophet with a direct connection to God 。 He interpreted the Bible and his prophecies through outlandish visions which he then transcribed through the so called Mo Letters。 In these letters the self appointed prophet made all kinds of proclamations including that god told him that sexual love is holy and should be shared among all cult members regardless of marital status or age。 This led to widespread sexual abuse of children and the coercive rape of countless women。 In addition to this outright heinous practice , for some time female Family members practiced “flirty fishing “ having sex with prospective male cult members in attempt to get them to join the cause 。 Faith was born into “The Family” which at its peak had over 10,000 members all over the world 。 In this book Faith chronicles her life growing up in east Asia under the thumb of The Family and her slow gradual disenchantment with the beliefs she was raised to never question。 This is a story of unspeakable sexual violence and the resilience of a woman who dared to ask questions。 My only critique is that the book should come with a clear warning that it discusses sexual violence especially that against children 。 I was familiar with The Family so I knew what to expect but for an uninformed reader the graphic nature of her stories could trigger a survivor of sexual abuse。 。。。more

Shawna

Wow-hard read to get through at times because of what happens to these poor children but so glad Faith Jones told her story。

Beth

Faith Jones was raised in the Children of God/The Family Cult, run by David Berg。 In fact, Faith is Berg's biological granddaughter。 Berg required the female cult members to prostitute themselves to bring new members into the cult, and institutionalized child sexual abuse。 Faith was raised in homes all around the world, sometimes living with her biological family members, and sometimes not。 Her journey from abused child to successful lawyer is compelling, horrifying, and ultimately triumphant。 Faith Jones was raised in the Children of God/The Family Cult, run by David Berg。 In fact, Faith is Berg's biological granddaughter。 Berg required the female cult members to prostitute themselves to bring new members into the cult, and institutionalized child sexual abuse。 Faith was raised in homes all around the world, sometimes living with her biological family members, and sometimes not。 Her journey from abused child to successful lawyer is compelling, horrifying, and ultimately triumphant。 。。。more

Melinda

Because of course。

Gracie

this was seriously disturbing。 the writing was great and faith jones really draws you in! but I couldn't read past page 50ish because it was so graphic and terrifying。 this was seriously disturbing。 the writing was great and faith jones really draws you in! but I couldn't read past page 50ish because it was so graphic and terrifying。 。。。more

Stacy

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review。 Trigger warning: child rape, adolescent rape, teen rape and adult rape。Not an easy book to read nor to review。 There had to be ten times where I almost put the book aside。 Faith Jones is the granddaughter of the founder and leader of The Children of God cult with tens of thousands missionaries spreading (their version of) the word of God's Love。 Unfortunately, the Children of God's definition of Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review。 Trigger warning: child rape, adolescent rape, teen rape and adult rape。Not an easy book to read nor to review。 There had to be ten times where I almost put the book aside。 Faith Jones is the granddaughter of the founder and leader of The Children of God cult with tens of thousands missionaries spreading (their version of) the word of God's Love。 Unfortunately, the Children of God's definition of sharing love includes pimping out the women to entice donations and membership; encouraging sexual intercourse with young children (with older adults and amongst the kids themselves); wives sleeping with other men so the men felt loved; telling the girls/women that it isn't nice to not share their bodies even if they don't wont to; etc。 I have always been drawn to cult books。 I cannot fathom how tens of thousands of people joined The Children of God when its pamphlets and books explicitly discussed and encouraged child sexual abuse。 I haven’t googled much about the cult but I hope that many of them have gone to jail。 This is so upsetting。All that being said, Faith Jones did a wonderful job detailing her life, her relationship with her parents and siblings, her relationship with God, and her insatiable desire to learn despite the cult saying a sixth grade education is sufficient。 。。。more