The North Carolina
Visitor Center
NC Books
Review:
Shackles of Faith
www.shacklesoffaith.com
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Shackles of Faith
Shackles of Faith is a fascinating new book by North Carolina author, Mark Hosler. One may wonder how an intelligent man, a licensed geologist, from a solidly Catholic and educated family, could be sucked into what he describes now as "a backwoods cult." The answer is the same for Mark Hosler as it has been for countless other victims of cults - he fell prey to a charismatic leader.
Shackles of Faith tells the story of how Mark, a deeply religious man, was lured into the cult by a childhood friend. On the heels of a recent divorce, Mark found himself deep in the woods of a rural North Carolina County, exposed to an environment he never imagined. The cult leader claimed that his teachings were the true understanding of the Christian Bible. However, the cult leaders teachings were so heretical, so opposed to traditional Christian doctrine, that even he claimed that his church was not Christian. Mark believed that had found a truer religion and a deeper faith than he had known. He fell deeply under the spell of a man whom he believed to be both a genius and a prophet.
Soon, Mark was married to a member of the cult. He had a son. He lived in walking distance to the cult leader's house. He worked for another member of the cult. The cult was part of every aspect of his life.
As time passed, Mark began to realize how the followers of the cult leader worshipped not God, but their "preacher." He saw how this preacher controlled and manipulated his congregation, making himself a very wealthy man. While still a believer in the man he now recognizes as a cult leader, Mark began to ask innocent questions about things that just didn't seem right - what he terms, "red flags". Mark was immediately called before the cult and "excommunicated" by its leader. In one fell swoop, Mark lost his church, his wife, his son, his community, his job and his friends.
Shackles of Faith is an important book. It is recommended reading for all who may wish to recognize the "red flags" and avoid finding themselves in a similar situation.
Shackles of Faith tells the story of how Mark, a deeply religious man, was lured into the cult by a childhood friend. On the heels of a recent divorce, Mark found himself deep in the woods of a rural North Carolina County, exposed to an environment he never imagined. The cult leader claimed that his teachings were the true understanding of the Christian Bible. However, the cult leaders teachings were so heretical, so opposed to traditional Christian doctrine, that even he claimed that his church was not Christian. Mark believed that had found a truer religion and a deeper faith than he had known. He fell deeply under the spell of a man whom he believed to be both a genius and a prophet.
Soon, Mark was married to a member of the cult. He had a son. He lived in walking distance to the cult leader's house. He worked for another member of the cult. The cult was part of every aspect of his life.
As time passed, Mark began to realize how the followers of the cult leader worshipped not God, but their "preacher." He saw how this preacher controlled and manipulated his congregation, making himself a very wealthy man. While still a believer in the man he now recognizes as a cult leader, Mark began to ask innocent questions about things that just didn't seem right - what he terms, "red flags". Mark was immediately called before the cult and "excommunicated" by its leader. In one fell swoop, Mark lost his church, his wife, his son, his community, his job and his friends.
Shackles of Faith is an important book. It is recommended reading for all who may wish to recognize the "red flags" and avoid finding themselves in a similar situation.
www.shacklesoffaith.com
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*****Editor's Note*****
The NC Visitor Center makes no judgment regarding the factual accuracy of any of the books reviewed or mentioned on www.ncvisitorcenter.com, nor does it have any knowledge of any of the characters and personalities represented there in. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all books are assumed to be works of fiction, which may include auto-biographical fiction. All books reviewed or mentioned are assumed to be the sole property of the stated author and publisher. The NC Visitor Center accepts no responsibility for the content of any book reviewed or mentioned on www.ncvisitorcenter.com
The NC Visitor Center makes no judgment regarding the factual accuracy of any of the books reviewed or mentioned on www.ncvisitorcenter.com, nor does it have any knowledge of any of the characters and personalities represented there in. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all books are assumed to be works of fiction, which may include auto-biographical fiction. All books reviewed or mentioned are assumed to be the sole property of the stated author and publisher. The NC Visitor Center accepts no responsibility for the content of any book reviewed or mentioned on www.ncvisitorcenter.com
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