| Breaking Their Will: Shedding Light on Religious Child Maltreatment Contributor(s): Heimlich, Janet (Author) |
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ISBN: 161614405X ISBN-13: 9781616144050 Publisher: Prometheus Books OUR PRICE: $19.00 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: June 2011 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Family & Relationships | Abuse - Child Abuse - Religion | Christian Living - Social Issues - Religion | Religious Intolerance, Persecution & Conflict |
| Dewey: 201.762 |
| LCCN: 2011004989 |
| Physical Information: 1.11" H x 6.1" W x 8.97" (0.96 lbs) 398 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This revealing, disturbing, and thoroughly researched book exposes a dark side of faith that most Americans do not know exists or have ignored for a long time-religious child maltreatment. After speaking with dozens of victims, perpetrators, and experts, and reviewing a myriad of court cases and studies, the author explains how religious child maltreatment happens. She then takes an in-depth look at the many forms of child maltreatment found in religious contexts, including biblically-prescribed corporal punishment and beliefs about the necessity of "breaking the wills" of children; scaring kids into faith and other types of emotional maltreatment such as spurning, isolating, and withholding love; pedophilic abuse by religious authorities and the failure of religious organizations to support the victims and punish the perpetrators; and religiously-motivated medical neglect in cases of serious health problems. In a concluding chapter, Heimlich raises questions about children's rights and proposes changes in societal attitudes and improved legislation to protect children from harm. While fully acknowledging that religion can be a source of great comfort, strength, and inspiration to many young people, Heimlich makes a compelling case that, regardless of one's religious or secular orientation, maltreatment of children under the cloak of religion can never be justified and should not be tolerated. |