blest atheist

by elizabeth mahlou

As a young child, outraged by the hypocrisy she finds in a church that does nothing to alleviate the physical and sexual abuse she experiences on a regular basis, Beth delivers an accusatory youth... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 193345511X
• ISBN13: 9781933455112
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Msi Press
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

May help some find their faith, even as it criticizes those churches that turn a blind eye to the po

Even when the source of faith is at its most corrupt, faith itself is something to believe in. "Blest Atheist" is the spiritual memoir of author Elizabeth Mahlou. When she was young, her church was nothing but a place of torment for her, but in spite of this, she grew up to be a highly successful individual. She never stopped believing, and found her faith in a way that pulls it from a corrupt church . . . "Blest Atheist" is something that may help some find their faith, even as it criticizes those churches that turn a blind eye to the poor conduct of their clergy.

Elizabeth has discovered, with God all things are possible

Elizabeth Mahlou grew up in an abusive home. She tells of her mother stabbing her brother with a knife in the buttocks, and her father throwing a pitchfork and stabbing him with it. Taking an airplane ride had a whole new meaning in this family. The abuse was physical, emotional, and sexual. "The wounds were in the heart and mind and covered parts of the body." Like most bullies, their mother blamed them for the pain she inflicted. Did Mahlou's mother have PMDD? Possibly, however, medicine was not available at that time. Elizabeth knew that she had a problem with rage. She took it out in different ways. She did not beat her children. She believes that rage can be inherited. Perhaps it can, or perhaps it is a learned trait. I can hardly blame her for the sermon the young Elizabeth unleashed on the congregation of her church. She must have seen them as evil to sit by and allow the abuse to continue. She saw them as hypocrites. Mahlou turned her back on God, because she thought he had turned his back on her. Mahlou continues to share bits and pieces of her adult life, including her stint in the army. She speaks of her handicapped children. Mahlou fought for equality for her children. Time after time, things happened that many would call coincidences. Eventually, Elizabeth Mahlou came to know them as blessings from God. One of the most astute statements in this book is "There is a clear difference between an easy life and a good life." Elizabeth's life has not been, easy but her adult years have been good. Blest Atheist is an unusual book. Elizabeth Mahlou has led an unusual life. It is easy to see how intelligent she is. 2/3 or more of this book is spent discussing her childhood. I hope that putting all of that terrible time on paper gives her closure. Many would never be able to forgive such abuse. As Elizabeth has discovered, with God all things are possible. I wish her well and all of God's blessings.

Flawed protagonist, honest struggles

DISCLAIMER: I received this book as an early review copy. Elizabeth Mahlou's autobiography and tale of coming to believe in God has a lot going for it. Her candid descriptions of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of relatives gripped this reader in a flood of sympathy and horror. Mahlou's great reserve of optimism and compassion as child and adult seems initially boastful. But in light of her life of childhood trauma, physically and mentally challenged children of her own, her commendable hunt for intellectual success, and a cycle of poverty that she constantly fights to escape, readers will find themselves rooting for Mahlou more than most any other autobiographical subject in English letters. The story of her hurts and triumphs, unlike those of writers reeling from the obscene horrors of the Holocaust, horrific genocidal wars, or horrendous serial killing drama, is scary in its possibility. Parents who don't know how not to hit their kids? Medical and educational leaders who blindly try to force or refuse treatment to her children? These are realities for many, and her strength will be succor to those fighting against establishment figures. But Mahlou's chief reason for writing this very personal tale is not to offer succor, but to tell the story of how an atheist came to believe in God. As a very intelligent, very compassionate nonbeliever-turned-Christian, Mahlou is a captivating example of religion's pull even for those who aren't writhing in self-pity, aren't blind to all but childish reasons for religious belief, and aren't obediently following their parents' and parents' parents belief systems. This is a tale of belief hard-fought-against, wisely considered, and spiritually experienced.