Heaven's Harlots: My Fifteen Years as a Sacred Prostitute in the Children of God Cult

by Miriam Williams

Book Overview

An explosive first-person account by a young woman who spent fifteen years in a sex cult called the Children of God, which encouraged "sacred prostitution" and taught that "The Lord is our... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688155049
• ISBN13: 9780688155049
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 297 Pages
• Weight: 1.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Can't put this book down

This book was a wonderful retelling of a tragic true story. Couldn't put this book down.

Heaven's Harlots

Well, this isn't your usual book about religion. Miriam was a young lady just out of high school and planning to attend college and then she decides to join a religious cult called "The Children of God" and later "The Family". To learn more about this cult, do a Google search where you can find much more about this group. Miriam's book is interesting in that it illustrates that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely and just because it's done in the name of GOD doesn't mean that it's not corrosive to your spirit. Many younger readers may not realize the "free sex" of the 60's or the hippie and drug scene that existed at that time and the drug scene and therefore not understand how a cult could establish itself and find willing members, especially pretty young female members who would be willing to share their bodies with other members and even to go out ffishing for new members and raising money for the cult through sexual activity. Perhaps some readers will recall the cults such as the Hari Krishna's who's members hung out at American Parks and air ports and begged for money. The members of the Children of God went out into the public selling the writing of their Leader, "MO", and each member had quota's that they had to meet or they were penalized in one way or another. In addition, the cult developed and encouraged some of the talents of their members by using them to perform musical events in Paris and also in Southern France. Appearently, Miriam was quite a singer and dancer and as an attractive and young woman, her value to the cult was all the more so she could attract the attention of "high value" men such as Salim who she writes about as one of her customers. The cult would not allow their women members to use birth control and as a consequence, Miriam had five children. Some of the cult members contracted STD's due to the restriction on protection. A husband was chosen for Miriam against her own will as they were for other members and she never felt love for this man all though he dearly loved her. Later, he decides to marry another woman and Miriam shares her husband with another "wife" who eventually steals her husbands complete attention. Eventually, Miriam decides to leave the cult after they begin to promote sexual relations between adult members and children. She returns to the U.S. to live with her mom and returns to academia and earns her B.A., Masters and eventually her PHD. She is a professor at Kennesaw University just North of Atlanta and I wish her well. It is wonderful that this lady was able to discover her right path and turn her life around and away from the false message of the cult that had attracted her during her youth. It is becoming more and more clear that women have been treated as second class citizens by many major religions, not just cults, even blaming "Eve" for the original sin. Along the same vein, I suggest the following book as well: A Thousand Splendid suns by Khaled H

Wonderful!

I loved this book.I was touched by it deeply.It was fascinating to see the inner workings of the cult back in the 1970's.I found the spiral of Miriams surrender to and escape from the cult to be riveting.

An enlightening and painful account

There is a lot to like about this book: It delves sensitively into the author's life as a cult member, brain washed follower, struggling parent and wife, and seeker of truth, meaning and belonging in a world appearing to be more hostile than welcoming (alcoholic, sexually abusive home in the midst of the 60s societal confusion). Furthermore, she takes responsibility for her choices, and portrays herself as a willing participant rather than a mere victim. As far as the less documented facets of this popular cult go, she cites sources for her claims from its demented leader's own writings. She is less of a first-hand witness to some of the more horrifying accounts of sexual child abuse, but she always makes clear her degree of knowledge and first-hand experience.I like the fact that she recounts events without reviling the participants needlessly. The story clearly speaks for itself. I for one, found it horrifying and revolting to the point of having to put the book down for awhile before finally completing it.It is regrettable that she mixes her cult experience with references to a legitimate (albeit conservative) Christian religious upbringing, claiming that this would in fact have allowed her to drift into cult extremism. Also, she is rather ungrateful to some of the Christian friends who helped her reestablish herself and her family after leaving the cult ("fundamentalist purgatory"--give me a break!). Along the same lines, she seems to have embraced a fairly self-centered spiritual vision since, composed of social science, pop spirituality and a self-absorbed, soul-worshipping "inner light". It is truly harrowing to witness yet one more example of the depths at which cults harm a person spiritually, robbing them of all hope for a legitimate experience of God, Truth and healing Christian community. The author seems to be continuing to be a spiritually seeking (albeit deeply hurt) person--attributes a loving and caring God never fails to honor. Having recovered so much, I for one am rooting for a full spiritual recovery for Ms. Williams. Thank you for sharing your story and so much of yourself!

Very accurate and truthful

This is a very good book. I am one to testify, as during my childhood I was also a member of the Children Of God/The Family cult. I left when I was 20. Miriam goes to great lengths when testifying about her years as a prostitute in the cult. She very accurately describes the abuse and suffering that cult members suffered while in the cult. However, she doesn't go into great detail when it comes to the mental, physical and sexual abuse that we as children suffered.(After all, it's her story, not mine.) I hope that all who read this book will become aware to what cult members are forced to endure at the hand of their gurus and cult leaders. Anyway, enjoy this book, I did.

An important book

There has been written many books about Children of God/The Family but this is certainly the best I have read. It is nuanced, and gives a very convincing picture of the life in this group. It is free from the stereotypes in much anti-cult literature - the author describes humans caught up in a bizarre and abusive cult but she doesn't demonize them, not even the leaders. The book is valuable for anyone interested to learn about abusive cults, but even to those that want to learn about preserving human dignity in an abusive environment. It can highly be recommended.