Sex Cult Nun

Breaking Away from the Children of God, a Wild, Radical Religious Cult

By: Faith Jones

Narrated by: Jaime Lamchick

Educated meets The Vow in this story of liberation and self-empowerment - an inspiring and stranger-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 of a religious 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 23, 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.

©2021 Faith Jones (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Loved this book!

I couldn’t wait to exercise so I could listen to this audio book. It is amazing how she was able to overcome the brainwashing and abuse in her upbringing and yet excel. Hers is a truly inspiring story.

Eye-opening, heart-wrenching

First of all, my heart goes out to all good-hearted people deceived by this cult and others around the world, constructed by selfish, narcissistic, sometimes mentally ill men (and I'm sure women too) with self-esteem so low they have to invent a religion in order to feel loved and powerful and in control. I know I'll upset people by saying that I just described the basis of most if not all religions on the planet, but if you step back and look at them with an unbiased eye, you'll find it's true. I'm sure you will say it's true of all religions except your own, that's typical of human nature. Time to take that step back and reevaluate, just like Faith Jones finally did.

Second, as horrifying as the subject matter is, this book is very well-written (despite the author's own admission that in college she could barely lay out an essay!), nicely laid out, easy to follow, blatantly eye-opening, and absolutely heartbreaking. As much as I enjoyed it, several times I had to cease and desist because it just made me so angry! I know these Christian cults are just the work of evil people twisting an otherwise good, moral, peaceful guide for life, but it often made me angry at all religious people in general. Especially the Christians in my own country these days, because I see so many of them heading in the same direction as the cult described in this book. Many have lost their way. They don't follow the same values instilled in me, someone who went to church 3 or sometimes 4 days a week growing up. Theirs isn't the Christ I was brought up to inspire to be like. The hatred of anyone different. The control based on their own moral code. The tossing out of logic and common-sense reasoning like the proverbial baby with the bath water. It should make anyone as sick as it does me. But based on the polarizing, violence-inspiring, flat-out outlandish social media posts I see daily, it would seem I'm in the minority. I finally finished this book, and I'm glad I did, but it was often a very emotional experience.

Finally, regarding the audiobook version, I love the upbeat narration. It completely fits with Faith's outlook throughout the first 20 years of her life, where most of this book takes place. She loved the family and believed in their mission. It was a wonderful world and all that she knew. Of course she would be happy about it. Wll, until she got in trouble, but then she just blamed herself for disappointing the family and God. She was still upbeat about her environment and her world. Like most of us are in our own worlds.

I do hope Faith Jones continues to reconcile with her past and find peace. None of this was her fault; she was deceived as a little child by parents who meant well but were misled. I'm so glad she got out, but I know there are so many young people just like her who are still being brainwashed and abused right this minute. Children and teens and even adults who have learned so much fear they don't dare even think of escape. Because God can see inside their hearts and will surely rat them out to supposedly pious people with a direct line of communication to Him. People who can severely punish them in this life. It's so disgusting it makes me want to scream.

Shocked things like this occur in our world

Heard Faith’s interview on NPR and couldn’t wait to read this book. It did not disappoint!

Wow!

I couldn't stop listening to this. The things some people put themselves and their family through is ridiculous. Praying for all that has gone through this and are still going through this.

Incredibly powerful!

I didn’t want to stop listening! My commute to work became too short while listening to this powerful book! Ms. Jones is a wonderful writer, and, while it is difficult to listen to some of what she has been through in her life, it should be required reading for everyone! Thank you, Faith Jones, for being so brave!

I DIDNT WANT THE BOOK TO END!!

Wow what a great story, towards the end I wanted to cry because I compared what she went through to what she accomplished!!
ahhh I just got goosebumps

This is my story too.

For years I’ve dreamt of writing a book based on my experience is in this very second. I even have parts of it started, but I found it really hard for me to find a time to be able to focus and pull on the street that I felt I needed to write it. I am so glad that you did this Faith!! to everyone that reads this book I can attest personally that every word is true. It is so unbelievably identical to my story that it had me laughing, crying, and going through so many different emotions that it’s hard to put into words. There are some big differences between my story and this one, however. Namely that I left the family with five small children at the age of 27 in a small town completely on my own. I forced myself to go and get an education, and I cannot tell you how important that was. Education truly is power and liberty. Cheers to us survivors!

So interesting.

I came across this book recently, and it sounded like a really interesting story, and one that might be more impactful listening to the audiobook version. Such a wild story, and a reminder of the realness and dangerousness of cults. Hearing Faith’s stories of everything that she endured while part of the Children of God, and frankly hearing about everything that they put people through because they believe that it’s “God’s way” is sickening, maddening, and disheartening. Yet another reminder of the evil that exists within the world.

Good book, but the title doesn’t fit the story

This cult is so extreme. Their practices are so damaging to children. The author deserves accolades for navigating her way to a better life.
Not sure the title encapsulates the story at all.

Wow

I was listening to it and thinking OMG the whole time. It is crazy to me to think that it took her so long to realize how bad things were. Awful and empowering story. A great listen.