Riders for God: THE STORY OF A CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLE GANG [Paperback]

Rich Remsberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

"Riders for God" takes us into a world generally inaccessible to outsiders, one situated at the crossroads of two seemingly incongruous realms: motorcycle gangs and Spirit-filled Christianity. Founded by a former biker and located in southern Indiana, the Unchained Gang is a group of former outlaw bikers, ex-convicts, and recovering addicts who are now born-again Christians. Although they have given up drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and violence they have kept their motorcycles - which they consider to be anointed - and use them as tools in their witness of the word of God as they understand it. The Unchained Gang is an outreach ministry, going into prisons and jails, biker rallies, and other places where people on the fringe are often ignored by other churches and the rest of society. Combining powerful photographic images with gang members' first-person testimonies, Rich Remsberg shows the ironic juxtaposition of tattoos, leather vests, and the iconography of the biker world with the Christian practices of Bible study, speaking in tongues, and praying at an altar. He explores the lives of men and women who have redirected the extreme nature of their former ways. Through their own powerful stories, they explain how the addictions and uncontrollable violence that once shaped their lives have given way to dramatic worship and zealous ministry. An afterword by Colleen McDannell situates the Unchained Gang's interpretation of Christian living in the larger constellation of pentecostal, born-again, fundamentalist, and mainstream churches.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Remsberg's story revolves around his experiences with the Unchained Gang, a Christian motorcycle group that does its missionary work at Indiana prisons and jails, biker rallies, and other places where people on the fringe are often ignored by church and society. Because Remsberg is neither a motorcyclist nor a Christian, his interest is journalistic. His perceptive skills enable him to fit inconspicuously into the group, and the reader benefits by feeling like a part of this gangDa unique world of bikers and zealous religious belief. In this interesting and accessible portrayal, Remsberg scrutinizes both the inside workings of the gang (combining 62 photographic images with interviews of gang members) and the people it encounters. The stories of those struggling to make sense of their lives offer great opportunities for reflection. Recommended for libraries staying current on American religions and human-interest stories.DLeroy Hommerding, Fort Myers Beach P.L. Dist., FL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Remsberg's study of some midwesterners who inhabit both the world of biker gangs and the world of "Spirit-filled Christianity" is a grabber. For, unusually enough, when these chopper pilots dismount their hogs, they are, likely as not, headed for Bible reading or an effusive Pentecostal service. The men and women of the Unchained Gang are from the Bloomington, Indiana, area and attend the Elletsville House of Prayer to hear the sermons of Pastor Larry, one of many colorful informants in this group portrait. The gang came to the attention of documentary photographer Remsberg when members of it intervened in a tense situation involving Bloomington teens and police; they provided a communication conduit and defused things considerably. Remsberg tells the gang's story in pictures, and they tell it in the words of now one, then another particular member. Readers disoriented by the collision of pop cultural worlds that the book embraces will appreciate the understanding afterword by professor of religious studies Colleen McDonnell. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252069439
• ISBN-13: 978-0252069437
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,040,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christian biker book treats topic with respect, artistry..., November 1, 2000

By 

Keith Welch (bloomington, in United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Riders for God: The Story of a Christian Motorcycle Gang (Hardcover)

This book gives a new perspective on the inner lives of motorcycle gangs and bikers. Excellent photographs coupled with first-person interviews give the reader an in-depth view of bikers who have given up the violent life for a shot at spiritual redemption. Remsberg talks to all kinds of 'scary' people and shows us their humanity. A great read.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing read!, November 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Riders for God: The Story of a Christian Motorcycle Gang (Hardcover)

This finely crafted book offers a fascinating look at a world that is doubly obscure: the mind-set and lifestyle of outlaw bikers and the world of religious extremists. Remsberg's photos are mesmerizing. And his text, which reveals these unique bikers in their own words, is equally compelling. Anyone with curiosity about human nature will be engrossed from the first page on.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting, November 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Riders for God: THE STORY OF A CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLE GANG (Paperback)

This book takes an uncompromising view of people who simultaneously live at two extremes of society--the wildly liberal, almost anarchistic side, and the deeply religious. The photography is stunning in its ability to cut through what I would normally notice about a man or woman decked in leathers on a motorcycle--features such as hands (particularly hands,) faces, postures, etc. are brought to the surface by this talented documentary photographer. This is a book which will surprise and absorb anyone who pulls it off the shelf in your home.