Spiritual Perversion [Paperback]

Steve Sanchez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2005

Spiritual Perversion brings the reader right into the experience of cult membership. Steve Sanchez provides insight to why he was vulnerable to a cult through raw and honest emotions. The methods of mind control are tracked in detail. Sanchez describes how he recovers psychologically, financially, and spiritually, as well as how he rescues his daughter from the cult who brainwashed her against him.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

On a journey to find spiritual enlightenment, Steve Sanchez discovered a newspaper ad offering a free psychic reading. In his quest to find answers, he unknowingly began a 15-year struggle with himself, his family, and his "church" that would leave his life emotionally shattered. Spiritual Perversion chronicles Sanchez' struggle with a California cult and delves into the strange and traumatizing world of a cult.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Turnkey Press (February 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975480332
• ISBN-13: 978-0975480335
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,788,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, heartfelt account of cult experience, June 29, 2005

By 

S. Hindman (Berkeley, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiritual Perversion (Paperback)

Steve Sanchez has written a powerful, very personal story of his fifteen year journey as part of a San Francisco Bay Area cult. His book is absolutely fascinating, as well as vivid in its portrayal of the underside of cult life. Sanchez writes of the painful abuse and chaos he experienced and the challenges of attempting to leave, especially related to his daughter and wife. This book is a MUST READ for anyone who has ever survived a cult experience, or who finds themself exploring a potential cult. It has much to say about unhealthy leaders and groups and the kinds of things people endure in dysfunctional group settings--including growing up in abusive families. Sanchez writes with a deep and enduring spirituality. The book is in this way a wonderful story of resurrection and rebirth. It's both moving and very inspiring! I couldn't put it down.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As crazy as it sounds, it's all true., June 19, 2008

By 

Michael Kawahara (SF Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiritual Perversion (Paperback)

I was a member of the group named in Spiritual Perversion. I know Steve. I saw what he went through. I saw much of what he described. What is written in Spiritual Perversion is true.

I was involved with this group when the Spiritual Perversion was published. The group leadership read aloud to us a few of the more personal and revealing passages of Steve's book in attempt to discredit him. Of course, we all did several psychic techniques to block and otherwise disrupt his success. To do otherwise would have shown disloyalty to the group. I participated in those activities and I am sorry I did.

Attending that group had me in fear much of the time I was there and left me in fear for much of the time I had after I left it. Then I got this book. Reading Spiritual Perversion scared me all over again.

You don't need to be an ex-cult member to be truly engaged by this book. If you know of a member in a similar group or are considering joining one, this is a must read. Psychologists who treat ex-cult members should as well. You won't find a more honest account of what happens inside a destructive cult and the psychological and physical effects on the members.

This book is so real, I got sick reading it. Sick of what happened and sick of how I, like Steve, not only stayed willingly but could not speak about the abuse.

But, I would never get sick OF reading it.

1.0 out of 5 stars Not what I thought, March 5, 2011

By 

Don - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Spiritual Perversion (Paperback)

This book seems to be accurate and a good detailed account of life within a cult. It is however quite graphic and uses some very coarse language. If you are offended at coarse language and graphic descriptions I would not recommend this book.