eCult: A Sister's Memoir [Paperback]

Betty Chavez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2001

In October 1998, the Concerned Christians mysteriously left Denver, Colorado in the middle of the night. Believing that America was Babylon and that Denver would soon be destroyed, the alleged "doomsday cult" left their comfortable lives, their loved ones, jobs, and homes, to meet the unreasonable demands of the cult leader.For a brief period of time, the highly publicized cult opened its invisible prison gates and permitted a few cult members to communicate with the secular world using email. Tormented by their absence, Betty J. R. Chavez struggled to convince her sister, Jan and Jan's millionaire husband John to return home and resume their rich life. Their email correspondence contained threats, accusations, persecutions, and finally a challenge. Betty acknowledged the aforementioned and accepted the challenge to analyze how Jan and John were tricked into joining the cult.She had to reach them before it was too late.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Betty J. R. Chavez is the youngest daughter in a family of six children. A Colorado native and an advocate of family values, Betty has two sons and a grandson, and resides with her husband in Arvada, Colorado. Her hobbies are biking, reading, snow skiing, and fishing with her husband. She is a nationally recognized career professional in the areas of management and nondestructive testing and is an accomplished technical writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (April 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595170390
• ISBN-13: 978-0595170395
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,738,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Family Values and the Destruction of Cults, December 23, 2001

By 

Dr. Kimberly Blain (Golden, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: eCult: A Sister's Memoir (Paperback)

A masterful analysis of the destructive effects cults have on the family structure. It shows how cults sucessfully are able to provide a false sense of love, compasssion and security. The struggle of her family to conquer this evil is an inspriation to us all and the ultimate proclaimation of a sister's love.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that shows the destruction a cult has on a family., July 21, 2001

By 

Mark Roggeman (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: eCult: A Sister's Memoir (Paperback)

There are many cults that we hear and read about but rarely has a book been written that shows the pain caused in the families left behind. Anyone who reads this book will be able to relate especially if something like this was to occur in their own family. I know that if someone has had to deal with a situation like this in their family, this book will touch them in a personal way. I knew of the leader of the Concerned Christians in the mid eighties, when he was speaking out against cults and deception in the New Age movement. I heard him speak on these subjects at several churches in the Denver area. Kim Miller attended meetings on several ocassions that were held to discuss new groups that were a reason for concern. Myself and others involved in counter cult work began to receive calls in 1996 from families around the U.S. who troubled by extreme changes in their loved ones involved in the Concerned Christians. In response to these inquiries three of us were able to meet with Kim Miller to confront him about why he was turning family members against there families. He was very arrogant and began to speak for God through his voice. We were told by God through Kim that everyone must take up their cross and follow him, cutting ties with your family was part of this. He also were told that if we continued to come against Kim and not bow down to him we would be destroyed. I have been talking with many of the families who have loved ones who are in this cult. There have been deaths of grandparents, parents, sisters, and brothers that most of the members have no knowledge of. I know from personal experience of dealing with many who have come out of a cult, these situations cause intense pain and is hard for them to deal with. I am recomending this book to all who have family members in the Concerned Christians and other cults. Also to all those involved in trying to expose these destructive groups, so they will always be sensitive when dealing with the families.

I know this book had to be extremley diffucult for the author to write but it shows her unconditional love for her sister. Also that she will welcome her with open arms when she returns home. I am praying that her sister will be freed from the hold of this false prophet and return to Jesus Christ and her family.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully written, May 29, 2001

By 

Shirley Redman (Everton, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: eCult: A Sister's Memoir (Paperback)

This book brought me to tears, it made me smile, brought warmth to my heart, as well as sadden thoughts.So many things i didn't know and yet so many wonderful memories i did know of. Joining this family when i was 16 this book is not only a history for my 3 daughters but also a hopefull plea that " Aunt" Jan will one day know how much she is missed and loved.Lovingly dedicated to my ex mother-law and true mentor in life as well as friend..