Derrick Koehn when I left a cult like situation years ago an honest questioning of who I was in every relationship from who am I in relationship to my mother? to who am I in relationship to the universe? to who am I in relationship to this group Ive revered so thoroughly, was the most liberating meditation I could find. By seeing the multiple identities I began to fee the solid one underneath and for the first time in my life I had the room to myself. For the first time I felt the responsibility I have to myself to be honest with myself about what I believe and why. It was the first time I felt my own kindness and respect for life indubitably. It brings tears of joy to this day reflecting on that time. Not to mitigate the loneliness and pain of separation. Grief is our friend. Best wishes to you on your journey. I hope it brings you the openness and peace it has brought me.
Hardcore history has a podcast episode called Prophets of Doom about how extreme some of the early mennonites were. Might be a useful reference. The Meeting House might be worth taking a look at if you're looking for a (hopefully?) healthier version of it.
i guess im randomly asking but does anybody know of a method to log back into an instagram account?? I somehow forgot the account password. I appreciate any help you can give me.
She is very generous in her description of her parents...they should be in jail in my opinion...this book is amazing...they were abusive and allowed the brother to terrorize women...without accountability...I don't call this love or that they cared...they were sick and are mentally ill...great read...and amazing that she survived!
It’s amazing that a woman who had been deprived of a basic education for the first 17 years of her life could go on to get a PhD from one of the world’s most prestigious universities and become a author. Truly inspiring.
She didn't get a formal education but she learned many other things that formal education does not. A well developed sense of body and presence physically. An exquisite appreciation for nature and natural healing. Yes she managed to rise above the failures but she also in a way appreciated what she did gain from her home and family. Often you can love family but have the need to protect yourselves from their stifling ideals. Loved the book Tara
Is that an inspiration on her part or instead a failing of the educational system? Thinking about it, what's most of the requirements for someone considered to be "educated" aside from recitation of what you're told and the basics of mathematics? I'd assume that when your educational process begins with college, it's fairly easier to retain the knowledge of what you learn than it is if you were schooled from early childhood and have a mind full of information that's completely irrelevant to what you're earning your degree on, y'know? Not discrediting her intellect and her efforts, though. She's definitely intelligent and definitely deserves her credit.
@@etherwxlf good point, although you might put me out of my job as a primary school teacher. I think all experiences count, and an eager minded person will want to learn.
Reading the first sentence in this book: "This book is not about Mormonism." The book is a beautifully written memoir about growing up in a family with extreme views, and finding self discovery or getting "educated" (Dr. Westover's words), despite the many challenges in her life. It takes a brave person to do what she did in her life and then write about it. I admire her!
I’m not certain she’s not better off being self taught. And With “Hey Google“' ready to help you find anything you can think of life-long learning is now the reality. I see no reason to be a faux snob about her education. #JustSayin
In the early parts of the book, you could really tell she had an analytical mind as a child which is probably what helped her when she did start school.
I'm loving the book but its really really hard to read Tara's journey especially growing up with so many challenges and hardships. Her mother also really showed survival to its core. This is a story of perseverance and courage....It really changed some of my perspectives about home schooling and the role of schools in a child's life. THANK YOU and I'm glad your wrote this book!!!
Tara says 'He's a bit paranoid" !!!.. that is the understatement of the century..correction "father was batshit crazy, deluded, feckless, reckless, negligent with our health". "We would get injured quite a bit" another understatement, correction "some of us almost died, at his hands, we suffered horrific, horrendous pain, wounds, burns, accident at his neglectful hands, which could have been avoided" down playing this is NOT normal. The fathers words calling women "whores" was visited on the sons, on to the entire family in tirade after tirade their entire lives. The son then used this on his own sister, calling her a whore - she was a young girl. Another sadist in the making by a sadist. Fractured men incapable of being in this world without hurting others who shine and bring light. Downplaying ANY of this is beyond comprehension. Let call it what it is. No cotton-wooling this. The father inflicted his rage, his paranoia, his delusions, his extremism from his own multitude of inadequacies onto his own long-suffering family.
It shouldn't be downplayed by us observers of her story - but HER downplaying it shouldn't be met with this kind of outrage. Abuse from a loved one, especially domestic abuse, is extremely difficult for people to come to terms with, and distancing yourself from it or downplaying it is a standard defense mechanism for abuse survivors oftentimes. She's still healing and hopefully one day she will be able to speak more freely about these experiences.
I agree with everything you say; those were my thoughts exactly while reading her book. From the very start and all throughout, the father was just completely delusional and insane, and as a result of that the entire family suffered -- unable to question or confront his mindset, beliefs, and decisions because of the ignorant and isolated lives he purposefully compiled for them. It was just terribly sad and heart wrenching how he conditioned and molded the entire family into living lives of ignorance centered around fixed religious fundamentalist thinking.
M deBhul she’s not underplaying it, she’s the one that lived it. The real danger is painting someone as a simple monster. It desensitizes the real issue. That people are not black or white and that mental illness plays a huge role in someone’s actions. And that victims and perpetrators are less likely to seek help when you try to oversimplify it.
To be an accomplished, investigative journalist, one should ask the questions they know the answers to. Amanpour does this. the brief cliff notes from the book are available. However, I read the entire book. Horrific.
@@francescacialone9030 Christine is asking the questions a viewer would ask. She is leading the viewer to understand the how and why, etc. That is the undeniable talent of a good interviewer.
Finished reading her book in 2 days. I was actually hoping that some of the scenes werent real, i thought to myself, who the on earth would do such things to your own family. I just couldn’t picture it. But damn they were all true. Shes really been through all of that.
Watching this and how polished Tara's attitude was in the video (until the part she talked about her parents not believing in her for the abuse) just reminds me of what she said in the book: that her grandma held a polished manner and that she later would come to understand her grandma, how it feels to be estranged from the family and hold on to an air of respect. It's almost heartbreaking.
Right? For those who ask, "Didn't she read the book?" I must ask, " Don't you know how a good journalist interviews with questions for the audience?" Is this their first encounter with an excellent interview?
The editing nearly renders the interview confusing! I've spent first 30 odd yrs of my life in a Cult and understand where she comes from! My life will always be unique! Best of luck to her!
Things went well for her because she is extraordinarily bright. In her memoir she writes that there was almost no home schooling: no tests; no assignments; no accountability. Yet she taught herself, aced the ACT, & got admitted to a university & then Harvard. Consider her situation if she had normal intelligence. She would still be living that life. Consider how many people have been raised like that but have normal intelligence, they were never taught doodly, & they just have to keep living that life. It's horrifying to think about.
That was my main thought and focus too on how she was able to escape the conditions in which she grew up. The sad but harsh truth is that most people in society live their entire lives in familiar conditions associated with their upbringings and their surrounding environment. All the choices a person makes are, theoretically under their control and a result of their mindset, but the thing is that the average person with normal intelligence (most people) will always be subconsciously ( and unconsciously) effected by the decisions, choices, and conditions that encompassed the environment they were brought up in. Although every single person reacts differently and processes things differently in which it wouldn't be accurate to say people of normal intelligence is incapable of escaping a dysfunctional/ extremist lifestyle, it's just rare that such a person is able to escape and somehow be successful while trying to navigate their own way in society while trying to fit in as Tara Westover did. I myself know that if that had been me in her position while growing up in a family like that, I probably wouldn't have had the intelligence to escape and build up my own successful life like she has. Clearly this situation is evident in her other siblings, particularly her sister, who aren't as intelligent and bright as her and a result remain in the conditions of which they were brought up.
@allianah rapha I don't minimize her grit and determination; she clearly has those qualities. But I do maintain that without her superior, gifted intellect, she would not have escaped the life she was raised to have.
Wow, Tara is such an incredibly strong and intelligent woman. Thank you Tara for helping to educating the world about your life experiences and sharing your strength. The world is a better place with you in it.
Tara is very brave and is giving me a lot of insight on isolated families; my mother's family was large, isolated and eaking out a living using all of the kid's labour. My grandfather was violent and would beat the kids severely if anything set him off. The only child who grew up to understand what was happening on the farm was educated as a lawyer. He is estranged from all of his siblings and resorts to drug and alcohol abuse to cope with his reality. Thank you Tara for giving me a lot of insight on disfunctional survivalist families..
i am half way through the book, and it makes me mad when i read the few incidents the family had encountered; Especially the car accidents. ( was screaming inside and asking why?) I can't relate her life because i grew up differently ( well, 95% of us did) . I am just glad she is the woman she is today.
I really enjoyed reading the book. It was eye opening and I liked how she never slated her religion all the way through the book. She had the drive to want to have an education. It was quoted by one of her professors that it was already in her, but she had some one or something to tease it out. I would recommend the book to all.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, also known as the Mormons. I am also a trauma therapist. First, I appreciate Tara's _incredible_ resilience and spirit. Second, I also appreciate that she separated the church from her father and family in her comments in her interview. She said that it was more a "family thing" than a cult thing. Which is absolutely true. The headline, like many headlines, was geared to catch attention. The family claimed to be "Mormon"; they were survivalists; they were extremists; they were incredibly abusive. Just as some people put the word "Islamic" and "extremist" or "Mexican" and "rapist" together, someone decided to put "Mormon" and "survivalist" together. Clearly, to someone educated, all Muslims are not extremists, all Mexicans are not rapists, and a person who is a Mormon is not necessarily a survivalist nor is a survivalist necessarily a Mormon. A headline is a choice an editor makes to get views. They are two separate adjectives and were misleadingly put together. Third, someone down below is making rude and basically uninformed comments about both my church and members of my church. There are Mormons who are survivalists. There are also many survivalists who are not associated with, nor are members of, my church. They are two separate things. For the record, and for anyone who is curious: A) There is no way that any doctrine I have ever been taught would even vaguely condone the behavior of her father, parents or brother--_quite_ the opposite, B) I am quite familiar with mental illness and what it constitutes, and whatever her father may have heard in church that may have added to his beliefs, he totally misconstrued and twisted--a hallmark of mental illness, and C) I doubt members are "up in arms" as I hadn't heard of this until today and Tara's book has been out since February of 2018 and this is December of 2018 (Clearly this person below--or maybe there are many of them--I haven't read all the comments--who has negative feelings or impressions of the Church of Jesus Christ is ironically doing the same thing that Tara's father did--skewing and misunderstanding because of their own life experiences that they have had.) Fourth, on another note, I love Amazon's review, "For those of us who took our educations for granted, who occasionally fell asleep in large lecture halls (and inconveniently small ones), it’s hard to grasp the level of grit-not to mention intellect-required to pull off what Westover did." Tara came from an incredibly abusive environment and had the grit to find a way and pull herself out of it. She has, quite appropriately, distanced herself from her toxic parents. There is still loss there for her, which is poignant. As much as people are abused, they quite often still love the abuser, so it is very complex. Bravo and many kudos to her for her bravery and courage. I wish her the very best in her continued healing.
Jan K, you made some good points, though on the surface I disagree with you on one - the headline. However, I think we might have a more fruitful discussion after I've read the book. I don't think the public "comments section" is necessarily the place for it. As you noted, plenty of people below had moronic things to say that add noting. If you're interested, let me know at memphisrain@yahoo.com. I'll respond and, after I've finished reading, we can start. Thanks, Mike
Oh yes I have memories of Brothers doing that in mother's doing that yes this is encouraging that someone can escape and be free and live normal after the trauma
That's just prove that you're destiny is not conditioned by the color of your skin, the place you are born, your gender, etc. Your life is much bigger than this. Every life is important, every body is equal, every body deserves second chance…. Leap of faith!
The thing that most stood out for me from reading this book is that because they had little to no education and learning 'worldly' things was basically forbidden the children who had an aptitude for learning were thirsty for knowledge and motivated to learn. We see this in all kinds of situations in the developing world where children walk to school or brave dangerous situations even in war-torn areas to get to school. Given the alternative homework is actually something they look forward to. Whereas, those of us who have the privilege of education take it for granted, procrastinate learning, rush through it and avoid it altogether. We don't appreciate it enough and we don't feel enough ownership over it. For those of us for whom education has been handed to we are more likely to throw it away. Self-motivation is a powerful thing.
The reason she was not educated is that her father made sure she had no birth certificate, so no one could come after them and require that they send the child to school. Her mother was a midwife. It was common in their Survivalist cult(ure) for women to give birth at home. And those who were/are radically anti-government would not want the government to know anything about the family.
@@patriciacollins7741 And using force to compel someone like that is only going to validate their beliefs further. If there was a healthy community around them though they might be able to help.
On reading the book? Her parents sound like they were doing the very best they could do at their own level of understanding. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".
There are more than you think. These children didn't have birth certificates until a certain age, so the state was unable to track them. However, states have varying requirements for homeschools in regards to checking in to see if the children are actually receiving any schooling at all. It is very easy for entire families to fall between the cracks.
I look forward to the day when Tara can call it what it really is......"she escaped a crazy and highly dysfunctional family." She is still trying to be so polite about her parents. She can forgive but to speak so sweetly about them is more of an indicator of how abused she truly was. She should never speak to any of her family members until their funerals.
@@TWariner you do not have to forgive your abusers to move on and live a happy life. It does nothing for her to be like this and to be so forgiving and polite only aids to more gaslighting
For those who ask, "Didn't Amanpour read the book?" I must ask, "Is this your first encounter with an excellent interview?" A good journalist has usually learned all the answers ahead of time but asks question on behalf of the audience. What would you have the interviewer ask, if not those things that are particularly startling? This was meant to be revelatory, not boring.
I wonder if people from her old town have read the book and reached out to her or her family. If I had known her as a child but been oblivious to her home situation I would feel so guilty later in life.
I only have one question/want some advice: If you're going through the same (not as much to a degree as high as Tara's) and have come back home from college for the summers, how do you escape the present?
@@galacticbattles17 hi, I'm learning through counselling different ways to make myself safe when I'm around family. In small ways.. telling them how I like to be treated, by setting boundaries. I am still in touch with my family and will never cut them off unless they violate my rights as a person: to have my own opinions, be who I am, have my own faith. It's so easy to get dragged back into others dramas and dysfunction.
Strange how the indoctrination allowed her to approach the world from a naive perspective and avoid a lot of the implicit attitudes that some people never have the occasion to examine.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consistently teaches healthy family values. General Conference is a conference from the Church of Jesus Christ that is held the first weekend in April and the first weekend in October, every year, and can be viewed on lds.org. This conference is a wonderful way to learn about the true teachings and principles of the church. All past conferences can be viewed or read on lds.org. Any questions you may have regarding what is taught about the family or anything else can be found on this site.
The LDS church will alert authorities if they are aware of neglect or abuse. However they don’t police the families looking for abuse. And Unfortunately if a child doesn’t have exposure to “normal” they don’t know to ask for help. I suspect a paranoid father would be good at hiding their extreme way of lifestyles by that point.
I’m reading her book ,Educated, right now and I am beyond shocked of it. I feel very sympathetic for her. As for her family, I knew there was Mormon families, but her family is like the definition of Mormons. It’s almost like her family doesn’t care about there lives.
Actually, I looked into this myself. Mormon families care very much about thier families. As a matter of fact, they believe quiet the contrary of how she depicts her family in the memoir. You ought to read "The Family: A proclamation to The World" on LDS.ORG that is thier offical sight of what they believe.
I'm surprised at some point she even wanted or care that her parents believed her about her brother. Enough should have been enough. The family system protects the abuser because it's easier to vilify the scapegoat. Lucky she got out. Lucky her older brother hasn't killed anyone. Sheesh. Brilliant story. Brilliant novel. Loved it.
Unfortunately Tara is one of many million kids that lived a childhood like this. Except we just don't hear their stories. In Turkey and Afghanistan, girls are forced to get married at the age if 10/12 to old men 50/60 yr olds and all because of their religious beliefs, they learn to be wives and mothers before learning to be children or teenager. They have to hold a new born baby instead of a baby doll. They learn to understand a new born babies emotions before they learn their own. When this lady is referring to Tara's life as "Dark".. she will never understand! When you live this type of childhood and grow up to sense that it wasn't normal, you tend to embrace the pain and hurt because that's all you knew and some how you know it has made you a stronger person, gives you a sense of gratitude for what you have survived. It seem that this interviewer hasn't even read Tara's book to understand her massage. She loves her family, she loved her childhood even if she didn't agree with her families beliefs, she understands it was like that because of lack of education but she is who she is now because of her past. Tara is a very bright, strong woman that has inspired millions with her beautifully written book and I hope every child with a tough upbringing gets their hands on this book to be inspired and know that just because you had a past that was different from everyone else, doesn't mean they're less worthy. The limit is in the mind and not in the sky.
After reading the book, you wouldn't think it possible that Tara's mother is a successful herbalist, who has a thriving business. She has written books, as well, one called Educating, others about herbal remedies and essential oils. This is a family tragedy. Unfortunately, abuse in a family can be overlooked or downplayed because of the pain involved, the fear involved, or the refusal to face it. Her father business would fail without this brother, therefore, he can't look at the abusive behavior head on, even though he has lectured him many times. No parents wants to admit their child has turned into an abusive person. The mother tries to love and side with everyone, but in the end, will stick by her husband, which is what a Mormon wife does. Knowing what I know about Mormons, this fracture in the family has to be killing the parents, emotionally. Frankly, I don't think Tara will completely heal from this until there is a reconciliation, of which everyone is too stubborn, or too hurt to initiate. I hope it happens, though, for all of them. . As far as the brother...someone needs to press charges against him, then have a judge force him into therapy.
This shows how easily people can be led astray. Tell em the family deity of one dude created the universe and they might just believe it. After that, the only way to one-up Abraham was to hope for "son of family deity", surprisingly more moral than family deity Sr, less prone to violent rages and constant demands for ever more premium sacrifices and throwing a hissy fit when they're not up to standard.
I’m not a fan of unschooling, but this is a decent example of how someone can learn & be successful without a k-12 government education. Glad she got out & was able to pursue her own education.
Her mother is living the only future that she can see. She is human, she is stuck up on this mountain with her husband. Adapting to his belief system is a human survival skill. Her mother is utilizing it everyday.
Don't all parents want what is the best interest of their children? I'm sure they did the best they could given their understanding of the world at that time. Parents need "forgiveness" just like anyone else. They were young and uneducated.
Mormons are up in arms over this video. I guess believing in a god that lives on a distant planet next to the star Kolob with their heavenly mother cranking out spirit babies is a more rational scenario.
And he's 6 feet tall and wears a stove-pipe hat! Also, every good white Mormon man will go through an evolutionary process: first, they are a Satan on one planet, then they can morph into a Jesus in another, and finally, they get to be "God" in another! One missionary told me that Satan is a good guy - he's only doing what his role has him do. Brigham Young famously (infamously?) wrote "as man is, God once was. As God is, man shall become." This is a basic tenet of the LDS church.
Really! How do you know the "Mormon's" are up in Arms? The title of this clip is completely wrong! Her religion has nothing to do with what happened in her childhood! Her father obviously has some mental issues along with her brother, both of whom seem to have had the biggest negative effect on her life! I know tons of people that live in the same type of environment and they thrive! With good parenting, even isolated kids can and do exceed urban kids in every regard! She went to BYU and obviously thrive and I guarantee you the professors and other students help her in many ways beyond what she would have received at any other school! To blame a church that you obviously know nothing about for her situation is the definition of ignorance and stupidity!
Kody Kennington how do I know? By the comment section here. And Im guessing you’re Mormon cause you’re definitely up in arms. Chillax you have every right to believe whatever fairytale you want.
i mean, indigenous people have been living for YEARS without school or doctors. so let's not forget this possibility. but, i still don't know how harsh was her story as i didn't finish the book yet :) it's just not good to "shock ourselves" for the lack of those two things because more types of realities and ways of living coexist (and work!) together here on Earth. of course i'm not saying it's healthy to live your life preparing for the "final day", but going off grid it's an interesting thing to at least think about
Born in the US, Mormon has been an outcasted religion. They have been discriminated, kicked out in the East coast, migrated and settled in scarcely populated of Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. Geographic desolation may have impacted a person's mental state because humans are social animals. Living alone, talking to themselves in an isolated area for a long period of time seed xenophobic idea and mental illness in many people.
although if you come to think of it with all these flood of information we're constantly bombarded with whether it be through print, media, technology and social norm, makes you wonder if ignorance can sometimes be a bliss lol
I adored her book, Educated, a gripping tale of how religioun poisons the lives of women, how it contorts and conforms females through shame, though I'm sure Dr. Westover would not characterize it as such.
Did you read the book? She doesn't characterize it as that at all. It was mental illness, abuse, and isolation. It had nothing to do with the religion. People choose to belive what they want and how they want to practice thier beliefs, but you cannot judge an entire religion off of one bad egg of a family or person. And there always is a bad egg or some extremists in every religion because nobody is perfect. If anything, religion is to help an imperfect society to operate and strive to be better as a whole and that is accomplished by helping one another uphold good standards and morals which is what a deity wants for it's people. If people choose to live sinful lives than that is thier choice. There will always be opposition in all things. That is a fact.
I wonder how her teeth are so white. Are they real? They had no dental care and she mentions in the book that they didn't wash their hands much so I am wondering if they brushed their teeth and I am thinking not.
My wife started reading her book recently and was telling me about it. My wife is from Preston, ID, and vaguely knows the family. We were shocked to hear her story. Even though she makes it clear in her book that her experience was unique to her family and did not reflect on the wider community, homeschoolers, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I became concerned that her book would be misinterpreted. I started doing some research, and this video was one of the first things I saw and confirmed my fears. Unfortunately, many here are interpreting her unusual upbringing as being typical and throw all Latter-day Saints, homeschoolers, and small town conservatives under the bus. As a Latter-day Saint, a homeschool parent, and a small town conservative with roots in SE Idaho, I can tell you from first hand experience that her situation is very unique and the headline and comments are very misleading as ignorant people assume her situation is reflective of all Latter-day Saints. I'm glad she was able to obtain a good education from my alma mater, BYU. Latter-day Saints actually have much higher education levels than the national average. Homeschooling is not a bad option these days, if done properly, as there are so many resources now.
Tyler Ahstrom, her situation is unique in that she is coming forth. Violence, sexism, racism and overall evil. But you tell yourself whatever makes you feel better.
Star Foxx He speaks the truth. I know a lot of mormons who believe in raising thier children righteously and in being obedient to the laws of God and the land. As he said, this was a very unique and unfortunate case where this family failed in their parental duties to take care of thier children. My neighbor's kids are great role models and I just can't see these people living such a secret lifestyle and still be happy. If I had any inclination that something clearly wasn't right, I'd let the local authorities know. But again, Tara's family lived in isolation, so there really was no way of anyone to report anything suspicious.
Glad I was raised in Soviet Union, where any religion was banned. For good! Education, high moral and healthy lifestyle were key. My kids will be 4th generation atheists.
What we learn from this is having highly mentally ill parents, paranoid parents, isolated from society (usually a sign the family patriarch is abusive), will result in some also mentally ill and abusive children. The current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a former Heart Surgeon, technology, science and education have all been important aspects of our religion, obviously her parents were not typical LDS parents, as most kids male and female are encouraged to get an education, her father differed, on handling abuse, it is generational and cultural, if he grew up isolated, very well was a few decades behind in emotional development as a society.
I'm reading her book right now and it's incredible. However it also seems so surreal. I understand she took the ACT exam and I just don't know some of it seems hmmmmmm. As I'm reading it it reminds me of the book A MILLION LITTLE PIECES that was a best seller becasue Oprah had put him on her show........... the book skyrocketed then all of a sudden Oprah found out some of it wasn't true and she made him come back on the show (with his lawyer) and tell everyone that parts o it were not true. I never forgot that.......... but the book was good.........just like this one.
Her father's radical and twisted views have absolutely nothing to do with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (referred to by some as Mormons). The dad's views are not teachings or doctrine of the Church. In fact, I personally think the Church should take disciplinary action against him and against the brother.
Tara Westover's book is a major work, and Amanpour should have read it. You can tell she hadn't, fidgeting, eyes darting around, listening, probably, to be fed questions through her ear-piece. Amanpour isn't listening to Tara's responses, you can tell; she's just trying to think what her next question should be - rapid-fire style. Too bad. It looks ridiculous. Westover is such a thoughtful, amazing person. She deserves better than this nonsense..
I have not read the book. However my mom raised six kids. We always shoved heads in the toilet. Pulled hair. Punched each other. I thought that was normal. I have scrapped for the last bowl of fruit loops many times.
Nobody can know anything unless they investigate and/or ask. You can't judge a book by its cover especially at church- totally uncool. Plus, people are excellent at cover ups and lying. Also, these people where living in isolation.
I'm a guy who is leaving a Mennonite cult. This book has helped me to have clarity on what my obligations to my family are and are not.
Good luck! You can still have faith without the crazy burdensome obligations of a cult
Derrick Koehn when I left a cult like situation years ago an honest questioning of who I was in every relationship from who am I in relationship to my mother? to who am I in relationship to the universe? to who am I in relationship to this group Ive revered so thoroughly, was the most liberating meditation I could find. By seeing the multiple identities I began to fee the solid one underneath and for the first time in my life I had the room to myself. For the first time I felt the responsibility I have to myself to be honest with myself about what I believe and why. It was the first time I felt my own kindness and respect for life indubitably. It brings tears of joy to this day reflecting on that time. Not to mitigate the loneliness and pain of separation. Grief is our friend. Best wishes to you on your journey. I hope it brings you the openness and peace it has brought me.
Hardcore history has a podcast episode called Prophets of Doom about how extreme some of the early mennonites were. Might be a useful reference. The Meeting House might be worth taking a look at if you're looking for a (hopefully?) healthier version of it.
her father and mother also!
i guess im randomly asking but does anybody know of a method to log back into an instagram account??
I somehow forgot the account password. I appreciate any help you can give me.
She is very generous in her description of her parents...they should be in jail in my opinion...this book is amazing...they were abusive and allowed the brother to terrorize women...without accountability...I don't call this love or that they cared...they were sick and are mentally ill...great read...and amazing that she survived!
It’s amazing that a woman who had been deprived of a basic education for the first 17 years of her life could go on to get a PhD from one of the world’s most prestigious universities and become a author. Truly inspiring.
She didn't get a formal education but she learned many other things that formal education does not. A well developed sense of body and presence physically. An exquisite appreciation for nature and natural healing. Yes she managed to rise above the failures but she also in a way appreciated what she did gain from her home and family. Often you can love family but have the need to protect yourselves from their stifling ideals. Loved the book Tara
Ratula Morie -----> Tara is smart AF.
Is that an inspiration on her part or instead a failing of the educational system? Thinking about it, what's most of the requirements for someone considered to be "educated" aside from recitation of what you're told and the basics of mathematics? I'd assume that when your educational process begins with college, it's fairly easier to retain the knowledge of what you learn than it is if you were schooled from early childhood and have a mind full of information that's completely irrelevant to what you're earning your degree on, y'know?
Not discrediting her intellect and her efforts, though. She's definitely intelligent and definitely deserves her credit.
I'm just praying this is not another Million Little Pieces.
@@etherwxlf good point, although you might put me out of my job as a primary school teacher. I think all experiences count, and an eager minded person will want to learn.
When she said, “No birth certificate?!” I was thinking didn’t she read the book?...
I was going to mention this, but u read ma mind way way back.
I agree!
She said that to make us who haven’t read the book feel curious
She doesn’t have to read the book.
Good interviewers/journalists ask questions on behalf of the audience. They usually know the answer.
Such a sad upbringing. I'm so glad this young woman was able to get free and develop her mind. She's obviously a brilliant girl.
I just finished her book. She is an amazing woman. Inspiring and brilliant.
Reading the first sentence in this book: "This book is not about Mormonism." The book is a beautifully written memoir about growing up in a family with extreme views, and finding self discovery or getting "educated" (Dr. Westover's words), despite the many challenges in her life. It takes a brave person to do what she did in her life and then write about it. I admire her!
This isn't letting me edit, my worn-out laptop has sticky keys and the last sentence is riddled with typos....sorry.
there is a big difference between mormons and mormon fundamentalists
I’m not certain she’s not better off being self taught. And With “Hey Google“' ready to help you find anything you can think of life-long learning is now the reality. I see no reason to be a faux snob about her education. #JustSayin
Leave it to CNN to mislead people with this title
In the early parts of the book, you could really tell she had an analytical mind as a child which is probably what helped her when she did start school.
I'm loving the book but its really really hard to read Tara's journey especially growing up with so many challenges and hardships. Her mother also really showed survival to its core. This is a story of perseverance and courage....It really changed some of my perspectives about home schooling and the role of schools in a child's life. THANK YOU and I'm glad your wrote this book!!!
Tara says 'He's a bit paranoid" !!!.. that is the understatement of the century..correction "father was batshit crazy, deluded, feckless, reckless, negligent with our health". "We would get injured quite a bit" another understatement, correction "some of us almost died, at his hands, we suffered horrific, horrendous pain, wounds, burns, accident at his neglectful hands, which could have been avoided" down playing this is NOT normal. The fathers words calling women "whores" was visited on the sons, on to the entire family in tirade after tirade their entire lives. The son then used this on his own sister, calling her a whore - she was a young girl. Another sadist in the making by a sadist. Fractured men incapable of being in this world without hurting others who shine and bring light. Downplaying ANY of this is beyond comprehension. Let call it what it is. No cotton-wooling this. The father inflicted his rage, his paranoia, his delusions, his extremism from his own multitude of inadequacies onto his own long-suffering family.
This.
It shouldn't be downplayed by us observers of her story - but HER downplaying it shouldn't be met with this kind of outrage. Abuse from a loved one, especially domestic abuse, is extremely difficult for people to come to terms with, and distancing yourself from it or downplaying it is a standard defense mechanism for abuse survivors oftentimes. She's still healing and hopefully one day she will be able to speak more freely about these experiences.
I agree with everything you say; those were my thoughts exactly while reading her book. From the very start and all throughout, the father was just completely delusional and insane, and as a result of that the entire family suffered -- unable to question or confront his mindset, beliefs, and decisions because of the ignorant and isolated lives he purposefully compiled for them. It was just terribly sad and heart wrenching how he conditioned and molded the entire family into living lives of ignorance centered around fixed religious fundamentalist thinking.
M deBhul she’s not underplaying it, she’s the one that lived it. The real danger is painting someone as a simple monster. It desensitizes the real issue. That people are not black or white and that mental illness plays a huge role in someone’s actions. And that victims and perpetrators are less likely to seek help when you try to oversimplify it.
Did Christiane Amanpour even read the book??? Doesn't seem like it at all.
To be an accomplished, investigative journalist, one should ask the questions they know the answers to. Amanpour does this. the brief cliff notes from the book are available. However, I read the entire book. Horrific.
Michell Newman, Christiane Amanpour is full of shit. She was pretending to be shocked for her viewers.
@@francescacialone9030 Christine is asking the questions a viewer would ask. She is leading the viewer to understand the how and why, etc. That is the undeniable talent of a good interviewer.
@@candybaldi3559 Undeniable talent, perhaps, but also carrying out a leftist agenda.
Michell Newman she asked questions as if they came from someone who hasn’t read it.
Her book was fantastic, sad, and invigorating for sure. Thank God she was strong enough to gain strength and overcome those great obstacles.
Finished reading her book in 2 days. I was actually hoping that some of the scenes werent real, i thought to myself, who the on earth would do such things to your own family. I just couldn’t picture it. But damn they were all true. Shes really been through all of that.
She is so articulate
Shamira Zahe
Shami Kwon She’s Educated. 😁
Watching this and how polished Tara's attitude was in the video (until the part she talked about her parents not believing in her for the abuse) just reminds me of what she said in the book: that her grandma held a polished manner and that she later would come to understand her grandma, how it feels to be estranged from the family and hold on to an air of respect. It's almost heartbreaking.
Linda Cai wonderful observation.
a brave young woman who shows that mental illness impacts families in negative ways. It takes a lot to face this down.
The interviewer is asking questions, for those of us that know nothing about Tara. Know nothing about this book. Cut the lady some slack. My gosh!!
but so disrespectful to know nothing...
Right? For those who ask, "Didn't she read the book?" I must ask, " Don't you know how a good journalist interviews with questions for the audience?" Is this their first encounter with an excellent interview?
Umm If yoir honored enough to interview Tara Westover the least you could do is read the book.
Good interviewers/journalists ask questions on behalf of the audience. They usually know the answer ahead of time.
Inspiring helps me to continue moving forward on my memoir
Me too
She's incredible. So inspiring. She gives me hope in humanity, knowing she exists.
I'm glad you had one person in your life that stood up for you I think that would have made so much difference
Kelley Shumate ??? I’m confused are you saying if she had one person in her life ? Or if she had 1 person her life would have made so much difference?
@@tammymccarthy1204 yep
The editing nearly renders the interview confusing! I've spent first 30 odd yrs of my life in a Cult and understand where she comes from! My life will always be unique! Best of luck to her!
Things went well for her because she is extraordinarily bright. In her memoir she writes that there was almost no home schooling: no tests; no assignments; no accountability. Yet she taught herself, aced the ACT, & got admitted to a university & then Harvard. Consider her situation if she had normal intelligence. She would still be living that life. Consider how many people have been raised like that but have normal intelligence, they were never taught doodly, & they just have to keep living that life. It's horrifying to think about.
exactly...and she had some strong advocates because professors at Cambridge and BYU saw that she had so much potential
That was my main thought and focus too on how she was able to escape the conditions in which she grew up. The sad but harsh truth is that most people in society live their entire lives in familiar conditions associated with their upbringings and their surrounding environment. All the choices a person makes are, theoretically under their control and a result of their mindset, but the thing is that the average person with normal intelligence (most people) will always be subconsciously ( and unconsciously) effected by the decisions, choices, and conditions that encompassed the environment they were brought up in. Although every single person reacts differently and processes things differently in which it wouldn't be accurate to say people of normal intelligence is incapable of escaping a dysfunctional/ extremist lifestyle, it's just rare that such a person is able to escape and somehow be successful while trying to navigate their own way in society while trying to fit in as Tara Westover did. I myself know that if that had been me in her position while growing up in a family like that, I probably wouldn't have had the intelligence to escape and build up my own successful life like she has. Clearly this situation is evident in her other siblings, particularly her sister, who aren't as intelligent and bright as her and a result remain in the conditions of which they were brought up.
@allianah rapha I don't minimize her grit and determination; she clearly has those qualities. But I do maintain that without her superior, gifted intellect, she would not have escaped the life she was raised to have.
Wow, Tara is such an incredibly strong and intelligent woman. Thank you Tara for helping to educating the world about your life experiences and sharing your strength. The world is a better place with you in it.
Tara is very brave and is giving me a lot of insight on isolated families; my mother's family was large, isolated and eaking out a living using all of the kid's labour. My grandfather was violent and
would beat the kids severely if anything set him off. The only child who grew up to understand what was happening on the farm was educated as a lawyer. He is estranged from all of his siblings and resorts to drug and alcohol abuse to cope with his reality. Thank you Tara for giving me a lot of insight on disfunctional survivalist families..
i am half way through the book, and it makes me mad when i read the few incidents the family had encountered; Especially the car accidents. ( was screaming inside and asking why?) I can't relate her life because i grew up differently ( well, 95% of us did) . I am just glad she is the woman she is today.
I really enjoyed reading the book. It was eye opening and I liked how she never slated her religion all the way through the book. She had the drive to want to have an education. It was quoted by one of her professors that it was already in her, but she had some one or something to tease it out. I would recommend the book to all.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, also known as the Mormons. I am also a trauma therapist.
First, I appreciate Tara's _incredible_ resilience and spirit.
Second, I also appreciate that she separated the church from her father and family in her comments in her interview. She said that it was more a "family thing" than a cult thing. Which is absolutely true. The headline, like many headlines, was geared to catch attention. The family claimed to be "Mormon"; they were survivalists; they were extremists; they were incredibly abusive. Just as some people put the word "Islamic" and "extremist" or "Mexican" and "rapist" together, someone decided to put "Mormon" and "survivalist" together. Clearly, to someone educated, all Muslims are not extremists, all Mexicans are not rapists, and a person who is a Mormon is not necessarily a survivalist nor is a survivalist necessarily a Mormon. A headline is a choice an editor makes to get views. They are two separate adjectives and were misleadingly put together.
Third, someone down below is making rude and basically uninformed comments about both my church and members of my church. There are Mormons who are survivalists. There are also many survivalists who are not associated with, nor are members of, my church. They are two separate things. For the record, and for anyone who is curious: A) There is no way that any doctrine I have ever been taught would even vaguely condone the behavior of her father, parents or brother--_quite_ the opposite, B) I am quite familiar with mental illness and what it constitutes, and whatever her father may have heard in church that may have added to his beliefs, he totally misconstrued and twisted--a hallmark of mental illness, and C) I doubt members are "up in arms" as I hadn't heard of this until today and Tara's book has been out since February of 2018 and this is December of 2018 (Clearly this person below--or maybe there are many of them--I haven't read all the comments--who has negative feelings or impressions of the Church of Jesus Christ is ironically doing the same thing that Tara's father did--skewing and misunderstanding because of their own life experiences that they have had.)
Fourth, on another note, I love Amazon's review, "For those of us who took our educations for granted, who occasionally fell asleep in large lecture halls (and inconveniently small ones), it’s hard to grasp the level of grit-not to mention intellect-required to pull off what Westover did." Tara came from an incredibly abusive environment and had the grit to find a way and pull herself out of it. She has, quite appropriately, distanced herself from her toxic parents. There is still loss there for her, which is poignant. As much as people are abused, they quite often still love the abuser, so it is very complex.
Bravo and many kudos to her for her bravery and courage. I wish her the very best in her continued healing.
Jan K, you made some good points, though on the surface I disagree with you on one - the headline. However, I think we might have a more fruitful discussion after I've read the book. I don't think the public "comments section" is necessarily the place for it. As you noted, plenty of people below had moronic things to say that add noting. If you're interested, let me know at memphisrain@yahoo.com. I'll respond and, after I've finished reading, we can start. Thanks, Mike
It's a tightly controlled cult.
Thank you for sharing your insight!
Hey father had bipolar..
Still a cult. Hope you get out and find freedom and hope like me
Oh yes I have memories of Brothers doing that in mother's doing that yes this is encouraging that someone can escape and be free and live normal after the trauma
That's just prove that you're destiny is not conditioned by the color of your skin, the place you are born, your gender, etc. Your life is much bigger than this. Every life is important, every body is equal, every body deserves second chance…. Leap of faith!
She is amazing!!!
Her book is such eye opening
Unbelievable story! You are great! Прямо зараз читаю книгу. Дуже вражений! Дякую за книгу! thank you for your book! I read it in Ukraine. Right now.
She didn't read the book.
Good job Tara...
The thing that most stood out for me from reading this book is that because they had little to no education and learning 'worldly' things was basically forbidden the children who had an aptitude for learning were thirsty for knowledge and motivated to learn. We see this in all kinds of situations in the developing world where children walk to school or brave dangerous situations even in war-torn areas to get to school. Given the alternative homework is actually something they look forward to. Whereas, those of us who have the privilege of education take it for granted, procrastinate learning, rush through it and avoid it altogether. We don't appreciate it enough and we don't feel enough ownership over it. For those of us for whom education has been handed to we are more likely to throw it away. Self-motivation is a powerful thing.
The girl sounds smarter than Amanpour.
Thats not hard,They propaganda machines
Because she is.
Her dad sounds like a paranoid schizophrenic. Also I’m shocked schooling in not a requirement in Idaho.
The reason she was not educated is that her father made sure she had no birth certificate, so no one could come after them and require that they send the child to school. Her mother was a midwife. It was common in their Survivalist cult(ure) for women to give birth at home. And those who were/are radically anti-government would not want the government to know anything about the family.
@@patriciacollins7741 And using force to compel someone like that is only going to validate their beliefs further. If there was a healthy community around them though they might be able to help.
On reading the book? Her parents sound like they were doing the very best they could do at their own level of understanding. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".
Wow reminds me of a chapter I wrote that was always trying to escape family but got beat even worse when I found out so much for early 60s 70s
I wonder how many families exist in america like this today. They need to be dealt with
And you would propose... exactly what? Re-education camp?
There are more than you think. These children didn't have birth certificates until a certain age, so the state was unable to track them. However, states have varying requirements for homeschools in regards to checking in to see if the children are actually receiving any schooling at all. It is very easy for entire families to fall between the cracks.
I just finished the book and read it in Swedish, I´m swedish. It was very interesting reading. I salut Tara Westover.
I look forward to the day when Tara can call it what it really is......"she escaped a crazy and highly dysfunctional family." She is still trying to be so polite about her parents. She can forgive but to speak so sweetly about them is more of an indicator of how abused she truly was. She should never speak to any of her family members until their funerals.
The way she is being is actually
the smart way to be. It’s called forgiveness. It’s not for them, it’s for her.
@@TWariner you do not have to forgive your abusers to move on and live a happy life. It does nothing for her to be like this and to be so forgiving and polite only aids to more gaslighting
For those who ask, "Didn't Amanpour read the book?" I must ask, "Is this your first encounter with an excellent interview?" A good journalist has usually learned all the answers ahead of time but asks question on behalf of the audience. What would you have the interviewer ask, if not those things that are particularly startling? This was meant to be revelatory, not boring.
I admire her courage to tell her story
I do wonder if the interviewer read the book.. the questions she asked were so insensitive and not nuanced at all..
It's called interviewing, so the complete story is related by the person being interviewed!
I wonder if people from her old town have read the book and reached out to her or her family. If I had known her as a child but been oblivious to her home situation I would feel so guilty later in life.
Quisiera tener el correo de esa mujer y decirle directamente lo grandiosa y auténtica que es y, aparte de ello, lo mucho que me inspira.
I love how Westover held her ground in the few moments when Amanpour tried to get condescending or force her own narrative.
I only have one question/want some advice:
If you're going through the same (not as much to a degree as high as Tara's) and have come back home from college for the summers, how do you escape the present?
It's so difficult. You just have to hold onto who you are as a person, and not who they want you to be. I come from such a dysfunctional family too.
@@JN-go2yq thanks for replying!
@@galacticbattles17 hi, I'm learning through counselling different ways to make myself safe when I'm around family. In small ways.. telling them how I like to be treated, by setting boundaries. I am still in touch with my family and will never cut them off unless they violate my rights as a person: to have my own opinions, be who I am, have my own faith. It's so easy to get dragged back into others dramas and dysfunction.
@@JN-go2yq I'm starting uni counseling on Thursday. Hope it goes well!
@@galacticbattles17 that's awesome. Been nice chatting, all the best with family. 😅
Strange how the indoctrination allowed her to approach the world from a naive perspective and avoid a lot of the implicit attitudes that some people never have the occasion to examine.
her makeup looks lovely here
So very sad. The LDS Church could be more active addressing families that practice neglect and/or are steeped in paranoia and ignorance.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consistently teaches healthy family values. General Conference is a conference from the Church of Jesus Christ that is held the first weekend in April and the first weekend in October, every year, and can be viewed on lds.org. This conference is a wonderful way to learn about the true teachings and principles of the church. All past conferences can be viewed or read on lds.org. Any questions you may have regarding what is taught about the family or anything else can be found on this site.
The LDS church will alert authorities if they are aware of neglect or abuse. However they don’t police the families looking for abuse. And Unfortunately if a child doesn’t have exposure to “normal” they don’t know to ask for help. I suspect a paranoid father would be good at hiding their extreme way of lifestyles by that point.
Go read "The Family: a Proclamation to The World."
I’m reading her book ,Educated, right now and I am beyond shocked of it. I feel very sympathetic for her. As for her family, I knew there was Mormon families, but her family is like the definition of Mormons. It’s almost like her family doesn’t care about there lives.
Actually, I looked into this myself. Mormon families care very much about thier families. As a matter of fact, they believe quiet the contrary of how she depicts her family in the memoir. You ought to read "The Family: A proclamation to The World" on LDS.ORG that is thier offical sight of what they believe.
So relate to mine.
Thanks to internet I can educate myself.
I'm surprised at some point she even wanted or care that her parents believed her about her brother. Enough should have been enough. The family system protects the abuser because it's easier to vilify the scapegoat. Lucky she got out. Lucky her older brother hasn't killed anyone. Sheesh. Brilliant story. Brilliant novel. Loved it.
Unfortunately Tara is one of many million kids that lived a childhood like this. Except we just don't hear their stories.
In Turkey and Afghanistan, girls are forced to get married at the age if 10/12 to old men 50/60 yr olds and all because of their religious beliefs, they learn to be wives and mothers before learning to be children or teenager. They have to hold a new born baby instead of a baby doll. They learn to understand a new born babies emotions before they learn their own.
When this lady is referring to Tara's life as "Dark".. she will never understand! When you live this type of childhood and grow up to sense that it wasn't normal, you tend to embrace the pain and hurt because that's all you knew and some how you know it has made you a stronger person, gives you a sense of gratitude for what you have survived. It seem that this interviewer hasn't even read Tara's book to understand her massage. She loves her family, she loved her childhood even if she didn't agree with her families beliefs, she understands it was like that because of lack of education but she is who she is now because of her past.
Tara is a very bright, strong woman that has inspired millions with her beautifully written book and I hope every child with a tough upbringing gets their hands on this book to be inspired and know that just because you had a past that was different from everyone else, doesn't mean they're less worthy.
The limit is in the mind and not in the sky.
After reading the book, you wouldn't think it possible that Tara's mother is a successful herbalist, who has a thriving business. She has written books, as well, one called Educating, others about herbal remedies and essential oils. This is a family tragedy. Unfortunately, abuse in a family can be overlooked or downplayed because of the pain involved, the fear involved, or the refusal to face it. Her father business would fail without this brother, therefore, he can't look at the abusive behavior head on, even though he has lectured him many times. No parents wants to admit their child has turned into an abusive person. The mother tries to love and side with everyone, but in the end, will stick by her husband, which is what a Mormon wife does. Knowing what I know about Mormons, this fracture in the family has to be killing the parents, emotionally. Frankly, I don't think Tara will completely heal from this until there is a reconciliation, of which everyone is too stubborn, or too hurt to initiate. I hope it happens, though, for all of them. . As far as the brother...someone needs to press charges against him, then have a judge force him into therapy.
This shows how easily people can be led astray. Tell em the family deity of one dude created the universe and they might just believe it. After that, the only way to one-up Abraham was to hope for "son of family deity", surprisingly more moral than family deity Sr, less prone to violent rages and constant demands for ever more premium sacrifices and throwing a hissy fit when they're not up to standard.
I’m not a fan of unschooling, but this is a decent example of how someone can learn & be successful without a k-12 government education. Glad she got out & was able to pursue her own education.
Her brother, father and mom need to be in a mental institution or jail.
I'm sorry, but asking Tara "what did your brother do to you?" is a stupid question. A bit of emotional intelligence please.
Wow, she didn't read the book.... But I love Tara. :)
Her mother is living the only future that she can see. She is human, she is stuck up on this mountain with her husband. Adapting to his belief system is a human survival skill. Her mother is utilizing it everyday.
Don't all parents want what is the best interest of their children? I'm sure they did the best they could given their understanding of the world at that time. Parents need "forgiveness" just like anyone else. They were young and uneducated.
Mormons are up in arms over this video. I guess believing in a god that lives on a distant planet next to the star Kolob with their heavenly mother cranking out spirit babies is a more rational scenario.
you can be a goddess only if your hubby awakens you with a kiss, so be obedient or else....
And he's 6 feet tall and wears a stove-pipe hat! Also, every good white Mormon man will go through an evolutionary process: first, they are a Satan on one planet, then they can morph into a Jesus in another, and finally, they get to be "God" in another! One missionary told me that Satan is a good guy - he's only doing what his role has him do. Brigham Young famously (infamously?) wrote "as man is, God once was. As God is, man shall become." This is a basic tenet of the LDS church.
Jen Logan LMBAO!
Really! How do you know the "Mormon's" are up in Arms? The title of this clip is completely wrong! Her religion has nothing to do with what happened in her childhood! Her father obviously has some mental issues along with her brother, both of whom seem to have had the biggest negative effect on her life! I know tons of people that live in the same type of environment and they thrive! With good parenting, even isolated kids can and do exceed urban kids in every regard! She went to BYU and obviously thrive and I guarantee you the professors and other students help her in many ways beyond what she would have received at any other school! To blame a church that you obviously know nothing about for her situation is the definition of ignorance and stupidity!
Kody Kennington how do I know? By the comment section here. And Im guessing you’re Mormon cause you’re definitely up in arms. Chillax you have every right to believe whatever fairytale you want.
I like that she went to school.
Wow
I want to know if her family is still alive? Are her parents alive and hiding?
They are all still alive. Their lawyer shared their opinion.
i mean, indigenous people have been living for YEARS without school or doctors. so let's not forget this possibility. but, i still don't know how harsh was her story as i didn't finish the book yet :) it's just not good to "shock ourselves" for the lack of those two things because more types of realities and ways of living coexist (and work!) together here on Earth. of course i'm not saying it's healthy to live your life preparing for the "final day", but going off grid it's an interesting thing to at least think about
and yet so many people think and do shit like this who live within society
Born in the US, Mormon has been an outcasted religion. They have been discriminated, kicked out in the East coast, migrated and settled in scarcely populated of Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. Geographic desolation may have impacted a person's mental state because humans are social animals. Living alone, talking to themselves in an isolated area for a long period of time seed xenophobic idea and mental illness in many people.
is this FLDS?
I really wish I had finished the book before seeing this. She is not what I expected
Christiane Amanpour did not even read the book
although if you come to think of it with all these flood of information we're constantly bombarded with whether it be through print, media, technology and social norm, makes you wonder if ignorance can sometimes be a bliss lol
Billions of people live this way all around the world. Grow up
I adored her book, Educated, a gripping tale of how religioun poisons the lives of women, how it contorts and conforms females through shame, though I'm sure Dr. Westover would not characterize it as such.
Did you read the book? She doesn't characterize it as that at all. It was mental illness, abuse, and isolation. It had nothing to do with the religion. People choose to belive what they want and how they want to practice thier beliefs, but you cannot judge an entire religion off of one bad egg of a family or person. And there always is a bad egg or some extremists in every religion because nobody is perfect. If anything, religion is to help an imperfect society to operate and strive to be better as a whole and that is accomplished by helping one another uphold good standards and morals which is what a deity wants for it's people. If people choose to live sinful lives than that is thier choice. There will always be opposition in all things. That is a fact.
ada subtitlenya ga sih ini? aku ga paham mereka ngomong apa? mana ini tugas kuliah bahasa inggris lagi bund
Apakah kamu dari kelas basing E itk 😌
@@bela5263 bagi jawaban dong nad wkwk
I wonder how her teeth are so white. Are they real? They had no dental care and she mentions in the book that they didn't wash their hands much so I am wondering if they brushed their teeth and I am thinking not.
Why religion in extreme form is problematic...
If you’d read the book you’d understand it’s not about religion. It’s about being raised by a father with unchecked mental ilness. The end.
She has 400 brothers.
My wife started reading her book recently and was telling me about it. My wife is from Preston, ID, and vaguely knows the family. We were shocked to hear her story. Even though she makes it clear in her book that her experience was unique to her family and did not reflect on the wider community, homeschoolers, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I became concerned that her book would be misinterpreted. I started doing some research, and this video was one of the first things I saw and confirmed my fears. Unfortunately, many here are interpreting her unusual upbringing as being typical and throw all Latter-day Saints, homeschoolers, and small town conservatives under the bus.
As a Latter-day Saint, a homeschool parent, and a small town conservative with roots in SE Idaho, I can tell you from first hand experience that her situation is very unique and the headline and comments are very misleading as ignorant people assume her situation is reflective of all Latter-day Saints. I'm glad she was able to obtain a good education from my alma mater, BYU. Latter-day Saints actually have much higher education levels than the national average. Homeschooling is not a bad option these days, if done properly, as there are so many resources now.
Tyler Ahstrom, her situation is unique in that she is coming forth. Violence, sexism, racism and overall evil. But you tell yourself whatever makes you feel better.
Star Foxx He speaks the truth. I know a lot of mormons who believe in raising thier children righteously and in being obedient to the laws of God and the land. As he said, this was a very unique and unfortunate case where this family failed in their parental duties to take care of thier children. My neighbor's kids are great role models and I just can't see these people living such a secret lifestyle and still be happy. If I had any inclination that something clearly wasn't right, I'd let the local authorities know. But again, Tara's family lived in isolation, so there really was no way of anyone to report anything suspicious.
PARANOIA that's very common in Americans this days.. lol
Glad I was raised in Soviet Union, where any religion was banned. For good! Education, high moral and healthy lifestyle were key. My kids will be 4th generation atheists.
This story is not about religion. It’s about mental illness. There’s nothing wrong with religion.
Indigo Socratus is your country doing great? Are there no shootings or child abuse? Are there no drugs?
mormons are great people, all of them kids get tuition paid, scotts totts!
I won't go blame his father , how can you be sane in this insane world
The Q-Anon before the Q-Anon
What we learn from this is having highly mentally ill parents, paranoid parents, isolated from society (usually a sign the family patriarch is abusive), will result in some also mentally ill and abusive children. The current President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a former Heart Surgeon, technology, science and education have all been important aspects of our religion, obviously her parents were not typical LDS parents, as most kids male and female are encouraged to get an education, her father differed, on handling abuse, it is generational and cultural, if he grew up isolated, very well was a few decades behind in emotional development as a society.
I'm reading her book right now and it's incredible. However it also seems so surreal. I understand she took the ACT exam and I just don't know some of it seems hmmmmmm. As I'm reading it it reminds me of the book A MILLION LITTLE PIECES that was a best seller becasue Oprah had put him on her show........... the book skyrocketed then all of a sudden Oprah found out some of it wasn't true and she made him come back on the show (with his lawyer) and tell everyone that parts o it were not true. I never forgot that.......... but the book was good.........just like this one.
Her father's radical and twisted views have absolutely nothing to do with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (referred to by some as Mormons). The dad's views are not teachings or doctrine of the Church. In fact, I personally think the Church should take disciplinary action against him and against the brother.
Tara Westover's book is a major work, and Amanpour should have read it. You can tell she hadn't, fidgeting, eyes darting around, listening, probably, to be fed questions through her ear-piece. Amanpour isn't listening to Tara's responses, you can tell; she's just trying to think what her next question should be - rapid-fire style. Too bad. It looks ridiculous. Westover is such a thoughtful, amazing person. She deserves better than this nonsense..
I have not read the book. However my mom raised six kids. We always shoved heads in the toilet. Pulled hair. Punched each other. I thought that was normal. I have scrapped for the last bowl of fruit loops many times.
Beautiful childhood??!!! I wouldn’t wish that to my worst enemy!!! 😂
She still sees the beauty that surrounded her, nature.
The interviewer literally doesn't know hwo to say the word "herb" Way to go CNN
They went to church? What church wouldn’t have noticed anything.
They went to the Mormon Church most every Sunday. The church definitely noticed, but did nothing. That's the Mormon Church.
Not it’s not. I’d say it’s Idaho. Plus, some people put on a really good mask in public.
Nobody can know anything unless they investigate and/or ask. You can't judge a book by its cover especially at church- totally uncool. Plus, people are excellent at cover ups and lying. Also, these people where living in isolation.
"This a b.s. interview". She doesn't want to say what she revealed in the book.
pg.32
Her parents must have done something right...look at you.
No. She turned out great despite of what her parents are like not because of them
saltwater is buoyant...
Her intelligence makes her even hotter.