Victim to Victor: Confessions of a Wrong-way Moonie (ePub)

``A . . . multifaceted exploration of truth, lies, victims and victories that moves far from an anticipated exposé format to probe the foundations of belief systems and how they operate in conventional and unconventional ways . . . [with] gritty examples . . . which simmer with hope, conflict, oppression, and revitalization . . . The result is a hard-hitting, controversial, raw examination that is highly recommended.'' -Midwest Book Review

``[A] poignant voyage of self-discovery where a path to higher spiritual enlightenment is beset by ill-fated relationships, broken friendships and the backbiting nature of various followers and leaders of the Unification Church. While dispelling rumors of the church being a cult, McKeon reveals the enigmatic bureaucracy that often stifles a devotee's growth in the church. He points out the positives . . . and the negatives . . . One of the qualities . . . is his resolve among an array of adverse life events . . . his willingness to divine more from life and to keep his world together is something many can identify with. At its core, McKeon's book will prove inspiring to more than a few.'' -Manhattan Book Review

"McKeon is intelligent and honest in his appraisal . . . The text has extensive, multiple examples of McKeon's experiences. However, it is his intellect and the sense of personal responsibility that he acknowledges that win the reader's attention and respect. The memoir is especially compelling . . . The book makes an intelligent statement about the importance of people feeling valued in ways that are healthy and the dangers of the alternatives." -US Review of Books

How the mighty (rich) fall. Remember the Moonie-inspired assassination of Japan's former prime minister, Shinzo Abe, in July 2022? In late 2023 the Japanese government asked the courts to dissolve the Japanese Unification Church and mulled legislation to strip its assets for victim reparations. A timely moment to reflect on a powerfully new, now self-destructed, religious experience told by the shark's meal charging headlong down its gullet.

In 1981 Sun Myung Moon's message of unconditional love revitalizes an idealistic, embittered disabled veteran. But it's more a Bushido-flavored Imperial Japanese Caesarism than God's individual liberty. Broken on the rack of faith, Chris locks horns with victimocracy's blame game. He hits rock bottom then an agonizing but liberating rebirth from guilt, domestic violence, fanaticism, excommunication, shipwreck, a shattering depression, imploding faith, near suicide, and shirking.

Snarky. Exciting. The first to analyze the nuts and bolts of America's Unification Church from its missionary and business trenches to its top leaders told by the shark's meal charging headlong down its gullet. Chris' 21-year odyssey gravels along from recruitment to serial rejection, street hack to lauded manager, livid victim to joyful victor.

If you were ever a Unificationist or some stripe of idealogue; a domestic violence victim or maybe a perpetrator; a near-suicide feeling crushed 'neath life's ironshod boot or love's heartless hate; or just can't stop shooting holes in your feet, this book might open your awareness to paralyzing, scapegoating victimism and a path of transitioning to your own life-giving victorism. It couldn't hurt.