“What the Church Doesn’t Want You to Know” contains an in-depth discussion of how churches have evolved into for-profit corporate-type entities. As a result of this, the followers are the ones who pay the real price. Church members are threatened with damnation if they choose to leave. Espinosa was not only disillusioned by the ministers; he too was upset by the behavior of the congregation. There is also a lot of pressure between them for people to behave and even dress a certain way. This could include things, or even going to services. I have seen some of this myself. A church I grew up in used to publish member contributions annually in the bulletin. Another church used to have a priest who expected members to turn in copies of their tax returns to make sure they were tithing the right amounts.
From my own observation, cult-like behavior is promoted in many congregations. Another example of this is a church in my town that alerts its members if they miss mid-week services and two services on Sunday. It seems that God is only present in that church and if you don’t attend, you miss out on seeing him. There are also pick-ups in both services. Unfortunately, Espinosa has experienced similar events in his own life. How disappointing is this. Turning to the Bible, he discovered that it is not necessary to go to church to have a close relationship with God. He discovered that he can go to God directly and experience the Holy Spirit in his life, without having an intermediary. He fills his book with biblical quotes to support his beliefs. He also enjoys living his life based on his relationship with God, and not living in fear of retaliation for what another person says to him, especially if that person benefits from what he says. He hopes that readers will find their way to a close relationship with the Holy Spirit by reading the Bible on their own.
I found “What the Church Doesn’t Want You to Know” very interesting and well supported with biblical references. I have seen many of the negative experiences Espinosa writes about, either in the churches I have attended or by seeing what my friends have been through. Although I have to say that I have not had this experience with all the churches I have attended. This book made me really appreciate the church I currently attend. I have not had any of the negative experiences discussed in the book. So I’ll keep going wherever I go. I read the Bible and pray on my own, but I enjoy the music and the fellowship of the services.
“What the Church Doesn’t Want You to Know” is a revelation that will make its readers more aware of the traps religions can set to ensnare their members. I think it is a very important book that should be read by people who consider their relationship with God to be very important (hopefully everyone). It should definitely be read by those who have feelings that things are not right with their religion. It will help them overcome fears of condemnation because they have doubts. Churches and religion are man-made; it is our relationship with God that we should have no doubts about.
Brain Press (2008)
ISBN 9780979757235