“Reading Spiritual Terrorism has broadened my understanding of the Judeo/Christian Faith as well as that of other religions. This is a very positive message of God’s love and justice which our world, racked with man’s inhumanity to man at times in the name of religion, desperately needs to hear, understand, and embrace. 

Bob Rubenstein, Ed.D.
Professor of Counseling
Marshall University Graduate College

“Spiritual Terrorism is an insightful analysis of the problem of fear-based religion.  This a totally positive conception of God’s love, grace, and justice which needs to be read privately, studied diligently, discussed openly, and debated publicly. This loving and comprehensive understanding of Christianity and other major world religions truly offers hope for our world torn by religious strife.”

Lewis Whaley, D.O.
Oncologist

“As a child, I was sent to church and I accepted Christ as my Savior but had many sleepless nights worrying that my parents would go to hell since they had not accepted Christ due to fear.  Since Dr. Purcell helped me understand Christian Universalism, almost 20 years ago, I no longer have such fear and I now sleep in perfect peace.”

Sharon Turkaly, CRNA
Nurse Anesthetist

“My beloved grandmother, who became a Christian as a young girl, experienced the horrible ordeal of having lost her husband and all five children to accidents or diseases.  She appeared to be very angry with God and would not even talk about God.  For many years I worried about her salvation until Dr. Purcell shared with me over 18 years ago the liberating truth of Christian Universalism. After her sudden death, I now know  that she is at peace with God in Heaven.”  

Rodna Blain, RN
Neonatal Intensive Care

Throughout my counseling career and throughout my touring around the country doing teaching and consulting work for health care employees I have repeatedly come across examples of spiritual abuse. It is a serious sickness in our society, a serious sickness that needs to be addressed seriously.  Boyd C Purcell, Ph.D., in his book, Spiritual Terrorism: Spiritual Abuse from the Womb to the Tomb, addresses it seriously and thoroughly, and addresses it well. In reading Boyd’s book, I was often reminded of the following comment of Sogyal Rinpoche: “Do we not all have a right, not only to have our bodies treated with respect, but also, and perhaps even more important, our spirits? Spiritual care is not a luxury for a few; it is ‘the’ essential right of every human being, as essential as political liberty, medical assistance, and equality of opportunity.” Dr. Purcell is definitely a worthy proponent of this right. I encourage others to read his book and join his humanitarian effort to have people receive spiritual respect.

Douglas Smith, M.A., M.Div., M.S.
Orthodox Catholic Priest 
Author of numerous books, including Spiritual Healing and The Tao of Grieving

Spiritual Terrorism is a very interesting and challenging book which reminds me of my background. I started out in a Baptist Church that was conservative enough when I joined at age 10, but due to a change of pastors became even more so.  It became just what Dr. Purcell describes in Part I, “The Problem.”  I felt the call to ministry at age 12, but I found it hard to go along with the ideas of “eternal damnation, literal hellfire,” etc.  I got away entirely from these teachings during college and seminary. My grandmother grew up in a Universalist Church and opposed my entering the ministry apparently concerned about the fear factor.  Her sister probably did a lot more than I realized at the time to help me avoid being a “hellfire and brimstone” preacher.  I strongly recommend this book to all particularly for those who have grown up on a steady diet of fear-based religion. 

Rev. Harry W. Palmer
Retired Presbyterian Pastor

“I loved reading all of Spiritual Terrorism:  Spiritual Abuse from the Womb to the Tomb.  It is comforting to know that the Bible actually teaches Christian Universalism.  I especially liked reading about non-Christian religions and finding that they too teach universal salvation.  It is important to be informed about all major religions and for people to respect the religion of others if we are going to get along in the modern world.”

Cary Anderson
Public School Teacher 

“I was terrorized by hell-fire preaching and sleepless nights haunted by images of being tortured in literal fire forever.  As soon as I grew up, I got away from home and the church.  I did not bring up my children in the church so they would not be frightened as I was.  I did not want my grandchildren to be reared in the church but after Dr. Purcell shared with me Christian Universalism, I want my grandchildren to be taught the total love of God for all people.  As soon as Dr. Purcell’s book is published I will purchase one for myself and one for each member of my family.”

Representative Victim of
The Spiritual Holocaust