Читать книгу Transnational Organized Crime and Gangs - Robert M. Brzenchek - Страница 8

I had an opportunity to interview Cassondra, who introduced sharp observations about the religious mind-sets of gang members, drawing correlations between belief in the immaterial, spiritual participation, early childhood, and group crime dynamics. She defined several common religious practices pervasive in gang cultures across the United States. During our interview, she outlined coping strategies for vulnerable individuals and their caretakers to deal with: safely exiting gang life, taking responsibility for “shameful” actions, and finding appropriate brotherhood settings. Additionally, she summarized fundamental principles in astrology and alchemical concepts as a foundation to unraveling the double-edged qualities associated with belief in the immaterial. Such beliefs have the power to change lives—for better or for worse. The goal is to provoke thought and action by introducing a positive faith-based approach to reducing gang membership.