Until then my transgressions had been minor offences that could be excused away; forgiven, with a warning not to repeat my mistakes. Like many other movements that came to be regarded as sectarian, the Brethren began with a profound and deeply anti-sectarian sentiment, and they still reject the designation sect. It has two parts: Members of the Exclusive Brethren do not make friends, or even eat with people outside their church. All members must follow the rigid code of behaviour and rules that govern the contact they can have with outsiders. Brethren families as well as businesses are also encouraged to buy goods and services from companies which give cash back to UBT and the National Assistance Fund, including petrol and groceries.. Exclusive Brethren Rules, with documentation This is a list of rules ("directives") made by James Taylor Junior for his followers, known as the Taylorite Branch of the Exclusive Brethren. The secretive, cult-like church says its members volunteer their time to contribute to society, but an RNZ investigation has found hundreds of thousands of dollars were sent every year to a Sydney. However within 25 years of the Plymouth Brethren forming, one of the founders a certain John Nelson Darby asserted his dominance, breaking away and forming a separatist sect referred to by others as the Exclusive or Closed Brethren. Source: The Exclusive Brethren, BBC. It's easier to control people when they're addicted. It's understood he was allowed back into the church after his sentence finished. Most casual observers would say I've moved on. The Exclusive Brethren church has been using the controversial private investigators Thompson and Clark to spy on former members of the church. Through SGnLS (Southland Gay and Lesbian Support) I met other gay people, and realised I was not alone in the world. The Exclusive Brethren is not a democratic movement, nor do individual congregations have any autonomy. Initially, they saw no need for any but the simplest pattern of organization, and their separation from all existing churches was not conceived as a negative decision, but rather as the only basis on which the unity of true Christians could be established. I felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Exclusive Brethren Information provided by Reachout Trust, a Christian apologetics and countercult organization The Exclusive Brethren Excellent overview by the BBC. The beliefs of the Exclusive Brethren have much in common with most those of most evangelical Christian groups: However some of their beliefs are heretical by other Christian standards. What's behind it all will come out in time. Instead, I felt envy, and a touch of internalised judgment. The Exclusive Brethren are now divided into a number of groups, most of which differ on minor points of doctrine or practice. The awful, incomprehensible reality of being true to yourself is that sometimes it means hurting those you love most dearly. He likened the Brethren business ecosystem to a giant game of Jenga. McLean said he was given the envelopes by church elders just before he left New Zealand. A cult-like church that exerts almost complete control over its members has metastasised into a multinational corporation with massive buying power. [29] Of all Brethren institutions, Pastorlink is one of the newest: it is only in the last twenty to thirty years that the practice of having pastors has become common in Brethren assemblies in New Zealand. We address doctrines and practices of Christian churches and organizations, as well as those of cults of Christianity. The men must have short hair, be clean shaven and are prohibited from wearing ties. "Even housewives had to fill out diaries accounting for what they had done every hour and spent," McLean said. Together they employ at least 60 people, either Brethren or Christian. The Exclusive Brethren is the name given (by outsiders) to those among the so-called Plymouth Brethren who, in the mid-nineteenth century, joined John Nelson Darby ( 1800-82) in forming a Christian fellowship which they believed to be based on strict biblical principles. The church is strictly controlled by a central authority. Elusive Exclusive Brethren [Transcript] of the Background Briefing broadcast by ABC Radio National (Australia) on Apr. They are distinguished from the Open Brethren from whom they separated in 1848. It remained within the Brethren movement. Helen Clark's calling for Don Brash to step down as National Party leader because of his now-renounced relations with Exclusive Brethren lobbyists. But there were no "worldly" friends over to play, no going to the worldly kids' parties, no overnight school camps, no inter-school sports. Members marry each other, rarely divorce, and are encouraged to have large families. The men must have short hair, be clean shaven and are prohibited from wearing ties.. There are two main motivations thought to be behind Brethren-backed political campaigns: promoting parties whose policies are closest to Brethren values (anti-gay rights, pro-traditional family, privatisation and decentralisation), thus delaying the "Rapture", when Jesus Christ is expected to descend and take away true believers; and, the more worldly theory of promoting parties with business-friendly policies to further Brethren's own business interests. In the United States and Sweden, Brethren political activism has come to light. In addition, it appears that the movements leaders are hypocrites a trait common to cult leaders. However, their children live quite separate lives from other New Zealand children. While we don't have fellowship and eat with them, we still appreciate they're genuine people." The leader of the Exclusive Brethren church, Bruce Hales. They're allowed to talk to us now," says Adrian. Brethren women are distinguished by their white or blue headscarves and long hair -- which must never be cut. Two months ago that name did not exist. At meeting and whenever the Bible or hymns were involved women had to wear a. They only say, cryptically: "We've nothing to hide and nothing to parade." While Open Brethren tolerate autonomy in individual congregations, Exclusive Brethren do not. Peebs.Net is a website that endeavors to investigate and report the Truth behind the Exclusive Brethren, a group of so-called Christians, and by so doing, help break the chains and break down the barriers that prevent us from seeing our families, friends and loved ones, trapped in what many are calling a bona fide Cult. So at first pass, hardly the Machiavellian, freakish, hostile weirdos you might expect from all the reports. According to Statistics New Zealand there were 20,406 Brethren in New Zealand in 2001. Bruce Hales was a paunchy office furniture salesman from Sydney. Source: The Exclusive Brethren, BBC. The man, who has name suppression, was being considered for parolelast week. They keep themselves apart because they believe that "it is impossible for God to fully bless and use his children who are in compromise or complicity with evil". The movement split in the 1840s on this question of the closed table, and Darbys party became known as exclusive in contrast to those Brethren who imposed no such test for admission to the communion table, thereafter known as Open Brethren. Most work in Exclusive Brethren businesses, so leaving means losing their job. Craig didn't want to the leave the sect, but felt it was inevitable. "It's like the inside of a golf ball in there, everything is all tied together, with a very centralised structure and power dynamic.". []. The secretive Exclusive Brethren is a sect run more like a corporation than a religious group, according to its critics. The main gospel hall in Dargaville resembles a converted factory, with narrow frosted windows on one side only. "These guys needtheirfamiliesto support him. I knew I was breaking her heart, but had no choice. Some post-1959 ministry had already been included, and this practice will be continued. He has been a friend of mine. In. It was one of those scorching Australian summer days where the tempo slows, as though the very effort of moving is too much. The Exclusive founder, John Nelson Darby, believed the secular world was corrupt and the way for believers to obey God was to keep to themselves. And all the old people in the Exclusive Brethren now, they're all depressed, because they know it's all wrong. While putting heavy restrictions on the movements members, the leaders engage in dirty tricks campaigns. Under this doctrine Brethren members were forbidden from socialising, eating, living, or fraternising with non-members, leading to a period of cruel upheaval as followers scrambled to comply. I didn't want to leave but it seemed inevitable, and the longer I waited the more collateral damage I would cause. Charlotte wrote a letter of recommendation for AUT's Bachelor of Communications degree, and I started working at TV3 as a first-year student. Pro/Contra My Brethren (Pro and Contra) History and Ministry of the Exclusive Brethren (so-called). Faced with being separated once more, we broke down and cried on each other's shoulders, and I realised how much I still loved my brother. The board of the Arise Church is promising changes as its founding members resign amid abuse allegations. If our kids were to see my husband's parents in the street, they'd say 'Hello', and 30 seconds later it would be 'I best be on my way'." One of them lifted his bare feet onto the lap of the other and leaned back in his chair. It was organised through Universal Business Team (UBT), a business . They're all free, just like you". These confessions came to a head when one day, feeling completely broken, I finally confessed to being gay. Note that the version at the Internet Archive is, at times, slow to open and that not all internal links may work. Later, when I called in to pick up some extra things, I saw my 9-year-old sister. I've been chased, tear-gassed, and had a few close calls with petrol bombs. I wrote "I'm gay" on a piece of paper and pushed it across the table to the priest. I knew I, too, was gay but unlike this couple, so happy and carefree, I was determined to keep it a secret. I had hoped he might wave his hand and declare I was cured. This week the New Zealand Presbyterian Church voted to ban anyone in a sexual relationship outside marriage from its leadership roles (though 35 per cent voted against the ban). If they dont they are withdrawn from i.e. "If you understood the way they were brought up, we've got everything that we need in the fellowship, and they don't need to do that so it doesn't really come up, because they don't want to, really." Source: Secretive sect softens ban on outside contact, The Guardian, March 15, 2003. We're just simple Christians, normal people, we look after our own and go about our business, don't hurt anyone." The Exclusive Brethren - now rebranded the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church - says it does not own, operate or hold any commercial business interests itself, but members run their own "family businesses". Based on more than two years of research, this comprehensive study uncovers the lesser-known facts behind one of historys most enigmatic and influential Christian sects. Forced against his will to take sides, Deck remained with the Exclusives, but his family was divided. It remains the most painful experience of his life. The leader of the church has overall power over members of the sect. Business owners are sent annual questionnaires about their turnover, gross profit and net profit and NAF representatives then suggest how much they should donate from their business. Our social lives were bound up with other sect members and, by the time I reached my teens, my peers and I were well and truly enmeshed. This early conception of Christian fellowship, based on minimal organization, proved within the course of a decade and a half to be inadequate for the maintenance of an integrated separate community. Ship visits to New Zealand became increasingly frequent in the 1860s, and Exclusives back in the British Isles began to hear reports that the New Zealand Brethren were deviating from accepted norms. They see young single people often "going off the rails" after leaving the church. They say people stay in fellowship because of ignorance, fear, family and finances. Picture / Doug Sherring, Dargaville couldn't be further from the Beehive, where revelations of Exclusive Brethren political lobbying and espionage are fuelling Parliament's running dog-fight. The most serious charges were dropped. 16, 2006. Now 53, he's in his second marriage and runs a cartage business in his hometown, Christchurch. It was one of the worst cases of neglect to come before a racing authority. A few years ago a review prompted a round of visits to ex-members. ApologeticsIndex.org is published by Anton Hein together with his wife, Janet, and the Apologetics Index team. The worldwide leader of the Exclusive Brethren, having ruled since his father John Hales died in January 2002, he had a penchant for good food and an even greater penchant for good whisky. Research resources on religious movements, cults, sects, world religions and related issues, Article continues after this advertisement , Original content Copyright 1996-2022 Apologetics Index, History and Ministry of the Exclusive Brethren (so-called), [p]remier resource for their origin, progress and testimony 1827-1959 on, Name Change: Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, Exclusive Brethen/Plymouth Brethren Christian Church Beliefs, Plymouth Brethren Christian Church: Cult-like control, The Social Dimensions of Sectarianism: Sects and New Religious Movements in Contemporary Society, The Exclusive Brethren A Current Sociologial Appraisal, Breakout: How I Escaped From The Exclusive Brethren, Exclusive Brethren news tracker & news archive, The Exclusive Brethren Christian Fellowship, can still be viewed at the Internet Archive, Secretive sect softens ban on outside contact, difference between theological and sociological definitions of the term cult., John de Ruiter College of Integrated Philosophy, The Church of Almighty God (Eastern Lightning), The Bible is the inspired and literal word of God, God is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, members must keep away from any person or group that does not follow Exclusive Brethren teaching including other Christians. Even their churches are typically windowless. I feel sorry for my kids and my parents. Growing up in the Exclusive Brethren meant missing out on a lot of things other children took for granted. Meanwhile, ex-Brethrens here and overseas are telling of the pain of being shunned by family still in the church. In December 2007, not long after my ultimate confession, I was ushered to a consultation with Hales when he visited Invercargill for special church meetings. that we might humble ourselves before the Lord for our part active or passive in the shameful happenings and sorrow-ful scatterings which have taken place in our times. Photo: Supplied. Life as an Exclusive Brethren had its good sides. After the UK Charity Commissions refusal to grant Charity Status to the Exclusive Brethren, in the summer of 2012, an observer provided a series of explanatory comments regarding that decision: 2.10 Misleading information: whilst it is of course legitimate to change a name and reconstruct a website, it should not be done in such a way as to make it appear that it involves an entirely different organisation. Our mission is to educate the media and help those who have left and those who wish to leave a vicious regime that is causing increasing concern world-wide. I've kept in touch so the kids know them. However, many leading New Zealand companies are lining up to join the list of preferred suppliers to what former members describe as a captive market. Perhaps the best-known You can only take people as they treat you." Now 30, the journalist reflects on a decade of laughter and heartache. He also allowed the New Zealand assemblies a degree of congregational autonomy that was unknown among the Exclusives in the British Isles. Source: The Exclusive Brethren, BBC. I love being a journalist and wouldn't trade it for anything. People are talking about not mentioning alcohol. Such clandestine adventures frequently led to feelings of guilt and shame, and I regularly confessed my so-called sins to the Brethren "priests" as a teenager. This Sydney-based "global consultancy group" claims to provide "services and advice" to about 3000 Brethren-owned businesses in 19 countries, with a combined revenue of more than $12.6 billion NZD. For members of the Exclusive Brethren, a strict religious sect, constraints such as these are normal. READ MORE: *Brethren members in 'clean-up' operation *Hansen andApiatapreach teamwork Brethren *Sect's leader tells followers to drink rat poison. "This is how they treat everyone, they treat them like s***," the ex-member said. Church and business and family life are inextricably intertwined in a way that means all parts of their lives are controlled. We had virtually no contact with people outside the Exclusive Brethren, and there were rules for every part of our lives. Video first published in 2015. To continue to sit in the illusion that we and only we are right is a presumption only, a self-enhancing propaganda learned over the years to the detriment of Gods testimony, not to breakdown, but to the mind of Man erring in doctrine and practice. [], Members see the head of their church as a servant leader who puts his lives at the disposal of others. "Gospel Chapels" tend to be conservative; "Gospel Halls" even more so. John Hales was eventually accepted back into the church and became its global leader - but the commercial system was not revived until after his death when his son, Bruce Hales, took over. The medication left me lethargic and unhappy and I stopped taking it after a few weeks, although I had enough repeats on the prescription to last for a year. You'll find most of them are really happy in their role." A rural service town of 4500, the country's kumara capital has a Four Square, RSA, stores with names like Molly's Fashions and Lynley's Lingerie & Linen, a surf shop and one panini-serving cafe for the cool crowd. Former members of the Exclusive Brethren allege the secretive sect is breaking up families, putting members in isolation and attacking their livelihoods in order to maintain control. Here is what we wrote about the former site, which can still be viewed at the Internet Archive. But not all members can live such a controlled existence. His lawyers had left no stone unturned in scouring the earth for experts in the fields of neuroscience, car crashes and pathology to test the Crown's case that he had driven drunk, and carelessly, before crashing into a tree. Tears. But that comes at a cost to the taxpayer because it's obviously a cost to the revenue.". As a young child the chorus mystified me. NZ POLICE Russell Stewart,. Bruce Hales' father John, and his brother ran a "commercial system" between 1960 and 1965, which gave them control of Brethren businesses. Those burning bridges were already burnt, and having come this far I figured I might as well go a bit further. The ex-churchmember said members of the Exclusive Brethren, also known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, who found themselves in jail needed support more than ever. The Exclusive Brethren practice the doctrine of separation: they eat, sleep and live apart from the world, except when doing business with 'worldly' people. Congregations have any autonomy not a democratic movement, nor do individual congregations, Exclusive Brethren has! 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