brethren

Here's   a link to an article in this morning's Sydney Morning Herald.  I've heard rumblings ofthis for quite a while now, so was interested to read the article. It is about  the interference in various politics and parties by senior members of the Exclusive Brethren.  I would call them Londoners and have had some experience with them.

I was never a member of their group, although the group I married into was quite close to them in many areas.   The paper calls them a sect and that is close to the mark.  They deny the eternal sonship of Christ and are Arian in outlook.  The women and children are easy to spot in the shops, long hair, only ever skirts, never trousers.  Most of the women wear scarves or headbands as a sign of submission. 

I was interested to see that the reporter mentioned no shared walls in business between one in fellowship with the local assembly and an outsider.  Of course, worldly contamination travels easily through walls.  (please note sarcasm.)  I know someone who ran a business in a large country town near one of the centres mentioned in the article.  He shared a porch/entranceway  with the business next door.  He was told to move and refused.  He came home from work one day to find all the locks on his home had been changed by other brethren and his family would have no contact with him.  With their financial clout behind them, they prevented him from access to his children and kept them out of the way.  His youngest child was developmentally  retarded and  missed his dad.  He was soon re-educated.  When his father was out shopping, the boy saw his father and called out that the wicked man was near.  That led to an order to stay away from the family.  This had been a purely chance encounter, certainly not planned.  On orders fromthe brethren, his wife divorced him.  If she hadn't she would have lost contact with her children and other family members.  Emotional blackmail is very strong.

So much of this article rings true.

It raises the question of involvement in politics when they are not allowed to vote themselves or be members of a union or any other group. The article mentions that they call it a "sin."  Surely encouraging others in their way of voting must also be a sin?  Politics is supposed to be a no-no as Christians are citizens of another place and have no part to play down here.  (Their ideas, not mine.)

Hales is mentioned as their leader.  Certainly their leaders are followed without question.   This follows a pattern from Raven about 100 years ago.  However, the teaching is that there are no pastors, all  MEN are able to take part in the meeting.   Hales  is almost like a pope  in his power.

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When my sons were at school,   there were London boys in their classes.  They were not allowed to use computers as the "man of sin" would use one.  Now that is dodgy exegesis to start with.  The Bible talks about antichrists in the plural.  How they found out that one would use a computer is amazing.  I can't find that verse anywhere! The group is totally dispensationalist in outlook as John Nelson Darby, the founder of brethren groups, was the one who recovered what was regarded as  long lost truth.  This is what Scofield based his commentary on.  Many of the brothers run highly successful businesses.  I wonder how many of them don't use computers in these ?  I also know for a fact that TV and radios are used.  They are just kept hidden in back rooms which are shut when other brethren come to visit. 

I notice the article mentions that alcohol is allowed.  It should perhaps say strongly encouraged.  Perhaps it is an outlet for those whose only diversions in life are frequent meetings or a drink.  My friend, mentioned above, had great difficulty in regulating intake of alcohol  as he was used to drinking much.

I believe that the attempt at influencing politics is probably based on self interest.  Many are businessmen and they have a vested interest in politics in keeping what is for them a favourable  government.

Having some inside knowledge of the group, I am surprised to such an article in the paper.  I know money has been spent in the past to counteract what they saw as poor publicity but which ws really the revelation of what was little less than brainwashing.  I know there are many people trapped in the group through fear of losing their family and friends.  Contact is cut immediately with those transgressing their regulations, even if it means husband/wife/children etc are disrupted.  No meals, no conversation, no gifts, no attendance at funerals even of close family members.  The group I was associated with did not belong to these people so myhusband's family still speak to us, but when we left, we were told we were going to Satan. 

Comments

[Neil]

Extraordinary! It certainly makes David Marr's article even more believable. Thanks for drawing my attention to this post.

[naomi]

the evils that men do in the name of deity is both saddening and angering.

[Ian]

Very interesting: thank you for the personal recollections also.

And I echo Naomi: so very sad.

[Bene Diction]

Thanks for this - I've been following the Exclusive Brethern in Canada and by extension Australia and New Zealand.
In the Bill C-38 vote in Canada, you can rest assured Exclusive Brethern not only used computers to bombarde MP's they did so as well any any seasoned lobby group.

The Apolegetics Index Religion News Blog keeps track of the articles of the EB polical involvement in Commonwealth countries since 2002.

[Darryl]

I used to be a "worldly" employee of a Brethren company. Such employees exist as I guess they cannot fulfill all roles with assembly members.

There seems to be a sea change from within the church as to what is now non-sinful. It used to bemuse me that fax machines were not owned as they were the devil's instrument, yet it was permissible to use a neighbour company's device under a business arrangment. Prior to my leaving my employer, the church had realised the benefits that could be had from leasing fax machines from approved church sources with the revenue being used to support the church and church approved schemes such as their private schools. From what I hear, similar doctrinal U turns have been performed for mobile phones and computers (supplied by a church company), although their use is heavily censored and restricted by the church leadership. What is reprehensible is that where people have been excommunicated and banished from their families for using these items previously, it is now ok because it is an income stream. As for the ex-communicated, they remain so because they were out of step with the church leadership.