Blog comments

• To answer Donald's questions on 31st August 2011: Firstly, they generally accept that there definitely are other people outside their religion who are true Christians. The fact that they stay separate from people without their church is based on 2 timothy 2, the principle of separation as according to JND's (John Nelson Darby's) translation of the Bible. The reason being that if separation breaks down, then they have no position at all. As to the clothing, I think you mistake intent. They definitely believe in dressing modestly, but more in dressing according to the bible's teachings. For instance, "It is shameful for a women to cut her hair". It seems, however, that a lot of the girls don't accept that, and cut their hair anyway. (that's not all of them). And the head covering, they believe is protection. It seems it's not a matter of being unnoticeable (You can generally pick a brethren in a crowd) but it is more a matter of dressing according to their beliefs. Does this answer your questions?

  Kit Friday 2 September, 2011 - 7:18 PM

• The problem that I have with the Exclusive Brethren is that they do not consider other Christians to be part of the church. Jesus mixed with tax collecters, prostitutes and those with leprosy. The whole idea of not being able to see other family members, eg adult children or grand children simply because they do not go their particular denomonation is also wrong. I seen a Bretheren woman and her children in the shopping mall this afternoon and she was taking them into the usual style of large car. What I find odd is that this dress code and hair being a certain length that she had submitted to actually makes her and other EB women more noticeable! They stand out in the crowd and this defeats the purpose of this so called modest dressing.

  Donald Wednesday 31 August, 2011 - 11:00 PM

• To contine,
  Fourth, J.S. COLMAN commented that the brethren give and take only among themselves and don't spread the gospel. That is untrue. They hold street preachings on any given day of the week, when some members are able to be there, and preach salvation and redemption of sins through Jesus's blood. Their founding principal is 2 timothy 2 vs 19. "Yet the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those that are his; and, let every one who names the name of the lord withdraw from iniquity. Therefore, they only eat and drink with those they break bread with in the lords supper every Sunday morning.

  The belief that married women aren't allowed to work is not true. If they wish to work, they are allowed.

  Last but definitely not least, if sexual assault of any kind occurs, that would be taken extremely seriously. The member who committed the foul act would immediately be shut up or withdrawn from, similar to the catholic excommunication.

  I hope this has debunked a lot of myths and rumours, if any more information is needed, the brethren's info website is here:

  http://www.theexclusivebrethren.com/

  I got all this information firsthand, and I can assure you, it is completely accurate. And for those of you who have had bad experiences with any of the exclusive brethren, I have had bad experiences too, try to remember, that is not the general attitude among all of them. They are human too.

  Anyway, I hope this answered some questions.

  kit Saturday 20 August, 2011 - 2:37 PM

• To all of those out there who don't understand a lot about the exclusive brethren: I have had close contact with the Exclusive Brethren and know a fair bit about them. First of all, I read a comment about the brethren's businesses all being owned by the central church. Not true at all. Within the church, anyone can start any business they want without any of the other people in the sect knowing. Of course, they're all close friends, so they will learn fairly quickly, but that's not the point. The point is that the businesses are not controlled by the central church. And no, they are not tax exempt. That is a complete lie.

  Secondly, Ben Bowyang, your comment about people not being able to join the brethren is not 100% accurate. There are a lot of myths about that. If someone truly wants to join and uphold the faith, and live according to the bible teachings, then they can freely join. In fact, I personally know two people who have joined in the last few years. That's just people I personally know.

  Thirdly, about computers and Fax machines, they now use them. A lot of their companies have websites now. There is however a block on the internet, which has a restricted amount of websites available. However, with one request, websites can be added to their personal list. All this is for is to stop the filth and corruption that is so easily found on the internet, as most would know. Cont.

  kit Saturday 20 August, 2011 - 2:33 PM

• I was targeted by a teacher in public school who was a leader of the Exclusive Brethren sect in Edmonton, ALberta. First, he announced that God had told him to adopt me (I was 16 and he was 29, married with two small children). When I refused to go somewhere with them, he would threaten to "stuff me in the car". He followed a script on mind control and an all out identity assault. He inflicted this upon me just months after our younger brother was killed in a car accident. He kept insisiting that I was their daughter, as if that ridiculous lie was the only thing that gave me any value. He forced me into a diploma nursing program (I was underage when I graduated) when I had planned to take a degree in liberal arts and had scored consistently in the top 1-2% on IQ tests and skipped a grade in school. His conflict of interest and abuse of power should have been addressed by the authorities at the time. I could not escape him. There is no way that a teacher should be chasing a 16 year old girl all over town during his time off. I am positive that there is no truth in them for all their destructive family separation, interference and lies. He was an opportunist with a motive to use, manipulate, deceive and destroy. Those of us they abuse and torture spiritually and emotionally are damaged by an extremist regime where the leaders (men) are so arrogant that they portray Christianity as little more than snakes in suits - the wolves in sheep's clothing. They set out to destroy the soul's and potential of innocent people. Some day they will be accountable.

  valerie Hayes Sunday 24 July, 2011 - 6:59 AM

• This group has swayed so far from basic Christian teachings, it is amazing they can call themselves Christian with a straight face.
  I have witnessed Exclusive Brethren referring to outsiders as cattle, pigs, and gloating over their various tax evasions (thievery).

  Jim Friday 22 July, 2011 - 6:27 AM