Yesterday, after being contacted by parishoners of the Brethren church from Harlow, I spoke up for them in Parliament. (VIDEO HERE.)
Today, I have also tabled a supportive Parliamentary motion, which other MPs can sign. This will be presented formally to the Charities Commission and the Government.
The motion reads:
"That this House notes the decision of the Charity Commission to revoke the charitable status of a trust that is part of the Brethren Christian Church, which does a lot of good work for charity and community groups; believes that this is an extremely important test case because it has widespread implications for all Christian charitable trusts; and therefore calls on the Government and all parliamentarians to express their belief to the Charities Commission that Christian groups who are serving the community have the right to charitable status and should not be subject to politically correct bias."
You don't mean the Exclusive Brethren led by Bruce Hales of Sydney, Australia do you? Because they are not Plymouth Brethren - they do not have gospel halls. They are called meeting rooms on their website, The Exclusive Brethren.com and the gates are locked when they are in session - not what I would call a public place of worship!They are referring to themselves as Plymouth Brethren to fool the various councils into giving them charitable status. Please look into this group more closely and I think it will make you sick.
ReplyDeleteMr Robert Halfon, you say of the Exclusive Brethren Church that it: "does a lot of good work for charity and community groups". The only charity and community group that this church does anything for is itself. Its doors are locked to outsiders, even the gospel preaching is only for those who belong. I myself was told very firmly I was not welcome when I presented myself to hear the "word of God". They are a private members-only club and should not have their activities subsidised by the community.
ReplyDeleteArthur Boyt
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeleteI am an ex-member in Canada and I can tell you that you are grossly misinformed about the true nature of this group that many have labeled a cult. I was excomunicated for reasons that have never been explained to me and since that time 5 years ago, I have not seen my mother, father, or 5 sisters. My ex-wife swore under oath that it is her wish that I never have contact with my 5 children. Luckily, the law here upheld my rights against the wishes of this group and I enjoy alternate weekend visitation and more. Please do not allow yourself to be duped into believing the sweet milky words of the brethren. I know what it is like to be on thew rong side and the effect is powerful, leading myself amongst many to thoughts of serious self harm initially when I was just out.
There's several things that can be said here, but the main one is the name of the group. It's not the Brethren Christian Church - they are called the Exclusive Brethren. You need to start by calling a spade a spade.
ReplyDeleteYou have chosen a decidedly dodgy horse to ride. Five minutes research on this group and you will realize that all is not what it seems!
Start with http://peebs.net - check out their History - http://peebs.net/a-short-history-of-the-exclusive-brethren/ - Read about some of the damage - http://peebs.net/In_Memoriam/ - do some Google searches ...
Do drop into the Forums - http://peebs.net/forums/ and hear what people are saying about your 'initiative'!
Please feel free to participate ... it's a public site and many of the participants are from the UK.
peebs.net
info@peebs.net
Mr Halfon,
ReplyDeleteI would like to suggest a more balanced view of this question.
Judging from the above posts, clearly there are many disaffected persons out there who feel strongly about your recent intervention in Parliament, for the Brethren.
However,there are always "two sides to a story"; and I would encourage you to continue your support for this minority group as a matter of principle.
Whatever may be said, clearly this group is an branch of Protestant Christian faith, albeit fundamentalist and with a strict adherence to moral codes, but then this is found in many other groups, even in other faiths.
Such genuine groups that pose no threat to public safety etc, have a right to their fundamental freedom to express their religion and manifest in however they wish - this human right is enshrined in the Charter of European Fundamental Human Rights which is legally-binding on Britain and all EU member states.
If a religious minority´s doctrine and faith is based on the Bible, and therefore for public benefit (I think the UK is still a Christian country and her monarch is Defender of the Faith?) then without a doubt it has a right to charitable status. If it does not have, then all other churches and groups must have their status revoked too!
Please continue your support of this question - you, as a member of Parliament, have a perfect right to speak up and defend a group´s human rights.
Dear Mr Halfon,
ReplyDeleteNot meaning to be rude, but where on earth did you get the idea that the Exclusive Brethren are: serving the community, Christian, and doing a lot of good work for charity and community groups? I assume that you have become confused with the different Brethren factions, or been misled by a member of the EB and have not yet conducted any research to verify what you have been told.
Serving the community
The activities of the EB are primarily for their own purposes. In fact they are banned from social interaction with non-members. You may think this can't really be true? I know it is completely true from many years of first-hand experience with this group. I was also reminded of it recently when a member advised me that he was unable to have any level of social contact with me as I was not a member of 'the fellowship'.
The properties of the EB are also for their own purposes only. They will not allow their halls to be used by non-members for: dance, karate, bingo, music, drama, keep fit, bridge, dominos, jumble sales, scouts, brownies, coffee mornings, raffles, aerobics, etc. Even when the halls are used by the EB themselves the doors are locked.
Christian
I don’t want to get theological, but most who have studied Christianity would associate Christ and His teachings with some specific values: inclusion, forgiveness, empathy, love for one’s neighbour/enemy, giving to the poor, etc. The EB practice exclusion, they discipline members for wrong-doings such as attending a non-EB service, or visiting a pub. Christians believe that God loved the world and gave His Son so that it could be set free. The EB teach that the world should be hated.
Doing a lot of good work for charity
They were for many years banned from all charitable giving outside of the group; even throwing change in a bucket to support Cancer Research or RNLI was banned. More recently the Exclusives have engaged in the support of the needy, but just take a look at how it is done.
They got involved following the earthquakes in New Zealand by providing free food and drink for victims and supporters. But they could not eat the food with them, share a cup of tea with them, invite them to their gospel readings, or have them stay at their homes. Why? Because they are taught that they would be contaminated by the non-EB, defiled by their evil, and corrupted by their worldliness. “Here is a free cup of tea, but go and drink it away from me so that I don't become polluted by your wickedness". I know that this is like something from a fairytale - but it’s completely true. The EB did offer some much needed support: but then they took out large newspaper ads to let people know who was behind the support. This is not illegal, but why would they support people with whom they can't share a cup of tea, and then spend money proclaiming the name of the group behind it? I know why.
Conclusion
Can I ask that you simply research the facts before you support the cause. The EB, by necessity, have become very good at deception. Even the confusion about their name is of their own making (and in my opinion, intentional). But I sincerely believe that one single hour of online research may well have been enough to prevent you from taking your current stance. Another hour and you would probably have felt compelled to take some action to defend members (particularly the vulnerable), their extended families, and others from the effects of the abuses committed by this group. I could go on about the forced family break-ups, the strategic deceit of authorities, child abuse, bribes, etc. But for now, please take on board that you have misread this bunch. The cost of supporting this group could be that there are ultimately more victims and the suffering of the abused prolonged. It is only when the truth is exposed that real, honest protection can be effective.
I am sure that you mean well, but please do the right thing by researching this group (the EB). I wish you the very best.
Derek
Mr Halford may I respectfully request you do a lot more research? I have listened to what you and Mr Leigh have said in parliament and I'm afraid you have got your facts very wrong.
ReplyDeleteI and my family were members of the Exclusive Brethren for many years and my family was one broken up by the sect. My Mother was born and brought up in it as were I and my Brother and Sister. My parents and I suffered 5 years of separation from my Brother and his family and my Sister and hers, enforced by the church.My Mother had to watch my Brother going to work every day past our house and also her grandchildren to school without being able to speak to them for fear of excommunication too. When we were in fact excommunicated ourselves the extreme shock caused her to become ill with cancer and die at the age of 70. I had a nervous breakdown at age 18. I could tell you so much more....I will end by saying i recently visited a meeting room at meeting time.I did not go in but it was interesting to note that the gates were proclaiming the premises were well guarded and although open for the meeting a secular security guard was on duty with a walkie talkie at the end of the drive. The meeting rooms these days also have no windows whatever.I do not know of ANY other church that does this. If you wish to have a look at the meeting room in question go to google earth and tell it to go to Bagington near Coventry.You are looking for Friends Close which is one entrance, and Boswell Close/ Hall Drive which is the other. You can view it both aerialy and in street view. This sadly is not a Church in any Christian sense of the word, it has become a cult which has caused extreme pain sometimes leading to death for many and lifelong misery for thousands. I am a committed Christian who is very thankful to have escaped the bondage and brainwashing of this cult but very sadly I have many family members I cannot have anything to do with as they are not allowed to have any form of contact with me,as well as friends I grew up with. Also I have family who are experiencing the pain of recent separation from parents and siblings.
What was the crime I was excommunicated for? Age 16 mising my Brother & Sister I had made surrogate brothers and sisters of some young married couples.One of these families was 'Shut Up' the term used for the stage before excommunication.(You cannot attend church but you are still members) He had been heard swearing on three separate occasions. Not wanting to go through the pain of another permanent separation I visited them to persuade them not to do anything hasty, and persuaded my Father to go and see them too. He was not one of those designated with a 'priests' role in being able to visit them. He told other members that he had done this and the next day my Parents and I were 'Shut Up' too.For my Parents this meant walking out of a meeting in front of four hundred relatives friends and other members in total silence after the sentence had been passed. I had stayed at home knowing what would happen and not being able to face it. Four months later with both my Mother and myself on valium my Father contacted them to ask when they were going to come to see us. They replied that they were under no obligation to as we were 'Withdrawn From' ( excommunicated permanently). They had not even let us know of this and we had spent those four months in total isolation apart from each other, as you do not have friends outside the church.
Does this sound Christian to you? And there are thousands upon thousands of other cases. It is a scandal that has not ever properly come to light. Please please do not be misled any more, but look into this more deeply.
Dear Mr Halford
ReplyDeleteWhy do you support and offer public monies to ANY group who makes their private, no entry, public barred meeting hall/fortress off limits to Joe Citizen? The Exclusive Brethren exclude any use or entry by anyone other than their own; in fact,they consider anyone else to be evil. It would be an intelligent move to do some research and acquaint yourself with this group. I would expect a politician to be discerning when using monies from the public purse.
Respectfully
U R Duped
Mr Halfon, may I respectfully suggest that you try to worship with the Exclusive Brethren, without them knowing who you are so you have the same experience as everyone else? To start with you are likely to have difficulty in finding their halls, because they are often in the most obscure places possible, and, as other posters have mentioned, are surrounded by high metal fences. The only sign outside will be one - often subtly placed - announcing it to be a Brethren's place of "public" worship, citing the acts of Parliament by which it can claim rates relief. Times of services are not shown, and there is no word of welcome. If you manage to find out when services take place and go along you are likely to be received with suspicion and hostility, and probably turned away. If your experience is different, please try asking a member of an ethnic minority to do the same thing.
ReplyDeleteEileen
Mr Halfon, may I respectfully suggest that you try to worship with the Exclusive Brethren, without them knowing who you are so you have the same experience as everyone else? To start with you are likely to have difficulty in finding their halls, because they are often in the most obscure places possible, and, as other posters have mentioned, are surrounded by high metal fences. The only sign outside will be one - often subtly placed - announcing it to be a Brethren's place of "public" worship, citing the acts of Parliament by which it can claim rates relief. Times of services are not shown, and there is no word of welcome. If you manage to find out when services take place and go along you are likely to be received with suspicion and hostility, and probably turned away. If your experience is different, please try asking a member of an ethnic minority to do the same thing.
ReplyDeleteEileen
They do not do one thing for the betterment of anyone but themselves. They do not outreach, they do not provide services for the poor, they do not engage in voting nor are they part of a solution to any social problem. Their information is shrouded in mystery and seperatism. They have funeral meeting for their mambers who disagree with their leader, Mr. Hales. Children are isolated from their parents and visa versa.... They are not Christian in any way shape or form.
ReplyDelete"...an extremely important test case because it has widespread implications for all Christian charitable trusts"
ReplyDeleteThe wider church has nothing to fear. I have attended many churches of different denominations who each enjoy charitable status and who display public benefit to their local communities and to everyone and anyone who enters. Moreover, they invite people to join them and make it very obvious what times they will hold services. Many leave the property open for public use 24/7. In fact the only ‘church’ I have ever been banned from is the one that I was raised in – the Exclusive Brethren. My crime? I watch a TV. For this ‘sin’ I have lost my family, my home, my employment, and my friends. I used to sponsor this group by paying tax. Now the commissioners have seen through them.
AT LAST.
If the issue is that other churches may be impacted, then focus on the legal point of public benefit. All of them that I have encountered (excluding the Exclusives) have welcomed me and shown care, love, inclusion, and public benefit. They have mostly also given me tea, coffee, cakes, and a few barbeques.
The Exclusive Brethren are not able to eat, drink, worship, or pray with anyone who is not ‘in fellowship’ with them. So….. not public.
CHURCHES HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR IF THEY ARE OF PUBLIC BENEFIT.
Ralph
Dear Mr Halfon.
ReplyDeletePlease do a little research on the Exclusive Brethren and see who they are and what they do. Try not to get them confused with the other related groups. I would also suggest that you don't ask the Exclusive Brethren themselves as they will try and have you believe that: their meetings are open (they are not), they are called 'Plymouth Brethren' (they are not, but would like to hijack their better reputation), they don't split families (they do, I know of scores), they are mainstream Christians (they are not, they have no elected or trained leaders, pastors, clergy), they give to charity (they do not, unless it is very public and they can use it to enhance their image for business [keeping charitable status] reasons), etc. It would be better if you were to use wider sources of information: peebs.net, google, friends alive, etc.
I am not one of your constituents (quite), but am not far away. I am not able to give my real name as I have family members still trapped in the Exclusive Brethren group who would probably be punished (or at least singled out and riduculed) if it was known who I am, and I would also put myself and my children at risk of some of their retribution. I am not paranoid, this is REALLY how they are.
Please don't support them - they are in the opinion of many (including Kevin Rudd, former PM of Australia where the EB Man of God resides) an abusive cult.
Thank you.
Anon.