Craig Hoyle, NZ
Part 2 of the Craig Hoyle story
If you ever wondered how the Exclusive Brethren treat those who dare to question their rules and lifestyle, Craig Hoyle’s continuing story will tell you far more than you probably want to know.
Craig Hoyle is gay – a ‘mortal sin’ and, as far as the Exclusive Brethren cult are concerned, a sickness that must be suppressed and cured. The way that Craig was treated is both heart-rending and anger-inducing.
How dare these people call themselves ‘Christian’!
We continue Craig’s story below. The first part of his journey can be read here - ‘What is it like to be gay in the Exclusive Brethren’ -
20-year-old Craig Hoyle, who was brought up in the Exclusive Brethren Church, risked losing everything when he told his priests and family he was gay.
After several meetings with church leaders, and a period under hormonal suppressant medication given to him by a Brethren doctor, Craig just couldn’t take it anymore. He was placed into the first stage of ‘excommunication’.
New Zealander Craig Hoyle
Part 1 of the Craig Hoyle Story
New Zealander Craig Hoyle is hilarious, intelligent, warm, loving … and gay. What is especially remarkable is that 20-year-old Craig Hoyle, like generations of his family, was brought up in the Exclusive Brethren Church – one of the most homophobic of modern-day cults.
As you read Craig’s story, you will begin to understand why his life became unbearable and why he decided he had no choice but to leave the Exclusive Brethren.
It is sad to add that Craig’s story is not unique – not by any means.
The special thing about Craig Hoyle is his courage.
We salute the man Craig Hoyle!
Notoriously isolationist and conservative, the Brethren started in the UK in the 1820s but it only arrived in Invercargill, NZ in December 1992. It now has around 160 members in NZ’s southern-most city.
The eldest in a family of seven children ranging down to nine years old, Craig until recently worked in his dad’s Invercargill tyre shop. His whole life, from his day to day work and leisure through to his lifetime prospects, were mapped out inflexibly, and enforced, by the church.
Perhaps it might have been a bearably conformist life if Craig wasn’t gay.
In his own words Craig, comfortable with being identified by his real name and background, tells his remarkable and inspirational story to GayNZ.com’s Matt Akersten.
After a grueling full day in court, settlement was reached in the long-running law suit between Peebs.Net and the Exclusive Brethren. The fact of settlement is public, but not the terms.
We will publish what we are able as and when lawyers advise.
Meanwhile, the wording used by the Court Reporter seems to underline the effort of the process!
Case Name: Bible & Gospel Trust v. Twinam et al
Case Number: 1:07-cv-00017-jgm
Document Number: 159
MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge J. Garvan Murtha: Status/Settlement Conference held in chambers on 11/23/2009. Present were Matthew Kirtland, Esq. on behalf of pltf; Ronald Shems, Esq. and Rebecca Boucher, Esq. on behalf of dft Timothy Twinam. Statements by counsel. After extensive negotiations and discussions between the parties, a confidential settlement was reached. The parties shall prepare a written settlement agreement and file a stipulation of dismissal. The record of this conference shall remain SEALED until further order of the Court.
Here is a 2-part video of Nick Xenophon’s well-researched attack on Scientology in Australia this week.
Many will see startling similarities to the way the Exclusive Brethren cult exerts control over their members.
Part One (9 minutes 16 sec)
Part Two (8 minutes 20 sec)
Xenophon’s comments regarding tax-exemption strikes at the heart of both cults.
“Religious freedom does not mean you can hide abuse”
“…it is called the Law – and no-one is above it”
Inside New Zealand: How To Spot A Cult
A two-part documentary that investigates the Exclusive Brethren and other cults is due to air in New Zealand next week. The first part of ‘Inside New Zealand: How To Spot A Cult’ is due to be broadcast on November 25th and the conclusion December 2nd.
Ever since Kevin Rudd, now the Australian Prime Minister stated clearly that the Exclusive Brethren are “… an extremist sect and cult”, the media have correctly portrayed this little-known religious group as one of the more destructive and dangerous cults.
Inside New Zealand: How To Spot A Cult gives viewers an intimate view of what life is like inside groups that some former followers say are cults operating in New Zealand.
“These former members have consistent stories about how the different organisations actually work,” explains producer Gary Scott, “and the techniques they say were used to control them, even though the belief systems can be miles apart.”
The recent Exclusive Brethren sex abuse case in New Zealand is likely to feature, together with details of the destructive foray into politics that marked the early leadership of Australian Bruce D. Hales.
The two-part documentary consists of ex-believers’ stories, and investigates the similarities they say exist between groups including the Exclusive Brethren, Scientology, Centrepoint, Gloriavale, Avatar and the International Church of Christ.
Scientology under attack – are the Exclusive Brethren next?
November 21st, 2009
The impact of Australian senator Nick Xenophon’s comments in Canberra this week regarding the Scientology ‘church’ should not be under-estimated.
First there is the man. Nick Xenophon is an independant and carries no party allegience. His 400BC namesake was also a soldier as well as a respected historian. Nick has a background in law and is a resourceful and intelligent political warrior. Several are noting that the modern-day Xenophon seems to have a strategy in his carefully worded attack against the ‘religion’ of Scientology.
This is not a ‘flash in the pan’. Xenophon has been planning his attack for some time:
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