The Aberdeen Incident

Why is an event nearly 40 years old so important? Why can't we just forget about 'Aberdeen' and move on? The answer to these questions is found here.

There have been two major defining moments in the history of the Exclusive Brethren. The first was in the mid 1800's when J. N. Darby forced a division which created the 'Open' and 'Closed' Brethren. The Darbyites are the origin of today's Exclusive Brethren.

The second major event was Aberdeen. These pages tell the story and try to answer the questions.

For further background, don't miss the chance to read:

If We Walk In The Light

Peebs.Net have been sent a version of the important 63 page booklet that was distributed widely among the Exclusive Brethren following the scandalous 'Aberdeen Incident' in July 1970. "If We Walk In The Light" by Robert Stott presented the evidence in three sections: a transcript of a July 25th, 1970 'bible reading' with James Taylor Jr; a series of letters discussing the Aberdeen Incident and a short commentary by Robert Stott.

It is an important historical document that demonstrates clearly a moment when the Exclusive Brethren, as we know them today, continued down the slippery slope of becoming a cult. The Exclusive 'Taylorite' Brethren have since simply gained noteriety.

To read the booklet, align the viewing screen on your browser and use the Next / Previous controls.

Who are Peebs.Net?

We are a group of concerned individuals who have all been hurt by a group known as the Exclusive Brethren.

We want to have free access to see our families again. We have children that we are not allowed to contact. We have parents that we cannot talk to. We have grandchildren we have never seen. We are not told of loved-one's deaths. We are not invited to their funerals. We want to have normal human interaction with our families.

"The Aberdeen Incident" July, 1970

Despite claims within the Exclusive Brethren that the following image is a 'fake' and has been 'manufactured by Peebs.Net', we reproduce it here as a scanned image direct from the newspaper article upon which it appeared in the Daily Express, London, UK a few days following The Aberdeen Incident. Not only is it genuine, it tells more of the Truth than most words we could reproduce...

James Taylor Jr and Mrs. Madeline Ker at his Brooklyn, New York home in July 1970

"We are not ashamed"--says Big Jim
London Daily Express

Reunited ... Big Jim and Mrs. Ker

Big Jim Taylor put his arm round dark haired Mrs. Madeline Ker at his Brooklyn, New York, home tonight, kissed her lightly on the cheek and said: "I don't care what people say. She is a very, very pure person."

Then the balding, silver haired leader of the Close Brethren said: "We have never at any time done anything improper."

Resting on his lap was a large leather-bound bible, and in his right hand he held a tumbler half full of Scotch.

As we talked in the upstairs sitting room of his large detached house 32-yeard-old Mrs. Ker, mother of four, from Harrow, Middlesex, smiled up at him.

When I arrived at his home, Big Jim was sitting in an armchair wearing only underpants.

He said: "I suppose I had better put my pants on. But, quite honestly, I find it more comfortable just sitting in my underpants."

Big Jim seemed quite at ease, and quite oblivious of the sensation surrounding him and Mrs. Ker and her husband during their recent visit to Negg, Aberdeenshire.

Then it was claimed that Mrs. Ker had been found in bed with him when other members of the sect walked in.

It led to a furious row among members of the sect, and today Big Jim was busy sending off up to 8,000 letters "explaining" the events in Scotland.

Mrs. K and her husband Alan, a research chemist are staying with Big Jim and his wife Irene (60).

Today Mr. Ker was not at the house, and Mr. Taylor and Mrs. Ker explained that [he] had gone to Washington on business and would be back later.

Mr. Taylor, who claims that his hold on the leadership of the Brethren is still unchallenged, said: "Absolutely nothing happened in that bedroom that Mrs. Ker and I are ashamed about.

"It is true she was laying under the sheet on the same bed as myself. But I was on one side of the bed, and she was on the other."

Whose clothes were on the floor?

Said he: "Some of the clothes were mine. I don't know who the other clothes belonged to." "I didn't ask her to lie under the sheet. Mrs. K chose to lie under it of her own free will. "Certainly nothing improper happened, and it is wrong to say that she was naked."

From Philip Finn, New York, Monday

 

Contents

 

Also:

 

If We Walk In The Light - by Robert Stott, Nov 1970

 

 

Further Information

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Introduction | Background | Arrival in Aberdeen | Saturday Meeting | Saturday Evening | Aftermath | Death
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