August 27th 2005 (EB Background)

Several Peebs.Net correspondents have discovered interesting public information regarding the Exclusive Brethren from within the UK's Charity Commission web site

Using search criteria of 'Bible and Gospel Trust', the following information can be extracted:

There are two Trusts registered:

1058444 - Bible and Gospel Trust (registered 03 Oct 1996)
1110085 - Bible and Gospel Trust (registered 17 Jun 2005)

The differences between the two may be considered significant:

Objectives:

THE OBJECT OF THE CHARITY SHALL BE TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCREASE AND IMPROVEMENT OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE AND THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL AS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE WRITINGS AND WORKS OF J.N DARBY, F.E.RAVEN , JAMES TAYLOR SENIOR, JAMES TAYLOR JUNIOR, JAMES HARVEY SYMINGTON AND THEIR SUCCESSORS AND IN PARTICULAR FOR THE PURCHASE PRINTING PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BIBLES AND OTHER CHRISTIAN LITERATURE WITH A VIEW TO THE DISTRIBUTION OR SALE OF THE SAME EITHER GRATUITOUSLY OR AT SUCH OTHER PRICE (INCLUDING A PRICE LESS THAN COST) AS THE A TRUSTEES FROM TIME TO TIME THINK FIT

Obviously this is a little out of date, mentioning no further names beyond James Harvey Symington (JHS).

The new (No. 1110085 ) Bible and Gospel Trust is more specific:

THE OBJECTS ARE TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCREASE AND IMPROVEMENT OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE AND THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL AS EXEMPLIFIED IN THE WRITINGS AND WORKS OF J N DARBY, F E RAVEN, JAMES TAYLOR SENIOR, JAMES TAYLOR JUNIOR, JAMES HARVEY SYMINGTON, JOHN STEPHEN HALES, BRUCE DAVID HALES AND THEIR SUCCESSORS AS MINISTER OF THE LORD IN THE RECOVERY INCLUDING BY PROVIDING FOR THE PURCHASE, PRINTING, PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OR SALES OF SUCH WRITINGS AND WORKS EITHER GRATUITOUSLY OR AT SUCH OTHER PRICE (INCLUDING A PRICE LESS THAN COST) AS THE TRUSTEES FROM TIME TO TIME THINK FIT SUBJECT TO THE TRUSTEES HAVING A DISCRETION TO RESTRICT DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLICATIONS DESIGNATED BY THE TRUSTEES FROM TIME TO TIME AS "HELPFUL MINISTRY FOR THE SAINTS"

(Differences in terminology are highlighted)
It would seem that the Exclusive Brethren no longer have the stated objective of selling Bibles.

1058444 Trustees:

MR BERNARD GRAHAM REINER
MR M J WALKER
MR G L POLLARD
MR W HATHORN
MR C H KINGSTON
MR K N DUNLOP

1110085 Trustees:

MR BERNARD GRAHAM REINER
MR G L POLLARD
MR KEVIN NOEL DUNLOP

The remaining information has not changed much:

Classification: (Charity Target)

Area of Benefit:

The original Bible and Gospel Trust (No. 1058444) has some financial information. It is worth pointing out that the most recent Report shows a surplus of over UK £8 Million.

Financial History:

Documents:

• Report of Trustees - June 30th, 2003
• Report of Trustees - June 30th, 2004

August 27th 2005 (EB News)

Ngaire Thomas, author of 'Behind Closed Doors', continues to attract media attention during her busy schedule of book signings and interviews in New Zealand. The following article appeared in New Zealands' Nelson Mail yesterday:

• Author exposes 'secretive' church - PDF Version
• Author exposes 'secretive' church - Web Link

August 23rd 2005 (EB News)

We have been sent a copy of an old article from New Zealands' North & South Magazine dating back to 1993.

The story of the Fields is just one of so many ... a quote in the article still rings as true today as it did several years ago: "The case will be watched by hundreds of disaffected former Exclusive Brethren in New Zealand and Australia, each with their own tale of heartbreak and wrecked families; relationships between once happily married couples and loving siblings rent asunder in the name of Christ.".

• Suffer the little children - North & South Magazine - Web Link
• Suffer the little children - North & South Magazine - PDF Version

There is a brief April 2000 update from Dick Wyman at the end of the article. The 'Library' to which Dick refers no longer exists. If anyone has access to the material that relates to this or other articles, please contact Peebs.Net.

August 22nd 2005 (EB Community)

Today marks the anniversary of the publication of the first edition of Behind Closed Doors by Ngaire Thomas. This book has had greater media impact than any other similar publication and has established Ngaire as a talented spokesperson for the New Zealand ex-Exclusive Brethren community.

The book has sold well and is now being published by Random House. It has resulted in a greater understanding of Exclusive Brethren life and practices and has been responsible for excellent media coverage and increased interest both in New Zealand / Australia and other parts of the world.

Well done Ngaire! Thank you for all your hard work and sacrifice. You are a very special lady.

August 20th 2005 (EB Commentary)

Peebs.Net has been accused of recycling 'old news' in the past, but sometimes old news can appear prophetic! This 1993 editorial by recently departed David Lange features both his humor and his insight. The political activism of the Exclusive Brethren may be blatantly self-serving, but political comment demands reply and the insightful criticism of David Lange will be sorely missed.

• Heaven save us from the Extremists - PDF Version
• Heaven save us from the Extremists - JPG Version

August 19th 2005 (EB News)

A correspondent drew the following to our attention, published in UK's Times Educational Supplement, August 12th, 2005. It is of particular interest due to the public stance of the Exclusive Brethren in utterly condemning the use of computers and banning their membership from using them. However, as this article shows, for these modern-day hypocrites, the ban can be conveniently lifted whenever deemed expedient.

• ... But sometimes a laptop can come in handy

Further examples of the way EB utilize computers, emails and other 'banned' technology are revealed in the private member-only Forums.

While on the topic of Exclusive Brethren education, we were sent the following web-link today. It is the May 2005 Inspectors Report for one of the EB schools - Keystone Education Trust, Swansea, UK. It makes interesting reading! (Note - it is 65 pages long and about 450K - allow time to load.)

• HM Inspectors Report - Keystone Education Trust

August 19th 2005 (EB News)

Several wonderful individuals have sent outline transcripts of NZ's TV3 broadcast so that we can all appreciate some of the content. The following is a transcript of the full broadcast.

• Inside New Zealand: Leaving the Exclusive Brethren - Transcript

Another Contributor has produced a summary of Exclusive Brethren statements in the broadcast:

• Inside New Zealand: Leaving the Exclusive Brethren - EB Statements

Our thanks to the Contributors!

August 18th 2005 (EB News)

Peebs.Net have not yet received a full review of the TV3 documentary "INSIDE NEW ZEALAND: LEAVING THE EXCLUSIVE BRETHREN" broadcast earlier today in New Zealand. We have however located what appears to be the first news editorial published as a result of the broadcast.

• Fashion Victims of Religion - PDF Version
• Fashion Victims of Religion - Web Link

The article is well written, amusing and extremely hard-hitting. If reporter Jane Bowron based her information on this single TV program, it would appear that TV has at last produced a realistic non-sanitized glimpse of the Exclusive Brethren. It's been a while coming.

August 18th 2005 (EB News)

• INSIDE NEW ZEALAND: LEAVING THE EXCLUSIVE BRETHREN - Program Overview

August 17th 2005 (EB News)

UK's Times Educational Supplement has confirmed that OFSTED has finished a reassessment of Exclusive Brethren schools and is "... satisfied that the entire stock of private schools owned by the Exclusive Brethren provided a good standard of education.".

• Official backing for the Brethren - TES, August 12th, 2005

This view is certainly not shared by everyone. The article goes on to outline a growing concern regarding Exclusive Brethren schools, in that they might "... fail to promote tolerance and understanding of other cultures". This would seem to refer to the Exclusive Brethren adherence to 'Separation from evil', which teaches that in a sinful world, they are the only true church and should therefore avoid contact with the outside world.

Our correspondent suggests that this is the perfect time to contact the author of the TES article, Graeme Paton. Graeme is known to consider that the matter requires further investigation. His email address is: graeme.paton@tes.co.uk. Let Graeme know your views.

August 17th 2005 (EB News)

What people say when the cameras and the tape are rolling is always illuminating. In a few hours, TV3 in New Zealand will be broadcasting the latest documentary on the Exclusive Brethren as a result of growing media interest.

We have been sent a transcript of Exclusive Brethren priest statements in the 2003 Everyman documentary, broadcast by the BBC.

• Transcript of EB priest statements - Everyman 2003

UK's OFSTED may find the statement by Gordon Pollard to be rather embarrassing in the light of their recent decision to ratify all UK Exclusive Brethren schools in the UK (see above):

"The brethren used to go to university, but that was pointed out through, through the leader, at that time, that it was not protective at all. In fact many that went to university have left us, and many that are still in fellowship with us regret ever going through that sort of learning process. The influences at university are not helpful, at all, in a moral sense. We're trying to lead a life discerning between what's right and wrong, refusing evil, choosing good, and that's where, why the reason we don't go to university."
- Gordon Pollard, UK EB priest

We encourage anyone with a little time to offer this community a similar service for the forthcoming TV3 documentary. We will publish a transcript and any program reviews that are sent to us. Doubtlessly the content will be discussed in the Peebs.Net Forums.

Peebs.Net are aware of at least three other investigative TV productions currently being planned. Anyone willing to speak with the associated producers (NZ, USA & UK) is invited to contact Peebs.Net direct.

August 16th 2005 (EB News)

New Zealand's TV3 is poised to air a much anticipated TV documentary on the Exclusive Brethren. TV3 is advertising the programme each night and the snippets show Greg Mason talking and a young girl saying something about "... not wanting to be in the world".

We heard some months ago that there was quite a buzz within Exclusive Brethren circles about the impending documentary. Watch it if you can - and please provide us with reviews so that the documentary can be appreciated by those not in the TV3 area.

From TV3 website (http://www.tv3.co.nz):

INSIDE NEW ZEALAND: LEAVING THE EXCLUSIVE BRETHREN
08:30 PM Thursday 18 Aug 2005

For the first time , television cameras have been allowed inside the hidden world of the Exclusive Brethren. The Exclusive Brethren believe they are 'the chosen' ones and exclude themselves from the world , living apart , sending their children to Exclusive Brethren schools and working in businesses run by themselves. Inside New Zealand talks to an Exclusive Brethren family , an elder from the church and people who have left the Exclusive Brethren and are now shunned by the church and by their family.

August 14th 2005 (EB News)

David Lange, former prime minister of New Zealand (1984-1989), died yesterday aged 63. A well-respected international figure, Lange was a champion of the underdog and and a man who certainly appreciated the danger that the Exclusive Brethren's 'dreadful dogma' represented within his community:

• A typical David Lange editorial

David Lange stood up in the New Zealand Parliament and publicly supported Dr. Nick Smith, another NZ Exclusive Brethren critic, when he too spoke into the public record:

• Dr. Nick Smith Speech Transcripts

David Lange is remembered for appearing in a New Zealand TV televised debate, facing Bryan Wilson (also recently deceased), where the topics included the way Exclusive Brethren teaching and practices can destroy family relationships. Confirmed athiest Bryan Wilson, never a member of the Exclusive Brethren, was used as an 'expert' witness by both the Exclusive Brethren and the Jehovah's Witness movement.

A NZ correspondent writes: "He [David Lange] was the first person that I knew of that spoke out about the Brethren publicly without being sued or threatened by them. I think the Brethren knew he had too much credibilty and intelligence for them to try and shut him up."

August 10th 2005 (EB News)

The Boston Globe publishes a short, but important insight into why there should be increased accountability in religious organizations. The financial arrangements behind the surprisingly wealthy Exclusive Brethren are intentionally a mystery to those outside the organization. Yet they globally expect to be treated as a bona-fide charity!

• Boston Globe - Checking out churches

From the article: "Financial accountability is another way to have moral accountability".

August 9th 2005 (EB News)

We have received the following from an interested member of the public in Canberra, Australia:

(Click on thumbnail image for larger version.)

I have been a lurker for a number of years now in an attempt to understand the (often poor) behaviour and attitudes of my neighbours and their friends. They are EBs. Through this web site I have learnt a fair bit but still dont find their treatment of me and my family any more acceptable. Anyway, enough of the complaints. I have attached a couple of photos of a local EB church that has been up for sale for ages. It is in a suburb called Hughes in Canberra. The phone number on the sign is a Queanbeyan number (which is where most of the Canberra EBs have been relocating to over the last few years). The hall was for sale using an estate agent that has been favoured by the EBs during their progressive relocation to Queanbeyan. Obviously his performance was not considered good enough so they have decided to have a go at selling the building themselves. The building is zoned as a church building (probably to avoid rates and taxes etc etc) and is in pretty ordinary condition on a very small block so I expect this means that demand is probably non-existent. Interestingly, there is a very smart and inviting Jehovahs building right next door to this rather drab looking building.

August 7th 2005 (EB News)

A fascinating and superbly presented article has been sent to us, extracted from the current issue of Eve Magazine, published in the United Kingdom. The title says it all:

• 'They think I've gone to the devil'

Dick Wyman's site - http://www.exclusivebrethren.net (PDF version)

Daniel Little's site - http://www.withdrawnfrom.com (PDF version)

Dick Wyman ran a much appreciated website during the period 1996/7 to 2004 and was instrumental in helping many ex-EB find long-lost friends and relations ... as well as assisting an unknown number of Exclusive Brethren escapees find help and support. His balanced and sympathetic viewpoint continues to be an inspiration to many.

Daniel Little took over the Wyman-format Guestbook for a few months in early 2004 until he too was forced to close following Exclusive Brethren legal pressure.

The Exclusive Brethren have a history of attempting to prevent comment and discussion regarding their beliefs and practices. Internally, any dissension is ruthlessly terminated. This site has also been threatened with legal action by the Exclusive Brethren (see Peebs.Net News Archives April 30th, 2005).

Peebs.Net is committed to offer both public and private forums enabling the expression of free speech for those who are, or have been associated with the religious group known as the Exclusive Brethren. This is a right protected by the laws of most educated nations.

You may read the full decision here.

• Exclusive Brethren settle out of court

As stated on May 4th, it would appear that the Exclusive Brethren consider themselves to be a "major faith" rather than merely a "remnant" when it comes to some planning applications. The following material would perhaps indicate otherwise.

• Nillumbik Planning document
• Letter published in Diamond Valley Leader - May, 2005
• Australian Population Year Book extract
• Australian Classification of Religious Groups
• Nullumbik Staff

The claim in the Valley Leader that the EB are a "major faith" seems to be based on the title of the following book:

Ian Gillman, (Editor) (1988), Many Faiths One Nation: A Guide to the Major Faiths and Denominations in Australia, Collins, Sydney; see Brethren, p193-202.

Another interpretation of the Australian statistics indicate that the Exclusive Brethren represent only 0.135% of the Australian population - 27,000 out of 20,000,000. It would seem that a claim to be considered a "major faith" is possibly rather a stretch.

• Church Of Cruelty - Dominion Post

Here is a May 2005 5 minute New Zealand TV interview with Ngaire in streaming video:

• New Zealands' TV ONE Breakfast Show interview with Ngaire Thomas

The following July 14th, 2004 submission as written evidence to UK Parliaments' Joint Committee on the Draft Charities Bill highlights their concern that their educational establishments receive charitable status.

• Written evidence to Joint Committee on the Draft Charities Bill - July 2004

Charitable status is an important factor for the Exclusive Brethren, world-wide. In Brisbane, Australia, the City Council is currently attempting to gain considerable back-taxes based on their entirely understandable viewpoint that locked doors and gates do not constitute the normal way for members of the public to gain access to a 'public place of worship' (See April 2005 Peebs.Net News in Archives). This view applies to all Exclusive Brethren windowless meeting halls. The view of many is that this secretive group absolutely do not deserve to be classed as a bona-fide charity.

It is interesting to note that the EB admit to "considerable funds" being available from their UK holding company - Unifocus Limited. Their business 'octopus' stretches world-wide and the thought of them losing the tax-break of being a designated charity appears to be of great concern to them - it will certainly affect their beloved 'bottom-line'.

There are at least 2,000 reasons why the Focus Learning Trust should be investigated very carefully. The question should be asked whether the UK Government should, in effect, sponsor the creation of yet another generation of Exclusive Brethren.

And it bears asking ... what benefit to the public educational system is there in supporting a closed educational system that is run by a closed religious order with a curriculum that is based on being separate from society?

Manningham Leader (Australia)

June 8, 2005 Wednesday

Brethrens' School plan gets no-go
by Siobhan Duck

PLANS to build an evangelical Christian school in Templestowe have been refused by Manningham Council. The religious community known as the Exclusive Brethren hoped to start a new school for Years 7 to 11 near Candlebark Park. The Exclusive Brethren follow a rigid code of behaviour, avoid contact with outsiders and do not own televisions or radios.

The Glenvale Group, which runs Brethren schools across Victoria, would have owned and operated the school. Templestowe was chosen as it was one of few sites big enough to accommodate a school. According to Glenvale's plans, the new school expected to cater to a maximum of 140 students but estimated enrolments would fall short of that number. Initially students would come from outside the area, but it was expected many Brethren would eventually move to Manningham to be near the school.

Fred Krumins, a consultant acting on behalf of Glenvale, said the height and length of the buildings had been reduced, steps taken to reduce noise and substantial replanting planned to allay residents' concerns. It had also offered to run private shuttle buses, as is done at its Glenroy campus with great success, to keep traffic to a minimum.

Mr Krumins said Glenvale would look at taking the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal once it had received an official notice of refusal from the council. Residents argued the school would not benefit the community and would destroy neighbourhood amenity.

Councillors refused the proposal, agreeing the "golden mile" of Templestowe was no place for a school of any sort. Cr Bob Beynon said the impact of Carey Baptist Grammar on neighbouring properties and Donvale traffic clearly showed how schools could affect neighbourhood amenity over time. Once the school was built, the council would have no authority over how many students would be enrolled, he said.

The Times Educational Supplement

July 22, 2005

Head Wins Damages

The Catholic head of a school run by a Christian sect has won undisclosed damages after claiming she was forced out of her job. Sue Collins, 54, took the Three Counties Education Trust, a school run by the Exclusive Brethren, to a tribunal in May claiming unfair dismissal.

It was alleged the sect, which says women are "helpmates" to men, replaced her with a male member of the group and cut her hours and pay.

This week she accepted an out-of-court settlement prior to the start of a second hearing.

Sue Collins was able to state very clearly some of her reasons for having problems with the Exclusive Brethren in an earlier published report in the TES entitled 'Forbidden to eat with her own pupils':

• Forbidden to eat with her own pupils - TES, May 27th, 2005

Hardly surprising therefore that a correspondent wrote to the TES during May 2005:

• Citizenship goes up in smoke - TES, May 2005

Peebs.Net has been reliably informed that a full inspection is currently underway of all Focus Learning Trust Exclusive Brethren schools. No comments regarding this development are currently forthcoming from David Bell - the OFSTED Chief Inspector.

Several articles carried in the influential UK Times Educational Supplement highlight some background reasons why OFSTED are apparently revisiting their assessment criteria as they relate to Focus Learning Trust establishments. Further reasons must include the global reaction to the original OFSTED praise.

• Secretive sect wins over the inspectors - TES, March 18, 2005
• Ostracized by Group - TES, March 18, 2005
• 'Inferior' woman fights for justice - TES, May 27th, 2005

Graeme Paton the Times Educational Supplement journalist involved in the above articles would be very interested in any feedback, as he is believed to be delaying the publication of a further more detailed article about the Exclusive Brethren until all OFSTED inspections have been carried out.

Graeme Paton may be contacted via email at: graeme.paton@tes.co.uk

As before, please restrict usage to general personal announcements and greetings. Questions and controversial statements should be addressed as always to the appropriate Peebs.Net Forum.

• Religious Sect Behind Anti-Gay Ads

• The quiet presence of The Brethren

The Exclusive Brethren's "earnest simplicity and quiet counsel" is the public facade of a group whose isolationalist policies internally rip families apart and shuns those who dare to disagree with their belief that they represent the remnant of the only true church.

• Secretive religious sect behind anti-gay ads

The Reason for the Exclusive Brethren Website

A copy of the website www.theexclusivebrethren.com has been printed off and sent to someone in the EB's who is close to BDH with a cover letter asking for a "please explain". The person sending this made it clear they were not being antagonistic, but as they had been brought up in the EB's to believe that computers, and the internet in particular, were the personification of Satan so to speak, how was it that they now feel free to be part of this 'evil' system? They then followed up this letter and hard copy of the website, with a phone call, and this is what they were told.

The (Exclusive) Brethren in the past have always been held in high esteem by government and well respected by the world in general, but they are now finding that because of the exposure they have been receiving from various websites this is no longer the case. They have been advised from 'high levels in the judiciary' (the EB's now find it necessary to listen to judiciary rather than God -maybe He is not talking to them anymore!) that they need to give themselves a voice and a representation in this medium.

According to what was said, authorities in general are not treating them as favourably as they once did, particularly at the local government level. The EB's are under investigation by a number of government agencies in different countries, and they are experiencing trouble retaining the services of various legal firms who do not wish to represent them anymore.

We pray and hope that this pressure will continue until the truth about the Exclusive Brethren, comes out for what they are, and the evil they have done to so many, and that the "System" will finally collapse under the weight of evidence against them.

This is not to make any of us who have taken up the challenge to bring the EB's to justice complacent or smug about what has been achieved so far, but to encourage us to keep up the fight, and not give ourselves rest, until this "Horror" that of the "Exclusive Brethren" is made accountable and finished.

Those who have been terribly wronged will be vindicated and much of the hurt appeased when this happens. All we need is "Faith and Belief", followed up with determination and courage.