November 17th, 2005 (EB Community news)

We are carefully protecting the identity and location of the author and the publication until Launch Day. Links will be available to enable ordering of the book.

About the author:

The author is a middle child of 6, born into a hard working, bible-believing farming family. The familys heritage dramatically changed when an edict handed down from those in power within the Exclusive Brethren forced them to choose between leaving their land or leaving their family and the fellowship.

Further changes continued to be thrust upon the members of this exclusive sect and several years later a historic event brought about a split in the fellowship, which saw the authors family amongst the many who chose to leave at this time.

Due to the Exclusive lifestyle, the influence of behaviour modelled by adults, their conflicting messages and her perceptions as a child, the author was less equipped to deal with lifes challenges than many other teenagers.

The impact of being out in the world with its vast cultural differences and unknown rules of worldly society, the inevitable insecurity directly affected the authors decision-making abilities and the author found herself isolated even further in struggling to grow up into adulthood.

As part of a recovery and reconciliation process, the author began journaling thoughts and recorded efforts to facilitate change. Those writings, over a period of 12 years, accompanied many hours of honest soul-searching, tears and anguish and have been brought together in this highly personal narrative.

Others will identify with parts of this story, particularly those who have experienced the devastating effects of spiritual and emotional abuse. The message from the author to all those affected is that you too, can make a decision to be free from fears and bondages that result when suppression and abuse are inflicted upon human beings regardless of which religious or humanistic belief system they represent.

Above all, be gentle with your selves. Remember, you are still a work in progress.

November 16th, 2005 (EB news)

There have been several recent articles in the Australian and New Zealand press that have fleetingly mentioned the involvement of the Exclusive Brethren in the recent New Zealand general elections. While we wait for the results of the official enquiry into several alleged breaches of NZ electoral rules, the following Australian perspective reached us today:

• The Flightless Birds Have Spoken ...



Yes, after the incredibly expensive lies, the sexism, the teasing and all the rest, the only way to keep Tobys interest in the election was to involve a reclusive Christian cult that doesnt eat, live or marry outside its own in the proceedings. A group of businessmen from a deeply religious sect known as The Exclusive Brethren spent over half a million dollars pamphlet dropping in a large number of urban electorates, speaking of the potential evils that would befall the nation if a Labour-Greens coalition was to gain power. Gays would be able to corrupt children, New Zealand businesses would be taxed into oblivion to pay for pointless environmental causes and the entire economy would suffer. Its amazing how much insight these businessman had considering they deny themselves access to television, radio, print media, popular music, restaurants, galleries, alcohol, contemporary fiction, modern science, most tertiary education and the internet.

At first the finger was pointed at Dr Brashs National Party. There were rumblings that they may have financed the mysterious pamphlets themselves. Dr Brash denied all prior knowledge of the pamphlets or who had distributed them. It took a Brethren Businessmen press conference to set the record straight (how does a secretive Christian sect that shuns all forms of modern media decide to follow up their political meddling with a live national press conference?). The Brethren businessmen had done this without either Dr Brashs or their churchs consent. However it transpired that the group had met with Dr Brash in the months before their pamphlet drop and expressed their support for his party. Dr Brash was curiously silent about this meeting right up until the press conference where the Exclusive Brethren businessmen set the record straight (Im told Christians never lie).

November 10th, 2005 (EB news)

Occasionally our search engines fail us and we miss a significant article of interest. That is where the many supporters of this site come in! We were sent the following UK Times article today, dating back to March this year - it may well reduce you to tears of laughter as well as sadness: Oh Lordy, what a school - (Web link) Oh Lordy, what a school - (PDF Version) The internet, said the headmaster, is a device created by Satan to yoke together unbelievers. In www we see the stamp of the devil, and it says: wicked, wicked, wicked.

In our opinion, the published genre of 'True Fiction' as it relates to the Exclusive Brethren is highly applicable. It would be just humorous if it were not for the fact that thousands have suffered as a result of their destructive doctrines.

November 8th, 2005 (EB news)

The battle continues in Brisbane, Australia over the right of the Exclusive Brethren to lock their heavy steel gates and bolt their doors during their secretive meetings - and yet demand tax relief on the grounds that they are currently defined as a public place of worship. This is rightly viewed as an important issue for the Exclusive Brethren as it may well have considerable ramifications should they lose. Their meeting halls are normally windowless and surrounded by high steel fences. It is not unusual for them to have members designated as Security Officials, ensuring that only members enter their parking lots.

The Brisbane City Council and the Exclusive Brethren go back into court today, November 8th, in an attempt to seek a final ruling on the matter. The Brisbane City Council have taken the Exclusive Brethren all the way to the Australian High Court, and a panel of 3 Supreme Court Judges will make their verdict over the next few weeks.

We have been reliably informed that all Exclusive Brethren have been requested to earnestly pray that the judges rule in their favor. After all, this is about money ...

October 29th, 2005 (EB news)

Official investigations continue in New Zealand as to the financial and political activities of the Exclusive Brethren. NZ police are investigating alleged false names and addresses used in political pamphlet production during the recent NZ elections, certain political advertisments and also, the legality of an estimated NZ$500,000 spent in production and distribution costs.

Local Exclusive Brethren leadership appear to have distanced themselves from the activities of a group of seven wealthy Exclusive Brethren businessmen, dubbed the 'Secret Seven' by the New Zealand media. The seven include: Tim Lough, Doug Watt, Phil Win, Neville Simmons, Greg Mason, Andrew Simmons, and Andy Smith. There has been no official comment by the Exclusive Brethren international leader - the 'Man of God' - Australian Bruce D. Hales. Some find this silence surprising, as all major decisions involving EB activities must first receive the approval of the Exclusive Brethren 'Elect Vessel' or 'Man of God'.

• Probe into election advertising spending

"Mr Buchanan said the office was still awaiting information from the Parliamentary Service, and it was hoped the probe would be completed by the end of the year. "

An earlier and hard-hitting press release underlines some of the broader concerns regarding recent Exclusive Brethren political activity:

• Exclusive Brethren money for Howard, Bush, Brash campaigns questioned

Senator Brown told parliament that in an 'international conspiracy' by the sect, seven Brethren business men had admitted to funding an expensive Australian-styled leaflet campaign against Labour and the Greens in New Zealand in the run up to next Saturday's election. "Voters in all 3 countries deserve to know the link-ups by which huge amounts of money from the Exclusive Brethren is being channelled into politics," he said.

The personal impact of life within the secretive Exclusive Brethren is starting to be appreciated by the international media, with several pending TV investigations and almost daily Exclusive Brethren news items or commentaries appearing in the international press. Once such story concerns Martin Seeley, an ex-member of the Exclusive Brethren "cult", whose dramatic story appeared in the Australian press yesterday:

• Cult fraud's fantasy life

"A cult member posed as a financial adviser to some of the world's wealthiest men to gain access to $28 million worth of luxury homes and flash cars. Charming con artist Martin Seeley, 41, was a pathological liar who led a fantasy life for more than a decade to escape the rigid moral guidelines of a secretive religious sect."

October 25th, 2005 (EB news - Update)

Further news from New Zealand:

• Police to look at Brethren, Labour ads

"The police will investigate Exclusive Brethren election pamphlets that attacked the Greens, as well as Labour's pledge card and a brochure. Chief Electoral Officer David Henry has also referred a suspected Brethren advertisement from a Christchurch newspaper attacking Progressive leader Jim Anderton to the police. The MP complained the person who authorised the advertisement used a false address."
• Police check election pamphlets

Mr Donald said the referral of the Brethren leaflets was a moral victory. "I believe it cost us a seat in Parliament, so I remain very angry that this so-called Christian organisation was able to distribute lies and half-truths with impunity during the campaign."

October 25th, 2005 (EB news)

The Exclusive Brethren now face a police investigation following a decision by the Chief Electoral Officer for New Zealand. The Exclusive Brethren are alleged to have used false addresses in some of their material, also the use of EB NZ$500,000 funds in the campaign against Labour and the Green Party is considered to have perhaps broken NZ's electoral rules.

• Police investigating election spendups

"... police are investigating expenditures by Labour and the Exclusive Brethren to determine if electoral laws were violated by materials produced during the election."
• Brethren to face police over use of false address

"I look forward to the police investigations getting to the bottom of what appears to be another attempt by the Exclusive Brethren to covertly influence the outcome of the election," Jim Anderton said.
• Brethren group face police probe over anti-Green propaganda

"However, the real punishment for the Exclusive is that they have failed in their goal to get a National government in place probably due to the unchristian way they went about it."
• Police to probe election pamphlet drop

"Aimed at shooting down the Greens and calling for a change in government, the pamphlets put out by the Exclusive Brethren may have backfired. Chief electoral officer David Henry ruled the pamphlet produced by a member of the reclusive religious sect appears to have encouraged people to vote National. And without express permission from the National Party that may breach electoral law. There was no fronting up from the Brethren but senior member Andrew Simmons confirmed that police are investigating."

October 14th, 2005 (EB news)

There seems little doubt that the Exclusive Brethren are now being watched carefully in New Zealand. Their motives appear clear ... they persist in encouraging the formation of a right-wing conservative government in an atmosphere of political uncertainty following the recent elections in NZ.

• Just Why Do the Exclusive Brethren Want A Non-Christian To Be Prime Minister?

"In Dr Brash's favour, no doubt, is the fact that his initial support for the Civil Union Bill changed during the latter part of 2004. It is possible that the arguments put forward by Mr [Timothy] Lough and his colleagues Andy Smith, Neville Simmons and Greg Mason may have had something to do with why the majority of National Party MPs decided to vote against the controversial legislation. After checking the Justice and Electoral Select Committee's notes it would appear Mr Lough and his three colleagues (all of whom fronted to the media regarding their pamphlet campaign) took the time to travel to Wellington and vocally express their opposition to the Civil Union Bill, in early September 2004."



• Peters to be minister in NZ Labour govt

"The secretive Exclusive Brethren has unsuccessfully tried to arrange talks with NZ First, the Post reported. The Brethren caused controversy for Brash during the election campaign when they were found to be behind a $NZ500,000 ($A463,477.94) letter drop against Labour and the Greens. They had conducted similar campaigns in Australia."

It remains to be seen whether the Exclusive Brethren contribution to NZ politics, fueled by wealth and alleged questionable political tactics, will find credibility with those they attempt to influence. Meanwhile, many are delighted that the spotlight of media attention is starting to illuminate this secretive group.

October 13th, 2005 (EB news)

• Peters says Brethren sought meeting

"The secretive religious sect that caused a stir during the general elections with its leaflet campaign against the Labour Party and the Greens is now allegedly trying to influence the formation of a new government."



• Brethren stirs coalition cauldron

"The Christian sect behind a half-million-dollar campaign to oust Labour is one of the groups urging National to make a last-ditch effort to form a government. It was confirmed yesterday that members of the Exclusive Brethren had tried to arrange talks with NZ First, whose seven MPs are critical to a National-led government. The Exclusive Brethren's continued interest in the outcome of negotiations to form the next government is understood to be a factor in Labour's moving quickly this week to quell growing speculation that a centre-Right deal was on the cards ... Exclusive Brethren member Greg Mason said members of his church would be "talking to probably all sorts of people" and he would not comment further. "

October 12th, 2005 (EB news)

Peebs.Net continue to receive interesting background information on the Thistledown Educational Trust affair. It appears that there is an open day scheduled for October 22nd, 2005 so perhaps we might receive some first-hand reports as to the situation shortly.

Historically, it appears that the Exclusive Brethren educational trust known as Thistledown was the recipient of quite a deal!

Extract from local council minutes:

198. Tisbury: Former Nadder Middle School The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services seeking authority to sell the main school building at the former Tisbury Nadder Middle School to Thistledown School and the Assembly Hall to a Charitable Trust to be set up by the community.

In addition to the statement referred to in Minute No. 197 above the Chairman also reported the receipt of a letter from the Trustees of the Thistledown Education Trust.

The Chairman and other Cabinet Members emphasised that this was a marvellous opportunity for the Tisbury community for which there appeared to be widespread support.

Resolved:

(1) To approve the sale of the main building at Nadder Middle School, Tisbury to Thistledown School on terms to be agreed by the Solicitor to the Council and the Director of Environmental Services.

(2) To sell or lease the hall at the school to a Charitable Trust formed by the community for the sum of 1, but otherwise on terms to be agreed by the Solicitor to the Council and the Director of Environmental Services.

Reason for Proposal

The proposal from Thistledown will ensure that the former Nadder Middle School, Tisbury remains in educational use, preserves community use of the site, and does not have the uncertainty associated with a planning application for development. It will also reduce the amount of time during which the property will stand empty.

Options Considered

Whilst the County Council has not offered the property for sale on the open market, officers have for a number of months been trying to identify organisations that would be interested in using the premises for community purposes. Thistledown is the only organisation that has come forward with a serious and realistic proposal.

The County Council could offer the property for sale on the open market for development purposes. However, Salisbury District Local Plan Policy SP3 discourages a change of use of community facilities unless it can be proved that the existing use is no longer viable. Accordingly, the District Council Planning Officers will be reluctant to approve an application for development of the site whilst there is an offer from Thistledown that is realistic in terms of preserving community use, retention of the buildings and provides a fair price for the property.

Full minutes available here.

Prior to the recent Exclusive Brethren 'slip-up', the local parish were obviously becoming excited:

news and special events

TISBURY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

Tisbury Independent School, run by the Thistledown Trust, opened on September 2nd 2005 in the classroom wing of the Nadder Middle School. Children from as far afield as Chippenham, Yeovil, Andover and Salisbury come in by train and by coach each day.

The whole wing has been renovated and updated at considerable cost, paid for by the Thistledown Charitable Trust. The Trust has also given significant sums of money to renovate and update the Assembly Hall area of the old school. This has included installing a new central heating system, new toilets and a new kitchen as well as structural alterations to the changing rooms.

Discussions are continuing with Wiltshire County Council who intend to give a substantial grant towards the refurbishment of the Assembly Hall and a lease of the complex, at a peppercorn rent, for Tisbury and West Tisbury residents to use as a Community facility. The generosity of the Thistledown Trust has ensured that the community will have an excellent, refurbished facility for plays, concerts, conferences and other occasions.

The Thistledown Trust is inviting the public to view their new school and the Assembly Hall premises on an Open Day on Saturday October 22nd 2005 from 2pm to 4.30pm. Light refreshments will be provided. It is hoped that as many residents as possible from Tisbury and West Tisbury will come to see the changes that have been made to the old Nadder Middle School buildings.

Extracted from the Tisbury parish website.

October 10th, 2005 (EB Background)

As part of the occasional Peebs.Net Case Study series, we look at three Exclusive Brethren entities based in the UK. These case studies are primarily to assist the media currently focusing on the international education, business and sociological structure of the Exclusive Brethren. The Exclusive Brethren excel in business matters and are in process of creating an impressive international infrastructure that meets their objectives: to protect their young from 'worldly influence', and to consolidate a international business empire that offers employment and funding to their own.

1. Allenby Tutorial Trust
2. Focus Learning Trust
3. Unifocus Limited

Allenby Tutorial Trust is a sample of a small Exclusive Brethren school, in this case based in the Lewisham area of Greater London, UK.

Focus Learning Trust is the Exclusive Brethren 'umbrella' Educational Trust for all EB schools in the UK.

Unifocus Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Focus Learning Trust and is used to raise money and to channel funds into Focus Learning and elsewhere.

In due course we hope to shine our spotlight on the full international business and commercial structure of the Exclusive Brethren empire, but these three organizations are considered representative.

ALLENBY TUTORIAL TRUST

72 Dalmain Road, LONDON SE23, UK

Allenby Tutorial Trust is an example of an Exclusive Brethren school. The age range is 11 through 16 and thus it corresponds to a US High School age group. During the 2004 reporting period, Allenby had 49 pupils - 14 of which were aged 15 or above.

It is perhaps interesting to note that 'Absence Statistics' for the 2004 period showed zero unauthorized absence for Allenby. A small sampling perhaps, but the impact of Exclusive Brethren 'Attendance Officers' should not be discounted. At a later date we'll look at these figures for all EB schools and would expect them to be much lower than the national average.

UK's Charity Commission states:

Charity Registration No. - 1057278

Charity Correspondent:

TIM BELL
T B TAX SERVICES
12 WILLOW WAY
LONDON
SE26 4QP

Telephone 020 8699 8071

Trustees:

MR JAMES PERCY HAZELL
MR ROGER JOHN DEVENISH
MR ANDREW TAYLOR
MR ROBERT JOHN SAUNDERSON
TIM BELL

Financial Statements:

• 2003 Financial Statement
• 2004 Financial Statement

Based on the following information, Allenby Tutorial Trust isn't doing too well from an academic perspective. The following links via the UK's Department Education & Skills web site contains a comparative table that indicates the 14 fifteen-year-old Exclusive Brethren kids are considerably behind the others schools listed in their area. In fact they are by far the worst - rated at 7% for GCSE examination results - the national average was 54%.

• Dept. Education & Skills - Assessment
• BBC - Assessment

Of course, when considering Exclusive Brethren academic achievement, it is important to note that further academic education is banned. Exclusive Brethren students are not allowed to continue their education beyond local community college skill training. No EB students have attended a university since at least the 1960's. The business empire of the Exclusive Brethren ensures a job and/or financial support in starting a new business. As an income-earning future is virtually pre-assured, scholastic achievement of their young is probably not of the highest priority for the Exclusive Brethren.

FOCUS LEARNING TRUST

As regular Peebs.Net site visitors know, the 'umbrella' Exclusive Brethren Educational Trust in the UK is the Focus Learning Trust - a very well-funded registered charity first registered in September 2003. The Principal Office is aptly located in Plymouth - where the Exclusive Brethren officially began nearly 200 years ago. The Trust is used as a mouthpiece and, as reported before on Peebs.Net, makes representations to the UK government on matters of EB concern. This fits entirely with the noticeable rise in Exclusive Brethren political activity around the world.

The current list of Focus Learning Trust Trustees is certainly smaller than the list shown in the 2004 Statement (link below) - at that time they included:

The UK Charity Commission web site provides the following information:

FOCUS LEARNING TRUST

Registration No. 1099725

Charity Correspondent:

MR ALAN KING
12 COLLINGWOOD ROAD
HORSHAM
WEST SUSSEX
RH12 2QW

Telephone: 01403 240431
Fax: 01403 240433

Trustees:

MR P CUCKSON
MR ALAN KING
MR HUGH ALEXANDER LIESCHING

Financial Statement:

• 2004 Statement

UNIFOCUS LIMITED

The company UNIFOCUS Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Focus Learning Trust and is designed to raise funds for the trust. Income from this subsidiary is well over UKP 6 Million for the reported 2004 period of which, UKP 1.1 Million is shown as being gifted to Focus Learning Trust.

UK's Companies House shows:

Company Name: UNIFOCUS LIMITED

Company No: 04938684

Company Address:
UNIFOCUS LIMITED
CRANMERE HOUSE
DARKLANE VIEW
ESTOVERQUARE SCOTSWOOD ROAD
PLYMOUTH DEVON
PL6 7TW
UK

Incorporated Oct 21, 2003

Unifocus Limited is of particular interest, not just because of the reported income levels. The existing and planned linkages between the Exclusive Brethren business entities around the world show a society-within-society that is carefully closing borders. With their educational network almost complete, they have protected their young from 'harmful' outside influences - and with the newly announced 'National Office Assist' (see elsewhere on Peebs.Net), much-feared technological influences will be avoided for the business entities also.

Peebs.Net will be researching Unifocus in further detail and will be reporting findings in the near future.

October 9th, 2005 (EB news - addendum)

The following is supplementary information regarding the little storm caused by the Exclusive Brethren Thistledown Education Trust in the UK West Country:

• Original Application - Page 1
• Original Application - Page 2
• Council Decision

It appears that Thistledown lodged an appeal against the denial of planning permission late July 2005 and the process of appeal commenced August 2005. The events that were reported yesterday indicate that the EB's simply went ahead anyway - an action that tends to upset local planners somewhat.

A minor news story perhaps, but utterly characteristic ...

October 8th, 2005 (EB news)

One common factor that many mention when dealing with the Exclusive Brethren is 'arrogance'. When one considers that the Exclusive Brethren consider themselves the only true church, the basis of their arrogance can be perhaps placed in context. This does not however make it easier for the world in general to deal with them!

Consider the following example that was recently sent to us ...

• Unauthorised groundworks at Nadder School, Weaveland Road, Tisbury - PDF Version
• Unauthorised groundworks at Nadder School, Weaveland Road, Tisbury - JPG Version - Page 1
• Unauthorised groundworks at Nadder School, Weaveland Road, Tisbury - JPG Version - Page 2
• Unauthorised groundworks at Nadder School, Weaveland Road, Tisbury - JPG Version - Page 3
• Unauthorised groundworks at Nadder School, Weaveland Road, Tisbury - JPG Version - Page 4
• Unauthorised groundworks at Nadder School, Weaveland Road, Tisbury - JPG Version - Page 5

Details regarding Thistledown Education Trust, an Exclusive Brethren Educational Trust, have been gleaned from the UK Charity Commission web site:

THISTLEDOWN EDUCATION TRUST

MR STUART JOHN TAYLOR
55 THE DROVE
ANDOVER
HAMPSHIRE
SP10 3NY

Telephone: 01264 338823

Trustees:

MR NEVILL CLAUDE LONG
MR ANDREW JOHN DIFFEY
MR ANTHONY PHILIP HOOPER
MR JAMES LOUGHMAN SUCKLING
MR STUART JOHN TAYOR
MR MARCUS STANLEY MORRISH
MR NELSON JOHN TAYLOR

A couple of interesting documents were associated:

• 2003 Accounting Statement
• 2004 Accounting Statement

October 7th, 2005 (EB news)

• Sistren far from exclusive when scribbling hate mail

"Despite being exclusive, in other words, they [EB sisters] are typical hate-mailers. They can't bear anyone to see things differently, and think abuse is persuasive. Dear Brethren: let the girls lighten up. Buy them some less conspicuous frocks, discourage them from wearing those awful old-lady sandals this summer, and let them sweeten their mouths with a spot of lippy. Nasty letter writing is always a cry for help, and rather sad."

October 4th, 2005 (EB news)

The New Zealand press continue their analysis of the role of the Exclusive Brethren in the recent election campaigns. There is little doubt that future political activity by the Exclusive Brethren will be watched very carefully by all political factions. Do you believe in him now, Helen? "But, bizarrely, the most visible Christian presence in the campaign was the Exclusive Brethren, a secretive sect whose members don't vote, but saw its role in distributing pamphlets attacking the government as doing God's work. One of the "secret seven" wealthy Brethren businessmen behind the pamphlets, Doug Watt, put it: "We hold government to be ordained by God and governments are raised up, and also dismissed by God." Who knows what Watt is making of the election outcome now, but it seems God has spoken."

Doug Watt at a recent Exclusive Brethren NZ press conference

October 1st, 2005 (EB news)

Now that the New Zealand Election Results have been announced, the anticipated official complaints regarding alleged Exclusive Brethren political activities begins:

• Anderton to lodge election ad complaint
- "... the address of the person commissioning the material - required on all election advertising - appeared to be false. The stated address was a derelict shop in the Wigram electorate, where no one had lived for years. Mr Anderton said people had suggested to him Exclusive Brethren church members could be behind the leaflets and advertising, as their style was similar..."