‘Behind the Exclusive Brethren’ by Michael Bachelard
The general reaction in the ex-Exclusive Brethren community to the forthcoming ‘Behind the Exclusive Brethren’ is: “it’s about time! “. Michael Bachelard has used his remarkable investigative and writing abilities to rip back the covers on a cult that has given new meaning to the word Hypocrisy.
If Michael Bachelard is respected as one of the foremost investigative journalists in Australia, David Marr is the other name that immediately comes to mind. Both men have assisted the purpose of this website in ensuring the Truth is told regarding the Exclusive Brethren. Bruce D. Hales, the current leader of the cult, assisted matters brilliantly from 2003 onward by forcing the 45,000 world-wide membership to contribute money for their ‘political’ campaigns in several countries – including USA, Canada, Sweden, UK, New Zealand and Australia.
David Marr is quoted on the proposed cover of this new book, due for publication in October 2008:
‘Shocking and compelling. Michael Bachelard has written an eye-opening account of power and cruelty in a tiny Christian sect that enjoys a privileged existence in Australia.’ - David Marr
Seeing the two premier names in Australian investigative journalism is an immediate assurance that this forthcoming book is a special event! Scribe Publications, Australian small publisher of the year in 2008, states:
Out of nowhere in 2004, an obscure religious sect burst onto the political stage in Australia. Almost unheard of until then, the Exclusive Brethren was suddenly spending up big in election advertising in support of conservative political parties. But its members were shy to the point of paranoia about who they were — preferring, as they said, to ‘fly under the radar’. Brethren members assiduously lobbied politicians, but did not vote. And they were very close to then prime minister John Howard.
What exactly was their interest in politics? Why did their activism suddenly blossom almost simultaneously across the world, from Canada and the United States to Sweden and Australia? And how did a small, fringe group whose values are utterly detatched from those of most Australians, infiltrate the highest office in the land?
Michael Bachelard uncovered the facts about this secretive sect for more than two years while working as an investigative reporter at The Age. The results of his inquiries are the most comprehensive book ever written about the Exclusive Brethren. It’s a fascinating story of politics and power. But it’s a very human story, too — of damaged lives, families broken, and of hurt and anger that stretches back decades.
We urge all to purchase this book – it is a ‘must-read’ for anyone who has ever wondered about the Exclusive Brethren. Advance Orders are being taken by Scribe Publications in various countries – see http://www.scribepublications.com.au/order for the Distributor nearest you.
a thorough and compelling book…. very carefully researched, Michael’s voice is balanced and has perspective. I always felt the brethren were frauds, i naturally rejected them, now it is fascinating to see just how they operated, and what i intuitively and intelligently rejected. It has been hard to get these kinds of details from ex-brethren, impossible from family (brethren) because of the overlay of emotion and judgement that blurs all facts – here i can see what i left dispassionately and clearly, i can see what my siblings are living in clearly and probably for the first time. i am totally immersed in the book, and quite amazed at the parallels with communist dictatorships at the time i was in the brethren, in both china and eastern europe. thankyou Michael!
Thank heavens this is all coming out to the public. There is the Exclusive Brethren, the Hillsong mob and quite a few others who migrated here from America to make money out of the gullable. They are disgusting the way they take advantage of timid people who need to feel safe. They look to religion to help them and fall into the hands of these bandits.
My cousin had her life and the lives of her three children ruined by them. It took her years to come to terms with the fact that she had not only been cheated, but mentally abused by them.
I had a friend who feels his life is ruined. Neither his wife or his three children will speak to him as he has seen the falicy of their immoral controls and has left the sect to work against them.
There is nothing wrong with having a spiritual awareness, but when it is used as a control over people’s lives and purses it is utterly wicked. So, thank you Michael.
Behind The Exclusive Brethren is the only book of Brethren history that gives a comprehensive picture of the Taylor/Symington/Hales branch of Exclusive Brethren from 1960 to 2008. Readers should be prepared for some gut-churning, harrowing, personal stories.
It appears to be meticulously researched, checked and documented. In the main, the author has been scrupulously careful and fair.
The book is essential reading for students of Brethren history and for lawyers acting in law-suits between Brethren and non-Brethren, especially in child custody cases. It will be useful for academic researchers investigating how high-demand organisations work, and for healthcare professionals caring for their victims.
The final chapter gives guidance for legislators and public authorities, who have to tread a fine line between encroaching on religious freedom and condoning the more extreme abuses of religion.
I would like to voice my thanks to Michael Bachelard for his book – even though I am yet to read it, from the comments I have read and heard I believe it will be cathartic in its content.
I too have a story to tell regarding the cruel and inhumane way in which I was treated by these so-called Christians! My older sister, younger brother and I were raised by my grandmother who belonged to the Exclusive Brethren. Her son, my father, was driven away after my mother died, because he would not ‘join’ the Sect – I have not seen my father since 1961 in spite of many attempts to find him. I left the sect in 1972 and consequently relinquished all rights to see my brother and sister again and also to any known information regarding my parents. I too feel cheated and yes I was also mentally abused by these hypocrites. John Hales stated in an article in the media just recently that those who had left the sect were “sad, disaffected people” – it is they who are the “sad, disaffected people”!
Thanks again to Michael for this “eye-opening account of power and cruelty” that will no doubt encourage more ex members to tell their story.
In reply to Iris Ashton.
Actually the hillsong mob did not really come from the US, they just follow the US assemblies of god church structure.
The guy who started the hillsong church was in fact from NZ and was accused of molesting young boys. His son Brian Houston found out and took control of the church and made it what it is today.
Hillsong was the music publishing arm of the church which used to be called either christian life centre (CLC) OR christian city church (CCC), i for get which it was, they are just as bad as each other.
One of the church elders of hillsong owns 50% of the gloria jeans coffee chain in australia.
A few years ago in the late 90’s hillsong made around 40 million dollars, all of it tax free, they are much larger now so what they make could be so much bigger.
They bought the old RTA site at rosebery for 28 million dollars and are planning to build a super church with a very large auditorium.
I worked for an EB company for four years in Brisbane. I found some good people among them (who were taken advantage of). The major family was intrusive, inconsiderate, untrustworthy to the point of dishonesty. With 2000 school pupils in Australia, how did they garner $70million from K Rudd for schooling.