Anna Napthine
Mrs Anna Joy (Brock) Napthine died on 25th August 1981.
She was found by her husband Peter when he returned to the family home in London, UK, after he had been out to the park with their two little children, Rebecca and Gary.
Anna was being subjected to extended Exclusive Brethren ‘Assembly Discipline’ needlessly caused by one of the toughest Exclusive Brethren cult Leaders of recent years.
In 1981, the Exclusive Brethren leader was a pig farmer from North Dakota, JH Symington. This ‘Elect Vessel’ announced ‘new teaching’ known as ‘The Seven Day Matter’.
Anna had confessed to a wrong-doing some years before. She was not withdrawn from and until Symington announced the ‘7 Day Matter’, as far as she and her fellow Brethren were concerned, she had been forgiven. Anna, and hundreds like her in the Exclusive Brethren worldwide, now had to be confronted with their ’sin’ all over again. This ridiculous and unscriptural process involved being temporarily excommunicated (withdrawn from) for a statutory minimum of 7 days. It is worth highlighting that the invention of outrageous rules is considered by many to be a classic symptom of a cult.
It was expected that Anna would be restored to fellowship after Symingtons’ statutory week, but her case went on for some time longer. In fact, it went on until she took her life.
The Exclusive Brethren in London buried her, and attended the Coroner’s inquest which was held on 9 September 1981. According to the Police she was not on any medication at the time of her death. The cause of death was recorded as hanging, and the Coroner concluded that she killed herself.
Anna was known to be vulnerable. She suffered with a nervous condition. This did not stop the Exclusive Brethren from inflicting on Anna a needless man-made doctrinal exercise that caused her more pain than she could bear.
