The story of Craig Hoyle is an indictment of the Exclusive Brethren.

In the uniform and monochromatic world of the Exclusive Brethren, Craig was a splash of unacceptable color. He was gay. He was a spirited free-thinker. He refused to conform. So the self-described ‘christian’ Exclusive Brethren excommunicated him and his cult-member parents kicked their 20 year old  son out of their home, telling him never to return.

There are a number of articles on this site and elsewhere that describe the often horrific events leading up to his excommunication.

Today, Craig is literally ‘Moving On’. A thoroughly modern young man, Craig has embraced the power of social media and has formed a large network of friends and fans who are encouraging the attempts by Craig to speak out, deal with his appalling treatment by the cult and to begin a new life.

Aspiring to a career in Journalism, Craig is already displaying his skills in blending words, humor and visual acuity. We will keep these video journals updated regularly. Meanwhile and in any case, visit Craig and Brucie Bear on their Facebook page.

Moving On

1. Brucie Bear makes his debut

2. Brucie Bear Moves On

3. Brucie Bear arrives in Britain

4. Brucie Bear replies to an Email

5. Brucie Bear enjoys a whisky

6. Brucie Bear is kidnapped!

7. Brucie Bear celebrates an anniversary

Other Information about Craig

Part 1 – What is it like to be gay in the Exclusive Brethren?

Part 2 – Excommunication fron the Exclusive Brethren

Part 3 - After the Exclusive Brethren: Craig looks ahead

News – Exclusive Brethren intimidation tactics caught on film

The story behind the following Today Tonight Australian news footage is even more dramatic than the high-speed car chases, mindless intimidation and the images of squirming cult members.

The underlying facts here involve the heart-wrenching story of an Exclusive Brethren teenager who is confused as to his sexual identity. In any tolerant and modern social environment, this is a topic for discussion, understanding and above all, caring. It is an opportunity to display love and compassion.

This would be the case in almost any community, Christian or not, but here we deal with the Exclusive Brethren …

Exclusive Brethren @ Yahoo!7 Video

The Exclusive Brethren, self-defined as the ‘Bride of Christ‘ and self-titled as a ‘Christian Fellowship‘, take a somewhat different approach when dealing with young men who question the official view of ‘what is normal’. The homophobic cult bombarded 18 year old Craig Hoyle with threats of earthly discipline, excommunication and spiritual annihilation. Craig was dispatched to Sydney, the HQ of the worldwide cult where he met with the ‘Elect Vessel‘ EB Leader Bruce Hales. While there, one of the few remaining Exclusive Brethren medical practitioners (attending University has been banned for Exclusive Brethren members since the 1960′s) prescribed the teenager with a drug that many describe as a form of chemical castration.

You may find just the thought of giving a teen such a drug to be horrific enough, but what was to follow defies belief. When Craig made the decision that he wanted to be true to himself and find out who he really was rather than be dictated to or remain chemically abused, he was forced to leave his family home. Since that time Craig has suffered more emotional stress than many can imagine by being denied access to his family, friends and community.

With admirable strength of character the now 20-something young man decided to take his fight to the Exclusive Brethren and contacted the media with his story. Such a dramatic story was bound to interest all levels of media attention and Craig soon became a focal point and example of how the Exclusive Brethren treat those who dare to think for themselves, or do not conform, or are simply … different.

A few days ago, the Australian Today Tonight news show attempted to confront some of the key components of Craigs’ story. They took Craig and a camera crew to interview Radiologist Dr. Mark Craddock, the Exclusive Brethren physician who prescribed a year-long “trial” of Cyprostat, a drug that many, including the American Civil Liberties Union calls a “cruel and unusual punishment”.

Following a very unimpressive response from the Radiologist who stated that he was treating “a problem” and attempted to pass all responsibility onto his teenage client, the Today Tonight news crew headed toward the place from where Craddock had received his orders: Ermington NSW, home of Exclusive Brethren leader Bruce Hales. The camera crew located themselves outside the Ermington Exclusive Brethren Meeting Room and waited.

What occurred next, caught on camera as seen above, belongs more in a movie screenplay! Unmarked cars raced through the city streets a few intimidating inches from the rear of news crew vehicles. Eventually the crew were forced to call for police protection and we understand arrests followed.

The entire story is a public relations disaster for the only public Exclusive Brethren contact – Jackson Wells. This top Australian PR firm  has gone to great lengths to publicize the fiction that the Exclusive Brethren are just a misunderstood Christian church. Could it be said that they are paid to make wolves look like sheep?

There is no mistaking the message that the story of Craig Hoyle provides. The Exclusive Brethren display nothing of traditional Christianity in their dealings with any person or group that dares to criticize them. Their public testimony is proof enough of what the Bible teaches is a perfect litmus test for false Christianity and false leaders:

‘Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.‘ - Matthew 7:15-16

Follow a more detailed story of Craigs life here:

1 – WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE GAY IN THE EXCLUSIVE BRETHREN?
2 – EXCOMMUNICATION FROM THE EXCLUSIVE BRETHREN
3 – AFTER THE EXCLUSIVE BRETHREN – CRAIG HOYLE BEGINS LIFE

Craig Hoyle also featured in a December 2009 episode of 60 Minutes on NZ TV

Final Part of the Craig Hoyle story

And immediately, we refute our own heading – no way is this the final instalment in the story of Craig Hoyle! The bubbly infectious personality that Craig enjoys means that this 20 year old man has many more pages to write.

Craig had the courage to publicize his experiences as a young gay male both within and then outside the homophobic Exclusive Brethren cult. The stories he has told of disciplinary measures, ‘chemical castration’ and the manner in which even his own family was forced to disown him has shocked all who have followed his story.

This website has received hate-mail for even reproducing his story! Comments from several Exclusive Brethren members have been so obnoxious that they could not be printed even after editing. How a group that attempts to call themselves ‘christian’ can produce members who offer such hate-filled correspondence is beyond extraordinary, it is perhaps the most compelling argument of all that the Exclusive Brethren are no longer Christian.

They have extensive historical Christian roots and up to 40 years ago, they were well respected in all areas of society. The impact of American James Taylor Junior in the 1960′s and subsequent leaders has been spiritually catastrophic. The Taylor/Symington/Hales branch of the Exclusive Plymouth Brethren is rightly described as a cult by many today.

The story of Craig Hoyle was published in late 2009 by GayNZ.com and it led to Craig’s appearance on NZ’s 60 Minutes. (Click here or the image above to watch the TV3 episode)

Read the three Craig Hoyle Articles:

Part 1 – What is it like to be gay in the Exclusive Brethren?

Part 2 – Excommunication fron the Exclusive Brethren

and Part 3 - After the Exclusive Brethren: Craig looks ahead

New Zealander Craig Hoyle

Part 1 of the Craig Hoyle Story

New Zealander Craig Hoyle is hilarious, intelligent, warm, loving … and gay. What is especially remarkable is that 20-year-old Craig Hoyle, like generations of his family, was brought up in the Exclusive Brethren Church – one of the most homophobic of modern-day cults.

As you read Craig’s story, you will begin to understand why his life became unbearable and why he decided he had no choice but to leave the Exclusive Brethren.

It is sad to add that Craig’s story is not unique – not by any means.

The special thing about Craig Hoyle is his courage.

We salute the man Craig Hoyle!

Notoriously isolationist and conservative, the Brethren started in the UK in the 1820s but it only arrived in Invercargill, NZ in December 1992. It now has around 160 members in NZ’s southern-most city.

The eldest in a family of seven children ranging down to nine years old, Craig until recently worked in his dad’s Invercargill tyre shop. His whole life, from his day to day work and leisure through to his lifetime prospects, were mapped out inflexibly, and enforced, by the church.

Perhaps it might have been a bearably conformist life if Craig wasn’t gay.
In his own words Craig, comfortable with being identified by his real name and background, tells his remarkable and inspirational story to GayNZ.com’s Matt Akersten.

Read Part 2 of Craig’s story