May 21, 2008
It seems that the Exclusive Brethren in New Zealand are feeling “superior”. In just 5 years, the number of Exclusive Brethren kids in Exclusive Brethren schools has more than trebled. Superficially, everything is wonderful, but if you dig between the lines in a news story like this one from The Press – Exclusive Brethren schools treble rolls a number of rather disturbing truths emerge.
We shall attempt to throw some light on this story – as always with the Exclusive Brethren, nothing is what it seems.
Continue reading »
There is a level of sympathy with the position that Kevin Rudd finds himself in. We certainly live in a complex world where, in some radical circles, an off-color joke or a caricature that is designated as blasphemous can bring immediate sentence of death. This may appear to be half a world away from dealing with the Exclusive Brethren, but Kevin Rudd must consider all religions in his portfolio.
The only politically-safe way across the razor blades of religious bias is to somehow view the world through secular eyes – and yet maintain a stance that is broadly acceptable. Is this possible for Kevin Rudd?
Continue reading »
Jack the Insider has some straight-talking insights. We quote his article in the Australian Opinion section in full.
Quiet is the new loud
Jack the Insider Blog
The Australian
May 19, 2008Kevin Rudd is becoming adept at the political art of the back pedal. At this rate, it won’t be long before he hops on a unicycle and starts juggling chainsaws.
In August last year, Rudd called on four separate government agencies, including the Australian Federal Police, to investigate the activities of the Exclusive Brethren. Rudd described the kooky cult as “extremist” and in the business of “breaking up families.”
Continue reading »
Good reasoned debate is always a pleasure in the often chaotic world of politics. We came across such an opportunity today with a thoughtful submission by OZFreethinker – Why Rudd should let the Brethren slide.
When OzFreeThinker first read of the way the Letter to Kevin Rudd was treated, he states:
Now, on first thought, I was outraged but thinking a little more I offer the contention that Rudd got it right. While Australia does not have a constitution that explicitly states the church and state must be separated, going after the Brethren with governmental powers could be seen as an attack on religious freedom. And this is the correct view. The Brethren, no matter how despicable of a cult they are, should have their religious freedom. Rudd, by asking for any wrong doing by the Brethren to be directed to the police or other authorities, has made the right decision.
And then he added:
It seems that if there are instances of electoral and financial improprieties on behalf of the Brethren then they should be dealt with by the proper authorities. The federal government’s role should not be to show favour to the Brethren by allowing them access to the corridors of power nor target them as part of a (though understandable to be honest) campaign against them.
Here we must add our voice.
Continue reading »
May 7th, 2008
It is excellent that the NZ and Australian press is monitoring the continued emphasis of the Exclusive Brethren in developing new school facilities. In Australia, with an eye upon generous government provisions for private schools, the Exclusive Brethren continue to push for reasons to increase, or at least maintain, an already huge $50 Million hand-out.
See:
- Peebs.Net News Desk
- No reason to fear church plan says sect
- Sect’s plans cause a stir
- New Brethren School Okayed
- Brethren plan refused
Why Kevin Rudd, the new Prime Minister of Australia, continues to fund a group that he personally described as “an extremist sect and cult” is unknown. What is known however, is that no other educational system offers so little to the future of its students as that of the Exclusive Brethren – who ban university education and eject their graduates into Brethren businesses at age 18 or into marriages as full-time mothers.
It appears that governments continue to assist the creation of a new generation of Exclusive Brethren whose introverted and damaged doctrines cause worldwide emotional hardship, pain and suffering for those who have attempted to reach out beyond the security fences and self-centered beliefs. We must hope that governments and local authorities will soon begin to realize the impact of their decisions in the lives and emotional well-being of young people who continue to be educated ‘behind bars’.
Once tax-payers understand the true purpose of Exclusive Brethren schools and the amount of money claimed in the process, we forsee a growing international outcry. Already many municipalities are investigating why the locked and barricaded fortress-like Exclusive Brethren Meeting Rooms should be allowed tax-exemption as ‘public places of worship’ while actively discouraging public access to visitors. For further information see Municipality Campaign on this site.
