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Behind the Exclusive Brethren
Based on more than two years of research, this comprehensive study uncovers the lesser-known facts behind one of history’s most enigmatic and influential Christian sects. Documenting their emergence onto the Australian political stage in 2004, this investigation shows how the Exclusive Brethren made their presence known through enormous contributions to conservative campaigns, assiduously lobbying politicians and maintaining a close relationship with the prime minister—all without casting a vote themselves. This examination delves deeper into the group's past, revealing the Brethren’s 19th-century origins in the United Kingdom, their fractious history, their extraordinary use of scripture to control members and dissidents, and their lucrative business and financial arrangements. Numerous questions are explored, such as What exactly was their interest in politics? Why did their activism suddenly blossom almost simultaneously across the world? and How did a group whose values are detached from those of most Australians infiltrate the highest office in the land? A fascinating tale of power exercised across several continents, this is also a moving story of damaged lives, broken families, and anger that stretches back decades.
- GenresNonfictionReligion
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 28, 2020
Read this book! Incredible this group go largely unnoticed in our society when their operations are so sinister and damaging. More than unnoticed.. they are preferentially treated by our society?! Families torn apart by this structural evil organisation.
October 2, 2012
This book was fascinating and down-right disturbing. Again, we have another full blown christian nut house sect who are well funded and segregated and do not comply with any rule except their own. The exclusive brethren have a total lack of compassion when dealing with family members who have moved on and treat their female members as second class citizens.
I thought the author did a fantastic job bringing these issues to light and I hope he writes a follow up.
I thought the author did a fantastic job bringing these issues to light and I hope he writes a follow up.
July 15, 2014
If you like reading and learning about cults and religions this is a must read. Incredibly enlightening and quite frightening how such a small group can manage to get so much power with our Governments. I took to reading this because we are now getting Exclusive Brethren buying in our suburb. Not that bothers me just thought it would be nice to understand them more.
December 22, 2008
This book describes deeply disturbing behaviour in a sect which has enjoyed exceptional access to conservative Australian and New Zealand politicians. I think we should acknowledge their wish not to associate with outsiders by NEVER knowingly doing business with a member of this bretheren.
January 14, 2017
More readable than I expected; it made me angry to see how our tax dollars are being misdirected to support this cruel cult.
July 29, 2018
An amazing book, giving details and history of the Plymouth Brethren. He mainly covers this church in Australia but does give information about their activities in other countries. Provided me with a better understanding of this group, especially as we have them as neighbours.
December 29, 2020
This was a really interesting, accurate, well written book, on the cult I grew up in until age 16. Still have many friends and family tied up and brainwashed into thinking it’s the only place to be. It isn’t. God is a god of love not rules and I found real born again faith in Him after I left.
August 16, 2013
Fascinating and disturbing.
March 11, 2019
This book was well-written, but there was a lot of focus on the way the Exclusive Brethren reduce their tax liabilities, which I personally found less than interesting.
April 1, 2024
4/5
This book has sat on my shelf for a while now, I picked it up for $3 at an op shop and never gave it much thought. On Saturday the 23rd, Bachelard wrote a piece in the Age about the ATO's investigation into some senior Brethren members' businesses. This piqued my interest and I went to the bookshelf to dig this paperback out.
Bachelard provides his readers with a concise yet comprehensive background of the development of this sect, beginning in Dublin in the 19th century and currently enjoying leadership from Australia - where 15,000 of it's 40,000 global members can be found. He analyses their controversial and, in some cases, cruel practices without being sensationalist and provides the reader with multiple examples of each 'unique' practice.
Something I found particularly fascinating was the Brethren's ability to leverage their religious status to gain unfair policy advantages, which is predominantly seen in their use of trusts and tax loopholes as well as the way they operate their schools - in 2003 the sect's Meadowbank school was the 40th best non-public funded school in Australia, out of 2652.
Bachelard draws an intense focus to the sect's outdated views on women, family, and work. He shows how this interplays with the horrific practice of separating families when one member is seen to have fallen in their fidelity with Christ, or in their fidelity to whoever is leader...
Indeed, one of the most striking points made is the contradictions between the Brethren's ideology and behaviour. One example that stuck with me was their pursuit of religious exceptions for there elders' vehicles as they perform a similar duty to priests, while forgetting that their 'religion' actually sees priests as unnecessary and detrimental to their 'faith.' A second example is their sudden interest in politics, the Brethren's founder, John Nelson Darby, instructed his followers with the directive that "we do not mix in politics; we are not of the world..." - The current leader, Bruce Hales, has changed his view on this. In 2004 the sect, or members of the sect, began contributing and campaigning in elections across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
It is this sudden change of tune that the leaders of this sect can make that horrifies the reader the most. It is nonsensical to anyone (who has not grown up in these cult-like conditions) that a religious text can suddenly change its directives on the whim of one man. An ex-Brethren member, Priscilla, puts it best when she tells the author: "I just couldn't believe that you had to *click*, [and] make a change, just because someone suddenly decided."
This book stands as an overarching expose of an almost clandestine religious community. I am fascinated to see what will come of the ATO's investigation and look forward to reading more from this author.
This book has sat on my shelf for a while now, I picked it up for $3 at an op shop and never gave it much thought. On Saturday the 23rd, Bachelard wrote a piece in the Age about the ATO's investigation into some senior Brethren members' businesses. This piqued my interest and I went to the bookshelf to dig this paperback out.
Bachelard provides his readers with a concise yet comprehensive background of the development of this sect, beginning in Dublin in the 19th century and currently enjoying leadership from Australia - where 15,000 of it's 40,000 global members can be found. He analyses their controversial and, in some cases, cruel practices without being sensationalist and provides the reader with multiple examples of each 'unique' practice.
Something I found particularly fascinating was the Brethren's ability to leverage their religious status to gain unfair policy advantages, which is predominantly seen in their use of trusts and tax loopholes as well as the way they operate their schools - in 2003 the sect's Meadowbank school was the 40th best non-public funded school in Australia, out of 2652.
Bachelard draws an intense focus to the sect's outdated views on women, family, and work. He shows how this interplays with the horrific practice of separating families when one member is seen to have fallen in their fidelity with Christ, or in their fidelity to whoever is leader...
Indeed, one of the most striking points made is the contradictions between the Brethren's ideology and behaviour. One example that stuck with me was their pursuit of religious exceptions for there elders' vehicles as they perform a similar duty to priests, while forgetting that their 'religion' actually sees priests as unnecessary and detrimental to their 'faith.' A second example is their sudden interest in politics, the Brethren's founder, John Nelson Darby, instructed his followers with the directive that "we do not mix in politics; we are not of the world..." - The current leader, Bruce Hales, has changed his view on this. In 2004 the sect, or members of the sect, began contributing and campaigning in elections across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
It is this sudden change of tune that the leaders of this sect can make that horrifies the reader the most. It is nonsensical to anyone (who has not grown up in these cult-like conditions) that a religious text can suddenly change its directives on the whim of one man. An ex-Brethren member, Priscilla, puts it best when she tells the author: "I just couldn't believe that you had to *click*, [and] make a change, just because someone suddenly decided."
This book stands as an overarching expose of an almost clandestine religious community. I am fascinated to see what will come of the ATO's investigation and look forward to reading more from this author.
March 21, 2023
Excellent book that really exposes how evil this cult is.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews