La Luz del Mundo
Encyclopedia
La Luz del Mundo is a Christian denomination
with international headquarters in Guadalajara
, Jalisco
, Mexico
. The church is based on a Christian
doctrine centered around two charismatic
leaders, Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez, known as "Aaron the Apostle" to his followers, and since 1964, his son Samuel Joaquín Flores, known as "the Servant of God".
, Jalisco
to a family of small means. In the Mexican revolution
he joined the constitutionalist army and fought the rebels from 1915 to the end of the war in 1921, and stayed in the army until 1926. In 1926, while serving in Coahuila
he came into contact with ministers of a Pentecostal church and left the army.
He and his wife Elisa lived in Monterrey working as servants for leaders of the church, but on the night of April 6, 1926, he claimed to experience a revelation
in which God spoke to him, gave him the name Aaron and charged him with the task of restoring the primitive Christian church and establishing a new chosen people
. With his wife he left Monterrey and journeyed on foot to Guadalajara
, Jalisco
.
At this time Jalisco was the center of the Cristero movement
, a Catholic movement involved in an armed conflict with the anti-catholic administration of Plutarco Elías Calles
. Gonzalez' anti-catholic stance and his relations with high standing army officials enabled him to get a good footing in Guadalajara, where he was able to recruit a substantial number of followers especially among the poor. In the early thirties he was able to purchase a large tract of land on the outskirts of Guadalajara. On this land he constructed the first church of the movement and the sold the rest in parcels to church members, effectively building an entire neighborhood of devotees which he called "La Hermosa Provincia" (the Beautiful Province). Aaron started missionary efforts in Central America
and by the early sixties La Luz del Mundo had 64 congregations and 35 missions.
, Nayarit
and in Veracruz
. He was married at 25 and took control of the church at 27.
Samuel's leadership was even more focused on outward growth than his father's and he began opening up the boundaries between the church and the surrounding world, and carried out an aggressive missionary strategy. In 1993 the faith had reached 23 countries in Latin America and in 1991 there were 45 congregations in the southern United States. Samuel traveled extensively to the international congregations.
and teaches that the end of days is imminent and that only members of La Luz del Mundo will achieve salvation. The group denies the historic Christian doctrine of the Trinity and divides Jesus into two persons: Jesus (man) and Christ (God).
The church prohibits women from wearing trousers, cutting their hair or using make-up. Male and female members are separated during worship. The use of musical instruments is forbidden during services. The most important yearly rituals are the Holy Supper (Santa Cena in Spanish), held yearly on August 14 (Aaron Joaquin's birthday), the anniversary of Samuel's calling by God (held on June 9–10) and the celebration of Samuel Joaquin's birthday on February 14.
s to the congregational members. Below the Deacons are the Managers, who have responsibility for the moral conduct and well-being of certain groups within the congregation. Managers grant permits to congregational members who wish to leave their congregations for vacations or to take jobs outside of the church district. The lowest rank within the ministerial hierarchy is that of "Worker", with responsibility for assisting everyone above them in the hierarchy with menial tasks.
Women were not initially able to hold higher positions in the hierarchy but can now rise to the rank of Deaconess, but no higher. Female office holders are always head of groups of women, and not groups of men. A Deaconess can help the Pastors and Deacons, but cannot herself administer the sacrament. All members of the ministerial hierarchy receive economic remuneration for their services, paid as part of the tithe
by the congregational members.
The flagship church in Guadalajara is said to be the largest non-Catholic house of worship in Latin America
. It is characterized by its pyramid
al shape and innovative structure. It was erected between 1983 and 1991, largely by the members of the church. It is a notable architectural feature in Guadalajara despite being in a working-class district on the outskirts of the city. A local architect, Leopoldo Fernandez Font, designed the structure, project management was done by Joel Silva and José Rangel and the executive engineer was Mario Uribe.
Built to accommodate 12,000 worshipers, the temple is used for annual ceremonies. Members come from all over the world every August 14 to celebrate the Santa Cena (Holy Supper) as well as on February 14 to commemorate the birthday of Samuel Joaquín Flores (known to followers as El Apostól de Jesucristo, "The Apostle of Jesus Christ").
In accordance with the movement's teachings, the building's design represents the infinite power and existence of God. Its seven levels over a base (menorah) symbolize the seven angels of God and the progressive steps toward the human spirit's perfection.
The area around the temple is known as La Hermosa Provincia (the beautiful province) and is inhabited almost exclusively by church members. In several other communities in Mexico the congregants strive to live close to each other and around the temple, leading to small neighborhoods of church members.
, known as Silver Wolf Ranch. Flores came under fire by local communities for closing off access to the public, given that "IRS regulations require nonprofits to actively promote their tax-exempt purpose of benefiting the public and not the personal wealth of anyone".
Silver Wolf Ranch, valued in excess of $3 million dollars, was renovated with a private mansion and a "long rectangular warehouse" where, according to the ranch's manager Vaspi Coronado, the family's private collection of "real restored vintage automobiles are kept."
Additionally in 1998, a handful of women went public with similar accusations of being raped by Samuel Joaquín. After initiating a formal investigation through the Religious Affairs Department of Mexico's Interior Ministry and a state prosecutor, Mexican authorities remarked that "because the alleged crimes occurred so long ago [approximately 20 years from the initial report], it's unlikely any trial will take place." Researchers assert that "the wealth and publicly known political connections of the sect with Mexico’s most powerful political party help explain the impunity with which this and other alleged human rights violations have occurred for decades."
In 2004 the church was accused on Mexican television of several counts of rape against female members. The accusations were spearheaded by the Mexican Anti-Cult group "The Christian Institute of Mexico", who demanded that La Luz del Mundo should be stripped of its legal recognition as a religion. The Mexican government was again reluctant to take action.
mass suicide, La Luz Del Mundo was scrutinized for its potential to commit similar acts. According to Gordon Melton and David Bromley the Church la Luz del Mundo became subject to fraudulent accusations of planning acts of violence or mass suicide against its members.
Another La Luz Del Mundo hymn claims that Samuel Joaquin is greater than Moses.
Several other of the groups hymns claim that Samuel Joaquin has the power to redeem, justify, sanctify, and give Salvation and eternal life.
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
with international headquarters in Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality...
, Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The church is based on a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
doctrine centered around two charismatic
Charismatic movement
The term charismatic movement is used in varying senses to describe 20th century developments in various Christian denominations. It describes an ongoing international, cross-denominational/non-denominational Christian movement in which individual, historically mainstream congregations adopt...
leaders, Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez, known as "Aaron the Apostle" to his followers, and since 1964, his son Samuel Joaquín Flores, known as "the Servant of God".
Aaron Joaquin Gonzalez, Servant of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ
The founder of La luz del Mundo was Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez. He was born in 1896 in ColotlanColotlán
The municipality of Colotlán is located in the northern extremity of the Mexican state of Jalisco. The municipality covers an area of approximately 505 square kilometers...
, Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
to a family of small means. In the Mexican revolution
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
he joined the constitutionalist army and fought the rebels from 1915 to the end of the war in 1921, and stayed in the army until 1926. In 1926, while serving in Coahuila
Coahuila
Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
he came into contact with ministers of a Pentecostal church and left the army.
He and his wife Elisa lived in Monterrey working as servants for leaders of the church, but on the night of April 6, 1926, he claimed to experience a revelation
Revelation
In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing, through active or passive communication with a supernatural or a divine entity...
in which God spoke to him, gave him the name Aaron and charged him with the task of restoring the primitive Christian church and establishing a new chosen people
Chosen people
Throughout history and even today various groups of people have considered themselves as chosen by a deity for some purpose such as to act as the deity's agent on earth. In monotheistic faiths, like Abrahamic religions, references to God are used in constructs such as "God's Chosen People"...
. With his wife he left Monterrey and journeyed on foot to Guadalajara
Guadalajara
Guadalajara may refer to:In Mexico:*Guadalajara, Jalisco, the capital of the state of Jalisco and second largest city in Mexico**Guadalajara Metropolitan Area*University of Guadalajara, a public university in Guadalajara, Jalisco...
, Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
.
At this time Jalisco was the center of the Cristero movement
Cristero War
The Cristero War of 1926 to 1929 was an uprising and counter-revolution against the Mexican government in power at that time. The rebellion was set off by the strict enforcement of the anti-clerical provisions of the Mexican Constitution of 1917 and the expansion of further anti-clerical laws...
, a Catholic movement involved in an armed conflict with the anti-catholic administration of Plutarco Elías Calles
Plutarco Elías Calles
Plutarco Elías Calles was a Mexican general and politician. He was president of Mexico from 1924 to 1928, but he continued to be the de facto ruler from 1928–1935, a period known as the maximato...
. Gonzalez' anti-catholic stance and his relations with high standing army officials enabled him to get a good footing in Guadalajara, where he was able to recruit a substantial number of followers especially among the poor. In the early thirties he was able to purchase a large tract of land on the outskirts of Guadalajara. On this land he constructed the first church of the movement and the sold the rest in parcels to church members, effectively building an entire neighborhood of devotees which he called "La Hermosa Provincia" (the Beautiful Province). Aaron started missionary efforts in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and by the early sixties La Luz del Mundo had 64 congregations and 35 missions.
Samuel Joaquin Flores, Servant of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ
Samuel Joaquín Flores was born on February 14, 1937. According to church teaching, he was born dead but resurrected by the power of prayer and Gods hand. Samuel was baptized into his father's church at 14. He became part of the church's ministerial corps and held positions in TepicTepic
Tepic is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Nayarit.It is located in the central part of the state, at.It stands at an altitude above sea level of some 915 meters, on the banks of the Río Mololoa and the Río Tepic, approximately 225 kilometers north-west of Guadalajara, Jalisco....
, Nayarit
Nayarit
Nayarit officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Nayarit is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 20 municipalities and its capital city is Tepic.It is located in Western Mexico...
and in Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
. He was married at 25 and took control of the church at 27.
Samuel's leadership was even more focused on outward growth than his father's and he began opening up the boundaries between the church and the surrounding world, and carried out an aggressive missionary strategy. In 1993 the faith had reached 23 countries in Latin America and in 1991 there were 45 congregations in the southern United States. Samuel traveled extensively to the international congregations.
Doctrine
The group teaches that from the death of the last Apostle (Apostle John) circa 96 AD, until the calling of Aaron in 1926, there was no salvation on earth. Aaron died in 1964, at which time followers say Samuel Joaquin Flores was elected by God as Apostle and the new leader of the church. Samuel Joaquin Flores teaches members that La Luz Del Mundo is the only true Christian church, because he is the only true Servant of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ, and that thus there can be no salvation outside his church. A central doctrine is that one can only reach God through the servant Samuel and one can only achieve eternal salvation in the name of Jesus Christ. The church is also millenarianMillenarianism
Millenarianism is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming major transformation of society, after which all things will be changed, based on a one-thousand-year cycle. The term is more generically used to refer to any belief centered around 1000 year intervals...
and teaches that the end of days is imminent and that only members of La Luz del Mundo will achieve salvation. The group denies the historic Christian doctrine of the Trinity and divides Jesus into two persons: Jesus (man) and Christ (God).
The church prohibits women from wearing trousers, cutting their hair or using make-up. Male and female members are separated during worship. The use of musical instruments is forbidden during services. The most important yearly rituals are the Holy Supper (Santa Cena in Spanish), held yearly on August 14 (Aaron Joaquin's birthday), the anniversary of Samuel's calling by God (held on June 9–10) and the celebration of Samuel Joaquin's birthday on February 14.
Organization
The organization of La Luz del Mundo is highly hierarchical. The supreme head of the church is Samuel Joaquín Flores, who holds both the spiritual authority as Apostle and Servant of God, and the organizational authority as General Director of the Church. Below him are ranks of Pastors. Pastors are expected to develop one or more of the qualities as Doctor, Prophet and Evangelist. All pastors are Evangelists, expected to carry out missionary tasks, as Doctors, pastors explain the word and as Prophets they explain it. Below them are the Deacons, who administer the sacramentSacrament
A sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:...
s to the congregational members. Below the Deacons are the Managers, who have responsibility for the moral conduct and well-being of certain groups within the congregation. Managers grant permits to congregational members who wish to leave their congregations for vacations or to take jobs outside of the church district. The lowest rank within the ministerial hierarchy is that of "Worker", with responsibility for assisting everyone above them in the hierarchy with menial tasks.
Women were not initially able to hold higher positions in the hierarchy but can now rise to the rank of Deaconess, but no higher. Female office holders are always head of groups of women, and not groups of men. A Deaconess can help the Pastors and Deacons, but cannot herself administer the sacrament. All members of the ministerial hierarchy receive economic remuneration for their services, paid as part of the tithe
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
by the congregational members.
Architecture
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
. It is characterized by its pyramid
Pyramid
A pyramid is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge at a single point. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilateral, or any polygon shape, meaning that a pyramid has at least three triangular surfaces...
al shape and innovative structure. It was erected between 1983 and 1991, largely by the members of the church. It is a notable architectural feature in Guadalajara despite being in a working-class district on the outskirts of the city. A local architect, Leopoldo Fernandez Font, designed the structure, project management was done by Joel Silva and José Rangel and the executive engineer was Mario Uribe.
Built to accommodate 12,000 worshipers, the temple is used for annual ceremonies. Members come from all over the world every August 14 to celebrate the Santa Cena (Holy Supper) as well as on February 14 to commemorate the birthday of Samuel Joaquín Flores (known to followers as El Apostól de Jesucristo, "The Apostle of Jesus Christ").
In accordance with the movement's teachings, the building's design represents the infinite power and existence of God. Its seven levels over a base (menorah) symbolize the seven angels of God and the progressive steps toward the human spirit's perfection.
The area around the temple is known as La Hermosa Provincia (the beautiful province) and is inhabited almost exclusively by church members. In several other communities in Mexico the congregants strive to live close to each other and around the temple, leading to small neighborhoods of church members.
Demography
Countries with congregations of La Luz del Mundo include Australia, Israel, Russia, Cape Verde, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Moldova, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Romania, Norway, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Curaçao, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, Canada, United States, and Mexico.Controversy
La Luz del Mundo has been the subject of various accusations, including violations of tax-exempt codes, rape accusations, exploitation of underage women by the group's founder, and the potential for mass suicide.Silver Wolf Ranch
In May 2008 it was discovered that Samuel Joaquin Flores purchased an exotic zoo in Seguin, TexasSeguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
, known as Silver Wolf Ranch. Flores came under fire by local communities for closing off access to the public, given that "IRS regulations require nonprofits to actively promote their tax-exempt purpose of benefiting the public and not the personal wealth of anyone".
Silver Wolf Ranch, valued in excess of $3 million dollars, was renovated with a private mansion and a "long rectangular warehouse" where, according to the ranch's manager Vaspi Coronado, the family's private collection of "real restored vintage automobiles are kept."
Rape accusations
In 1997 and 1998, Moisés Padilla, a young dissident member of LLDM, was interviewed by several Latin American anthropologists and psychologists. Among other data, he provided a detailed account of having been drugged and sexually abused as a minor by Samuel Joaquín. According to the L.A. Times, days after his interview, Padilla was kidnapped and stabbed 57 times with a dagger.Additionally in 1998, a handful of women went public with similar accusations of being raped by Samuel Joaquín. After initiating a formal investigation through the Religious Affairs Department of Mexico's Interior Ministry and a state prosecutor, Mexican authorities remarked that "because the alleged crimes occurred so long ago [approximately 20 years from the initial report], it's unlikely any trial will take place." Researchers assert that "the wealth and publicly known political connections of the sect with Mexico’s most powerful political party help explain the impunity with which this and other alleged human rights violations have occurred for decades."
In 2004 the church was accused on Mexican television of several counts of rape against female members. The accusations were spearheaded by the Mexican Anti-Cult group "The Christian Institute of Mexico", who demanded that La Luz del Mundo should be stripped of its legal recognition as a religion. The Mexican government was again reluctant to take action.
Founder's exploitation of underage women
In 1942, the founder of La Luz Del Mundo, Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez, was accused of exploiting underage women. Eusebio was later sued by two minors, Guadalupe Avelar and Ramona Olivares, who were impregnated by Eusebio. To settle the lawsuit, Eusebio registered himself as the father of Abel Joaquin Avelar and Martha Joaquin Olivares, his victims' children.Mass suicide
Following the Heaven's Gate (religious group)Heaven's Gate (religious group)
Heaven's Gate was an American UFO religion based in San Diego, California, founded and led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles...
mass suicide, La Luz Del Mundo was scrutinized for its potential to commit similar acts. According to Gordon Melton and David Bromley the Church la Luz del Mundo became subject to fraudulent accusations of planning acts of violence or mass suicide against its members.
Status of Samuel Joaquin in the group
Samuel Joaquin is usually called "apostle" by the group's members, but is considered to be on the same level of authority as the Biblical Apostles such as Paul, Peter or John. In one the hymns published by members of LLDM, they claim their beloved leader is the angel described in the Bible: Apocalypse 10.Another La Luz Del Mundo hymn claims that Samuel Joaquin is greater than Moses.
Several other of the groups hymns claim that Samuel Joaquin has the power to redeem, justify, sanctify, and give Salvation and eternal life.