Raven-Taylor-Hales Brethren
Encyclopedia
The Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren are a protestant sect
, and a branch of the Exclusive Brethren
. These Brethren hold an uncompromising 'separatist' doctrine and their practice has steadily evolved differently from other Brethren groups and also from mainstream Christianity.
Most Australian and New Zealand media reporting of "Exclusive Brethren" relates only to the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren.
reported
that a letter from the Brethren leadership in July 2005 states that "no authority is given for individual businesses to purchase their own computer equipment." However, most Brethren businesses have access to computers and email.
The Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren reserve all social activities for those with whom they celebrate the Lord's Supper. Such activities include eating, drinking and entertainment, as well as club and professional memberships, directorships, shares and health insurance. Eating in restaurants and staying at hotels are also avoided.
Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren encourage a traditional marriage (usually around the age of 20) and family life. Children live at the family home until they marry and are required to marry within the fellowship. Physical contact between young men and women before marriage is not tolerated, and courting between couples is chaperoned. Once married, contraception is not considered acceptable. Men are expected to provide for their families while the women manage the household. A study of the Australian Brethren in May 2006 suggested that the number of divorced, single people in the Brethren is approximately 0.8% compared to 10.8% for the general population.
The aged and sick are usually cared for by (possibly unrelated) other member families, although private (non-Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren) nursing homes are sometimes utilised for the elderly.
Few people not born into the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren become members, and relatively few of those born into the group leave.
For members who speak frequently and inappropriately, as deemed by the assembly, there is also the option of having that member shut up. A silenced member is allowed to participate in the Lord's Table and other church activities as long as they do not speak during a service. A silenced member can be disciplined if they continue to speak at services or restored to full fellowship with speaking privileges if they comply with being silenced for a period of time.
by the fellowship, their parents, siblings, spouse and even children 'withdraw' or disassociate themselves from them. This process allows for no social, domestic or church contact from church members, something which may not always be voluntary, especially in the case of children.
In December 2006, the Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald described how Raven-Taylor-Hales leader Bruce Hales instructed a 12-year-old girl to separate from her father. Hales reportedly told her, "Your mother will not be able to accept you if you continue contact with him" and "you cannot be a Christian if you leave the Brethren". The girl and her mother were moved 700 km away from her father with the assistance of the Brethren. The father lost all contact with the girl, despite having been awarded joint guardianship and weekly access by the Australian Family Court.
There are 38 Brethren private schools throughout Australia
and 43 in the United Kingdom, as well as others throughout the world.
Brethren schools now have computer banks and students have restricted access to the internet.
As with many private schools in Australia, the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren schools receive Australian Federal government funding. This included $313,000 of capital grants to Brethren schools during 2005-2006. The campus in the former Australian Prime Minister John Howard's electorate of Bennelong was granted $70,000.
In 2007, the Victorian State Government
provided $1.08 million dollars in funding to the Glenvale Exclusive Brethren School, which has a dozen campuses in Victoria. This was a significant increase from $370,419 in 2002-03.
Claims aired on the ABC
Four Corners program accused the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren of being a cult,
breaking up families, and avoiding the issue of suicide among their members.
Additionally, the Brethren have been accused of covering up the child abuse activities of a high ranking Australian member from 2003 to 2006 (and ignoring written warnings from as early as 1991).
In early 2007 the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren began interacting with the media and appointed an official media representative.
, they view an apocalyptic future for humanity after the rapture of all Christians (Brethren and non-Brethren). Thus, they see no reason to be involved in politics because of the prophesied apocalyptic future that cannot be changed. There is a story among the exclusive brethren of a woman member who decided to vote every year and informed her husband of her candidate choices. In response, her husband voted for the exact opposite candidates to ensure the two votes cancelled each other out.
Unlike most exclusive brethren groups, the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren have been more involved in politics. The Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren made media headlines in 2005-6 with their political activities in both Australia and New Zealand, despite the fact that members are barred from voting in elections, even in countries which have compulsory voting. But lately Brethren members have been encouraged to work with elected officials "to express a moral viewpoint of legislation in relation to the rights of God". In recent times this has included political campaigning as detailed below.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Daniel Hales, brother of Bruce Hales (the current worldwide Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren leader), explained how they could support political parties and not vote: "I see it as a sin and you don't. So I'm very happy for you to vote because to you it's your obligation to the community. But to me, it's my conscience that doesn't allow me to vote."
for the re-election of the Australian Prime Minister John Howard
.
The advertisements were funded by Willmac Enterprises Pty Ltd, a company wholly owned by Mark William Mackenzie who is a member of the Brethren.
Willmac's contribution to John Howard's election campaign, of $370,000, was later investigated by the Australian Electoral Commission
and is currently the source of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Australian Federal Police
.
In March 2006, members of the Brethren placed press advertisements and distributed leaflets
attacking the Australian Tasmanian Greens
in the Tasmanian state election.
In September 2006, Prime Minister John Howard confirmed that he met with the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren, stating he has no problem with the group and that they are "entitled to put their views to the Government
". In December 2006, The Age
reported that Brethren representatives met with the Australian Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock lobbying
for family law
changes to "ensure that a child
is not subject to a radical lifestyle change without compelling reason".
Then Prime Minister John Howard
met with Brethren representatives in his parliamentary office on short notice early August 2007.
The Brethren also approached the then Federal Opposition Leader
, Kevin Rudd
who refused to meet with them saying that he believes they are "an extremist cult and sect" that "breaks up families".
In December 2007, the Brethren were accused of infiltrating local councils and bankrolling legal challenges to halt the spread of adult stores.
to allow union representatives onto the premises to talk with employees. As a result of the lobbying and other campaigning, there have been threats from MP's to change the relationship between Brethren-owned businesses and labour unions.
In the 18 months leading up to the 2005 New Zealand General Election
, a group of Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren met with and lobbied many members of Parliament, particularly MPs of the centre-right
National Party
but also including the parliamentary leaders of the centre-right New Zealand First
and United Future parties and the neo-liberal ACT party with no success. Late in the election campaign they spent approximately NZ$1.2 million producing and distributing to letter boxes at least eight pamphlets attacking the policies of both the socially liberal and centre-left
Labour
party and the Green
party. Though not mentioning the National Party, the wording and colour of the pamphlets hinted at support for National. The leaflets appealed for the election of a "government that would prosper the country economically and govern in a morally upright way". The pamphlets caused some controversy and seven Brethren held a press conference in front of television cameras to explain themselves.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gerry Brownlee
and Economic Development spokeswoman Katherine Rich expressed concerns about the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren's lack of political sophistication and loss of female voters for the New Zealand National Party at the 2005 general election.
Some National MPs have declared that they will not accept help from the Brethren in the future.
In September 2006, Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party
and Prime Minister
, Helen Clark
alleged that the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren had been involved in spreading "baseless rumour, slander and lies" after accusations that her husband, Peter Davis
, might be homosexual appeared in the Sunday Star Times newspaper. She also alleged that the Brethren had hired a private investigator
to follow Peter Davis to dig up dirt. It was later confirmed that private investigators had been hired by members of the group to investigate Labour MPs.
In October 2006, Prime Minister Clark mentioned the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren in "mirth" during her opening speech at the Labour Party's annual conference. She also said that it was time to move on. Deputy Leader
and Deputy Prime Minister
Michael Cullen further attacked the group in his closing comments to the conference.
In November 2006 Nicky Hager
published the book The Hollow Men
alleging, amongst other issues, the involvement of the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren with the National Party. This was seen as one of the reasons for the resignation of party leader Don Brash
, though that was denied strongly by Brash.
In April 2007 senior members of the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren considered setting up a group that would be politically active.
The outing of the Brethren's activities were a major catalyst for the drafting of the Electoral Finance Bill.
alleged that the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren funded an advertising campaign supporting the centre-right Alliance for Sweden
in the Swedish 2006 elections. The advertisements and fliers were distributed by 'Nordas Sverige', an agency set up by Swedish business-owners who, whilst members of the Brethren, acted on their own initiative. Aftonbladet traced it to a company named 'Nordas Ltd' operating from Liverpool, UK, run by business-owners, also members of the Brethren.
as President of the United States
. A committee, called the Thanksgiving 2004 Committee, formed by Brethren in Florida
raised $530,000 for the ads supporting the re-election of Bush and of United States Senator Mel Martinez
of Florida. $377,262 of this amount came from a single donor, Bruce K Hazell of London, England.
The committee raised none of the money in Florida, according to a report filed with the Federal Elections Commission. A White House spokesman later described the group as "shadowy".
The Inside New Zealand: Leaving the Exclusive Brethren documentary followed the experiences of five people who had left the Brethren. Shortly after its airing, Michael Powell submitted a complaint to the television station (TV3) stating that "the programme had breached the privacy of members of the Brethren, and was unbalanced, inaccurate and unfair." Upon review of the issues, the New Zealand 'Broadcasting Standards Authority' rejected the complaint on the 22nd February 2006.
while their critics note the increasingly separatist and extreme doctrine which has been developed under this system.
Other Brethren groups acknowledge no earthly leader, remembering Christ's teaching: "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren," in The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 23, verse 8.
The first teacher recognised by Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren as 'universal leader' was John Nelson Darby
(1800–82), whose teaching is regarded highly by many Christians including other groups of Brethren today. The next recognised leader is J B Stoney(1814–97), however it was under the leadership and mystical teaching of F E Raven(1837–1903) that the movement began to fragment and show signs of moving away from earlier practice and mainstream Christian teaching. C A Coates(1862–1945) was succeeded by James Taylor Sr(1870–1953). Until this period, none of the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren ever presumed to be global leaders, nor would they tolerate anyone assuming any official position. However, James Taylor Sr introduced teaching that 'ministry' from the leadership has equal weight with the Bible. His 'Sonship of Christ' was considered heretical by many outside their fellowship, leading to a further movement away from mainstream Christianity.
At the Central Hall conference in 1959, a decisive confrontation took place between Gerald R Cowell(1898–1963) of Hornchurch
and James Taylor Jr
(1899–1970) of New York
. The latter proposed that more radical, immediate separation from 'the world' was necessary while the former took a more moderate line. Those who later became the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren sided with James Taylor Jr and excommunicated Mr Cowell less than a year after the Conference, judging him 'unfit for Christian fellowship'. James Taylor Jr then went on to introduce a raft of new directives including a ban on any member eating or drinking with anyone outside their immediate circle of assembly fellowship.
A considerable number of individuals and assemblies left the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren during the ministries of James Taylor Sr and James Taylor Jr, chiefly as a reaction to the increasingly restrictive directives of the latter. Some of these leavers joined with other groups of Brethren (including others who left after 1970) or other local churches.
in Scotland, where he used strong language, including calling other members "bums", "bastards", and the like. Following one meeting, James Taylor Jr was witnessed engaging in what appeared to be immoral conduct with a married woman. James Taylor Jr immediately rejected both accusations as lies and the incident definitively divided the Brethren membership worldwide. Very few based near the scene of the events stayed in fellowship with James Taylor Jr (including just two families in Aberdeen) while others, especially those overseas, believed James Taylor Jr to be a pure man and that this incident was used by God to expose his enemies. James Taylor Jr died shortly afterwards the same year. 'The Taylor Brethren interpretation of events is rooted in the conviction that God had a vessel whom he would not allow to fail; Taylor spoke and acted as he did in order to bring out what was in others by provoking reaction, being willing to draw reproach on himself in order to do so.'
Following this incident, and the associated division, those who separated from James Taylor Jr continue to hold the doctrine and teaching of Darby-Raven-Taylor(Sr) and gradually "rolled back" the directives that had been introduced during the 1960s and James Taylor Jr's leadership. This fellowship further fragmented in 1972, and the party which broke away has since further sub-divided.
was a pig farmer in Neche, North Dakota
. Symington died in 1987 and shortly after, the leadership passed to Australian businessman John S Hales. In 2002, John S Hales died, and his son Bruce David Hales, another Australian businessman, succeeded to the leadership. For the second time in Raven-Taylor-Hales history the position of universal leader was transferred to a son from his father.
Under Bruce Hales's leadership, meetings continue to take place once a day from Monday to Saturday, and four or five times on Sunday. Sunday meetings include the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion at 6am Sunday), a scripture reading/discussion meeting, and several preachings. The church encourages participation at meetings by all adult males ('brothers'); women ('sisters') may only choose and announce ('give out') hymns, and apart from joining with group singing, are otherwise silent in church meetings as required by the Brethren's interpretation of 1 Corinthians 14:34.
Sect
A sect is a group with distinctive religious, political or philosophical beliefs. Although in past it was mostly used to refer to religious groups, it has since expanded and in modern culture can refer to any organization that breaks away from a larger one to follow a different set of rules and...
, and a branch of the Exclusive Brethren
Exclusive Brethren
The Exclusive Brethren are a subset of the Christian evangelical movement generally described as the Plymouth Brethren. They are distinguished from the Open Brethren from whom they separated in 1848....
. These Brethren hold an uncompromising 'separatist' doctrine and their practice has steadily evolved differently from other Brethren groups and also from mainstream Christianity.
Most Australian and New Zealand media reporting of "Exclusive Brethren" relates only to the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren.
Raven-Taylor-Hales Brethren lifestyle today
The Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren believe that God's principle of unity is achieved by separating from and excluding that which they consider evil. As a result, open conduits of communication such as television, radio, and the internet are banned. The Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
reported
that a letter from the Brethren leadership in July 2005 states that "no authority is given for individual businesses to purchase their own computer equipment." However, most Brethren businesses have access to computers and email.
The Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren reserve all social activities for those with whom they celebrate the Lord's Supper. Such activities include eating, drinking and entertainment, as well as club and professional memberships, directorships, shares and health insurance. Eating in restaurants and staying at hotels are also avoided.
Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren encourage a traditional marriage (usually around the age of 20) and family life. Children live at the family home until they marry and are required to marry within the fellowship. Physical contact between young men and women before marriage is not tolerated, and courting between couples is chaperoned. Once married, contraception is not considered acceptable. Men are expected to provide for their families while the women manage the household. A study of the Australian Brethren in May 2006 suggested that the number of divorced, single people in the Brethren is approximately 0.8% compared to 10.8% for the general population.
The aged and sick are usually cared for by (possibly unrelated) other member families, although private (non-Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren) nursing homes are sometimes utilised for the elderly.
Few people not born into the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren become members, and relatively few of those born into the group leave.
Discipline
The Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren disciplinary methods have been the subject of much media attention. If a member commits a serious sin, they are first disciplined or isolated. Common offenses that lead to discipline are sex outside of marriage, and railing (speaking out against other members). Members under discipline are allowed to attend meetings during this period but may not participate in the Lord's Table. If they do not repent, they are then withdrawn - excommunicated. This may include breaking off of all communication with members of the person's former congregation including family members. If a member under discipline repents, they are restored into "fellowship".For members who speak frequently and inappropriately, as deemed by the assembly, there is also the option of having that member shut up. A silenced member is allowed to participate in the Lord's Table and other church activities as long as they do not speak during a service. A silenced member can be disciplined if they continue to speak at services or restored to full fellowship with speaking privileges if they comply with being silenced for a period of time.
Leaving the fellowship
In the case where someone chooses to leave the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren or is excommunicatedExcommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
by the fellowship, their parents, siblings, spouse and even children 'withdraw' or disassociate themselves from them. This process allows for no social, domestic or church contact from church members, something which may not always be voluntary, especially in the case of children.
In December 2006, the Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald described how Raven-Taylor-Hales leader Bruce Hales instructed a 12-year-old girl to separate from her father. Hales reportedly told her, "Your mother will not be able to accept you if you continue contact with him" and "you cannot be a Christian if you leave the Brethren". The girl and her mother were moved 700 km away from her father with the assistance of the Brethren. The father lost all contact with the girl, despite having been awarded joint guardianship and weekly access by the Australian Family Court.
Business
Typically Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren either own their own business or work for a business run by another Brethren member. Their businesses include manufacturing, distribution and sales, including in the fields of clothing, architecture, rehabilitation aids and food and the import and resale of industrial hardware including welding equipment and consumables. Businesses owned by Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren throughout the world gain advice and book-keeping support from an organisation called National Office Assist.Education
Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren run private schools for their children between the ages of 11 and 17. Members are discouraged from attending university on campus. In 2005 David Bell, the Chief Inspector of Schools in England, praised the Brethren schools for their standard of teaching and said in his report that "the quality of teaching, most of which is done by experienced practitioners, is generally good." However, their schools have also been criticised for not including the use of computers or other modern technology. Keith Porteous Wood, Executive Director of the British National Secular Society, stated, “Denying children access to knowledge that would help them to cope in the modern world is tantamount to abuse."There are 38 Brethren private schools throughout Australia
and 43 in the United Kingdom, as well as others throughout the world.
Brethren schools now have computer banks and students have restricted access to the internet.
As with many private schools in Australia, the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren schools receive Australian Federal government funding. This included $313,000 of capital grants to Brethren schools during 2005-2006. The campus in the former Australian Prime Minister John Howard's electorate of Bennelong was granted $70,000.
In 2007, the Victorian State Government
Government of Victoria
The Government of Victoria, under the Constitution of Australia, ceded certain legislative and judicial powers to the Commonwealth, but retained complete independence in all other areas...
provided $1.08 million dollars in funding to the Glenvale Exclusive Brethren School, which has a dozen campuses in Victoria. This was a significant increase from $370,419 in 2002-03.
Raven-Taylor-Hales Brethren and the media
Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren have been the subject of quite widespread controversy and adverse publicity, at various times since the mid-1960s. Other Exclusive Brethren are normally ignored by the media, but loathe the confusion caused by mistaken association with this group, and careless use of the broader term Exclusive Brethren.Claims aired on the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
Four Corners program accused the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren of being a cult,
breaking up families, and avoiding the issue of suicide among their members.
Additionally, the Brethren have been accused of covering up the child abuse activities of a high ranking Australian member from 2003 to 2006 (and ignoring written warnings from as early as 1991).
In early 2007 the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren began interacting with the media and appointed an official media representative.
Political involvement
In general, the exclusive brethren are apolitical since at their core they are a separatist movement. They will obey the laws of their country as long as they do not perceive them to contradict the Bible. They will meet secretly in countries that require religious groups to register with the government as this would be perceived as putting their church under worldly authority. In accordance with the dispensational teachings of John Nelson DarbyJohn Nelson Darby
John Nelson Darby was an Anglo-Irish evangelist, and an influential figure among the original Plymouth Brethren. He is considered to be the father of modern Dispensationalism. He produced a translation of the Bible based on the Hebrew and Greek texts called The Holy Scriptures: A New Translation...
, they view an apocalyptic future for humanity after the rapture of all Christians (Brethren and non-Brethren). Thus, they see no reason to be involved in politics because of the prophesied apocalyptic future that cannot be changed. There is a story among the exclusive brethren of a woman member who decided to vote every year and informed her husband of her candidate choices. In response, her husband voted for the exact opposite candidates to ensure the two votes cancelled each other out.
Unlike most exclusive brethren groups, the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren have been more involved in politics. The Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren made media headlines in 2005-6 with their political activities in both Australia and New Zealand, despite the fact that members are barred from voting in elections, even in countries which have compulsory voting. But lately Brethren members have been encouraged to work with elected officials "to express a moral viewpoint of legislation in relation to the rights of God". In recent times this has included political campaigning as detailed below.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Daniel Hales, brother of Bruce Hales (the current worldwide Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren leader), explained how they could support political parties and not vote: "I see it as a sin and you don't. So I'm very happy for you to vote because to you it's your obligation to the community. But to me, it's my conscience that doesn't allow me to vote."
Australia
In the 2004 Australian federal election the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren were linked to political advertisements campaigningPolitical campaign
A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electoral campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or referendums are decided...
for the re-election of the Australian Prime Minister John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
.
The advertisements were funded by Willmac Enterprises Pty Ltd, a company wholly owned by Mark William Mackenzie who is a member of the Brethren.
Willmac's contribution to John Howard's election campaign, of $370,000, was later investigated by the Australian Electoral Commission
Australian Electoral Commission
The Australian Electoral Commission, or the AEC, is the federal government agency in charge of organising and supervising federal elections and referendums. State and local government elections are overseen by the Electoral Commission in each state and territory.The Australian Electoral Commission...
and is currently the source of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Australian Federal Police
Australian Federal Police
The Australian Federal Police is the federal police agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. Although the AFP was created by the amalgamation in 1979 of three Commonwealth law enforcement agencies, it traces its history from Commonwealth law enforcement agencies dating back to the federation of...
.
In March 2006, members of the Brethren placed press advertisements and distributed leaflets
Pamphlet
A pamphlet is an unbound booklet . It may consist of a single sheet of paper that is printed on both sides and folded in half, in thirds, or in fourths , or it may consist of a few pages that are folded in half and saddle stapled at the crease to make a simple book...
attacking the Australian Tasmanian Greens
Tasmanian Greens
The Tasmanian Greens are a political party in Australia which developed from numerous environmental campaigns in Tasmania, including the flooding of Lake Pedder and the Franklin Dam campaign...
in the Tasmanian state election.
In September 2006, Prime Minister John Howard confirmed that he met with the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren, stating he has no problem with the group and that they are "entitled to put their views to the Government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
". In December 2006, The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
reported that Brethren representatives met with the Australian Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock lobbying
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
for family law
Family law
Family law is an area of the law that deals with family-related issues and domestic relations including:*the nature of marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships;...
changes to "ensure that a child
Child
Biologically, a child is generally a human between the stages of birth and puberty. Some vernacular definitions of a child include the fetus, as being an unborn child. The legal definition of "child" generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority...
is not subject to a radical lifestyle change without compelling reason".
Then Prime Minister John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
met with Brethren representatives in his parliamentary office on short notice early August 2007.
The Brethren also approached the then Federal Opposition Leader
Opposition (Australia)
Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in Australia fulfils the same function as the official opposition in other Commonwealth of Nations monarchies. It is seen as the alternative government and the existing administration's main opponent at a general election...
, Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
who refused to meet with them saying that he believes they are "an extremist cult and sect" that "breaks up families".
In December 2007, the Brethren were accused of infiltrating local councils and bankrolling legal challenges to halt the spread of adult stores.
Canada
In 2005 the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren attempted to influence a gay-marriage parliamentary vote by waging an aggressive but anonymous campaign (identifying themselves only as CCP or Concerned Canadian Parents) using direct-mail and advertising with a full page ad in the Hill Times newspaper, a Parliament Hill weekly directed at Senators studying Bill C-38.New Zealand
In 2000, as a result of their avowed lack of interest and lack of involvement in the political process, Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren-owned businesses were granted an exemption from legal requirements under the Employment Relations Act 2000Employment Relations Act 2000
The New Zealand Employment Relations Act 2000 is a statute of the New Zealand Parliament. It was substantially amended by the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2001 and by the ERAA 2004.-Preceding Statutes:The original statute governing employment relations in New Zealand was the...
to allow union representatives onto the premises to talk with employees. As a result of the lobbying and other campaigning, there have been threats from MP's to change the relationship between Brethren-owned businesses and labour unions.
In the 18 months leading up to the 2005 New Zealand General Election
New Zealand general election, 2005
The 2005 New Zealand general election held on 17 September 2005 determined the composition of the 48th New Zealand Parliament. No party won a majority in the unicameral House of Representatives, but the Labour Party of Prime Minister Helen Clark secured two more seats than nearest rival, the...
, a group of Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren met with and lobbied many members of Parliament, particularly MPs of the centre-right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
but also including the parliamentary leaders of the centre-right New Zealand First
New Zealand First
New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
and United Future parties and the neo-liberal ACT party with no success. Late in the election campaign they spent approximately NZ$1.2 million producing and distributing to letter boxes at least eight pamphlets attacking the policies of both the socially liberal and centre-left
Centre-left
Centre-left is a political term that describes individuals, political parties or organisations such as think tanks whose ideology lies between the centre and the left on the left-right spectrum...
Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
party and the Green
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand is a political party that has seats in the New Zealand parliament. It focuses firstly on environmentalism, arguing that all other aspects of humanity will cease to be of concern if there is no environment to sustain it...
party. Though not mentioning the National Party, the wording and colour of the pamphlets hinted at support for National. The leaflets appealed for the election of a "government that would prosper the country economically and govern in a morally upright way". The pamphlets caused some controversy and seven Brethren held a press conference in front of television cameras to explain themselves.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gerry Brownlee
Gerry Brownlee
Gerard Anthony "Gerry" Brownlee is a New Zealand politician. He served from 17 November 2003 to 27 November 2006 as deputy-leader of the National Party – during that period the second-largest party in the New Zealand Parliament, and thus forming the core of the Opposition...
and Economic Development spokeswoman Katherine Rich expressed concerns about the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren's lack of political sophistication and loss of female voters for the New Zealand National Party at the 2005 general election.
Some National MPs have declared that they will not accept help from the Brethren in the future.
In September 2006, Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
and Prime Minister
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
, Helen Clark
Helen Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
alleged that the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren had been involved in spreading "baseless rumour, slander and lies" after accusations that her husband, Peter Davis
Peter Davis (New Zealand)
Peter Davis is a sociologist and the husband of former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. He met Clark – then a political-science lecturer at Auckland – in 1977...
, might be homosexual appeared in the Sunday Star Times newspaper. She also alleged that the Brethren had hired a private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
to follow Peter Davis to dig up dirt. It was later confirmed that private investigators had been hired by members of the group to investigate Labour MPs.
In October 2006, Prime Minister Clark mentioned the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren in "mirth" during her opening speech at the Labour Party's annual conference. She also said that it was time to move on. Deputy Leader
Deputy Leader
A deputy leader in the Westminster system is the second-in-command of a political party, behind the party leader. Deputy leaders often become deputy prime minister when their parties are elected to government. In opposition, deputy leaders often lead Question Time sessions when the party leader is...
and Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some counties, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president, but is significantly different, though both...
Michael Cullen further attacked the group in his closing comments to the conference.
In November 2006 Nicky Hager
Nicky Hager
Nicky Hager is an author and investigative journalist born in Levin, New Zealand and now resides in Wellington. He generally writes about issues involving intelligence networks, environmental issues and politics. He has degrees in physics and philosophy...
published the book The Hollow Men
The Hollow Men (book)
The Hollow Men is a 2006 book written by Nicky Hager about the election strategies used by the New Zealand National Party during New Zealand's 2005 parliamentary election...
alleging, amongst other issues, the involvement of the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren with the National Party. This was seen as one of the reasons for the resignation of party leader Don Brash
Don Brash
Donald "Don" Thomas Brash , a New Zealand politician, was Leader of the Opposition, parliamentary leader of the National Party from 28 October 2003 to 27 November 2006 and the leader of the ACT Party for 28th April 2011 - 26 November 2011...
, though that was denied strongly by Brash.
In April 2007 senior members of the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren considered setting up a group that would be politically active.
The outing of the Brethren's activities were a major catalyst for the drafting of the Electoral Finance Bill.
Sweden
The Swedish tabloid newspaper AftonbladetAftonbladet
Aftonbladet is a Swedish tabloid founded by Lars Johan Hierta in 1830 during the modernization of Sweden. It is one of the larger daily newspapers in the Nordic countries. Aftonbladet is owned by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and Norwegian media group Schibsted, and its editorial page...
alleged that the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren funded an advertising campaign supporting the centre-right Alliance for Sweden
Alliance for Sweden
The Alliance , formerly Alliance for Sweden , is a political alliance in Sweden. It consists of the four centre-right parties in the Riksdag...
in the Swedish 2006 elections. The advertisements and fliers were distributed by 'Nordas Sverige', an agency set up by Swedish business-owners who, whilst members of the Brethren, acted on their own initiative. Aftonbladet traced it to a company named 'Nordas Ltd' operating from Liverpool, UK, run by business-owners, also members of the Brethren.
United States
In 2004 the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren held prayer meetings and took out newspaper ads supporting the re-election of George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
as President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. A committee, called the Thanksgiving 2004 Committee, formed by Brethren in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
raised $530,000 for the ads supporting the re-election of Bush and of United States Senator Mel Martinez
Mel Martinez
Melquíades Rafael Martínez Ruiz, usually known as Mel Martinez , is a former United States Senator from Florida and served as Chairman of the Republican Party from November 2006 until October 19, 2007, the first Latino to serve as chairman of a major party...
of Florida. $377,262 of this amount came from a single donor, Bruce K Hazell of London, England.
The committee raised none of the money in Florida, according to a report filed with the Federal Elections Commission. A White House spokesman later described the group as "shadowy".
Documentaries
A number of documentaries have been made about the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren. These include Anno Domini - Doctrine that Divides - A BBC television programme (no. LRP1383E) first broadcast September 26, 1976 and Inside New Zealand: Leaving the Exclusive Brethren aired in New Zealand on TV3 Thursday, August 18, 2005.The Inside New Zealand: Leaving the Exclusive Brethren documentary followed the experiences of five people who had left the Brethren. Shortly after its airing, Michael Powell submitted a complaint to the television station (TV3) stating that "the programme had breached the privacy of members of the Brethren, and was unbalanced, inaccurate and unfair." Upon review of the issues, the New Zealand 'Broadcasting Standards Authority' rejected the complaint on the 22nd February 2006.
Raven-Taylor-Hales Universal Leadership
The evolution of the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren has been marked by a succession of dominant global leaders known to them as the Elect Vessel, Man of God and recently the minister of the Lord in the Recovery. They consider their leadership to be an "unbroken line of divinely accredited universal leadership"while their critics note the increasingly separatist and extreme doctrine which has been developed under this system.
Other Brethren groups acknowledge no earthly leader, remembering Christ's teaching: "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren," in The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 23, verse 8.
The first teacher recognised by Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren as 'universal leader' was John Nelson Darby
John Nelson Darby
John Nelson Darby was an Anglo-Irish evangelist, and an influential figure among the original Plymouth Brethren. He is considered to be the father of modern Dispensationalism. He produced a translation of the Bible based on the Hebrew and Greek texts called The Holy Scriptures: A New Translation...
(1800–82), whose teaching is regarded highly by many Christians including other groups of Brethren today. The next recognised leader is J B Stoney(1814–97), however it was under the leadership and mystical teaching of F E Raven(1837–1903) that the movement began to fragment and show signs of moving away from earlier practice and mainstream Christian teaching. C A Coates(1862–1945) was succeeded by James Taylor Sr(1870–1953). Until this period, none of the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren ever presumed to be global leaders, nor would they tolerate anyone assuming any official position. However, James Taylor Sr introduced teaching that 'ministry' from the leadership has equal weight with the Bible. His 'Sonship of Christ' was considered heretical by many outside their fellowship, leading to a further movement away from mainstream Christianity.
At the Central Hall conference in 1959, a decisive confrontation took place between Gerald R Cowell(1898–1963) of Hornchurch
Hornchurch
Hornchurch is a large suburban town in England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Hornchurch is in North-East London .It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan. It comprises a number of shopping...
and James Taylor Jr
James Taylor, Jr. (Exclusive Brethren)
James Taylor, Jr. , was the religious leader of the Exclusive Brethren. He has become notorious in Brethren circles because of the "Aberdeen Incident."-Family:...
(1899–1970) of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The latter proposed that more radical, immediate separation from 'the world' was necessary while the former took a more moderate line. Those who later became the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren sided with James Taylor Jr and excommunicated Mr Cowell less than a year after the Conference, judging him 'unfit for Christian fellowship'. James Taylor Jr then went on to introduce a raft of new directives including a ban on any member eating or drinking with anyone outside their immediate circle of assembly fellowship.
A considerable number of individuals and assemblies left the Raven–Taylor–Hales Brethren during the ministries of James Taylor Sr and James Taylor Jr, chiefly as a reaction to the increasingly restrictive directives of the latter. Some of these leavers joined with other groups of Brethren (including others who left after 1970) or other local churches.
Aberdeen incident of 1970
In 1970 James Taylor Jr, apparently under the influence of alcohol, exhibited increasingly erratic behaviour which came to a head in meetings at AberdeenAberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
in Scotland, where he used strong language, including calling other members "bums", "bastards", and the like. Following one meeting, James Taylor Jr was witnessed engaging in what appeared to be immoral conduct with a married woman. James Taylor Jr immediately rejected both accusations as lies and the incident definitively divided the Brethren membership worldwide. Very few based near the scene of the events stayed in fellowship with James Taylor Jr (including just two families in Aberdeen) while others, especially those overseas, believed James Taylor Jr to be a pure man and that this incident was used by God to expose his enemies. James Taylor Jr died shortly afterwards the same year. 'The Taylor Brethren interpretation of events is rooted in the conviction that God had a vessel whom he would not allow to fail; Taylor spoke and acted as he did in order to bring out what was in others by provoking reaction, being willing to draw reproach on himself in order to do so.'
Following this incident, and the associated division, those who separated from James Taylor Jr continue to hold the doctrine and teaching of Darby-Raven-Taylor(Sr) and gradually "rolled back" the directives that had been introduced during the 1960s and James Taylor Jr's leadership. This fellowship further fragmented in 1972, and the party which broke away has since further sub-divided.
Developments since 1970
A new leader named James H SymingtonJames H Symington
James Harvey Symington was a Neche, North Dakota, pig farmer and the religious leader of the Exclusive Brethren.-Biography:Symington was born to Lyle and Ida Symington on August 28, 1913 and was one of 11 children....
was a pig farmer in Neche, North Dakota
Neche, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 437 people, 169 households, and 114 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,248.0 people per square mile . There were 188 housing units at an average density of 536.9 per square mile...
. Symington died in 1987 and shortly after, the leadership passed to Australian businessman John S Hales. In 2002, John S Hales died, and his son Bruce David Hales, another Australian businessman, succeeded to the leadership. For the second time in Raven-Taylor-Hales history the position of universal leader was transferred to a son from his father.
Under Bruce Hales's leadership, meetings continue to take place once a day from Monday to Saturday, and four or five times on Sunday. Sunday meetings include the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion at 6am Sunday), a scripture reading/discussion meeting, and several preachings. The church encourages participation at meetings by all adult males ('brothers'); women ('sisters') may only choose and announce ('give out') hymns, and apart from joining with group singing, are otherwise silent in church meetings as required by the Brethren's interpretation of 1 Corinthians 14:34.
External links
- The Exclusive Brethren Christian Fellowship - The official (Raven-Taylor-Hales) Exclusive Brethren home page.
- The Exclusive Brethren - BBC fact sheet from Religion & Ethics - Christianity category.
- Further information Four Corners Background information on Exclusive Brethren.
- My Brethren - History and Ministry of the early 'Exclusive Brethren' (so-called) - their origin, progress and testimony 1827-1959 and onward August 15, 2006. See pages 49 to 79 (.pdf file pages 63 to 93)
- Greens senator calls for religious group to come clean ABC News Online, September 24, 2006
- Believers a world apart Michael Bachelard, The Age, September 26, 2006. Emotive article regarding ex-Brethren experiences.
- Elusive Exclusive Brethren ABC Radio NationalRadio NationalABC Radio National is an Australia-wide non-commercial radio network run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Radio National broadcasts national programming in areas that include news and current affairs, the arts, social issues, science, drama and comedy...
- Background Briefing program broadcast 30 April 2006 - includes samples of political leaflets published by Exclusive Brethren in Australia and New Zealand - ABC Late Night Live interview with Nicky Hager
- Information on businesses owned by the Raven-Taylor-Hales branch in Australia
- Brethren Express ABC TV Four Corners program on the use of untaxed gifts to fund political advertising in Australia, New Zealand and the United States (broadcast October 2007).