Big Brethren
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, a wealthy and secretive global organization, projects an image of pious community and charitable works. However, behind this carefully curated facade lies a rigid system of authoritarian control orchestrated by its Australian leader, Bruce Hales, known to his followers as the "elect vessel." The church's influence extends far beyond its religious doctrines, weaving into a vast corporate empire and demonstrating a calculated engagement in political maneuvering, all while demanding absolute obedience from its members and inflicting severe consequences on those who dissent.
At the core of the Brethren's power is the absolute authority of Hales, whose pronouncements are recorded in bound books that members must purchase. These teachings dictate a life of extreme separation from the world, labeling journalists as "trash," dismissing climate change as "bunkham," and forbidding activities like visiting cinemas, which are deemed "the jaws of hell." This ideological control is enforced through modern surveillance; members are supplied with church-controlled technology that monitors their digital lives. Personal autonomy is systematically erased, particularly for women, who are relegated to roles as wives and mothers with no path to leadership.
This psychological dominance is underpinned by a formidable financial structure, the Universal Business Team (UBT), which presides over an estimated $22 billion global enterprise. This wealth is not kept separate from politics. The church has engaged in sophisticated political influence, organizing members to volunteer for Australia's Liberal Party—despite a doctrine forbidding voting - and making large corporate donations. This activity, coupled with lucrative government contracts, has attracted scrutiny, including raids by the Australian Tax Office on suspicion of tax avoidance.
For those who attempt to leave or expose wrongdoing, the price is devastating. Ex-members are ostracized by their families, who are taught to believe that leaving the church is a fate worse than death. Whistleblowers have been pursued by private investigators, and victims of horrific internal abuse have been offered million-dollar settlements contingent on signing non-disclosure agreements that ensure their silence. The true nature of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is therefore a paradox: a self-proclaimed Christian entity that wields its immense power not just to guide its flock, but to control, silence, and financially prosper, leaving shattered families and silenced victims in its wake.
Don't you just love religion? All this crap for something that doesn't even exist.
I am no fan of the Brethren. I went to a Brethren church for three years, and though I came to dislike it for many reasons, coercion was hardly noticeable. This film is a hit job. You should know that by the fact that when the Brethren were suspected of tax evasion and then raided, there is no follow-up about them being found guilty. If they had been found guilty, the narrator would have said so. And donating to a political party is not exactly buying an election; and it's legal. Would ABC (the maker of this film) criticize Biden donors? I predicted that Ben would be gay and that this would be used against the Brethren. What does the NT teach? And what about Mick who claims he was raped? ABC admits that he is risking his settlement by talking with them? How moral is that? Does ABC care? And what about Richard? He didn't 'escape' the church. He abandoned his family. ABC is so stupid and incompetent that they think the Brethren have 'priests.' Brethren ministers would never call themselves that. And no one is 'on the run' from such people. The narrator is such an intelligent investigative journalist that she says the word 'dossier' as if the r is not silent. Think critically, folks.
Corporate model for most religions; including the perverted abuse.
No different than the morman church - the "brethren" are small fry by comparison.
Jesus says to confess our sins to each other-EACH OTHER!!! I was brought up a catholic, I went to confession. Not ONCE did the priest confess HIS SINS TO ME-EACH OTHER? Confess your sins to God and then he will set you free of them. Jesus has taken those sins of yours on himself, once you understand that YOU ARE FREE OF THEM my friends YOU ARE WASHED CLEAN with His Blood. Now we must try to live a righteous life for Christ because we are BORN AGAIN. We are a new person in HIM but, we still have that sinful nature and we will become weak at times and give in to it and we sin again. Its then, that we turn to a brother or sister in Christ to confess our sins to them "Confess your sins to each other." A true brother or sister in Christ will understand and pray with you to help you in your weakness. Any man that sits in a little box and listens to your sins and says at the end'2 hail Marys One Our Father, or even worse they will call the police, CANNOT HELP YOU!!!! Only a true believer in Christ can help you. God Bless You All In Jesus Christ Our Lords Name-AMEN.
Good for you Mick. God bless you lad and good luck.
It is so sad that there are still "religions" like this that try to control what people think, say or do. It is sick. But that is the problem with 95% of so-called religions. The threat of convincing you that you are going to "hell" -- whatever that is -- worries people into toeing the line.
This is pretty sick how a cult, who calls itself Christian, can rip people apart