Sect’s Edicts Said To Split Families

Press, Volume C, Issue 29501, 1 May 1961, Page 14

Sect’s Edicts Said To Split Families

(New Zealand Press Associatiqfi)

AUCKLAND, April 30. Reports that edicts issued by the American leader of a religious group known as the Exclusive Brethren have split families and caused distress among relatives and friends of adherents have been published recently in Australia.

According to some Auckland people who have recently withdrawn from the Exclusive Brethren, similar instructions have been received in New Zealand and are being carried out here. In Australia, hundreds of members of the Exclusive Brethren have left their assemblies because of an edict that forbids those in the sect from associating or eating with others unless they are members of the same order Relatives, even fathers and mothers, have been ordered to shun those not in the sect. They were not allowed to have even a cup of tea with non-adherents. In some cases, the non-edherent in a family is made to have meals apart from others Former members of the Exclusive Brethren in Auckland allege there has been a similar disruption within families and the abrunt severance of personal relationships here They had to choose, thev said, between the sect and continued association with relatives not in the sect. Thev chose to withdraw rather than lose all contact with relatives and lifelong friends. “Much Distress” They said much distress had been caused, particularly among old people, who had broken family ties through following the sect’s edicts. The rules now being applied were laid down by the world leader of the Exclusive Brethren. Mr James Taylor, jun.. of New Yprk Mr Taylor will address followers in Australia next month and is due to hold meeting, with his Auckland followers in the Town Hall ,o^4_ hree da y’ in August when several prominent members of the Exclusive Brethren .In Auckland were approached this week to comment on reports they refused to make any statement. One said the Exclusives wished to have nothing whatever made public about their actions All adherents in the Exclu «ve sect are taught to regard their own sect as the onlv tnie Christian faith Thev “" forbidden to listen £ "diM, watch television attend any entertainment or marry out of the sect Fomer Auckland members have confirmed Australian reports that even before the recent restrictions, the following bans were on members: Their children are not allowed to play with the children of non-members, to take part in any sport or to watch it. Members are not allowed to insure their lives, nor are

they permitted to join any association or union, whatever their profession or trade. They cannot make gifts to any benevolent society or read general newspapers and magazines unless a dispensation is given because of their occupation. The Auckland group has at least eight halls around the city. It is believed to have about 800 adherents, although many have left in recent years as a result of edicts received from the United States. The Exclusive Brethren trace their origins back to 1848 when a group led by J. N. Darby broke away from the Brethren movement formed in 1828. The Open Brethren, who have carried on the original principles, receive all Christians to their assembly if they are sound in doctrine of the faith and conssitent in their life.

Open Brethren have a large following in New Zealand, but have no central authority. Each of their assemblies is autonomous with no dictation of policy from overseas A spokesman for an assembly of Open Brethren in Auckland said they completely repudiated -ny actions or edicts of the Exclusive sect. Many Exclusives who had withdrawn from the movement because of recent edicts, he said, had been welcomed to Open Brethren assemblies.