September 22nd, 2008 We have been sent a copy of the Jackson-Wells spin-doctors’ media release. It is a remarkable document that offers an in-depth and wide-ranging rebuttal. There is only one problem, they have yet to read Michael Bachelard’s new book - ‘Behind The Exclusive Brethren’. Is it fair to suggest that by waiting 24 hours or so they might have gained a little more respect? What an extraordinary error! We reproduce the media release in full: —– Original Message —– From: Ben... Read Full Story

You know that sound that pennies make when they hit the floor after being in free-fall for a while? It just happened. It all started with a surprisingly (one could say comradely, friendly, even nauseously) gentle article in yesterday’s The Australian that shone a whole new shade of pink over the Topic du Jour - the Exclusive Brethren and their outright panic over the about-to-be-launched ‘Behind The Exclusive Brethren’ by investigative journalist, Michael Bachelard. For those with a strong... Read Full Story

September 22, 2008 Brethren expresses regret over sister The Age September 22, 2008 An elder of the controversial Exclusive Brethren religious sect says he feels sorry for his 85-year-old sister, who did not see four of her sect children for 20 years after being excommunicated. But he says animosity to the group has “blinded” his sister, who has described the sect as “grossly evil”. Sydney man David Stewart said the Exclusive Brethren had apologised for its “harsh” treatment of his sister... Read Full Story

September 21st, 2008 Members of the Exclusive Brethren were actively attempting to donate to John Howard’s re-election campaign last year in a manner that meant the cash injection would not have been disclosed to the public, according to a new book about the secretive Christian sect. Fairfax newspapers say a senior Liberal Party source has confirmed in the book, Behind The Exclusive Brethren, that in the weeks leading up to the November election he was approached by a group of Exclusive... Read Full Story

September 20th, 2008 The Exclusive Brethren sect has attempted to prevent a sick 85-year-old former member from revealing her terrible life story by saying that if she remained silent she could be reunited before she dies with the children she was separated from 28 years ago. Alison Alderton’s family was torn apart at the order of the sect’s world leader in 1980, and she has barely had contact with her children, who are “in fellowship”, since. Inside the sect, kept apart from Mrs Alderton by... Read Full Story

September 19th, 2008 Extracts of the eagerly awaited book ‘Behind the Exclusive Brethren’ by premier Australian investigative reporter Michael Bachelard, are due to be published in the “Good Weekend” lift-out of the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Age this weekend. As anticipated, the Exclusive Brethren are not only worried, they’re petrified!  Their new PR spin-doctors (they’ve been through several) are now Jackson-Wells, an Australian firm, who have decided to use the name of Daniel... Read Full Story

September 14th, 2008 Following the successful serialization of ‘Shut Up Sarah’ by Marion Field during 2007, the Peebs.Net Team have successfully negotiated with the publisher Highland Books and the author to bring her 1993/1998 autobiographical story of life in the Exclusive Brethren to a wider audience. The serialization commenced today and is expected to run for about 6 months. Access Peebs.Net to view the first episodes of Don’t Call Me SISTER! Read Full Story

We have been contacted by several media and other interested parties who are a little confused by the current row in Australia over a Christian Brethren decision not to allow a self-help gay/lesbian group to use a church-run summer camp facility. A gay youth support group trying to meet to talk about homophobia has had its booking at a Phillip Island camp ground blocked because the resort owners, the Christian Brethren church, deplore their lifestyle. See - Gay support group gets straight... Read Full Story

August 27, 2008 What part of Senator Milne’s comments in Australian Parliament yesterday did the Exclusive Brethren not understand? Leaving aside the issue of the Hales-endorsed political smear campaigns, the false names and addresses on the various smear advertisements, the world-wide orchestrated political contributions, the sudden payments into tyre companies that then paid for the printing and/or advertising … We could even leave aside the trail of broken families, the suicides and... Read Full Story

August 27th, 2008 COMMITTEES Community Affairs Committee Reference Debate resumed from 26 August, on motion by Senator Bob Brown: That the following matters be referred to the Community Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 26 November 2008: (a) exemptions for the Exclusive Brethren and its members from Australian laws or administrative decisions; (b) public funding, tax or other arrangements which do or may advantage the Exclusive Brethren over other community organisations; (c) the... Read Full Story