Asia-Pacific News
Exclusive Brethren sect dissociates from New Zealand politics
Apr 16, 2007, 23:19 GMT
Wellington - The Exclusive Brethren religious sect dissociated itself on Tuesday from threats by seven members to campaign against New Zealand's ruling Labour Party-led coalition at next year's election.
'The seven men aren't acting on behalf of the church and certainly aren't acting on any instructions from Australia or from New Zealand or from anybody in the church,' the sect's official spokesman Tony McCorkell told Radio New Zealand.
'They're a group of concerned businessmen, family men, taxpayers that are having their voice and the church hasn't been involved in that,' the Australian-based spokesman said.
The seven men spent an estimated 1.2 million New Zealand dollars (nearly 880,000 US dollars) attacking Labour and the Green Party at the last election in 2005.
The campaign was launched anonymously but the seven Brethren, who opposed Labour's move to legalise civil union ceremonies for homosexuals, were eventually forced into the open.
Although McCorkell insisted that the church - which forbids its members from voting, saying God is the only authority they recognise - was not involved in politics, the seven emerged again last week with a statement condemning the government's proposals to limit outsider involvement in future elections as 'arrogant, desperate and hypocritical.'
Their spokesman Neville Simmons said the seven were considering launching another campaign at next year's election when Prime Minister Helen Clark will be seeking a fourth three-year term in office.
McCorkell said, 'It's been unfortunate that yet again the church has been brought into it just because they're members, but the church certainly hasn't had anything to do with it.'
The main opposition conservative National Party says the Brethren's intervention had been a huge handicap to its election prospects in 2005.
Deputy leader Bill English said last week: 'They're people whose stupidity is beyond estimation, really. We don't want anything to with them.'
The Exclusive Brethren claim 7,500 members in New Zealand but only 2,316 chose it when giving their religious affiliation at a national census last year.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Asia-Pacific
- 1. Chinese dissidents hail late democracy activist Fang Lizhi
- 2. China "worried" over planned North Korea rocket launch
- 3. Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Karen rebels
- 4. Chinese schoolboy sells kidney to buy iPad, iPhone
- 5. Myanmar president invites Karen rebels to form party
Older Talkback
page: 1
No church involvement?
It is difficult to understand this bunch of people, but saying there was no church involvement is in my opinion simply not true. Talk to former members who know how these people operate.
Firstly, they have a system whereby they 'withdraw from' members so as not to defile the rest of the flock by association. For example, if a member was to drink a cup of tea with his neighbour who was not a member, then he may be separated from, removed from his family and friends for the sake of the fellowship. This is how they maintain the 'purity of the assembly'. They will not socialise with non-members, they will not even staple a business card to a brochure of a business of a non-member. Their concept of who is 'with us' and who is 'not with us' is the very fabric of their system. If a member watches a TV, goes to the cinema, votes at an election, then his membership may be revoked as they would not be in agreement. The EB may quote Amos 3:3, 'can two walk together unless they be agreed' as the basis for their separation. They are in agreement with the actions of these people according to their own rules by their continued fellowship. Some have lost their children, partners, parents, homes, business, etc for this practice of separation. It really is what the EB are all about.
Secondly, the EB believe that the current voice of God comes from one man, their leader. Any action of significance will be either directed by the leader or it will have to be asked of him first. Failure to do so is seen as 'running before the Lord'. Such minor things as permission to own a cordless telephone are asked of the leader. This group would not allow members to take anything like the action of these guys without at least the nod from the leader. More likely it is orchestrated by the leader. They say they are not acting on instructions from abroad. I think if they were pressed hard enough they would possibly say, 'well we were asked rather than told', or ‘we are aware of our leader’s feelings as to this matter’.. Failing that, they would uphold the lie for the sake of their leader. They are taught that 'the position' is everything even when your conscience says otherwise, they are 'the bride of Christ', they are the highest court.
Thirdly, it is not easy to define what is church activity and what is not. In the case of the EB, the leader's instructions are put in print and circulated to all adult members often within 24 hours and carry similar weight to the scripture. This is the daily life of the EB, new 'light' comes from the mouth of the leader and they follow or be punished. Act alone and you may find yourself expelled.
They can't have their cake and eat it. I believe that the political activity is driven by the current leader, probably for financial reasons, money for schools, tax breaks, family laws that suit them, etc., but NO WAY is it individuals acting outside of the group. ABSOLUTELY NO WAY! . If you want the truth, DON’T ask the EB.
Nice try Mr Tony Spinmeister McCorkell. So what have you to say about elections in Sweden, Canada and Australia. Same old anti left propaganda and anonimity. Have all these countries got their own naughty cash strapped brothers acting on their own? Give us a break!
The Exclusive Brethren is nothing more than an ultra Right Wing political organisation conveniently hiding behind the cloak of Religion. Aided and abetted unintentionally and unwittingly, by the genuine and devoted faithful.
The New Zealand National Party and The Exclusive Brethren are as thick as ever
and no amount of denial, sanctimonious drivel and damage limitation, by a Gerry Brownlee lookalike from Australia, will convince New Zealanders otherwise,except
obviously the right wing media poodles. Sorry, but all your spin won't wash.
The Exclusive Brethren,s hierarchy with it,s covert antics are getting the Church and all Religion a bad name. It is downright shameful.
page: 1
gordon bennetApr 17th, 2007 - 04:15:59
So the E B sect dissociates from New Zealand politics
Yeah Right.
Report this comment