A Brief Overview
The Exclusive Plymouth Brethren maintain strict separation from the outside world, with practices including avoiding non-members, limited media access, and strict restrictions on education and employment outside their community. Brethren members typically work for community-owned businesses, marry within the sect, and require approval for major life decisions from church elders.
Concerns about the Brethren include reports of abuse, coercion, and family separation. Community meeting rooms, funded by donations and operated under registered charities, host multiple daily gatherings.
The Brethren manage around 200 UK charities with assets totalling £300-£400 million, supporting various community needs. Business-wise, they own over 1,500 companies in the UK, with an estimated annual turnover of £4 billion, some of which benefited from large government contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OneSchool Global, their education arm, charges around £3,750 per pupil annually, with support for financially challenged families. Each school operates under a registered charity, often running a local convenience store (Campus & Co), staffed by unpaid and predominantly female Brethren members, as fundraisers for the schools.
Critics accuse the Brethren of controlling members' lives, making it difficult to leave, and using legal means to stifle criticism. Ex-members report abuse, mental health issues, and manipulation by church leaders. Despite not voting, the Brethren have been involved in political lobbying, primarily supporting right wing parties globally.
The Brethren's insular practices, wealth, and exploitation of charitable status raise questions about their impact on members and wider society. Allegations of coercion, separation, and abuse underscore concerns about their societal contribution and treatment of members.
Concerns about the Brethren include reports of abuse, coercion, and family separation. Community meeting rooms, funded by donations and operated under registered charities, host multiple daily gatherings.
The Brethren manage around 200 UK charities with assets totalling £300-£400 million, supporting various community needs. Business-wise, they own over 1,500 companies in the UK, with an estimated annual turnover of £4 billion, some of which benefited from large government contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OneSchool Global, their education arm, charges around £3,750 per pupil annually, with support for financially challenged families. Each school operates under a registered charity, often running a local convenience store (Campus & Co), staffed by unpaid and predominantly female Brethren members, as fundraisers for the schools.
Critics accuse the Brethren of controlling members' lives, making it difficult to leave, and using legal means to stifle criticism. Ex-members report abuse, mental health issues, and manipulation by church leaders. Despite not voting, the Brethren have been involved in political lobbying, primarily supporting right wing parties globally.
The Brethren's insular practices, wealth, and exploitation of charitable status raise questions about their impact on members and wider society. Allegations of coercion, separation, and abuse underscore concerns about their societal contribution and treatment of members.
Who are the Exclusive Plymouth Brethren?
Led by Sydney based accountant Bruce Hales, the secretive controversial cult of 54,000 members is split across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, France, Argentina, The Caribbean, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Denmark & Sweden.
Their doctrine of separation has led to the devastation of families and they are no strangers to political lobbying. Plymouth Brethren
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Plymouth Brethren Community
One of our biggest ever investigations shines a light on one Plymouth Brethren community, discovering how they operate, looking at the wealth, the businesses, the families, the schools, the meeting rooms. A fascinating deep dive into the brethren.
A Plymouth Brethren Community
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Plymouth Brethren Political Influence
Lobbying & Influencing elections, a history of brethren political involvement from Australia, Canada, NZ, Sweden, the US & the UK
Lobbying/Elections
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Australian Tax Office Raid Plymouth Brethren UBT Offices
Brethren business office raided. Australian Tax Office investigators raid the premises of UBT, OneSchool Global, Rapid Relief Team and Campus & Co.
Plymouth Brethren Tax Raid
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Brethren Global News
A selection of brethren related news stories from other media outlets around the Globe.
Plymouth Brethren in the News
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Brethren Videos
A selection of videos and films relating to the Exclusive Plymouth Brethren
Plymouth Brethren on Film
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Get A Life - The Ex-Brethren Podcast
All the fascinating podcasts from the team at Get A Life - Ex-Cult Conversations
Get A Life
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History of the Plymouth Brethren
A brief history of the evolution of the Exclusive Plymouth Brethren Christian Church
History
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Abuse
The darker side of stories from the secretive cult of the Plymouth Brethren
Abuse
Rapid Relief Team
Coming Soon - We dive deep into the 'charity' PR front of the Plymouth Brethren
RRT