Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume. 33, Number 10. 8 July, 1970

Principal beliefs

Principal beliefs

Two principal beliefs of the Exclusive Brethren are dependence on God to provide personal leadership and the doctrine of separation from the rest of the world. These principles have grown steadily stronger over the years and are now carried to extreme lengths. Leadership is based on God's gift of the Holy Spirit in every individual; so there arc no priests. Any male member of the sect has the right to express himself at meetings.

But the doctrine of separation from the world is much stronger than the doctrine of divine inspiration. It has been the cause of most conflict as it has become more and more strictly enforced over the last fifteen years. It was at first a spiritual separation alone—the notion that one had seen the 'true light' of God and was spiritually better off than those of one's acquaintances and relations who were not Exclusives. But in the late 50's, this doctrine came to be enforced physically and materially; the edict from New York being preached throughout the sect by Taylor's 'henchmen'.

The most striking aspect of this was the prohibition on eating or drinking with any person who was not a member of the sect. It was recognised that some communication with the outer world was essential, but this too was confined to business conversation or preaching to others for the purposes of conversion. It was also decreed that no Exclusive Brother (or Sister) should be the member of any Trade Union or Organisation, professional or otherwise. One could not 'belong to' any group except the sect, even if not belonging affected one's career, nor could one be a part of any industrial unrest or any form of protest or demonstration.