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Branham's followers[editar | editar código-fonte]

Worshippers bowing at the grave of William Branham in Jeffersonville, Indiana

Followers of Branham's teachings can be found around the world; Branham claimed to have made over one million converts during his campaign meetings.[1] In 1986, there were an estimated 300,000 followers.[2][a] In 2000, the William Branham Evangelical Association had missions on every inhabited continent – with 1,600 associated churches in Latin America and growing missions across Africa.[3] In 2018, Voice of God Recordings claimed to serve Branham-related support material to about two million people through the William Branham Evangelical Association, and estimated there were 2–4 million total followers of Branham's teachings.[4][5]

Branham's followers do not have a central unifying leadership. Shortly after Branham's death, his followers divided in multiple feuding groups.[6] Many different followers of Branham's teachings have claimed to be his immediate successor, or an Elisha to his Elijah. Many also believe that Branham's son Joseph has claimed the inheritance of his father's ministry.[7] Each of the men claiming to be his successor have established new sects of Branham's followers.[7]

Branham's sons Joseph and Billy Paul lead the William Branham Evangelical Association and hold influence over many churches.[7]

Pearry Green (1933–2015) in Arizona and Ewald Frank in Germany both held influence over a significant number of churches.[7] Tensions over Branham's identity are one the primary causes of divisions between the groups. Followers of Branham's son expect the resurrection of Branham to fulfill unfinished prophecies. Followers of the Green and Frank believe Branham's prophecies will have a spiritual fulfillment and not require his return. Still other groups believe Branham was the return of Christ.[8][9]

His followers "range widely in belief in practice."[10] Some followers have attempted to reform Branham's most extreme teachings.[10] While most churches adhere to a common set of tenets, the "extreme local authority" of the church promoted by Branham has led to widespread differences in interpretation of Branham's prophetic teachings.[11] One common theme among all groups is the belief that Branham was the return of Elijah the prophet and receiving his prophetic revelations is necessary to escape the impending destruction of the world.[12]

Some groups of Branham's followers refuse medical treatment because of their divine healing beliefs.[13] Many followers of Branham's teachings live within insular communities, with their own schools and with no access to television or internet or outside media. Some groups prohibit their members from having relationships with outsiders. Those who leave are often shunned or disowned.[14][15]

People who try to leave the teachings of Branham often face extreme repercussions. Carl Dyck wrote, "Those who have come out of this group give solemn evidence of the devastating effect that Branhamism had on them, both emotionally and psychologically. In fact, the followers of Branham pray that evil will come upon people who leave their church."[16] Branham's followers have harassed critics and individuals who reject Branham's teachings. Dyck reported that people who published material critical of Branham's teachings have been threatened by his followers and warned they may be killed.[17] The news media have also reported critics of Branham's teaching being threatened and harassed by his followers.[14][18]

In his book Churches that Abuse, Ronald Enroth wrote that some churches use Branham's teachings to "belittle, insult, and berate" their members as part of their discipleship teachings on submission, humility, and obedience.[19] According to Enroth, Branham's followers believe subjecting themselves to this treatment is necessary for them to "be refined and perfect" and "ready to meet Jesus" at this second coming.[20] Enroth reported instances of families being separated, with children being taken from their parents and reassigned to other families to be raised as a form of discipline. He also reported multiple cases of physical abuse against both adults and children in the United States and Mexico.[21]

Branham's followers are widely spread throughout the world. In Iran, Branham's followers have faced persecution, with the government shutting down ten of their house churches in 2018 and jailing several Branham followers.[22] In 2020, the Russian government labeled missionaries of Branham's teaching as "extremists" and banned the importation of Branham related publications to the Russian Federation.[23]

Branham's followers are often in the news for criminal activity. In a 2008 California court case, authorities investigating Leo Mercer's group of Branham followers in Arizona discovered that following "Branham's death in 1965, Mercer gradually became more authoritative, employing various forms of punishment. He would ostracize people from the community and separate families. Children were beaten for minor infractions like talking during a march or not tying their shoes. Mercer would punish girls by cutting their hair, and force boys to wear girls' clothing. There was also evidence that Mercer sexually abused children."[24]

"In one instance, Mercer ordered that [a girl's] hair be cut off to punish her because he had had a vision from God that she was being sexually inappropriate with young children. [She] was beaten and forced to wear masculine clothes that covered much of her body, hiding her bruises. Her fingertips were burned so she would know what hell felt like."[24] Mercer sexually abused children and adults. Survivors reported that they subjected themselves to Mercer's abuses because of direction they received personally from Branham.[25]

The Living Word Fellowship, a group of over 100 churches at its peak, was founded by John Robert Stevens, who had been heavily influenced by Branham and promoted many of his doctrines, was often reported in the news during the 1970s and 1980s as a doomsday cult.[26] The organization disbanded in 2018 following widespread allegations of sexual molestation of children.[27]

In 2002, Ralph G. Stair, a leader of a Branham's followers in United States, was arrested and convicted of molesting minors, raping multiple women in his church, and financial crimes.[28]

Paul Schäfer, a follower and promoter of William Branham's teachings based in Chile, was discovered to have been running a compound where he was sexually molesting and torturing children in 1997. "Strong ties were forged" between Schäfer, William Branham, and Ewald Frank during Branham's time in Germany.[29] Schäfer and other members of his church served as William Branham's personal security detail on his 1955 European tour.[30] William Branham's second sermon during his visit to Karlsruhe, Germany, left a deep impression on Schäfer. Schäfer claimed to experience a healing in the meeting, and thereafter began to put more of William Branham's doctrines into practice in his group, and began to insist to his followers that they were the "only faithful ones" to William Branham's teachings.[31] Schäfer had a history of child molestation dating to the 1950s. Schäfer was later arrested in 2006, convicted, and died in prison.[32]

The government of Chile banned Ewald Frank from entering the country after finding he had been visiting and holding revival meetings with Schäfer's followers at Colonia. Court records indicate Frank was a key figure in helping Colonia establish its weapons factories by contracting with German arms producers to assist the colony in setting up their operations.[33] Alleged accomplices in Schäfer's crimes who were charged and awaiting trial fled Chile and took refuge in Frank's church in Germany, where they were protected from extradition. German protestors picketed in front of Frank's church to protest his actions.[34][35][36] Schäfer and his compound were portrayed in the 2015 film Colonia.

In 2014, Robert Martin Gumbura, a leader of Branham's followers in Zimbabwe, was arrested and convicted for raping multiple women in his congregation. Gumbura and his followers were polygamous. Gumbura reportedly had relations with over 100 women. He died in prison in 2021.[37]

In April 2023, government authorities discovered shallow graves where over 100 bodies were buried. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities believe more than 500 individuals may be buried in the graves. They had been allegedly starved to death by P. N. Mackenzie, a leader of Branham's followers in Kenya. Some had been buried alive, and authorities were able to rescue one who had been buried for three days. News reports labeled the group as the Malindi cult.[38][39] Homicide detectives working the case said the group was radicalized by Branham's teachings, leading to their deaths.[40] Investigators discovered some of the bodies were missing organs, and accused the cult of harvesting and selling the organs of the victims.[41]

Polygamist followers of Branham's teachings have also been reported by news media in the United States for marriage to minors. Authorities have gone so far as to raid one church and threaten members with legal action for violating bigamy laws. Polygamy is a point of conflict among Branham's followers; not all groups accept the practice. Supporters of polygamy claim Branham authorized the practice in his 1965 sermon entitled "Marriage and Divorce".[42][43][44][45]

Roberts Liardon commented, "According to Branham, since women introduced men to sex, polygamy was brought about. Women had to be punished. So men could have many wives, but women only one husband."[46]

In 2020, Joaquim Gonçalves Silva, a prominent leader of Branham's followers in Brazil, was accused of raping multiple women. Sivas died while awaiting trial for his alleged crimes.[47]

In 1997, the O'odham Nation in Arizona accused Wayne Evans of defrauding their tribe of over $1 million and giving that money to Voice of God Recordings. The tribe filed a racketeering case against them to recover their money.[48][49] In 2001, Evans pleaded guilty to charges of embezzlement,[50] and Voice of God Recordings returned the funds to the tribe.

Joseph Coleman, a follower of William Branham in the United States with influence over multiple churches, was connected to "a multi-million dollar fraud through an investment management company". News reported that Coleman's son had solicited over $20 million in funds under false claims. He and his fellow conspirators pleaded guilty in 2010 and in 2011 were sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay millions in restitution. The FBI reported that, "rather than using the investors' capital to support the two funds, the defendants used the vast majority of investor money to purchase lavish gifts for their friends and themselves".[51][52][53][54][55]

In 2020, Vinworth Dayal, a minister who promoted Branham's teachings in Trinidad, was arrested and charged with money laundering through his church.[56][57]

Pearry Green was a defendant in multiple criminal cases concerning his financial dealings. In a 2003 case, he pleaded guilty to theft of government property in U.S. District court.[58]

In 2014, Pastor Donny Reagan made news in the United States for promoting Branham's racial teachings. Several news outlets labeled Reagan as the "most racist pastor in America."[59][60] Kacou Philippe, a leader of Bramham's followers in Africa, was arrested in 2017 for hate speech and sentenced to one year prison after preaching in multiple African nations that blacks should be submissive towards whites. Philippe insisted decolonization of Africa was a sin, and that Africans could only prosper when in servitude to Europeans.[61][62]

In 2017, street preachers promoting Branham in Canada began to make national news in the United States and Canada for their aggressive behavior. Their tactics prompted officials to pass legislation targeting their activities in 2019. They were arrested multiple times in both countries for harassing women for their appearance and disrupting church services. The CBC investigated Branham and focused their reporting on his connections to Jim Jones and the Ku Klux Klan and labeled Branham's followers a "doomsday cult".[18][63][64][65][66] In 2021, they were reported in the news again as fugitives who were evading arrest after attacking women at a Presbyterian Church in Canada.[67]

In 2018, Pastor Théodore Mugalu, a leader of Branham's followers in the Democratic Republic of Congo encouraged his followers to violence against Catholics in his country. News reports claimed that Mugala's followers forced 145 priests and nuns to strip naked, cover their heads, and filmed their whippings.[68][69]

In 2021, Steven Hassan's Freedom of Mind Institute published an article labeling Branham's followers a cult stating, "Branham's ministry was characterized by white supremacy and deeply misogynist attitudes."[10] "The Message cult has always been deeply connected to white supremacy groups."[15]

According to Hassan, Branham's followers use "deceptive tactics to recruit and indoctrinate unsuspecting people. Recruiters do not tell new members that the cult originated with deep ties to white supremacy groups." Hassan concluded by stating that "The Message churches have a significant following and an enormous potential to influence people and create violence."[15]

  1. ↑ Kydd 1998, p. 168.
  2. ↑ a b Weaver 2000, pp. 151–153.
  3. ↑ Weaver 2000, p. vi.
  4. ↑ «Frequently Asked Questions». Voice of God Recordings. Consultado em February 28, 2018  Verifique data em: |acessodata= (ajuda)
  5. ↑ Erro de citação: Etiqueta <ref> inválida; não foi fornecido texto para as refs de nome nrk
  6. ↑ Harrell 1978, p. 164.
  7. ↑ a b c d Weaver 2000, p. 152.
  8. ↑ Weaver 2000, pp. 156–157.
  9. ↑ Harrell 1978, p. 165.
  10. ↑ a b c O'Donnell, Kimmy (July 18, 2021). «Brief History of William Branham and Message Church Cult»  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  11. ↑ Weaver 2000, p. 154.
  12. ↑ Weaver 2000, pp. 141–142.
  13. ↑ Hawks, Asa (September 4, 2016). «Return to Amish What cult did Jeremiah Raber's wife Carmela belong to?». Starcasm  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  14. ↑ a b Cummings, Madeleine (June 27, 2021). «This Alberta woman spent 26 years in a religious community. She now considers it a cult». CBC  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  15. ↑ a b c Erro de citação: Etiqueta <ref> inválida; não foi fornecido texto para as refs de nome tre
  16. ↑ Dyck 1984, p. 24.
  17. ↑ Dyck 1984, p. 25.
  18. ↑ a b Lupton, Andrew (September 17, 2017). «How a dead U.S. evangelist inspires London's reviled street preachers». CBC  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  19. ↑ Enroth 1992, p. 158.
  20. ↑ Enroth 1992, p. 159.
  21. ↑ Enroth 1992, pp. 160–163.
  22. ↑ «Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani arrested after police raid his home». Iran Human Rights Monitor. July 23, 2018  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  23. ↑ Telekhov, Mikhail (May 21, 2021). «St. Petersburg court declares books by U.S. missionary Branham extremist». Russian Legal Information Agency  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  24. ↑ a b People v. Loker, 44 Cal. 4th 691, 188 P.3D 580, 80 Cal. Rptr. 3D 630 (California Supreme Court July 28, 2008).
  25. ↑ Thibodeau, Deb Daulton (March 2022). The Serpent's Tail. [S.l.]: Adelaide Books. pp. 18–21, 230, 717. ISBN 978-1956635904  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  26. ↑ Moriarty 1992, p. 108.
  27. ↑ Jennings, James (December 5, 2018). «Shiloh's future in question after Living Word dissolves». The News. Consultado em May 22, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  28. ↑ «Minister Charged With Sexual Abuse». Orangeburg, South Carolina: Times and Democrat. May 18, 2002  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  29. ↑ Basso 2022, p. 53.
  30. ↑ Basso 2022, p. 8.
  31. ↑ Basso 2022, pp. 8,11.
  32. ↑ Brown, Stephen (May 7, 2012). «Insight: German sect victims seek escape from Chilean nightmare past». Reuters  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  33. ↑ Basso 2022, pp. 59–64.
  34. ↑ Dannemann, Victoria (October 26, 2018). «Krefeld and its connection to Colonia Dignidad». DW News. Consultado em August 30, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  35. ↑ «Insight: German sect victims seek escape from Chilean nightmare past». Reuters. May 9, 2012. Consultado em March 2, 2016  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  36. ↑ Basualto, Rebecca (March 9, 2009). «Schäfer's former henchman speaks for the first time: asks for his share after a millionaire agreement between Villa Baviera and the CDE». CIPER  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  37. ↑ Matenga, Moses (August 8, 2021). «Rapist Gumbura Dies In Prison». The Standard  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  38. ↑ Anyango, Manny (April 14, 2023). «Cult victim found alive after three days in Malindi grave». The Star. Consultado em April 20, 2023  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  39. ↑ Dickson, Wekesa (April 23, 2023). «Kilifi Cult: Police so far discover 58 shallow graves». Mandy News. Consultado em April 23, 2023  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  40. ↑ Njoka, Sophia (April 27, 2023). «Mackenzie: Cult leader who led legions to death». Peoples Daily. Consultado em April 28, 2023  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  41. ↑ Nation. Africa (May 9, 2023). «Some of the Shakahola cult victims had their organs missing». The Citizen. Consultado em 9 de maio de 2023  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  42. ↑ Wagner, Lon (January 17, 1993). «Preacher Defends Polygamy». Roanoke, Virginia: Roanoke Times  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  43. ↑ Wagner, Lon (March 20, 1993). «Marrying Word and Deed». Roanoke, Virginia: Roanoke Times. Consultado em August 12, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  44. ↑ «Pastor's polygamy beliefs under scrutiny». UPI. January 19, 1993. Consultado em August 12, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  45. ↑ Wright, Naomi (July 19, 2021). «The Power of One Moment». Consultado em August 12, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  46. ↑ Liardon 2003, p. 340.
  47. ↑ Oliveira, Rafael (August 2, 2021). «Pastor suspeito de crimes sexuais contra fiéis morre de Covid-19, em Goiânia». GIOAS. Consultado em August 2, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  48. ↑ «Tribe Sues 'Voice of God' In Tucson Court». The Deming Headlight. Associated Press. September 29, 1997  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  49. ↑ «Arizona Tribe Sues Ex-Employee». Sells, Arizona: Farmington Daily Times. Associated Press. September 29, 1997  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  50. ↑ «Man Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement». Tucson, Arizona: Arizona Republic. October 14, 2001  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  51. ↑ «Five Founders and Marketers of Two Hedge Funds Indicted on Conspiracy and Securities Fraud Charges». FBI. April 19, 2009. Consultado em August 12, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  52. ↑ «Five Church Leaders Plead Guilty to Securities Fraud Conspiracy». March 8, 2010. Consultado em August 12, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  53. ↑ «Administrative Proceedings File No. 3-14303» (PDF). March 23, 2011. p. 2. Consultado em August 12, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  54. ↑ Newman, Andy (April 19, 2009). «After Scandal, Queens Church Moves On». The New York Times. Consultado em August 12, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  55. ↑ «Founding Pastor». Local Christian Assembly. Consultado em August 12, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata= (ajuda)
  56. ↑ «Trinidad: Cash pastor's sermons linked to 'doomsday prophet'». Stabroek News. January 4, 2020  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  57. ↑ Ramdass, Rickie (July 1, 2021). «$10 million bail for pastor charged with money laundering». Trinidad Daily Express  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  58. ↑ USA, et al v. Green, 4:03-cr-02111-JC-1 (U.S. District Court, District of Arizona (Tucson Division) March 10, 2004) (“Minutes: before Mag Judge James C. Carruth . Ct Rptr: css . first appearance of Pearry Lee Green; informed of rights, charges, etc.;, O/R bond set for Pearry Lee Green, Pearry Lee Green (1) count(s) 1 enters a plea of guilty to the information”).
  59. ↑ «Johnson City preacher's video against biracial marriage goes viral». Johnson City Press. February 18, 2014  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  60. ↑ Blair, Leonardo. «Bro. Donny Reagan Apologizes; Church Explains His Message Saying He's Not Racist, He 'Simply Does Not Marry Interracially'». Christian Post 
  61. ↑ Cherus, John (February 9, 2019). «Ivory Coast Kacou Philippe Pardoned». KOACI. Consultado em March 21, 2022  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  62. ↑ Lucie Sarr, Abidjan (July 9, 2017). «Apostle of self-styled 'only prophet of God on earth' arrested in West Africa». Consultado em March 21, 2022  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  63. ↑ Lupton, Andrew (April 19, 2019). «Today's court appearance marks a new chapter in London's response to street preachers». CBC  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  64. ↑ Sim, Jane (April 26, 2019). «LFP Longform: Inside the doomsday cult-inspired world of London's abusive street preachers». London Free Press  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  65. ↑ Sims, Jane (April 10, 2019). «Street preachers' mission inside churches could be recruitment: Expert». London Free Press  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  66. ↑ Field, Carla (January 29, 2018). «Radical street preachers disrupt Upstate church, scream insults at women, pastor says». WYFF4 News. Consultado em September 22, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  67. ↑ Trevithick, Matthew (October 27, 2021). «London street preachers sought by police on near year-long arrest warrant: court documents». Global News. Consultado em November 1, 2021  Verifique data em: |acessodata=, |data= (ajuda)
  68. ↑ Cos, Marie-France (January 18, 2018). «DRC: a minister denounces an "attack" with ... rosaries». La Libra Afrique  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)
  69. ↑ Leclercq, Herbert (January 19, 2018). «DRC: The revival churches called to the rescue by the power». La Libra Afrique  Verifique data em: |data= (ajuda)


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