How on Earth did it all begin? History of the Exclusive Brethren | Cult Escape - Chapter 2 

You are so loved, John xxx

went to Ireland quite a few years ago, loved it, went to the older pub in Dublin great guinness

Can I ask how brethren kids learn about sex these days? Speaking to people who went to school with them in the 70s they had to leave the class during sex education, is it still like that now?

Please John...give up on the Irish accent....😜 Luvsya xxx

So sad to hear you and family disintegrated by this cult. The same story with all cults...nobody needs to belong to any church....just read the bible and do your own research and the Holy Spirit will guide you. That’s just my personal feelings of course. It’s good to see you smiling my friend xxx

John -- as you know, I love you and have also read your book. I have profound empathy for all those who have suffered under what have been and are horrendous misapplications of Scripture -- and even of common, human standards of decency. This has, as you so state, been a result of what has become for many years a sect -- now generally referred to as the Exclusive Brethren Christian Church. I have, myself, suffered -- perhaps in a different way -- from these circumstances in which there is much of "call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). I would just like to make a few comments in the way of fairness and to balance some of your original statements as to the inception of this sect. First and foremost, Mr. JN Darby didn't "start" and become the leader of a Christian movement that commenced in the early 19th century. He was instrumental, of course, in this movement; but, there were many others who were instrumental, as well. There was indeed at that time a movement in which Christians all over the world -- initially independent from each other -- were clearly and distinctly moved by the Holy Spirit to not only recognize, according to Scripture, that the confusion, the disunity and the prevalent hierarchal clerical systems in Christendom were unscriptural; but, that God had provided for the exercised Christian who recognized these realities that, in 2 Timothy 2, a Biblical principle was clearly set out of separating from what was wrong so as to be in the gain of righteousness. Over some recent six decades or more -- the gross misuse of this simple, Biblical principle (along with misuse of a great number of other Scriptures) by those in power in what became a sect as noted above has caused, and, continues to cause, much abuse and suffering to many caught up in the dark evil of the sect. However, the misuse does not alter the clear principle that literally runs throughout the Bible which is, simply, that to maintain proper (Christian) joy and righteousness in a relationship both with Divine Persons and others here who are maintaining righteousness, it is necessary to be separate from any attempts by Satan to hinder the same joy and righteousness. This is even common sense. You mention, "Where is the love [i.e., in separating]?"; but, you ignore that you and any number of others have left/separated from this sect due to the evil therein. Staying in evil condones the evil -- there is no love in that. My statements above are to this simple end: JN Darby and others are simply not in any way responsible for the great declension among "brethren" (the term "brethren", of course, has suffered a misuse as if it immediately connotes something wrong -- Matthew 23:8 shows that, "But ye, be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your instructor, and all ye are brethren -- i.e., all genuine Christians are brethren) which markedly commenced in the mid 1950's. As a matter of fact, they wrote with great concern as to the fact that such a departure could devolve into a sect. Mr. Darby's writings are distinctive and definitive as to the need for any Christian to maintain individual ties of integrity, faithfulness and affection for the Lord so as to preclude Christian failure and shipwreck. The Lord says "by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:37). JN Darby's words, if fairly read, cannot be used to condemn him -- and he has been greatly and unfairly condemned, along with others, for many years. I"ve often thought, if any doubt his spirituality and Christian worth -- read his hymns. Much else could be said; but, this is more than long enough. It is ironic, as touched upon above, that the very Scripture that God has provided for the Christian to extricate themselves from iniquity and evil, although being followed, in practice, by many, is now being disparaged as being evil and separatist writings from a man who, himself, simply elucidated in his writings as to the place and import of the same scripture. As you can see, I feel somewhat strongly as to all the above.

is it a by product of ex brethren inbreeding that makes them very gassy.....? :P