Community or Cult? [part 1-2]

Chronicle, a news magazine (WCVB-TV, Channel 5 Boston), broadcast this show on July 21, 1993 (the first of two parts). It is a report on the Community of Jesus, Inc. of Orleans, Massachusetts, USA. Their respective web sites are: http://www.thebostonchannel.com http://www.communityofjesus.org

The report was done with standard journalistic technique, showing both sides of the issue: is the Community a cult? Some neutral experts were interviewed. Former members were interviewed. Current members of the Community (at the time) were interviewed. Interestingly, many "current" members that are shown in the taping have since left.

The Community of Jesus was founded by two lay women, Cay Anderson & Judy Sorensen. Cay Anderson died in 1988. The leader of the Community at the time of the taping, Betty Pugsley (who goes by Elizabeth Patterson when she conducts the choir outside the Community), is still in charge as of the date of this posting. Over the years, the Community has been the subject of the print media, including the Cape Cod Times (the local newspaper), the Cape Cod Voice (a local magazine), Boston Magazine (a regional magazine), and the Globe and Mail (the national newspaper of Canada).

The observations, declarations, and accusations of former members are trivialized and dismissed by the Community to this day.

FACTnet, a web site about cults and other high-control environments, includes a topic on the Community in their forums: http://www.factnet.org/vbforum/index.php
Look under "Religions, Religious Sub Sects and Religious or Spiritual Cults",
then under "Christian Centered Groups",
then scroll down to "Community of Jesus Grenville Christian College"

Grenville Christian College (GCC) became affiliated with the Community in 1973 when its leadership sought the help of Cay & Judy. Its leadership and staff members became non-resident members (and some eventually became resident members at the Community in Orleans). GCC ran a private Christian boarding school using the same principles and techniques as the Community. Its staff, being non-resident members, followed the teachings of Cay and Judy and applied it to staff members, staff children, children from the Community who attended GCC, and students not affiliated with either GCC or the Community.

GCC closed its doors at the end of the summer of 2007. Shortly thereafter, it was named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit in Canada, along with the Anglican Church of Canada and the Community of Jesus. At the date of this posting, the legal teams are preparing, filing, etc. and an actual trial has not yet begun. Not surprisingly, the Community has distanced itself from GCC.

Another web site that discusses the truth about the Community of Jesus and Grenville Christian College is: http://www.communityofjesus.biz

Used by permission.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• cult
• community
• jesus
• lies
• truth
• mind
• control
• coersive
• persuasion
• brainwash
• investigation
• religion

[lyonesse58]

My heart bleeds for these people and for their children. Any incoming college student learns in basic psychology that the body language of darting eyes and an inability to address someone directly when speaking are TEXTBOOK signs of lying/hiding the truth. Notice Community of Jesus Director, Betty Pugsley, whose eyes only cease darting momentarily when she attempts to make a point with the interviewer.

[gothicblackrose]

She keeps looking to the right when she denies things which is a sign that someone is lying.

[jessie68ful]

Classic bullys idiot defence -"personality disorders" "mentally diseased" anyone who speaks out against the cult, opposes it is dismissed as being mentally ill. Foul. Be vigillant. It can happen to anyone. Selling your soul thinking its salvation when it is really enslavement.

[gusti2ful]

It's a true cult. I knew of them years ago, they destroyed my family.

[MrsPoodle78]

FACTnet helps heal abuse caused by Religions or Cults. It deals with all areas of financial, sexual, physical, psychological, theological or indoctrinational abuse found in any religion or cult. It provides discussion, recovery resources and peer to peer healing. It also researches and provides info...

[peapodgrrl]

I wish I could understand why people seem to have the need for group therapy when it comes to their beliefs and connection with God. Why it can't be a solo pursuit--with just as much passion and conviction--is beyond my understanding. Religion gets a bad rap when it is in reality the people who abuse power that are the culprits--not the belief in God.

[H0tkebab]

She also has a strange cutting gaze in her eyes which is concerning. Very cold...

0_0

[H0tkebab]

She is one hell of a liar and a poor one at that. 

[soaringeagle14]

@lyonesse58 thank you, someone belives what is most likley going on

[spiritofwicca]

Really frightening...