Is the Twelve Tribes a Cult?
There are many ‘anti-cult’ sites (Rick Ross Twelve Tribes resources, Twelve Tribes-EX) that attack the Twelve Tribes for being a cult. Their claims often attack positions the Twelve Tribes takes on discipline, lifestyle and Biblical authority. I’ve had a couple people request feedback from my stay at the Twelve Tribes commune in Vista, and whether I believe they are a ‘cult’.
First, I want to say that my experience there greatly impacted me. I was blown-away that a community of people were willing to ‘give it all away’ so that they would share all their life’s resources. At the start of each day, the community gathers in a covenant reminder that they will ‘die to themselves’ and love one another. Much of the bad press towards the Twelve Tribes isn’t so much an attack on their community but on them living out what the Bible commands. You may be surprised I say that. Well I do need to say my experience was not exhaustive, so I did not get to see how (method) they lived out these beliefs (principles). But they do seek to base their principles on the Bible. For this, most of American modern Christianity will want to reject what they are doing. The price is far too great for us to give up our worldly possessions and consumer mentality. Many of us our too deeply entrenched in the American-brand of Christianity that fits our lifestyle easily.
Here is where I would differ with the Twelve Tribes and warn people about deciding to join their community.
1. They believe that in order to be saved, you must accept Jesus and move in to a Twelve Tribes community. They mix justification with sanctification. I asked several questions to determine what they meant. First, I asked, if a person came to the same convictions and were not in an area where the Twelve Tribes had a community, would they be saved. Second, if a person came to the convictions and decided to move to a Twelve Tribes community but died before they got there, would these people be saved? An elder at the Vista location could not say ‘yes’ to these scenarios.
2. Three different people stated that from after the book of James was written until 1970, there is no evidence of true Christians in this (roughly) 1,900 year period.
3. They believe there is no room for disagreement with their doctrine. Those who disagree are considered rebelling against God’s bride, the church. There ‘doctrine’ is the interpretation of scripture based on Eugene Sprigg’s (and other leaders?) interpretation.
4. There is an element of sectarian us/them with the world. Don’t catch sin like the ebola virus out there in the evil world. People only work for the Tribes, they see the ‘world’ as being the evil system rather than a place where they work side-by-side with non-believers and live out the gospel.
5. An elder told me that John Calvin was ‘under a spirit of evil’ when he interpreted scripture. He said that the modern (false) church has been under his influence ever since.
6. They believe that all professed Christians that are not apart of their community are no different than atheists.
It is because of these stances that I would not encourage people to get involved in their community. I say this with sadness because so much of their life seems more Christian in substance than my life and the church-communities I see.
81 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- My escape from a high-control group « Sojourn of a Soul - [...] June 15, 2010 by Bhaktin Kirsten Last night I dreamed that I was back ...
About Me
Drew Goodmanson serves as CEO of Monk Development and is co-founder/pastor at Kaleo Church. Monk is an Internet strategy and development company. Monk created Ekklesia 360 which is used by thousands of churches and ministries. Drew often speaks at conferences and has written for several national publications about how churches/ministries can use the Internet. Goodmanson.com is recognized as one of the Top Church Blogs. Kaleo Church is a missional community, multi-site church planting movement in San Diego, CA.
Connect
Sponsors
I was once a member of the twelve tribes and I tell you now, they are a high-control cult that twists scripture to suit their own needs. As far as you must accept Jesus, they consider him a demon. Further, when I left the cult they told me I would be dead in two years because the holy spirit cannot live outside of their community. That was three years ago. Stay away from this group and if you can organize prayer groups to disband them I recommend it. The world will be a much better place without them…for one.
I have cast out many demons in the name of Jesus. He is Lord and King. If you are looking for a closer walk with Him come and visit.
Demons know His name and treble.
John Stringer of the Twelve Tribes was a child predator even before he joined the community. He fled the states in the 70s after impregnating a 10 yr old girl. Today he has fled Europe after killing a small child.
I am a seventeen year old male from Plymouth Ma. Yesterday i visited the twelve tribes for the first time and thought it may be helpful for people to look at the tt through the eyes as a first time observer with no prior knowledge about this group. I had heard rumors that they were a “cult” and such, but wanted to find out what it was really like. I spent some time with the tribes in the form of a Friday feast. me and some of my buddies had heard about their lifestyle and the celebrations that they have. We attended because we were interested about what goes on, and because some people we know thought it was a nice place- they go to “hang out” . We arrived with some of our friends, and were greeted with much warmth and appreciation for being there. They were very happy that people had come to visit, and were more than happy to have new people visiting. We went to a large gathering room where they were praying. Many people were gathered in a circle, with the newcomers on the outside observing. From what i saw they all gathered and prayed to god. No more, no less. Then we all gathered in the kitchen for a meal. They served us great food, and were more than happy to anwser questions about their lifestyle. I talked for a while with Elijahou, (or something of that sort) and he told us everything we wanted to know. I was a little uncorfortable when he asked about our religion- myself not really knowing what i believe in, that sort of deal. But that was brief and i asked some pretty good questions. They were all wonderful, the children appeared happy, and the food delicous. Then we left. I do not plan on joining this group, however they are great people and i suggest going and finding out what they are really about. I may go back to find out more with the same people, simply because it seems they live a simple, yet fufilling lifestyle. I am aware that they may “mask” other details of their life to visitors, but this account is from a first time visitor as I observed.
Observer you don’t need intention. Because you don’t know what you believe you are ripe for the picking. Brainwashing is not so far off.
God sent His son to die for the sins of a lost world. He(Christ) died as a one time payment for all sin. All we have to do to be covered under His sacrifice is to believe He died for us and accept His gift to us. We then receive the Holy Spirit who guides us in how to live in obedience to Him.
And the best thing is that He didn’t stay dead. He rose again from the dead just as His Father God said that he would and he ascended into heaven to reign. The news just gets better. He promised to come back for us and receive us unto himself so that where He is there we shall also be. Somebody ought to get excited!!!!!
God’s gift is free to each of us as individuals. They believe that they are exclusive and that joining with them is the only way to God
unfortunately, my brother has been a member of twelve tribes, for twenty years. i have seen him give up everything, work like a slave, preach on the street, even lose a finger, all the while professing his happiness living in this fools’ paradise. twelve tribes is nothing more than a religious cult that draws its ideologies from a handful of established religions–as long as these ideologies are convenient to spriggs’ dogmatic needs in manipulating his slaves and furthering his empire. and though they think they are novel and annointed, they are, instead, simply another rehashing of the same old story. after all, a cult is a cult is a cult. fear dominates their members in an insipid way –i.e., they are the last to know they are afraid. sadly, they will die old and broke with no legacy but the furtherance of sprigg’s estate. twelve tribes is a true horror show. and, as usual, the innocent children are the ones who will suffer for years to come.
I visited the group and must admit there were some very friendly individuals. Do they follow YHVH (Yahweh) God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? (I saw no evidence)Do they believe in the Two House Teaching of Efrayim and Judah being re-united into one branch? (They believe they are spiritual Israel, and that the actual land and the Jews are cursed because of Matt: 21:43, which I must say has been taken way out of proportion)Is there abuse of authority in the leadership at the local communities? (Only visited one, and must say that was certainly enough to witness the evilness in one member in particular).
I would recommend questioning any group that claims they know the way, while condemning all other outsiders. If you open a bible from beginning to end, divide the section where it says old testament and new testament, and realize that the new testament is approximately 1/3 of the entire bible, then a reasonable person would consider that the Torah and Prophets (the first 2/3). The majority of scripture quoted in their free papers list new testament verses primarily. They acted kind at first when I arrived, yet when I questioned any activities I was accused of being a spy, and that I knew they only had the truth. Furthermore, everyone else is living in darkness.
Despite the negative encounter I had with this group, I still truly believe that there are some great people living in the communities. Unfortunately, the scriptures have been twisted to fit their theology. They do refer to the messiah as Yahshua, which I do agree is his name (spelling can be different since the name is Hebrew). I must also add that if you disagree with anything they believe in while in their home, just be prepared for a mind attack like you have never seen before. It might be different in other communities, nevertheless, my experience can only conclude that as a whole that this group is to be conidered extremely dangerous.
Forgiving them for the way they acted towards me was a difficult, however, I managed to forgive them over time. Don’t let bittnerness with this group ruin you, just remember that they are human with the same amount of mistakes as others who strive to serve Yahweh with all of their heart, soul, and strength.
Is it the Twelve Tribes Cult? Or is Christianity the “cult”? If you wonder if the Twelve Tribes is a Cult, you should make sure to read the autobiography of Kirsten Nielsen, twice kidnapped from the Twelve Tribes.
She has been with us for 30 years…her two kidnappings and “deprogrammings” were unsuccessful and she is married with 6 children. Her story can be read at http://www.twelvetribescult.org
quit talking about the community.You have no idea what it is like all you hear are a bunch of offended people who just need to mind there own business.If they don’t want to be apart of it then leave it behind and quit tearing it to peiceces.It is america people can do what ever they want remember.
Don’t you all have anything better to do then make up lies about the religion.The only thing you should be doing now is thinking of how you were the one that made the mistake in the first place for joining and think of what you should do with your life now.Why don’t you leave them alone?????????????????????????????????
do you all have a response
there are a couple of things I’d like to respond to, as someone who has been visiting with and learning about the twelve tribes quite a lot recently.
They don’t believe everyone who is not in the community is going to hell.
They love their life, and they want to find others who would also love it. They are not out to convert everyone they meet.
They do not force people to stay. If you don’t want to be there, they don’t want you there.
When people give things up for them, they are doing it because they WANT TO, not because the community is making them.
They are human, and make mistakes, and you can’t paint an entire community of individuals all with the same brush.
Why Yadutan and Emunah left the Twelve Tribes
I have some information that for conscience sake I need to let others know about. As some may have heard by now, I have been working with Yadutan since he has moved to Florida close to where I live. When I first left the community, I heard that Yadutan had left the community as well, only about 3 months before I did. I was curious to hear why. At some point soon after, we spoke to one another and the reasons he gave me were much along the same lines as to why I left. Recently, he moved down to Florida near me and we began working together in a home office situation. One day I was working from his computer and I found myself staring at an email that speaks of the main reason why he and his wife left. Naturally, I confronted him about it and he told me everything. His response was shocking to say the least. Those of us who know Yadutan, know that he would not have left lightly or on a whim, or just because he “loved the world”. I was quite disturbed to hear his reasons and after much deliberation I have decided that I want my friends to have the opportunity to know the truth about what happened, and decide for themselves whether or not they want to continue to give their lives to something that is not true.
Also…. before they actually left the community, Yadutan and his wife went to Yoneq and Haemeq to resolve this issue and were unable to get it resolved to their satisfaction.
This is it in a nutshell:
14 or so years ago …. Yadutan was approached somewhat aggressively by Haemeq when he was a very young disciple in the church. Haemeq made sexual advances towards him. He was in a very uncomfortable position, being “hit on” by the leaders wife. This was happening during the time when the morning and evening sacrifices were being established and taught about on daily basis. For those of you who remember or have heard those teachings since then, you can appreciate the enormity of what went on between Yadutan and Ha-emeq. There were times when she would grab him by the belt loop or hold his hand while they were walking. There were times when they were traveling on their bus that she would slip her hands under his bed covers and hold his hand at night. One night she approached himfrom behind on the beach and wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. Eventually he gave in to the temptation and BECAME INVOLVED IN A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HAEMEQ.. No, the did not have intercourse, or oral sex, but they did everything else. They would passionately kiss, they would be stripped down to their underwear, lying on top of one another. The would masturbate one another. They would go to the newly established gatherings unclean, minutes after being together. She would hold his hand during breaking of bread. They would have had intercourse but at one point or another one of them would stop the other. I understand that this is not pleasant or even dignified to have to read these things, but I don’t know any other way of getting my point across. I have sat in many meetings judging people for doing much less than what these two people participated in. I have seen families torn apart because of judgments that have come from Yoneq over youth who have held hands or kissed. I have heard and taught on the utter wickedness of going to breaking of bread and minchot over and over again with unconfessed sin much less serious in nature than what I speak of today. Yadutan is not “blaming” haemeq as being the only guilty one for what occurred, but he was terribly confused and upset in his conscience about what they had fallen into. He encouraged her to stop on several occasions but she did not want to, and so they continued in their weakness. THIS CONTINUED FOR A YEAR OR SO until Yoneq and Haemeq left brazil. At this point Yadutan was able to clear his head and wrote Haemeq telling her that they must confess and repent and get forgiven no matter the cost. He told her she must expose it to Yoneq or he would have to do it! .Haemeq wrote back saying it was ok, all was forgiven. Yadutan continued under the impression Haemeq had exposed herself.
Years later, it is uncovered that Haemeq had NEVER TOLD THE TRUTH. She has continued on in her role judging and mentoring, representing God on the earth, and whatever else you might describe her role to be, with a very very bad conscience the whole time.
When Yadutan began to see that the tribes were “falling apart” on so many levels , he began to consider the problems , why they never get fixed and the hypocrisy that had risen to the sky.
He called for a meeting with Yoneq. He confessed to his own wife what had happened before they had met, and they went to Hiddenite to have the big meeting. When he got there he was met with what he felt was an attempt to sweep it all under the rug . Yoneq said that he had just recently learned about the whole matter. He questioned them both concerning what had happened and then he forgave them both, and he told them that our Father forgave them! That’s it! Yadutan wondered why there was no body meeting , discipline, nothing! How could a husband judge his own wife like this with no counsel? Others had been sent away for years , forced to marry, or worse, over less! Should Yacob and qetsiayah know about this, after suffering over what their daughters went through for committing sins of a far less serious nature? Should Hur know about how haemeq was judged for 14 YEARS of deceit after seeing his boys judged for sins far less serious. The list could go on for quite some time. Should all those cooks meetings be disregarded because ha emeq was “in the flesh” when she taught and led them? THE IMPLICATIONS ARE FAR REACHING! Think about it…. And what about Yoneq’s response? How many times I have sat and waited to hear from Yoneq concerning our Father’s judgment for someone, whether they should be sent away from the body or not. And this was only after several kahals and fact finding meetings. All the while, those who committed the sins are being held in custody.
He was asked time and again to be discreet and just forgive and “have wisdom and conceal the matter” Scriptures were sent to him encouraging him to keep the matter to himself. Yadutan was unable to obtain a good conscience this way and all his experience in the tribes was now in doubt for him and his wife. Even his own position seemed fraudulent to him as he felt “bought” so to speak. He insisted more men be brought in and so Yoneq agreed and told Nahaliel and Nun. After expressing their grave concern with the seriousness of the matter, investigating, and finding the whole story to be exactly true as Yadutan had described in lurid detail, they both began a letter writing campaign to get Yadutan to just “move on” in the tribes. Yadutan was increasingly distressed by these “elders” inability to grasp the gravity of this hypocrisy. He wrote to them about “the emperors new clothes”, and the MEN BEHIND THE EMPEROR and the foundations of the community (teachings, tribes, minchahs) being formed all by those who were living a lie while harshly judging others for their lack of purity. He does not feel innocent of all this himself, but when he tried to do the right thing , he saw that it wasn’t really in the hearts of the leaders to deal fairly with the truth but to hide it in order to continue their charade. I have had a lot to do with many people joining or remaining in the tribes. I feel for conscience sake, they are all deserving of the truth and deserve to know ALL the information that I now have and also to know why Yadutan and his wife had to leave.
This is just a very brief version of a much deeper and more involved story. Please everyone know that Yadutan and his wife Emunah loved and gave their lives to the building of the community, as did my wife and I, but I can not stand by while my friends unwittingly go on trusting their lives, believing that they are building on something solid. My faith has been undermined by the reality of what the twelve tribes has really become! I did not easily come to these decisions. It has been very painful for everyone involved and I know for a fact that Yadutan has no joy in having to live with this. BUT NEVER THE LESS IT IS THE TRUTH. People can try and contact him if they need to know or verify anything. There are those who will say this is a lie from people who listen to liars, but there pages and pages and pages of emails and letters concerning this matter. There are those who won’t care anyways and will continue on in the community. This letter isn’t for those people. This letter is for the people who still care about the truth. For those who have been on the edge, and even for those who haven’t. It’s a wake up call to our friends in the Twelve Tribes.
I hope this letter gives some closure to the many ex-members who left and still suffer from guilt of leaving. And also those who were sent away, cut-off or punished for things that are trifiling compared to adultery and fornication amongst the HOLY!!! Or those who after dieing in the tribes were judge unworthy of the cloud of witnesses and sentenced to the first death!
When you said: “and so they continued in their weakness. THIS CONTINUED FOR A YEAR OR SO until Yoneq and Haemeq left brazil”…
What do you mean continue? What happened at the beach, or to hold hands sometimes?
Please, speak from what you know for sure, not from what you “guess”
Anon (btw, I like your choice of names):
I think “They would passionately kiss, they would be stripped down to their underwear, lying on top of one another. The would masturbate one another.” says it all, don’t you?
anon, I was wondering about the reason why you and your wife have left the community.
this is hana martin greg martin’s wife do i know you anon?
I have read most of the comments about the Twelve Tribes here, mainly because I am planning to visit one of their homes in Europe soon. The only thing that really bothers me is what seems to be their outlook on child dicipline. I have a son who is a few months old and I have decided that he is not going to be diciplined with violence. I believe that is how animals bring up their kids, and that we as human beings are above the animals, and shall do everything in a more humble and humane way. If I decided that I wanted to stay with the Twelve Tribes, do you think they would try and make me hit my son if he was disobedient, and do you think they would hit him if I wasn’t there?
I want to give him the best start in life that I can find. As I see it, this society just isn’t clean enough. He is still too young to be affected, but often when I go out with him and we pass by kids who are out playing they swear, they call eachother names, they talk in a repulsive way. Sometimes talking about older people in terms such as “that fucking bitch” and so on. They eat enormous amounts of colourful candy with all kinds of chemicals in and they watch television or play computer games a lot every day and already during their early teens they are encouraged both by society and media to practice sex. I think that as long as we are “out here in the world” there is no way that I can keep him from getting affected by those things because I can’t keep him from having friends. Do you think the Twelve Tribes wouldn’t have us if I didn’t agree to dicipline my son as they would have done?
possibly
For sure they will not force you to discipline your child, and for sure they will not do it themselves. They will not tell you about how they displine their children, except if you are really interested.
Thank you for replying anon! It seems you may be a trustworthy sorce of information, and I feel better about my plans to see them now. I have seen a lot of critical information about the community, about corruption and so on, but I am reasoning that even if that exists within the community I doubt it is in such enormous extent as out here. All fruit needs time to ripe. If what they say about abuse is even true, it seems to be limited to single cases, and the whole community cannot be held responsible for that.
I saw you were asked about why you and your wife left the community, and I too am interested in knowing the reasons.
I can see by your writting that you are very wise. It is very true what you say.
I mean anonymous by anon, but it is not me who is being asked why left the community.
I have choose to be anonymous in this forum
I see, anonymous, but did you as well leave the community? Ofcourse you need not answer to this, but you know that already.
I have so many questions, but I am not going to make you tired by asking them all here. My son and I will be able to visit one of the communities soon.
I shouldn’t really say anything about child dicipline since I have no experience of it. I can neither speak against it nor for it. I was not diciplined and I have to regret a lot of wrong doings now. If those doings had anything to do with a lack of dicipline I cannot say. But inflicting pain on your child must be the most difficult thing for a parent to do.
Not, if you save him from a greater pain.
Iit is not pain, it more itching.
I just encountered a large group of the “Twelve Tribes”on the road in DC. These people are one of the most demonically possessed groups I have ever seen! There eyes are glazed over and they mock others. Most of the members seemed to be outcasts of society, they must pick on the weakest ones in society….I heard they show up at Rainbow gatherings and spit out misrepresentations at all costs. PLEASE anyone looking into this group….flee at all costs. Your soul is at stake!!!
First of all, it took me forever to read through all this non-sense. I was born and raised in the Twelve Tribes and my entire family (on my father’s side) is part of the group. I left when I was eighteen after being kidnapped back a couple of times. However, now, as a matured adult, I have learned a lot about beliefs and personal choice. Growing up in the TTs, I didn’t have any independence or individuality, but that is simply because that is the only way to maintain a community of that nature. When you go through something like that, you learn to appreciate freedom of choice and speech. Even though I have mostly lost my family due to my choice to leave the group, i have no regrets. I have come to realize that every person has a brain and they can choose to live their life anyway they like. I don’t feel bad for any one who has posted on this site saying how horrible their experience was with the TTs. It was their choice to join. Maybe next time they should think about something before they do it. As far as myself, I have nothing to say against the commune. They may affect others in a negative way but if you don’t like it…LEAVE! It may be hard to leave for those who are weak willed but if you are that unhappy with your life and can’t change it then you deserve to be unhappy. Don’t give us that bull-shit that they wouldn’t let you leave. This is America…even if you were born there, you still have a god given right to choose for yourself. Don’t blame your misery on Elbert Spriggs or anyone else in that group. I was mistreated but only losers dwell on the past. Move on for Christsake!!!! You’re free. Just let them be. Don’t go around making everyone feel sorry for you because it doesn’t work. Thats the wrong way to respond to things.
I left three years ago and I haven’t spoken to anyone in my family since. I’m not wallowing in the mud complaining about how miserable my life is. No I’m moving on and bettering myself. I could have gripped about how I had no opportunities because of the poor education I got as a child…no! I got my GED and enrolled in one of the best Universities in Massachusetts! I moved halfway across the country so that I could get the best career opportunity that was out here. Of course it has been hard. Hell- its been the most difficult thing I’ve ever done…even more than walking away from my life, my family, everything I knew.
This is what my entire childhood has taught me: Never let someone tell you that you can’t do something! If anything, my childhood has made me a stronger person and given me a more tenacious attitude. So, to all of you lazy ass losers who have posted those nasty complaints and lies…Get a life! You’re worse off now then you were there. I suggest you make up for all the time you lost while waisting way in your misery! Let those who are now being drawn into the TT commune do the research for themselves instead of dumping all your sissy problems on them. And leave the dumb-ass losers living in the TTs alone. Remember that you’re the only one who will have to live with the decisions you made during your lifetime and there will be no one else to blame for it when you’re on your deathbed.
You left the TT’s and did good. But it appears that you left God also according to the language you use. I’m sorry to see that. “there will be no one else to blame for it when you‚Äôre on your deathbed”.
Shalom
I’m a fellow believer and have been visiting a community in VA for the past month. Your article is one of many that I’ve read and the whole situation grieves the heart of God. Jesus did live in community with his disciples and the church of Acts followed that pattern; but from what I’ve gathered thus far, the Twelve Tribes are cult-like in practice.
I’ve been a follower of Christ for 11 years and have been a missionary in 3 countries, so I am no “newbie” to the Word or the Holy Spirit. Recently I’ve had multiple conversations with people not apart of T.T., but are Christians and there is a great thirst for more than what the church as we know it has offered. I hear your heart, bro. There are a lot of us that want to just follow God and we’re looking for the “more” that is out there. I’m just trying to find what that is. I want community and I want freedom in Christ. I hate legalism, Jesus stood up against those in His days that were. There are a lot more things to say, but I’d like to talk with you. So if you could e-mail me so we could start a dialog, I would really appreciate that.
Love your sister in Christ,
Kyera
It is really sad that the twelve tribes is not going to make it. Everyone wants to know what the truth is and what the meaning of life is.I don’t think we will ever really figure that out.We just need to make the most out of what we do have.
These comments have run on for 3 years now and at this time I’m going to close them down. Much of my post and the journey from this experience has led me to a new way of being the church, which I thank the 12 Tribes for being a part of that journey.
The book I’d recommend, is Total Church if you are interested in how a community forms around the gospel to be the church. That book in particular has had a lasting impact.