CLOSE TO THE EDGE, August 1994 Issue 10 TOLC, PO Box 348, Morden, Surrey SM4 6ZD, United Kingdom Tel: 081-646-7477 Fax: 081-646-8151 Email: akshar@cix.compulink.co.uk Twenty four hour hotline: 0860 579211 Triumphing Over London Cults is a group of former members of the London Church of Christ, and also the Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Tokyo, and International Churches of Christ LCC VS NEWSNIGHT: COMPLAINT REJECTED The investigation that exposed financial and psychological abuse in the London Church of Christ was perfectly legitimate, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission has ruled. The LCC's complaint against the NewsNight investigation broadcast on 16 July 1993 was rejected by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission. Events which took place at the tribunal hearings in London, and revelations made during the investigation have not been allowed to be made public until now. Here, for the first time, are the Commission's findings: THE COMMISSION'S FINDINGS: The nub of the complaint from the London Church of Christ was that Newsnight had mounted an unfair attack on them. The Commission note that the programme-makers had themselves recognized the need to give the London Church leadership the opportunity to respond to the specific criticisms and allegations made against them. There is notable disagreement about the extent of their efforts to obtain that response. A number of telephone calls certainly took place between the programme-makers and Mr Partington, but the exact content of these conversations is unclear. What does seem clear is that the leader of the London Church had refused to be interviewed and had not himself offered an alternative spokesman; indeed, the leadership had appeared generally content to rely on the contributions made by the American Church. Significantly, on 15 July 1993, Mr Partington - knowing by then that the Newsnight would not be filming an interview with him - did not apparently feel it necessary to do more than give them brief comments in response to the allegations which they had earlier put to him over the telephone. Given this background, the Commission are not persuaded that there was any unfairness in the item's failure to include an interview with a spokesman for the London Church of Christ. On the matter of the back tax, the Commission note that the London Church had relied on professional advice from a firm of chartered accountants throughout the period in question. The Commission can understand that the tax position of American Evangelists may well have been less than straightforward; but they find it difficult to understand how the London Church can have been unaware of the PAYE liability of their British employees. The Commission also share the doubts which Mr Framjee expressed at the hearing about the validity of the Church's accounts, which had seemingly failed to disclose the Church's known liability to back taxes. The Commission do not doubt that the Inland Revenue have imposed no extra liability or penalties on the Church in respect of back tax. However, on the evidence before them, the Commission consider that, at the very least, the Church were less open than they should have been in handling their tax responsibilities. That being so, they do not find the item's use of the phrase "less than truthful" as either clearly inappropriate or unfair in that context. In the Commission's view, the evidence relating to the Church's use of alternative names when visiting different places demonstrates a lack of openness on the Church's part for the phrase to be fairly applicable to that aspect of their activities as well. The Commission also finds no unfairness in the item's treatment of the London Church's benevolent contributions. Funds raised as part of the LOVE offering were not included in the Church's accounts and, in the Commission's opinion, the Church are themselves to blame for the fact that the LOVE offering was not taken into consideration in the programme-makers' calculations. In any event, the LOVE offering was a distinct project and separate from the general funds collected by the Church, and the fact remains that in 1990 just one per cent of those general funds went towards benevolent purposes. The Commission are satisfied that the broadcasters were justified in including in the item Mr Akshar's allegation that he had seen Church leaders remove money from the poor contribution without any accountability. The Church argued at the hearing that no money could have gone astray because strict records had been kept of the contribution. Mr MacKay and Mr Akshar both disputed this and the Church acknowledged that they had not checked the relevant records. They said that a large amount of paperwork would have been involved and they had chosen, instead, to rely on the statements of those who denied Mr Akshar's allegation. In the absence of any clearer evidence about exactly what records were kept at the relevant time and what they proved, the Commission consider that the system was not as rigorous as the Church now contend and allowed for the possibility of irregularities. They accordingly find no unfairness in regard to this aspect of the complaint. Although the London Church did discuss their members' sins as part of the "discipling" process and, according to former members they attached considerable weight to this, they did not maintain a computerised "sin list" such as the American list presented in the item. The item did not specifically state that they did so but, in the Commission's view, the implication was there. This was marginally unfair. As to the allegation relating to mind-control, sleep deprivation and restriction of people's diet, there was ample evidence from the testimony of former members and from psychiatrists and other recognised authorities on the subject to justify the item's treatment. No unfairness therefore arises in that respect. Overall, the Commission do not uphold the complaint Adjudication signed by Canon Peter Pilkington, Mr A G Christopher Mr D G Allen, Ms J Leighton, Baroness Dean. NEWSNIGHT ANSWERS BACK: We publish a short extract from BBC Newsnight's submission to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission The London Church of Christ's complaint is: "Mind control, sleep deprivation and restricting people's diets have no place whatsoever in the church and are not practised." The relevant part of the script (transcript page 9) is: (Graham Baldwin speaking): "They come over as such a reasonable Bible-based, evangelical type church, and it's very hard to see what's really going on - the fact that they use mind control, techniques such as sleep deprivation, restricting people's diets, normally because of lack of sleep and so on, but particularly, total obedience is demanded by the group." The Rev Graham Baldwin is an authoritative speaker on this subject. His comments were supported by other experts in the field as well as by former members and their families. All stated the church was no "ordinary" religious group, but a dangerous sect which employs mind control techniques. In its latest submission the church says that fasting, hard work and isolation are elements which appear in the teachings of established christian churches. We do not deny this. The point made by the experts consulted by "Newsnight" was that the purpose of these practices was not to enable members to develop spiritually but to secure their obedience to the leadership. What they found striking about the group was the range and intensity of the methods it employs; methods which make it both unique and dangerous. The specialists use the phrase "mind control" with caution, and they have no doubt that it is appropriate in this case. Many of them have treated or counselled a large number of Church of Christ members. They, as well as former members and their families, attest to the devastating impact this has on the lives of its adherents. We enclose a few of these statements. The first is from the Rev Graham Baldwin. Since 1986 he has counselled around 300 former Church of Christ members whom he has found to be in varying degrees of distress. He describes the Church of Christ as " the most dangerous religious group on the British scene today." He goes on to explain why he believes that the church's methods are uniquely dangerous: "In over 25 years experience of mainline churches I have never seen such practices carried out to this extent." (appendix 42) Consultant psychiatrist Dr Elizabeth Tylden has worked specifically with members and ex-members of the Church of Christ and is probably the country's leading medical authority on cults. She describes a process of "indoctrination" and writes: "Some of the cases referred who had been in the Church of Christ were psychotic and needed hospital treatment, others were anxious, dissociated and depressed....They had become unable to take decisions on their own while in the church....The symptoms shown by these patients were similar to those described in the literature on Mind Control, and the techniques to which they said they had been subjected fitted in with that category." (appendix 43) We also include statements from some of the groups whose function it is to monitor the growth of cults and warn the public of their dangers. It was their concern about the Church of Christ that prompted "Newsnight" to make this film. Ian Haworth, general secretary of the Cult Information Centre, says: "It is my opinion that the group does use mind-control techniques to recruit and indoctrinate its members." (appendix 44) Ursula Mackenzie, of FAIR, which looks after family and friends of cult members writes: "Once indoctrinated into believing that the Church of Christ is the only church to provide salvation, fear of expulsion makes it hard for members to disobey the strict rules." (appendix 45) Joy Caton, of Deo Gloria Outreach, a Christian organisation which also helps families says: "Confusion, guilt, ill-health and, occasionally the need for psychiatric treatment have followed some people's involvement." (appendix 46) Turning to America, the Cult Awareness Network is the largest cult-monitoring group. Its director Cynthia Kisser says they have more inquiries and complaints about the Church of Christ than any other cult - twice as many as the Church of Scientology. (appendix 47) Author Steve Hassan, a leading cult expert, has spoken to hundreds of people who have been adversely affected by the Church of Christ, several of whom were suicidal. He says: "It uses deception in its recruitment methods and mind control techniques to keep its members obedient and dependent." (appendix 48) In (appendix 49) we include the views of just two of the many mainstream religious leaders who are greatly worried by the Church of Christ. The Rev Ceri Lewis is a senior minister in the United Reform Church. He begins by pointing out that the Church of Christ "has no standing in the eyes of any of the churches of this country," and continues: "This is designed to wear down the resistance of the individual in order that complete obedience to the dictates and directions of the leaders is obtained. I believe this to be an invidious form of brain-washing." "Newsnight" backed up this research with dozens of interviews with ex-members and the families of present members. (See our first submission) . Many former members are too frightened to provide named statements, in the light of the personal vilification meted out to those who have taken a public stance. Ray Foxley, who became a leader in the church, says: "I had become so conditioned to the group's teachings and would obey without questioning...I remember when I had to even ask permission to go on holiday for two weeks with my mother which was denied." (appendix 50) Alasdair Mackay, who was a treasurer and being groomed for full-time ministry, testifies: "We often had to sacrifice our time, sleep, food, money etc, not to obey God but to obey the leadership." (appendix 51) John Farebrother, a former bible discussion leader, writes: "Often when I was told I should do something or should change my behaviour in a particular way, I was expected to agree and obey without any discussion, even if I didn't understand what was meant." (appendix 52) And Tony Yorke says: "To our cost we discovered that this group exercises mind control on its members." (appendix 53) Families of members provide a seemingly endless list of tragic stories. Many, again, were not prepared to reveal their identities because they feared the church would harm their relationships further. We include statements from just three from the many families spoken to by "Newsnight". In (appendix 54) Mr Burbidge, whose son was a member, writes: "Under the influence of this cult he no longer had the ability to make decisions and think independently." Mrs ******, whose daughter has been in the movement for 17 months, says: "I must conclude that she is under their control completely and under extreme coercion to remain in it." (appendix 55) And Mrs ******* writes about her son, who is still a member: "...the lack of being willing to accept responsibility (the leaders advise you on EVERY aspect of your life) more or less institutionalises the individual..." (appendix 56) As well as doing a wide range of interviews, "Newsnight" read a huge amount of the church's own material including speeches, books, pamphlets and videos. World Sector leader Al Baird writes: "When we are under authority, we are to submit and obey our leaders even when they are not very Christ-like." (appendix 57) In the "Boston Bulletin" of Nov 13, 1988, senior leader Jake Jensen gives detailed advice on dating. (appendix 58) The next example of the church's own literature also, gives the church's teachings on dating and kissing. It teaches that one kiss per date is acceptable after going steady, but no French kissing. (appendix 59) Members are told only to go out with suitable Brothers and Sisters from within the church if they want to be considered good members; it has been stated that they should only date on a Saturday night between 6pm and midnight. Some members have been told to give up their girlfriends as it is considered an unsuitable relationship. Church leaders have fought against certain marriages, causing great distress. We also include a selection of passages from World Leader Kip McKean and others describing the teaching on authority; the all-important concept of obedience to the leaders.For example: "God's people have always been a kingdom and not a democracy. In a democracy you vote; in the kingdom, you obey." (appendix 60) In the same appendix, church leader writes: "An awesome disciple is one who assumes his discipler is more objective and accurate about his life than he is." On the last page, the church shows its attitude to other religions and churches. During a talk to new recruits, a leader says: "You need to be the most grateful person in this entire city because you were hell-bound before this planting came." In conclusion, we would point out that at no point did "Newsnight" take issue with what the Church of Christ believes; the issue was their practices and the effect of those practices on vulnerable young people. HONEST SEEKERS OF THE TRUTH? A PERSONAL COMMENT BY AYMAN AKSHAR HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF TOLC "Have I now become your enemy, by telling the truth? Those people are zealous to win over, but for no good, what they want is to alienate you so you may be zealous for them" Galatian 4:16-17 The London Church of Christ have suffered the most humiliating and crushing blow they could ever have imagined. Members of the LCC will recall that the church leadership filed a complaint with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC) about the broadcast on 16 July 1993 of a Newsnight investigation into the movement. The true, sinister nature of the cult was revealed - surprising many current members about the financial and psychological abuses taking place. This report has been commended by CBS, ABC, NBC and most of the world’s leading media organizations as the most reliable and most powerful report ever made about the Boston Movement and its cultic practices. The self-styled so-called evangelists Douglas Arthur, Tim Huffman and the disgraced Fred Scott, were very badly humiliated by the broadcast, and made attempts to discredit me personally and dismiss the Newsnight report. In addition others who took part in the programme were also subjected to character assassination. So serious were the allegations against Graham Baldwin that he is in the process of taking legal action against the church. Months after the initial broadcast they sent a statement to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission denying what I (and other experts on the cult) had said in the programme. A very large number of statements and items of "evidence" were sent to the BCC, demanding a complete investigation. The cost of the church's complaint is estimated by one expert to have been upwards of 50,000ukp, as they employed top lawyers (one of whom was involved in protecting the interests of a political party leader, when documents describing his relationship with his secretary came into the open). I remember the day of the tribunal hearing very clearly. The LCC's team and their legal team, tried so hard to convince the BCC panel, that Arthur, Huffman and Scott were "God-fearing men". The Commission panel asked the LCC's legal representative "If these people are as you say God-fearing men, where are they now? Why are they not here to defend themselves?". The chairman of the commission panel went on to ask the church's team and their legal representative: "If one of these God-fearing and holy men, left in one or two week's time would they still be considered to be God-fearing men?". There was silence, the church's representatives knew they had no answer which could not incriminate them further. The chairman of the commission hearing answered for them, saying that from the silence everyone knew what the answer was. Even the London Church of Christ's own treasurers attempted to discredit me by producing letters denying that what I said was correct. Unfortunately they had not taken care to check the dates on the letters: they were completely unrelated to the question in hand. This did not slip unnoticed by the chairman of the hearing who said to the LCC's lawyer: "You have not done your homework, have you?" When the church team argued that the mistakes concerning unpaid tax was merely an oversight, one of the commission asked if any reasonable person would believe that the church had not realised that income tax was due not just for one or two years but for seven years. Indeed the Newsnight team had made a mistake by mentioning the figure of 150,000ukp. During the hearing the church admitted the true figure was in fact an astonishing 291,000ukp. The hearing continued in a farcical manner as an obviously flustered John Partington, London Church of Christ administrator, claimed he had never read the LCC's recruitment manual - Shining Like Stars. Partington squirmed like a guilty schoolboy as he continually changed his story. It was a sad and sometimes comical performance. RAF Psychiatrist Dr Gordon Turnbull who debriefed Beirut hostages Terry Waite and John McCarthy said on Newsnight: "The symptoms (shown by LCC members) closely resemble those of major psychiatric illness". This is the effect the LCC is having on young, vulnerable people. Top charity accounts specialist Pesh Framjee of BDO Binder Hamlyn said that the accounts presented to the Charities Commission did not tell him as much as he would have expected. He went on to say that he would have expected the accounts of a charity of a similar size and complexity to show what the charity was actually doing with the money. "We are always happy to talk to any honest seekers of the truth for mutual edification". These were John Partington's final words written to me at the end of a letter dated 20 December 1993. In it, he rejected my proposal of holding frank and open talks in the name of Christian unity. The London Church of Christ has always refused to address any of the most controversial issues challenging it, despite warnings by experts in the study of mind control and former leading members of the church around the world. The LCC put the name of the most famous accountants firm in the UK and a powerful law firm on their headed notepaper, but they do not dare to put their own telephone and fax numbers. The members of the LCC repeat to all those who are outside the cult that the investigations are over, and yet we see time and time again when we contact the authorities that they are still investigating the cult and its malpractices. 1994 is suppose to be the Year of the Family. I sincerely hope as we enter the second half of this year that the Government will step in and stop, what one former leader from America, describes as a "holocaust". We can no longer just stand idly and watch young people's lives being ruined, family relationships destroyed, marriages being broken as a result of involvement with such a serious and dangerous cult as the London Church of Christ. Ayman Akshar, TOLC SPEAK OUT! An occasional column where present and former members of the London Church of Christ speak out against abuse. This month, a former member of the church has her say. TAX It is deeply worrying that a so-called "Christian" organization can be so lax about the very points that Jesus thought were so important. Paying the correct tax was of such a crucial importance to Jesus that he performed a miracle so that he could do so. LYING Repeatedly senior leaders of the church have decided that lying is okay. They even cite the Bible as their authority. How can God-fearing men justify this? Do members of the congregation agree that lying is in accordance with scripture? GIVING TO THE POOR Such a tiny percentage of the monies collected go anywhere near the poor. Indeed it is the poor people of the LCC who pay out of their poverty to keep the leaders in the lifestyle that is so at odds with the one Jesus lead. He had nowhere to lay his head and called his followers to the same. MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS Many relationships in the church are the result of members being told who they should and should not get involved with. The Bible tells us that it is better to marry than to burn but repeatedly relationships were cancelled on the advice of leadership with a total disregard for the members' feelings. Once married the degree of control went beyond that of advice and became intellectual voyeurism. The Bible talks about keeping the marriage bed pure but it was constantly invaded by everyone and anyone. The majority of marriages are in crisis and bear no resemblance to the loving relationships described in the Bible. LEADERS & SERVANTS The Bible says that leaders must be servants but we see little evidence of this in the London Church of Christ. It is members that go to a leader's house and cook, and look after the children. When was the last time that a leader gave up anything to babysit for a single mum who needed a rest? When a member of the church was in hospital at Kings for several weeks having a life-threatening coronary bypass, the evangelist preached about him but did not visit even once even though he lived five minutes away. CONCLUSION There is much else I could share with you but it would be better for you to study your Bible and compare the lives of the Biblical leaders with those leaders in the LCC; to compare the fruit of the ministry, falling members, destroyed lives, devastated families and friends and ultimately suicide. My eyes were open and I tried to change the wrongs that I saw. This is what I am still doing today. Scripture tells me that anyone who sees wrong and does nothing deserves punishment. I refuse to be a party to this wrong-doing and will continue to fight against it. I call upon every Christian man and woman to refuse to be led into sin anymore, but to reject the ungodly leadership and teachings of the London Church of Christ and return to the truth as Jesus taught. NEWS IN BRIEF A potential new recruit of the London Church of Christ called the TOLC hotline on the 31st July in a confused state. He had been present at the Wembley Conference Centre "Fan into Flame 94" event and spoken to TOLC members distributing Close To The Edge. After speaking to us he was strongly rebuked by members of the London Church of Christ. This lead him to ask further questions of LCC, to which he got no satisfactory answers. Peter Frost and Bob Mosley who are members of the church's West zone in South Ealing said to him "You should not think like that.. you should think like God". When the potential new recruit asked how God thinks he was told by the LCC members: "God thinks as we think". The parents of a leading London evangelist have once again described to Close To The Edge their suffering as a result of their son's involvement with the London Church of Christ. The father and mother have become so frustrated at their son's refusal to accept the problems with the church they are preparing petitions, and asking local residents and newspapers to do their utmost to expose the cult's activities. The Madison Church of Christ has an infamous new member: Jeffrey Dahmer. Dahmer is one of the most notorious serial killers the United States has ever seen, having killed at least seventeen people, dissected their heads, and boiled them on his stove. He is currently on death-row in the United States, from where he decided to join the church. Cult observers are well aware that groups such as the Scientologists have attracted celebrities such as Tom Cruise and Priscilla Presley for youth appeal - but it does seem very strange and ghoulish that the Church of Christ goes to mass murderers for their celebrity endorsement. In Illinois, the Senate Educational Hearings into the dangers of cult involvement continue, with the Church of Christ taking centre stage. It may take months for the findings of the hearings to be made public, but one recent event does - perhaps - signify a sinister new development. The Boston Church of Christ signed a number of statements presented to the committee hearing evidence. These statements were signed in conjunction with the Unification Church (also known as the Moonies), and the Church of Scientology (founded by Science Fiction author, L Ron Hubbard). Earlier in the hearings the Church of Christ were praised by Moonies representatives at the event as "The new Moonies". WAR OF THE WORDS A whirlwind of correspondence has ensued in recent weeks between exit counsellor Graham Baldwin and London Church of Christ administrator, John Partington. Baldwin has evidence (including tape recordings and signed affidavits) that leaders of the London Church of Christ have told members that he is a kidnapper who charges 15,000ukp to force young people out of the church. Partington claims such conversations have never taken place. Edited highlights of this correspondence follows. More next issue. Dear Graham You accuse the leaders (unspecified) of the Church of "malicious falsehood" in "spreading or causing lies to be spread" that you "kidnapped" Nicola. ...Neither I nor any of the other leaders of the London Church that I am aware of (or could imagine) are doing or have done any such thing... ... I have always accepted that you have been sincere in what you have said and done. Others, who do not know you, might be forgiven for finding that hard to believe, and as the torrents of misinformation and defamation against the Church goes on, you can hardly be surprised if some individuals... are apt to believe the worst of you. Yours sincerely, John Partington, 25 May 94 Dear John Thank you for your response which I am forwarding to my solicitor. Your denial that you and your leaders are not aware of these things is somewhat surprising as I have a tape recording of Tommy Chan saying that I kidnapped Jackie Davies and charged the family 15,000ukp. I also have a number of families who are willing to swear affidavits to the effect that they had been told by their sons or daughters that I kidnap people. In addition there are a number of ex-members who are willing to testify that a variety of leaders have made similar comments and in addition have accused me of being a liar. Once again I must ask you to confirm that you accept that I have never kidnapped any of your members (or indeed anyone), or produce evidence to the contrary. Secondly I must ask you to detail any lies I have told about your church. I can assure you that it is not a threat taking action against you. Due to the nature of my complaints against your church ie. malicious falsehood, which is designed to put me out of business, I have applied for legal aid which my solicitor believes will be forthcoming. If I have not received a letter from you within the next seven days confirming that you accept that there is no truth to the allegations of kidnapping etc, and outlining your proposals for communicating this to your membership, my solicitor is instructed to take whatever action necessary to make sure that such lies are never repeated again. Yours sincerely, Graham Baldwin, 1 June 94 Dear Mr Baldwin I write regarding your claim that the London Church of Christ has acted to defame your name publicly, declaring that you have taken people against their will, presented them with accusations against the LCC, and charging money in the process. In fact the church has never made any public statements to that effect. I remember personally making claims similar to those about you in a private conversation with an ex-member. I am informed by Mr John Partington that this conversation was secretly recorded and that a tape of the recording is in your possession. ...I would sincerely apologise for any inaccuracies stated about you and would like to say that nothing was said with deliberate falsehood. Yours sincerely, Tommy Chan, 13 June 94 Dear Mr Baldwin The London Church of Christ has passed to us your facsimile letter to John Partington... POINT D: The Church has not authorised the dissemination of information that you are involved in kidnapping or that you charge a fee for so doing. POINT E: One Church Evangelist has, we are instructed, apologised for unwarranted remarks. But, as Mr Partington made expressly clear in his letter to you of 24th May, the Church has not organized and will not organize, circulation of falsehoods about you, let alone as an act of malice. Notwithstanding the foregoing the Church will seek a suitable occasion to encourage its members not to overact to attacks made on it, and no doubt you will review your role in what the Church now views as the public persecution of its ministry. Yours faithfully, Bates, Wells & Braithwaite, Solicitors, 7 July 94 Dear Sirs (Bates, Wells & Braithwaite) Defamation as I understand it can only be such if the contents of any statements are untrue. Could I therefore ask for details of the specific issues that they claim are defamatory. POINT D: This statement is not true. As I mentioned in my last communication, at a leadership meeting Fred Scott, the leading evangelist at the time, stated the lies that were later disseminated. We have, again as I have said, statements confirming this all along with evidence that those present have subsequently spread the defamatory statements wider. POINT E: It is clear, therefore, that the wording of Mr Chan's apology is in itself untrue. Yours faithfully, Graham Baldwin, 8 July 94 That's all for now... more next issue! AVAILABLE LITERATURE: The Boston Movement: Analysis, Commentary and Media Reports; Rick & Sarah Bauer. Churches that Abuse; Ronald M. Enroth. Combatting Cult Mind Control; Steven Hassan. Cults: What Parents Should Know; Joan Ross & Dr Michael Langone. Damaged Disciples: Casualties of Authoritarian Churches and the Shepherding Movement; Ron & Vicki Burks. "A Diary": Why I left the Boston Movement; Susan Condon. "A Time to Speak": A Personal Journal of My Years in the Boston Movement; Sarah Bauer. The Discipling Dilemma; Ed. Flavil R. Yeakley. Discipling Ministries: An Inside Look; Danny Dixon. The Emperor's New Clothes; Susan Condon. Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism; Robert Jay Lifton. Toxic Faith: Understanding and Overcoming Religious Addiction; Jack Felton and Stephen Aterburn. What Does the Boston Movement Teach? (Volumes I - III); Dr Jerry Jones. The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those solely of the writers and are not meant to be indicative of editorial policy or TOLC as a whole. Close To The Edge is a non-commercial venture, produced for current and former members of the LCC by current and former members of the LCC. We have made every effort to ensure that the information in this newsletter is correct, but we welcome notification of change in case of inaccuracies. Published August 1994. Close To The Edge welcomes contributions from readers and writers, but unsolicited mail is sent at the sender's risk. Copyright (c) TOLC 1994, All Rights Reserved. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: To ensure you don't miss an issue send a stamped addressed envelope to Subscriptions, TOLC, PO BOX 348, Morden, Surrey, SM4 6ZD, UK for further details. Alternatively email us on aakshar@cix.compulink.co.uk THIS NEWSLETTER COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF A LARGE NUMBER OF CURRENT AND FORMER MEMBERS OF THE LONDON CHURCH OF CHRIST. Close To The Edge urges all members of the London Church of Christ to speak out against psychological and financial abuse.