CLOSE TO THE EDGE February 1994 Issue 4 TOLC, PO Box 348, Morden, Surrey SM4 6ZD Tel: 081-646-7477 Fax: 081-646-8151 Triumphing Over London Cults is a group of former members of the London, Birmingham, Manchester, and International Churches of Christ ARTICLE BY UK CO-LEADER BACKFIRES FOR LCC Fred Scott has once again undermined the legitimacy of the London Church of Christ, as an attempt by him to unite the movement dramatically backfired. In an extraordinary article the UK co-leader of the LCC has likened former members to Judas, and - apparently unaware of the investigations currently taking place by the Charities Commission, the Inland Revenue, and the US Senate Educational Hearings - claimed that the accusations of serious financial misconduct are without foundation. Former members of the London Church of Christ were motivated by money, not sincere concerns he wrote. Fred Scott's suggestion that the London Church of Christ has suffered at the hands of "a religiously and politically motivated conspiracy" has no basis in fact. One former member said: "If Fred really believes this, he must be living in cloud-cuckoo land". Scott's suggestion that former members are paid to talk out against the church was branded as "contemptible" by Ayman Akshar, honorary chairman of TOLC. Akshar was a member of the London Church of Christ for seven years and a close personal friend of Scott’s. In 1993 Ayman Akshar was "publicly marked" as an enemy of the church by Scott, and members were told not to have any contact with him. Scott’s article, entitled "They Hated Me First", published in the LCC newsletter said: "Jesus was betrayed by one of his friends.. How distressing it is for us when a former friend of ours is seen to be one of the Church's most outspoken critics. This in and of itself should not alarm us. Judas' betrayal was not motivated by "sincere concerns" but money." Any legitimate organization would never discourage contact with former members. Similarly, any legitimate organization would support any member's decision to leave, even though they might not like it. The LCC, however, does not accept any reasons for a person's departure no matter what they are. Members have spoken of having fear instilled in them, ensuring they stay away from critics and former members. In another article ("Silence of the Lambs?") London Church of Christ member James Greig wrote of the intense media coverage and investigation that the LCC underwent during 1993. Greig suggested that articles in The Times, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, and The Guardian were not to be believed. One former member told Close To The Edge: "The LCC membership can make up their own minds as to why the leadership don't take their grievances to the Press Complaints Commission" Greig praised the work of Michael Buerk in Ethiopia and the Sunday Times investigation into the drug Thalidomide. However, he seems to have overlooked the NewsNight team, Face The Facts presented by John Waite, Channel 4 News, or Everyman. These are just a handful of the journalists who have investigated the London Church of Christ during 1993. No one would suggest these were anything but journalists of the highest reputation. Are they members of the "religiously and politically motivated conspiracy" too? The conspiracy which Fred Scott and James Greig believe in does not end with journalists, however. If we are to believe the conspiracy exists, then we must also believe that it has ensnared every person who has ever left the Boston Movement, the Parliamentary All Party Cults Group, and many members of the medical profession. One example, is RAF psychiatrist Dr Gordon Turnbull. He debriefed hostages Terry Waite and John McCarthy upon their return to Great Britain after years of mental abuse: someone else telling them what they could and could not do every hour of the day. Dr Turnbull has counselled members of the London Church of Christ and drawn disturbing conclusions. Are we to believe that he too is a member of the conspiracy? We have two questions for Fred Scott and James Greig. Firstly, what is the point behind such a conspiracy. Why would anyone want to persecute the London Church of Christ? And secondly, seeing as Michael Buerk is to be trusted when reporting from Ethiopia, and the Sunday Times may be believed about Thalidomide, may we be told when we can believe The Times, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, NewsNight, Face The Facts, Everyman, Channel 4 News.. or is all news bad news in the LCC's eyes? --- OPEN LETTER TO FRED SCOTT, UK CO-LEADER OF THE LCC, JANUARY 1994: Dear Fred Before I say anything else I would like to congratulate you and your wife on the birth of your baby daughter, Lily Evangelina. I hope she is well. I received my copy of "The Edge" the other morning and was interested to read a couple of articles: "Silence of the Lambs?" by James Greig, and "They Hated Me First" by yourself and Stuart Wells. You can imagine my surprise and pleasure to see that you have decided to re-open the public debate between TOLC and the London Church of Christ. I have the feeling that the articles were prompted by TOLC's activities during 1993, and in particular my involvement. For example, to quote your article: "Jesus was betrayed by one of his friends.. How distressing it is for us when a former friend of ours is seen to be one of the Church's most outspoken critics. This in and of itself should not alarm us. Judas' betrayal was not motivated by 'sincere concerns' but money." I admit I have been critical of some of the LCC's practices, but I have also praised some elements of the church (You need only look through back issues of Close To The Edge to confirm this). My criticism of the LCC is intended to be constructive, to help the people who are members lead a richer and more fulfilling life. The suggestion that I am motivated by money is contemptible. My concerns are sincere, and I challenge you to provide evidence that I have benefited financially. Your article further suggests that we have made allegations that cannot be substantiated. I would be grateful if you could tell me which of the following is untrue: 1) The Charities Commission investigation 2) The Inland Revenue investigation 3) The Illinois State Educational Hearings into the Boston Movement, Moonies and Scientologists 4) Membership had fallen to 579 by the end of October 1993 5) Evangelist John Louis expelled from Singapore 6) Touche Ross talk abandoned at short notice 7) Tommy Chann’s accusation that I talk about the LCC for money (we have the tape-recording) 8) A significant number of members of the London Church of Christ have spoken about the abuses and misuse of funds to us. (We have these testimonies on videotape) In summary then I would ask you to do the following: present evidence to me that I have benefited financially from criticizing the LCC. Also, I would be grateful if you could tell me which of the above stories is untrue so we can print a retraction in the next issue of Close To The Edge. If you are unable to respond to this letter I and the members of the London Church of Christ will be forced to assume that you have no such evidence. My offer for a full and frank recorded meeting between the leaders of the LCC and representatives of TOLC remains open. We will meet you anytime, anywhere to discuss our differences in the name of Christian unity. With much Love in Him Your brother in Christ Ayman Akshar [Close To The Edge hopes to publish Fred Scott's reply to this letter in a future issue.] --- NEWS IN BRIEF WISHFUL THINKING? On 12 December 1993 the London Church of Christ informed its members that the investigations by the Inland Revenue and the Charities Commission had been completed, and that both were perfectly satisfied with the Church’s finances and charitable status. Close To The Edge immediately contacted the Charities Commission and we were told by them that the investigation was far from over. Furthermore the Liverpool division of the Inland Revenue continue to investigate the LCC. BIRMINGHAM: Close To The Edge would like to congratulate those members of the Birmingham Church of Christ who decided to leave the movement in January. One young woman told us: "I had been told all along that leaving the Church of Christ meant I was leaving God, that it was impossible to be a Christian outside the movement. Having now met former members of the Church who are still practising Christians I can see that there is another way, that we do not have to believe that the Church of Christ is the only group of true Christians." On 23 January a group of former members distributed issues of Close To The Edge to current members of the Birmingham Church of Christ. One former member, John Farebrother, was asked to leave in a rude and uncivilised manner. Who asked him? Charlie Fordham, a would-be evangelist and considered to be second-in-command in the Birmingham Church of Christ. Another former member was given the opportunity to speak to Scott Bryden, one of the trustees of the London Church of Christ. Church members asked a number of questions about the church finances and were shocked to hear the replies. As we went to press we received more disturbing news from Birmingham. We hope to publish this in the next issue of Close To The Edge. EDINBURGH: Information has landed on the Close To The Edge newsdesk about a forthcoming investigation into the Edinburgh Church of Christ by the local BBC TV company. The investigation follows a number of reports by student groups, families, and friends disturbed by the effect membership of the Church of Christ is having on young people, their studies, friendships, and careers. READER’S DIGEST: The results of Peter Brown’s four month investigation into the LCC are to be published in the next couple of months. His findings will be published in a forthcoming edition of the Reader’s Digest. One former member Brown spoke to became so disenchanted by the LCC after uncovering abuses that he now refers to it as the "London Charlatan Club"! EVERYMAN: The highly-regarded Everyman television series has just come to a close on BBC1 with an acclaimed documentary report on two women's involvement with the sinister Rajneesh movement. For the last six months Everyman has been investigating the LCC. When Everyman returns in the near future the public as well as the membership of the LCC will have the opportunity to witness more overwhelming evidence about the London Church of Christ and its affiliated churches across the globe. AVAILABLE LITERATURE: A Diary: Why I left the Boston Movement; Susan McGunnigle Condon. A Time to Speak: A Personal Journal of My Years in the Boston Movement; Sarah Bauer. The Boston Movement: Analysis, Commentary and Media Reports; Rick & Sarah Bauer. Churches that Abuse; Ronald M. Enroth. Combatting Cult Mind Control; Steven Hassan. The Discipling Dilemma; Ed. Flavil R. Yeakley. What Does the Boston Movement Teach? (Volumes I - III); Dr Jerry Jones. To receive details on how to receive any of the above (as well as videos and audio tapes) please contact us. 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 February 1994. Close To The Edge welcomes contributions from readers and writers, but unsolicited mail is sent at the sender’s risk. Copyright (c) 1994, All Rights Reserved. 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