Gloriavale – Part 1

Let's Talk About Sects

Gloriavale Christian Community has found itself in the New Zealand media headlines on multiple occasions. Its founder was once jailed for sexual abuse, but community members were convinced that it he was jailed for preaching the gospel. Followers claim that their way of life is all about the common good and nobody having more than anyone else. Former members say their time there was dominated by endless work and an overriding sense of fear.

Guests: Hannah Harrison, Liz Gregory

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If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, contact Cult Information and Family Support in Australia, or the International Cultic Studies Association outside of Australia.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or find your local crisis centre via the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

Links:

• Gloriavale Christian Community — official website, accessed March 2021
• Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust — official website, accessed March 2021
• The Christian Church Community Trust Charities Services Investigation — 22 December 2016, supplied under the Official Information Act to Newsroom and published 28 March 2017
• Lilia Tarawa — official website, accessed March 2021
• Who was Hopeful Christian and how did he rise to notoriety at Gloriavale? — by Brad Flahive, Stuff, 15 May 2018
• Gloriavale: A World Apart — directed by Amanda Evans, 2016
• Gloriavale: The Return — directed by Amanda Evans, 2018
• Gloriavale leavers describe fear, oppression in community — Logan Church, Checkpoint, RNZ, 14 November 2019

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