Our Stories - Cover-Up of Sexual and Physical Abuse Crimes
In the "Message" cult following of William Branham, you are taught not to bring issues before authorities or the courts. The church leaders are the authority and you are not to involve the "world". To them, their "god" is above the law. This belief and many others led to the abuse of myself, my brother, and my mother, many children, and others within the cult. William Branham is their prophet and authority on the interpretation of the Bible.
In the "Message" cult following of William Branham, you are taught not to bring issues before authorities or the courts. The church leaders are the authority and you are not to involve the "world". To them, their "god" is above the law. This belief and many others led to the abuse of myself, my brother, and my mother, many children, and others within the cult. William Branham is their prophet and authority on the interpretation of the Bible.
My father sexually assaulted all friends I would have over for sleepovers. This started with a friend of mine who was 7 years old and continued through high school with any friend I would bring home. This also included me. Church leaders were made aware but called this a "weakness" for "women" and "at least he didn't touch boys!" Others in the church have been sexually assaulted. One girl's father had sex with her as a young child all the way into adulthood. No one told the authorities. Another father molested her as well. Yet another girl was sexually assaulted by her uncle. Leaders of the church were made aware of all these cases and no one did their lawful duty of calling the Department of Child Services (DCS) or the police. Many in the cult have the mindset that some men just do this and we shouldn't make a big deal out of it. These are just a few examples. There are many others. I know in my case when I finally realized this was not normal or lawful, the statute of limitations had run out. I didn't even understand or know, for many years, that DCS and authorities were supposed to be contacted. The brainwashing idea was deeply embedded to handle these issues in the "church".
Not only are sexual crimes covered up and condoned, but the physical abuse is as well. In fact, it's encouraged. My father and mother (but especially my father) would beat my brother and me. My brother got the brunt of it from both parents. My dad would beat him so badly that he would have numerous large bruises down his legs. My mother would use an engine cord to beat my brother leaving whelps. My father gave it to her and told her to use it. The church leaders were made aware and told my father to not be so hard on my brother. I remember my physical abuse starting at 3 years old when my father hit my face so hard my lip bled. The verbal abuse we all endured by my father was sickening. Authorities and DCS were never contacted but church leaders were aware.
My mother was slapped and verbally assaulted by my father and isolated from her family and friends. Domestic Violence was not considered and a woman could only consider divorce if her husband cheated on her and then she should would likely not be allowed to remarry.
I hope my experience can help expose this large cult and its cover-up of sexual crimes and physical abuse crimes that spans many decades. Feel free to reach out to me if needed. I want to help in ANY way that I can!
- Anonymous
(Names are removed to protect the innocent. News media and public officials can contact us on the site for more information, which will only be given with the victim's approval)