Plymouth Brethren

It originated from Plymouth, not that there are any Brethren societies left in Plymouth (or none I know of). Apparently, the children were influenced by their primary schools, which is why the ratio of adults to children is well out of balance. They leave the faith when they come of age, so I would take care around children when the parents are around, as not to "upset" or "influence" the children, or parents.

Bellis, from the description you give it seems clear the people you were in contact with were Hales-Taylor Exclusive Brethren.

Exclusive Brethren are indeed an offshoot of Plymouth Brethren, and the Hales-Taylor or 'Taylorite' Brethren are a further ('closed') offshoot of the Exclusives. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/exclusivebrethren_1.shtml

They are easily recognisable from your description; I know them well as I was raised within the group. In the mid-1980s aged 20 I voiced my disagreement with their practices and was disfellowshipped, losing my friends, family and my birth-culture.

There are around 15,000 Hales-Taylor EB in the UK (>40,000 worldwide: main proliferations NZ, Aus, Canada, US). During the mid-1980s when I was still a member, interest in homeopathy became quite rampant... and as they're such a closed group, news travels fast! So a sympathetic, not-too-nosey, decent-to-EB-eyes homeopath (or any person running a nonEB-type business, really!) soon becomes "today's news" amongst the flock, and mass Brethren migration to that business will often result, as you discovered!

IMO they are a cult, but even cult members recognise they sometimes need outside help (to the point, even, of friendship on odd occasions). So I'm glad to hear you were able to gain their confidence enough to get a few answers to your questions. I think you probably became aware that life 'inside' the EB is quite different in many ways, to life for nonEB people? E.g. women are to be 'subject' to men; real-life decision-making is heavily restricted in things such as employment, where to live, when/whom to marry, where to educate children.

Since your posts in 2004, there are a few changes within the Hales-Taylor EB to point out. Most notable is the removal of virtually all of their children from state schooling systems worldwide. Within the UK, Focus Learning Trust is the Hales-Taylor umbrella educational charity for the approx 60 schools the Brethren operate. They do now accept computers for business and educational purposes, although these 'WordEx' machines are provided by the EB leadership and are heavily monitored almost to the point of disablement I gather. Hales-Taylor Brethren are also allowed to use a limited in-house version of mobile phones.

Re Kyle's comment that "the ratio of children to adults is well out of balance"... Within the Hales-Taylor Brethren, there are certainly large numbers of children and this is because large families are encouraged and the group's leaders forbid contraception. Within other EB groups however, I understand the demographic is quite different... to the point of near-collapse in numbers. There is of course a concern that in-breeding is - or may shortly become - a problem within the closed Hales-Taylor group. Just one of many problems, from my perspective of now being "on the outside looking in" to where my family and loved ones languish within the cult. Just my thoughts.

Check out the Wikipedia page about the Plymouth Brethren for more information about movement in general and about the theological beliefs of those known as the "Plymouth Brethren" (there is also a separate page about the Hales-Taylor offshoot of the "Exclusive Brethren"). It's really informative and accurate. The reason I know about all this is because I am in fellowship in an "open Brethren" assembly. (on a side note, we call our places of worship "assemblies" rather than "churches" because many of us believe that the "church" as the New Testament describes it is made up of all true believers in Christ from all denominations, and not just the people who worship in the same building as we do...so hence using "assembly" or "chapel" or "Gospel hall" instead).

The Wiki page explains it a lot better than I could, but the "open Brethren" and even normal "exclusive Brethren" (not all "exclusive Brethren" are like that one particular sect) are a lot different in their beliefs and practices than the "Taylorite" Brethren that dawnz describes above.

I know this thread is like 5 years old, but if you're still reading it, I am also convinced and in agreement with dawnz that the "Brethren" that are described in the original post are from this Taylorite offshoot, to which I would also consider a cult from everything that I've read about them. I've never encountered anyone who is part of that sect, so I don't know anything firsthand.

But I know that the "open Brethren" is a lot different from all that, and even a lot of the "exclusive" brethren (they call themselves exclusive because they only allow attendees of their assembly to break bread with them). We're more like mainline evangelical Christians than anything...we're definitely in no way "closed" to the rest of society or to other Christians and we don't shun modern technology like TV or internet (though most of us do believe it is wise to use discernment as to what we choose to watch/look at on the TV/internet). We dress modern just like most other people (though most of us choose to dress modestly; I love denim skirts but others never wear skirts and such), and I don't think I know anyone at my assembly who has insanely long hair (I personally have hair about 3-4 inches past my shoulder and trim it regularly).

At my assembly we allow any person who professes to have a personal saving faith Jesus Christ to break bread (partake in communion) with us. That person usually will either bring a letter from their elders if they come from a different assembly (who can attest that that person is indeed a born again Christian), or if they are from a different denomination they'll share their testimony with an elder before the start of the service and he'll permit that person to partake.

But theologically we're really not that different from other mainline denominations such as Baptists, and in fact a lot of the other denominations borrow things from the Brethren movement, such as expository preaching. There are just a few things that are different, such as the fact that no assembly has a head pastor (the reason being is because the Greek in the New Testament is always plural when it's talking about the leadership in the first century gatherings) and usually there are no salaried staff (there are exceptions...see the wiki link). Also, most if not all women elect to cover their heads during worship in obedience to 1 Corinthians 11. I do by my own choosing :). We don't take up offerings during the regular service because we don't want any non-believers visiting to feel like they're obligated to give or that they can earn salvation through giving. That's why the offering is usually done during the breaking of bread where only believers who understand the Biblical principles of giving are present.

Other than those minor differences, if you were to go into an "open Brethren" assembly (and you wouldn't necessarily know it cause we don't call ourselves "Brethren"...we simply call ourselves "Christian") you'd probably feel like you were in any other Bible-believing evangelical church.

I personally love fellowshipping with the "open Brethren" along with all my other brothers and sisters in Christ who worship in other denominations. We're a LOT different than the "exclusive" sect that dawnz described and had the misfortune of being brought up in :(. If someone leaves, no one shuns them or cuts them off or anything cultic like that.

So basically...long story short...not all people affiliated with the "Plymouth Brethren" are the same :), and the vast majority of "Brethren" are just like anyone from any other evangelical denomination.

Bellis, from the description you give it seems clear the people you were in contact with were Hales-Taylor Exclusive Brethren.

Exclusive Brethren are indeed an offshoot of Plymouth Brethren, and the Hales-Taylor or 'Taylorite' Brethren are a further ('closed') offshoot of the Exclusives. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/exclusivebrethren_1.shtml