The leader of Australia’s Exclusive Brethren said that a young member of his flock who claims to have been mentally tormented would be better off killing himself instead of seeking help in counseling. Bruce Hales, wealthy leader of the Christian sect that is comprised of 45,000 adherents, went so far as to say that the 25-year-old man, who hails from New Zealand, should drink a shot of poison and finish himself.
At a press conference in the United Kingdom, Hales was asked about his follower, who once believed in his words as infallible gospel but now wants to leave the sect after speaking with those who have already left Exclusive Brethren. Hales responded saying his “opposers,” who happen to be members of his own family, are rotten poison and that their views had influenced the young man.
“He might as well get a shot of – what's the best thing to kill you quickly? ... What's the stuff? Cyanide? No, not cyanide,” Hales said. “Arsenic. How do you get arsenic into you? ... He'd be better to take arsenic, or go and get some rat poison or something, take a bottle of it … Now I'm not advocating him doing that but ... that would be better, to finish yourself off that way [rather] than having to do with the opponents of the truth.”
He also likened the initials of the young man, BS, with “bullshit” while referring to him as a bastard who should be sent back to his homeland.
“My wife is going to be worried what I'm going to say next, but listen, I haven't even had half a drink, not even a quarter ... probably an ounce maximum, so this is not brought on by drink,” Hales said.
Members of Exclusive Brethren are notorious for being heavy drinkers. Former members have described Hales’ rants and behavior as alcohol-fuelled antics.
A spokesperson for the sect told the media that Hales’ comments should not be given a literal interpretation as they are best understood in context.
“Hales makes it very clear he is not advocating any person taking poison or committing suicide. He is using a common, everyday metaphor ... It is hardly unusual for a preacher or minister in any religion to warn a congregation to avoid people who extol certain beliefs and that those beliefs are 'poison',” he said.
The spokesperson denied that Hales was drunk during the press conference.
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