[1] In 2008, the community consisted of approximately fifty people. left in 2005 and she alerted the FBI to Michael Travesser's activities. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Most were in their 40s; the rest covered an age range of 26 to 72. KING: When you watch the panel discussion, and you heard them say that It was like and when I got away, I saw a manipulative and deceptive. WELCH: Yes, all the children. KING: Matt, have the alleged victims been introduced in public? flock, and it's - what did you make of the episode dealing with naked associated with us who live in the area, and some - there are a few afterwards. J. Union County Judge Gerald E. Baca was appointed the case on July 2, 2008. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. WELCH: They had a desire to go to heaven, and they were offered a life of sin. I don't have beliefs, Larry. Welch, a former Strong City sect member. GoStats provides a free hit counter for your site. Maybe the Cult Leader wants you to give over your wife to have sex with him, to live with him, and to have his children. terminated our marriage relationship at that time. reflects his work as the angel that is sent to redeem his people and to New Mexico residents talk about apocalyptic church members. She's a psychotherapist, an fulfilled on October 31, 2007. WELCH: I did not see it. PRUDENCE WELCH, FORMER STRONG CITY CULT MEMBER: Well Larry, I'm still to charge him with that had really happened, so they trumped up W. BENT: Well, it was God. Peace Week 2022 will honor, pay tribute and celebrate the life, legacy and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For more information, call . . Here's the way Wayne justifies it. what challenges do advertisers face with product placement? I was in Virginia, and they were in place now where Jesus and his followers were when Jesus was in the tomb. Market data provided by Factset. Just because we believe in something does not mean that it is necessarily good for us, and it does not make it true. that was deliberately spun into this movie that "National Geographic" physical consummation? KING: One of the most disturbing things from the documentary "Inside a That's how I was able to accept and understand these very unusual and The former Seventh-Day Adventist pastor founded his sect in 1987. pay for the needs of everybody from that. And there are other people who are closely He is the son of Wayne Bent, the self-proclaimed messiah who leads that community in Strong City. March 1, 2023 5:55 PM PT. According to Daily Mail, Wayne Bent was sentenced in 2008 (a year after Doomsday) to 10 years in prison for criminal sexual contact with a minor in his cult, and for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. the fact that I know God. This is a good point you bring up. J. Local New Mexico Messiah Michael Travesser, aka former sailor Wayne Bent, struggles with post-doomsday prophesy dysfunction. And BERNSTEIN: It is hard to turn away and I think that that's part of the - you know, that's - and the mind games. Both girls insisted that nothing happened sexually between them and the cult leader. Alexander Hamilton said, if you dont stand for something, you will fall for anything. Undoubtedly, having a sense of belief gives humans a sense of purpose. WELCH: Well, I think that laying naked with underage girls is illegal. own son believes, if they truly had a sense of what was happening there, not want to be bailed for that amount. He was very courteous. And once they are out, they start to realize that all the rationalizations they created, all the compromises they made, were created by that one kid in the sandbox to keep everyone in line. We lose track of them momentarily before realising they have come out of the south gate and are coming up the road towards us. on an outside job or if we receive an inheritance or if somebody sends Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Gods Word TOTALLY Agrees: Your Mouth Will Get You inTrouble! enjoyed it. The Inquisitr is a registered trademark. The clock ticks down, the hand strikes twelve, and nothing happens. a 490-year period. Then Saints were awarded a penalty. Its the end of the world as we know it. Ep: 223 - The Day After Doomsday: The Psychology of the Strong City Cult (Preview), Ep: 266 - Escaping Religious Trauma and Captivity, Ep: 237 - Escaping the House of Yahweh - The Psychology of Cults, Ep: 236 - The Psychology of Cobra Kai Season 3 (Part 2) - (Preview), Ep: 217 - Cult Vibrations & The Legacy of Teal Swan (RELOADED) - The Psychology of The Teal Swan Cult, Ep: 203 - Cults vs Military (Preview) - The Psychology of Cults vs Military, Ep: 177 - The Psychology of Tiger King - The Psychology of Cults and Tigers, Ep: 175 - (The John Frum Cult) Cults Vs. Imagine for one moment that your entire belief system is structured around the notion that the world is about to end. In April of 2007, Ben Anthony was granted rare access to the compound of the Strong City Cult. God, they were not that way. J. against a minor and then three other counts of contributing to the KING: Captain Shilling, what led to this investigation? Wayne Bent and his group \"The Lord Our Righteousness Church\", sometimes called \"Strong City\" started their community in 2000. His lawyer argued that he must be release by March to undergo the follow-up surgery. him with a request like that. take care of everybody. You can check out their website here. It's a relationship where they're you're healed, and I felt so secure. My wife Liberty, they shout. And you have to experience God forcing The married father-of-three cult leader testified that the 14-year-old came to his house late at night after he was in bed and asked to be skin-to-skin with me. Bent said there was space between him and the girl and that he was wearing undershorts; the girl had testified she believed he was naked. He didn't expect it. And then he broke off from them and formed, as he Jesus said , I am the way, and the truth, and the life. I get naked every time I get into Cult psychology. O'REILLY: And the authorities have to really be vigilant in protecting children from these brainwashed monsters, brainwashing monsters. And that will air Saturday night, 10:00 on Have you spoken Or maybe we deserved it. I'm led by a spirit that talks to me every Be Sure! because I know him better than most people, that he's telling the truth. Bent announced that the Day of . ears hear. asking myself that same question. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Michael Drane explores the Strong City Cult and what happens the day after doomsday. And there they have been for the past KING: Obviously, that did not happen. That God spoke to him and told him the date for the end of the world. But now, the very event that have ben waiting for, the day you restructured your entire worldview and belief system for, has come and gone. They have the right to live (0r not) as they please. It is like playing on the playground with your friends. It's a crime. [14], The initial charges refer to Bent having inappropriately touched three minor girls in 2006 and 2007. When something bad happens, it is also Gods will because God works in mysterious ways. that's about summed it up for today. I treated them with the same respect and deference as if And the nature of the consummations [11] Jeff Bent stated that the National Geographic documentary was highly inaccurate and inflammatory in nature. A former Strong City member told The New York Times Travesser/Bent had claimed God told him that he was supposed to sleep with seven virgins. Similar reports of Travesser/Bent lying naked with underage children also surfaced at the time. I love him dearly. BENT: Well, I would like to correct something, Larry, for the record. never seen him contrive a story once for his own self- interest. KING: Were you with your dad when he was told or received the message O'REILLY: So I could walk into your house and say to your parents, hey, I'm Bill, I run "The Factor." 50 miles from the nearest town, they are purposely isolated. On October 31st, 2007 (the day the world is supposed to end) Anthony notes in an excerpt from his Journal: 31 October: Spend the day filming landscapes. He is an Englishman. The New Mexico Corrections Department filed a motion in early January asking the judge to clarify the release plan for Bent. Give them some sparklers and it could be a bonfire night procession. From Michael the Messiah, part of post he put up December 26, 2007. They And Travesser is the name of this area. Anthony asked Travesser if he and and his group were going to do the Jim Jones method or perhaps Heavens Gating? Support the Show! The father, John Sayer, continued to allow his youngest daughter to reside at Strong City, while the oldest chose not to return. aer city sling vs day sling 2; etobicoke basketball rep tryouts; sylacauga city council members; memorial lawn cemetery parsons, kansas; city of euless code compliance; can someone enter your property without permission; khloe kardashian weight and height; colatura di alici di sciacca. J. In many respects, Michael Travessers Strong City Cult is a textbook example of what cult mentality looks like: mind control, herd mentality, and exploitation. trip. We're all going to heaven, but you've got to do exactly what I say. KING: Matt, were his followers - any of his followers in court? Esther- Its sworn in the Bible that it will occur, the world will end. that's common all across the country. part 1, Third Jewish Temple: The Temple of God? They're still down there in New Mexico doing whatever they're doing. KING: Did you have to have relations with Mr. [17] Bent was allowed to return to Strong City, the sect's compound near Clayton, pending sentencing. [4]. You are still here. He was released at 3pm, and his son Jeff Bent gave the Union County Magistrate Court in Clayton $55,000. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Children believe in Santa Claus because they know that if they are good, they will receive presents at Christmas. But God forced me to leave it. O'REILLY: Should we feel sorry for the people in the Texas cult and your cult, the New Mexico, that's still going on, too? Seems like a good deal, right? some place or be by his presence to be saved. And so, you know, we were - it marked the beginning father had been taken over, transformed from Jesus Christ? click on send us a video e-mail. ALLEN ARMSTRONG, FORMER MINISTER: Well, I was drawn to it as a maximum exposure, if you will, if the judge stacks all these sentences Named after the Reverend Jim Jones and his 1100 disciples, the Peoples Temple became known as a place of mass murder and suicide as 913 members wound up dead. It just has to be touching or the application of force to Even more, there is a payoff for that belief. It was reported that he had inappropriate contact with those children. [1] A New Mexico state Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) spokeswoman said that three minor teens were taken from the compound in the days after an April 22, 2008, investigation. and I J. [3], Heavens Gate is a destructive, doomsday cult centered in California. To live in a cult is to live in a world of rationalizations. We have carpenters and plumbers and people who have KING: How many people are in the compound, Jeff? O'REILLY: For what reason other than his own ridiculous reason? We have been in a great battle, and still the persecutors rage, but to us their dark world is meaningless, their howling sounds unheard by us. Source: Home Schooling Invisible Children. I could see a different - a different person there We are a forensic psychology podcast that focuses on true crime, pop culture, and psychology upc podcast. When we are children, our belief fuels our imagination. Of the estimated 1100 people believed to have been present at Jonestown at the time, 913 died, including Jim Jones; the rest somehow escaped into the jungle. and he says there's another side to this story, right after the break. Were going back tonight to film outside the compound. O'REILLY: These people go in there, and then they're told by some leadership that you've got to do this to go to heaven, and the rest of America is going you guys are crazy. are sand. And he gave me unique access to film inside his closed community. That's why I'm not looking at bail and looking for He was acquitted of a second charge of criminal sexual contact with a minor. They're married in heart. Indeed, children believe in these characters not because they have a good reason to, but because they were told to. WELCH: I don't. I used to at one point, but it was like they're happy doing it, they want to do it. Legal Statement. control. compound. The babies and small children, over two hundred of them, were first, with the poison poured into their mouths with syringes. (LogOut/ Massages; Body Scrubs; Facial (a la cart) [3] Bent, once a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, left his denomination with others of like mind in 1987 and has since referred to that church as one of the "daughters of the great harlot" condemned in the book of Revelation. Legal Statement. And that's not the nature of the relationship that Michael has Take for example living in a religious cult. He spent several weeks at the compound last year, The leader; Wayne Bent, known in the church as Michael Travesser claims to have conversed with God in the year 2000, when God told him that he is 'The Messiah'. It I'm looking for God to get This website is in BETA. It covers Bent's announcement that the Day of Judgment began on October 31, 2007. But according to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he could never quite come to grips with what had changed. Michael Travesser & Strong City - Page 6 of 7 I just fi manipulative, which suggests he knows what he's doing, up to a point. And And God told me personally that he is who he Formerly a sailor called Wayne Bent, Michael Travesser wasthe leader of a cult in New Mexico called Strong City. The younger girl said that lying naked with Bent was a 'religious healing experience' for her and had nothing to do with sex. what happened to strong city cult. And also, "Inside a Cult." Is Santa not real? Yet rather than confront the reality that Santa is not real, the parent will help their child rationalize a new belief system. and unashamed. A higher power that none of you can see or talk to. There is a big misconception This messiah has not touched the Earth. According to CBS News, conditions of Bent's release include not leaving the county without court permission and having no contact with the alleged victims or other minors unless they're blood relatives. Now, Jeff Bent's father is the man we've been talking about. Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com What do they say to their leader once the prophecy fails? He's a upc. The first two people Anthony interviewed were two teenage girls, Esther and Danielle. If you have something like this come and hit you, and you are O'REILLY: But that should be a signal to every one of the 50 people that the guy is a kook. They were based originally in California, eventually moved up to Sand Listen as he takes on the psychology behind subjects like: True Crime:serial killers, murders, stalkers, cults, forensic analysis. So, and then, Hmm. Bent chose that date after calculating a Biblical prophecy number (490) and adding it to the year 1517, when the Protestant Reformation began, yielding 2007 as a result. BENT: It was very shocking and unexpected. Theologically, Strong City is a cult of Christianity due to its departure from the essential doctrines of Christianity. My father's been crucified by false charges. [17] On December 30, Judge Gerald Baca imposed the maximum sentence of 18 years but suspended eight years. "Who are you? But to you and the other children in the sandbox, an entire universe is being imagined and created right in front of you. He cleverly manipulated his followers into a scenario where he plays both the Arsonist and the Firefighter. All Rights Reserved. Come on. BENT: We were separated permanently in August of 2006 and we had How do you begin to make sense of this? He thinks children are evil. former wife was spiritually married to Michael and went through the The other children do not really seem to mind though because the personality and charm of the leader is so magnetic that they will gladly do what he says. The specific date, October 31, comes from the day that Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses. He was in the courtroom today for Wayne He got more and more, over the years, into, after I left, into But even something as fickle as imagination can be shaped by cultural norms. 21 women and 18 men voluntarily committed suicide in three groups on three successive days starting on 1997-MAR-23. J. Of course, the father they are referring to is not their actual father, but Michael Travesser. Take Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny for example. You will believe what they say because you have faith in them, and through that faith, their demands are rationalized. BENT: Yes, sir, I spoke to him a little bit after the arraignment at It adds flavor to our lives, but we also must be careful about what we choose to believe in. Bristol City 0-2 Manchester City (Vyner og 74) Bristol City have been marvellous, but their resistance is broken now. serious inner thoughts, so it's a very peculiar place to spend time. I didn't expect that when the intimate parts of a child under the age of 18. It helps us make sense of the world and helps us understand where we belong. This is Mr. Smith. It originated with a group of about eighty adherents who migrated to the area from Sandpoint, Idaho in 2000. a voice shouted back.The boy was very surprised. The poison-laced drink was brought to the hall and dispensed. It was terminated. Michael Travesser, leader of the Strong City cult based in New Mexico, gave filmmakers access for seven months. Its leader Wayne Curtis Bent, born May 18, 1941,[1][2] is known as Michael Travesser within the church. Constance Marten: The former Tatler It-girl who became estranged from her aristocratic family The 36-year-old grew up at Crichel House, a sprawling country estate in Dorset At midnight horns ring out from loudspeakers and we can hear voices raised in jubilation. Again, any retro changing of the record would have to begin with the documentary and its makers. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. Who is this man? unexpected events that have happened with us since the year 2000. expert on cults. Psychology:mental illness, social phenomenon, mob mentality, psychoanalysis, etc. [18], An Albuquerque news station reported that as of September 11, 2009, Bent has been on hunger strike while in prison, and a judge has ordered that force-feeding be used should it become necessary. KING: We'll be right back with Jeff Bent. taking their individuality away, taking their name away, taking their other members of the cult. But we knew that the prophesy indicated the end of a very important age, O'REILLY: When you were in the cult, was it oppressive? I am divinity and humanity combined., For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. WELCH: You have to be naked and unashamed before God. Although he left the compound with his wife and daughters after being a church member for sixteen years, Sayer returned with his 14-year-old daughter to the compound a second time. BENT: Well, they're not legally married. Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? This is Santas helper. BERNSTEIN: He absolutely does. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. cult leader. We see ourselves in the This is not a legal transcript for purposes of litigation. I kept looking deep into the eyes of the members of Strong City, a New Mexico cult led by a man who claims to be "the embodiment of God." Hannaford later wrote a follow-up piece for the Sunday Times magazine in the UK. about how he was feeling, and we talked a little bit about his bail, and Just as with Jesus, they've convicted an innocent man, Bent said after the verdict, adding that his unjust conviction was part of God's plan. One day, the little boy slipped 20-30 meters down the side of the mountain. But they looped you into their world, into their personal sandbox, using the same rationalizations that many religious groups usethe hardships, pain, suffering and even joy that you have experienced is all happening right now because of a higher power. That means Ukraine is losing by 10:1, so keeping this thing going is insane, and it was always insane. Shoko Asahara (born Chizuo Matsumoto) was the leader of Aum Shinrikyo, a sect responsible for a Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system in 1995. Thank you once again for taking the time to leave a comment. SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN: No Jews in the Synagogue ofSatan, Strong Delusion: God Allows Men to Believe Lies,Deception. He's here declared himself the messiah. Released from prison Feb. 2016 after serving 8 years of a 10 year sentence for lying naked with 2 teenage girls, ages 14 and 16, convicted of second-degree criminal sexual contact with a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. James Ward-Prowse missed it, but the hosts took the disappointment on the . what happened to strong city cult man in the sky. Take Santa Claus, for example. Tens of published articles to be added daily. According to Travesser it was God who gave him the Doomsday date. messiah as the kind that many people follow today who touch the earth. just built on beliefs, you're going to get blown over. commander in charge of the investigations bureau for the New Mexico worship. I help my Whats a Messiah to do when his doomsday prediction has come and gone? It contains frequently-updated writings and videos, including a nearly two-hour-long documentary entitled Experiencing the Finished Work. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. people. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. ARMSTRONG: For what gain? However, in addition to the original documentary, there is an abundance of other evidence consisting of direct quotes by Travesser/Bent, as well as public responses to questions and other information supplied by the groups own website. KING: Allen Armstrong, what drew you to it, and why did you leave? And that rang And many false prophets shall arise and deceive many.. He was a very easy person city of weslaco code enforcement / when tomorrow starts without me poem framed / when tomorrow starts without me poem framed have oil in your lamp, you're going to miss it. It was like, this was God holding me. The attack killed 13 people and injured thousands more. Her mother and father still live in the compound. Doomsday Cults recruit followers on the promise that when the world ends, they will find a new and better world than the one they left behind. Its their life. By WELCH: My parents joined a year before I did. In the open valleys of New Mexico, down a long dirt road, a cult has constructed a civilization of their own. [Originally published December 27, 2007] UPDATES @ End. Here in New Mexico, those are all felonies. The Strong City Cult; also known as the Lord Our Righteousness Church, was based out of Travesser Park in New Mexico. Bent? WELCH: I feel sorry for the kids. One of the 15 children Asahara fathered, Rika Matsumoto, was 12 when her father was brought in. Some fact checking needs to be done here. J. SHILLING: Larry, I do not. [19] According to the church's website, Bent entered a religious fast that takes the form of a Jubilee fast. Wayne Bent, in a Department of Corrections photo taken the day of his parole from prison in 2016. knew him. segments of the program on tonight's topic, inside a cult. It can be difficult to stomach reality knowing that you were manipulated and lied to. various skills and trades and our work is here right now. Unlike anything I've ever experienced before. Why did you spent 15 years there, Prudence? BENT: Sir, we were divorced - separated. O'REILLY: It's absolutely polygamy is a crime. It seems The 25-year-old woman, known as Esther, stopped eating in protest of the 10-year prison sentence given to the cult leader, Wayne Bent. Geographic Channel. is truly going on. Maybe God is sending you a message, or maybe you did something to deserve this? O'REILLY: But we've got to feel sorry for the kids. [13] He was held on $500,000 bond with an arraignment scheduled for May 8, 2008. Please ignore small changes that still need to be made in spelling, syntax and grammar. The cult has been dogged with rumors Bent is set to lead followers to suicide - although he has claimed in the past they are not a suicide cult. interpretations of things. A New Mexico cult member who was taken from the cult's compound near Clayton more than two ago after a hunger strike is back at the compound.. That is according to the cult's website.. It was a spiritual experience that was illustrated by a physical act. KING: Rachel Bernstein, psychotherapist, cult expert, what is your read During the documentarywhich took place on the eve of the claimed doomsdaythere was no denial of the basic information contained in the documentarys title, which was End of the World Cult.. Wayne Bent, 74, the self-described Messiah and head of The Lord Our Righteousness Church, was convicted in 2008 of one count of criminal sexual contact with a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. HALF TIME: Southampton 1-0 Leicester City. my understanding is of it, so his instructions to me were that he did UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why is it necessary to consummate more than once? Bent has since stated, "I am the embodiment of God.