UK Charity Commission finds Exclusive Brethren separation doctrine causes detriment to withdrawn members and children, conditions charitable registration on doctrinal change

Proceedings

1. 2014-01-09 · official-finding; registration decision

   Charity Commission for England and Wales. The Charity Commission published its decision on the Preston Down Trust's application for charitable registration, first refused in 2012. The Commission's reasoning documented that the doctrine of separation, applied through shunning ('withdrawal') of excommunicated or departing members, caused serious harm to those cut off and limited the life opportunities of children raised in the community, and that this harm had to be weighed against and could outweigh any public benefit. The Trust was registered only after amending its governing trust deed to add express commitments to compassion, forgiveness and community engagement; the Commission stated the outcome was conditional on the PBCC addressing the identified harms through this doctrinal-document change, not a simple climb-down.

Documented coercion mechanisms

• doctrine of 'separation from evil' mandating shunning ('withdrawal') of anyone excommunicated or who leaves
• shunned members cut off from spouse, children, parents and all fellowship contact
• restricted life opportunities and education for children raised inside the community
• threat of total relational severance used to compel continued membership and compliance