BENT: It was very shocking and unexpected. KING: Did you just accept it on fact, or what convinced you, Jeff? Humphrey tried again in the Arizona desert during 1998-FEB and was successful. what happened to the strong city cult State Police. Belief is a skill that is actively passed on to our children, which is why I have been ruminating on the adage belief is so often the death of reason. Jesus created you and He wants to redeem you from the death sentence pronounced on creation because of sin, so that you can be with Him forever in paradise, where He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Children believe in Santa Claus because they know that if they are good, they will receive presents at Christmas. Without him, they would be KING: Thank you very much, Matt Grubs and Captain Robert Shilling. terminated our marriage relationship at that time. force you to do things you wouldn't normally do - especially things This one does not. But God forced me to leave it. passionate type of experience of gratifying yourself with someone else. No one comes to the Father except through me.". Perhaps they decided they no longer needed to pay property tax or the utilities. Oh my god! To have them really not see the reality of the I think that it's - it's End Times Propaganda: Satan's Lies and Deceptions, Sojourners, Pilgrims, Strangers: Christians are Just Passing Through, Satan Has Counterfeited the Christian Church, MEN WITH RED EYES: Creepy Encounters in South America,USA, Mysterious Giant Sinkhole in Dagestan, Russia Republic Video, Leroy, NY 2012 Demon Attack: Tourettes Like Syndrome Cluster in New YorkSchool, DEMONS: Demonic Infestation at Leroy NY School District in2012. We think of it as something that is necessarya must have ingredient for a healthy life. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. KING: Allen Armstrong, what drew you to it, and why did you leave? The first two people Anthony interviewed were two teenage girls, Esther and Danielle. Wayne Bent and his group \"The Lord Our Righteousness Church\", sometimes called \"Strong City\" started their community in 2000. All you must do is wait. In many respects, Michael Travessers Strong City Cult is a textbook example of what cult mentality looks like: mind control, herd mentality, and exploitation. It was a spiritual experience that was illustrated by a physical act. not be for some time. A con artist. Ask" question via cell phone or Web cam. manipulative, which suggests he knows what he's doing, up to a point. Wayne Bent and his group "The Lord Our Righteousness Church", sometimes called "Strong City" started their community in 2000. From the time we are children, we are guided by our teachers and guardians to maintain a belief in something when there is evidence to the contrary. The two minor children, the state's only witnesses to the facts at trial, both testified in the primary trial, in subsequent court proceedings and by affidavit, that Bent never touched them sexually in any way, and asserted that the charges against him were baseless. he shouted."Who are you? Thanks for coming in here. Is Comet Leonard, The Christmas Comet, The Mighty Lion, a Sign? From Michael the Messiah, part of post he put up December 26, 2007. When you listen to people who have left cults describe what it is like to leave their sandbox, they liken it to leaving a fantasy world. says he is, and he is telling the truth. track paypal order with transaction id andrea taylor fred taylor wife accident rt 4 north kingstown, ri. KING: we'll be right back with more. We're going to tell you about that in a moment. Wayne Bent, in a Department of Corrections photo taken the day of his parole from prison in 2016. delinquency of a minor. On June 28, 2011, the New Mexico Court of Appeals overturned all convictions against Wayne Bent. Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-13. ARMSTRONG: No, I'm just glad that Prudence is where she is right now. and unashamed. We werent meant to live on this Earth away from father. prepared to understand what it's like to have a messiah come on you and is truly going on. I cant say that he really wanted to find God. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Your cult leader will tell you what God wants, but there is no way to really truly know if those wants are those of God or the cult leader himself. And the tomb did not keep Jesus, he And In this way, we avoid searching for the truth. [3], Heavens Gate is a destructive, doomsday cult centered in California. I don't see a problem with nakedness. penetration. laughable, in that I see his group as, well, I see him as a kid in the UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So it was just a single occasion, this literal After leading his acolytes to New Mexico seven years ago, he The moments before the final decision to die brought resistance from a few, but armed guards who surrounded the room shot many of them. My mind hurt, by the time I Stay safe out there friends, and we hope you enjoy the show. As leader of a cult in a remote corner of New Mexico called Strong City, this 66-year-old former sailor, previously called Wayne Bent, has spent nearly 20 years preparing his 56 unquestioning and . this group, which is to be devoted to it for life. Peace Week 2022: Extending the Dream Celebration. If youre interested in additional information, the Cult Education Institute has a plethora of resources available here. up on each other, of about 50 years. well, he might come in this year or this year, and every few months, The self-proclaimed messiah's son Jeff Bent will be back with us, get expert on cults. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. When something bad happens, it is also Gods will because God works in mysterious ways. other members of the cult. His proposed bill to ban gender studies, destroy tenure, and turn the governing of higher education over to his political hacks is a mirror image of what unfolded in Nazi Germany and other . 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. Both he and his son state that "God forced Michael" to commit this act of consummation. And I've known my dad for 44 years. Sign up for End Times Prophecy Report's free headline report. Point, Idaho. Learn how your comment data is processed. It seems have oil in your lamp, you're going to miss it. the voice shouted back . The first thing I would [13] He was held on $500,000 bond with an arraignment scheduled for May 8, 2008. As Oscar Wilde said, a thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.. [2]. 21:06 GMT 26 Jan 2016 of that child and the investigation grew from there. After using the city for a movie in 1952, he returned in 1966. BERNSTEIN: He absolutely does. [Originally published December 27, 2007] UPDATES @ End. KING: Did you have to have relations with Mr. KING: Do you think he believes he's the messiah? It's spiritual. Wayne Bent.com is subtitled Prisoner of the Lord, Apocalyptic Sect Leader Released from Jail. Leicester were on top for half an hour. You don't say maybe we're not right? combined. O'REILLY: It's absolutely polygamy is a crime. But, you know, there was not end of the world prophesized for that date. And so, we have our heart set on that, on the promise that we were given. And so, let him who has eyes see, and let her who has lost. It simply is not Bent has since stated, "I am the embodiment of God. Her niece recently Take Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny for example. Tens of published articles to be added daily. And I thought it was a little bit crazy when 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. God's going to do it by his hand. J. him. He's a reporter with KOAT. Excepts from Wayne Bent, head of an apocalyptic church in NM. Michael Travesser told his followers, The end of the world is coming, and I am the only salvation, automatically making him King of the Sandbox. Watch. In the unanimous three judge decision, Judge Roderick T. Kennedy shares the opinion of the court; As a result, the indictment issued by the grand jury was void and the district court did not have jurisdiction to proceed with the trial in this case, On October 22, 2012, the New Mexico Supreme Court overturned the New Mexico Court of Appeals ruling and Wayne Bent would continue to serve out the remainder of his sentence in prison for the next four years. GoStats provides a free hit counter for your site. It helps us make sense of the world and helps us understand where we belong. I It is also claimed that his fast is a protest against his imprisonment 'because of a lie'.[20]. Michael Travesser is actually a pseudonym created by a man named Wayne Bent. the fact that I know God. I don't have beliefs, Larry. Was this guy doing bad things to you? [11] Jeff Bent stated that the National Geographic documentary was highly inaccurate and inflammatory in nature. was also quite a disturbing experience, though, because the atmosphere We're going to do more on this, but we've run out court for a charge of this nature. because periodically, through that 15 years, Jesus was going to come. Religious community in New Mexico, United States, List of people who have claimed to be Jesus, "California Birth Index, 1905-1995: Wayne Curtis Bent", New Mexico: 3 Children Are Removed From an Apocalyptic Church, "Strong City: The Lord Our Righteousness Church: A Brief History and Overview", "Strong City: The Lord Our Righteousness", "Wayne Bent: The cult of the man they call messiah". And we're not Did you see that? In Seattle is Prudence the experience we've had here. Please ignore small changes that still need to be made in spelling, syntax and grammar. Its leader Wayne Curtis Bent, born May 18, 1941,[1][2] is known as Michael Travesser within the church. And so he adopted the name Michael, which And we'll get your because they have been so programmed for so long to really believe in JEFF BENT, SON OF STRONG CITY LEADER: His legal name is Wayne Bent. It is believed that Michael Travesser and his followers still reside at their compound in New Mexico. what challenges do advertisers face with product placement? Michael Travesser says he's the Messiah and that God has told him the world will end with an apocalyptic event at midnight on 31 October 2007. Former follower: Sect leader wanted to sleep with daughters. In the open valleys of New Mexico, down a long dirt road, a cult has constructed a civilization of their own. We could update the article to reflect your concern, but any objective updating of the article would have to also include these many additional sources. This is because for nearly 30 years, Michael Travesser (formerly known as Wayne Bent) has been building a following that is utterly devoted to him. 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. WELCH: The last eight years is when it got the worst, and when I left I realized how manipulative he was. I'm looking for God to get PRUDENCE WELCH, LEFT STRONG CITY CULT IN 2005: Yeah, I was raised a conservative Adventist, and so I had a desire to go to heaven. I have been thinking about this question a lot lately. According to court documents, Bent was supposed to go free no later than December 31, 2015, but he still remains behind bars. Matthew 24:24-26, 5. I swear it by the one who lives Its the end of the world as we know it. BENT: Well, I would like to correct something, Larry, for the record. God, they were not that way. Severe damage was reported. CALLER: Hi, my question for Jeff here, for Please know, by the way, that much of the video that you're watching in He and his cameramen documented the final days leading up to what the cult believed to be the end of the world. leave this place. He spent several weeks at the compound last year, complicated. J. UKRAINE, WORLD WAR 3: What does the Bible Say? The Russians have a 10:1 advantage, as the soldiers keep stating, and the numbers bear it out. Were edgy; its hard to put thoughts of Jonestown and Waco out of your mind. taking their individuality away, taking their name away, taking their Be Sure! J. I think very well that the prophesy that Jesus would return in the air But these are underage children. Tornadoes and strong winds caused severe damage in Roger Mills County. on an outside job or if we receive an inheritance or if somebody sends If you don't Again, any retro changing of the record would have to begin with the documentary and its makers. I left a few months before that started happening. candy store of his own making. And then Allen Armstrong stopped by the school that I was at and We felt a visit to the cults website was in order to see how they were dealing with the letdown of no doomsday. Welch, a former Strong City sect member. J. I've KING: We welcome to LARRY KING LIVE in Clayton, New Mexico, Matt Grubs. because I know him better than most people, that he's telling the truth. [citation needed], A shorter version including interviews with cult experts and entitled Inside a Cult was broadcast on ABC in Australia, and the National Geographic Channel in the United States. O'REILLY: But we've got to feel sorry for the kids. This question has long fascinated me. Somehow, I started He wants to explain email. 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. (LogOut/ Change). And I think we got along fine. Wayne Bent, who also goes by the name Michael Travesser is a Seems like a good deal, right? KING: Were you with your dad when he was told or received the message And with him and with these consummations that have been ordained by June 14, 2022; Posted by . You can read more about the Strong City Cults other run-ins with the law here. WELCH: They had a desire to go to heaven, and they were offered a life of sin. Colorado and Oklahoma and Texas. Its the end of the world as we know it. like to say about it is that we were treated exceptionally well while we has been fulfilled. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They have given up -. KING: So is that - is your group considered polygamist? segments of the program on tonight's topic, inside a cult. Following his arraignment, the judge reduced the bail to $55,000; as of May 9, he remained incarcerated. WELCH: They want to be there. He told his followers God had revealed a KING: One of the most disturbing things from the documentary "Inside a As you said, he's known to his followers as Michael Travesser. The operation was a success, but he later developed complications requiring a follow-up surgery. Cult member returns to Strong City compound. of time. Esther- Its sworn in the Bible that it will occur, the world will end. (LogOut/ Wayne Bent: False Messiah Who Predicted 2007 Doomsday StillAround, Demons Exorcised: Polish Exorcisms Available For InternetAddicts, West Liberty University Graduation: Spring 2014Commencement, Review of Gods not Dead: An Inspiring ChristianMovie, Noah the Movie Review: Hollywood vs theBible, Healthy Food for Less: 7 Ways to Eat Healthy on aBudget, POLLS: The Fiction of Polls and PublicOpinion, ARCHIVES: End Times Prophecy Report ArticleArchives, End Times Survival, End TimesPreparation, In 2011, National Geographic covered Travesser in, Travesser/Bent was serving a 10-year prison sentence for sex with underage followers when the. And he'll have the chancea self-proclaimed messiah was in court today facing Bent? million to $50,000 today at his arraignment. Joining us in Strong City, New Mexico is Jeff Bent. SHILLING: No, sir. Santa cant be everywhere, so he sends helpers to the mall to dress like him so they can collect the childrens orders and bring them back to him.. man in the sky. KING: What do you do for a living? Last month, a judge ordered Bent to be released so he could undergo the necessary procedure on his ear canal outside of the prison system. so I learned of it shortly after that. That God spoke to him and told him the date for the end of the world. 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? J. have a lot of experience to bank on him and I know perfectly well, Theologically, Strong City is a cult of Christianity due to its departure from the essential doctrines of Christianity. Most estimations indicate the Strong City Cult has somewhere in the area of 50 members. We generally regard belief as a good thing. I am divinity and humanity [17] Bent was allowed to return to Strong City, the sect's compound near Clayton, pending sentencing. Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com, Prosecutors said the father-of-three was caught lying naked in bed with the teen and her younger sister on separate, Former elementary school teacher who sexually assaulted 'girls who had divorced parents' convicted, Florida man, 42, 'solicited nude photos from girl, 12, he met on Instagram then flew to Oregon for a weekend of sex abuse', Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' 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. Her mother and father still live in the compound. this evening, bail had not been raised or posted. completely given over to others and serving others. fulfilled on October 31, 2007. 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.. that have been married to Michael is to illustrate a point of how we are BERNSTEIN: I think in part because they don't want to see it. KING: When you watch the panel discussion, and you heard them say that The leader of an apocalyptic New Mexico cult who is serving a 10-year sentence for molesting a teenage girl is set to get an early release to undergo cancer treatment. The Happening is a great opportunity to recruit part and full-time employees, interest students in community service activities, and tell them all about your products and services. If you have something like this come and hit you, and you are O'REILLY: Naked and unashamed before God. us some money for something, it all goes into the community fund, and we KING: Rachel, the charismaticness, he has that, right? What I found so troubling about that was that their The attack killed 13 people and injured thousands more. We arrive at ten to twelve and wait by the gate in the moonlight. It flock, and it's - what did you make of the episode dealing with naked As a cult follower, you find salvation and comfort in knowing that this terrible world will end, and that all of the pain and suffering that you have endured will end with it. LAURA INGRAHAM, GUEST HOST: In the "Personal Story" segment tonight: accusations that American children are being sexually abused in religious cults. A higher power that none of you can see or talk to. there is pretty heavy. Jesus said , I am the way, and the truth, and the life. 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. a rather unsettling atmosphere. The state judge hearing the case has issued a gag order, and state officials have provided no further details of the investigation. In an attempt to cope with the cognitive dissonance brought on by this betrayal, your mind will begin to rationalize how the cult leader is right. [4]. 2007 but what happened?" National Geographic has also done a video . 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. messiah. with naked people. I have observed many times how Christians conveniently make certain of Corrections: Clarification needed for cult leaders release | KRQE News 13. All of this time together we have watched the powers of heaven battle with the dark world below, and it is clear to us now what the issues are in the spiritual realm. He claimed that in 2000 God spoke to him and told him he was the messiah. One or two women who felt that the children should be able to live protested, but they were soon reassured by reminders of the alternative undignified death at the hand of the enemy and the shouted support of the group. Take for example living in a religious cult. 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. but I think that he has really learned that his charisma can be used to unexpected events that have happened with us since the year 2000. you to do something to know what that's all about. While Wayne Bent has refused interviews, he posted a message on the group's Web site, StrongCity.info, after getting out of jail on Saturday. SHILLING: At an arraignment, he's simply advised of the charges against Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Everyone was extremely welcoming, and very good company. And the whole purpose of these seven ears hear. J. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. J. The Harmony of Tad Si; Treatments. you're healed, and I felt so secure. She spent 15 years there and that have happened here are not are not - are not what you would call And, Jesus had still not come. It was like a ticket to heaven. He was in the courtroom today for Wayne "Sect Leader Who Allegedly Sought Virgins Found Guilty on Sex Charge", "New Mexico Apocalyptic Sect Leader Gets 10 Years in Sex Case", "Judge puts fasting cult leader in doctor's hands", "Appeals court upholds cult leader's convictions", "New Mexico cult leader released from prison early", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lord_Our_Righteousness_Church&oldid=1130568950, Christian organizations established in 2000, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Articles with dead external links from June 2021, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 30 December 2022, at 21:10. They What that means is that all those proceedings will take place in secret And if they owe us any money, please pay before the door hits you on the butt on your way out. And by the time my I treated them with the same respect and deference as if No license is granted to the user of this material except for the user's personal or internal use and, in such case, only one copy may be printed, nor shall user use any material for commercial purposes or in any fashion that may infringe upon FOX News Network, LLC'S and Voxant, Inc.'s copyrights or other proprietary rights or interests in the material. of the world on that date and to translate to heaven and so forth. so he took me, we went to the bedroom and laid down, and he held me, and Wayne taking more and more control, when he finally decided he was going are sand. On November 18, 1978, in Guyana, it was reported that Congressman Leo J. Ryan and four others of his party were shot as they attempted to leave what was known as Jonestown. The specific date, October 31, comes from the day that Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses. KING: You were there 15 years, though, right? Do you know, Captain, if any of his followers were in court today? to see God. Michael Travesser told his followers, "The end of the world is coming, and I am the only salvation", automatically making him King of the Sandbox. KING: His bail was reduced from $500,000 to $50,000. They're married in the He was very courteous. He will have to serve at least 8 years before becoming eligible for release. he cried out."Help me! In April of 2007, Ben Anthony was granted rare access to the compound of the Strong City Cult. Very much like his And with these But what also emerged, was an unfolding tale of control, manipulation, and sex.. Bent announced that the Day of . Serial Killers - Psychology of Cult Leaders, Serial Killers, & Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, Ep: 10 - Jim Jones And The Jonestown Massacre- The Psychology of Cults and Mass Suicide, Ep: 224 - Scale of Evil, Part 13: Torture Murders - The Psychology of Murder, Ep: 222 - CBT 101 (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) - A Therapist Explains CBT . Or maybe we deserved it. Either way, you lose what you love most to someone who does not deserve it. The Strong City Cult, also called the Lord Our Righteousness Church, began in New Mexico in 2000 with a group of eighty people. will meet him. By Geographic Channel. worldly interests that they have. With help from professionals in different fields, he seeks to shine light into the broken underbelly of society. 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. at that time. There is a big misconception up and wanting me to come home. ANTHONY: For awhile, I wasn't sure. Families Department here in New Mexico, Child Protective Services, The third season of "The Mandalorian," which launched Wednesday on Disney+, is set to follow the now . Then, in late 2000, two married women whom he called "the witnesses", "gave" themselves to him, apparently with the full blessing of their husbands. Now, Jeff Bent's father is the man we've been talking about. removed from it. I believe that a polygamist practice would be a literal KING: Isn't this kind of a - for want of a better word - strange Both fictional characters that were devised by cultural norms, both have been reinforced by society collectively for decades. I have God. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. And so, as such, in New Mexico, they are protected by the law.