Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2005, Page 119
Jesus Christians
Is It a Cult?
About half of the 30-member Jesus Christians, an international group led by Australian
David McKay, have donated kidneys at transplant centers across the U.S. in the past two
years. ―There is a real euphoria that seems to follow the operation that is contagious,‖ said
McKay, who donated a kidney at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, MN, in 2003.
The donations, as well as the group‘s lifestyle, lead some to call the Jesus Christians a cult.
It‘s a nomadic group that travels across the world in campers and RVs, and maintains a Web
site instructing followers to ―forsake all,‖ including family, friends, and jobs.
McKay responds that the group is not involved in ―doctrinal heresy, sexual misconduct, mind
control, or a leaning toward mass suicides.‖ He says he‘s been unjustly depicted as a ―mind-
control manipulator‖ who coerces members to donate kidneys so he can gain publicity.
The Jesus Christians say that by donating organs they are following Scriptural teachings, such
as the apostle Paul‘s plea to Romans to present their bodies as ―living sacrifices,‖ and John
the Baptist‘s appeal to people who possessed two of anything to prove that they had repented
by giving one of those things to someone who had none.
Member Rene Gonzalez said organ donation was the way out of his spiritual rut. ―I was
praying to God to use me. Even if I had died while donating, then it would have been dying
for something positive.‖ (St. Louis Post Dispatch, Internet, 5/9/05)
Kabbalah Centre
Cult-like Aspects
Some of Kabbalah Centre founder Philip Berg’s estimated 5,000 followers around the
world believe that the popularizer of Jewish mysticism can resurrect the dead. Berg and his
extended family, who are at the apex of a highly profitable network of businesses founded
on religious objects and cures, and boosted by star followers like Madonna, live in luxury, in
stark contrast to four-to-a-bedroom conditions and $35-a-month stipends offered to full-
time volunteers who cook and clean for them. The Centre‘s use of cult-like techniques to
control members include sleep deprivation, alienation from friends and family, and
Kabbalah-dictated matchmaking. (Mim Udovitch, Radar Online, Internet, 6/17, 6/20, 6/21/,
6/22, 2005
Kingdom of Jesus Christ The Name above Every Other Name
Suit to Recover “Brainwashed” Teenager
The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) in Baguio City, Philippines, is suing to recover 19-
year-old Arlene Rillon from the Kingdom of Jesus Christ The Name above Every Other
Name, led by Apollo Quiboloy, who allegedly brainwashed her (when she was a minor)
and other underage devotees.
Arlene, whose mother has complained to the city council about her daughter‘s situation,
appeared on TV indicating she did not want to leave the group, but FLAG lawyers maintain
that she ―has been programmed by [the church] and her mind is being controlled by ...
Quiboloy.‖
Although she is an adult now, the lawyers contend that Arlene is ―no longer capable of
making decisions that are the product of her consent, as her will has been subverted. ..
Quiboloy and members of the Kingdom use the Bible and select verses‖ to control the young
people. (Vincent Cabreza and Donna Demetillo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Internet, 5/7/05)
Jesus Christians
Is It a Cult?
About half of the 30-member Jesus Christians, an international group led by Australian
David McKay, have donated kidneys at transplant centers across the U.S. in the past two
years. ―There is a real euphoria that seems to follow the operation that is contagious,‖ said
McKay, who donated a kidney at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, MN, in 2003.
The donations, as well as the group‘s lifestyle, lead some to call the Jesus Christians a cult.
It‘s a nomadic group that travels across the world in campers and RVs, and maintains a Web
site instructing followers to ―forsake all,‖ including family, friends, and jobs.
McKay responds that the group is not involved in ―doctrinal heresy, sexual misconduct, mind
control, or a leaning toward mass suicides.‖ He says he‘s been unjustly depicted as a ―mind-
control manipulator‖ who coerces members to donate kidneys so he can gain publicity.
The Jesus Christians say that by donating organs they are following Scriptural teachings, such
as the apostle Paul‘s plea to Romans to present their bodies as ―living sacrifices,‖ and John
the Baptist‘s appeal to people who possessed two of anything to prove that they had repented
by giving one of those things to someone who had none.
Member Rene Gonzalez said organ donation was the way out of his spiritual rut. ―I was
praying to God to use me. Even if I had died while donating, then it would have been dying
for something positive.‖ (St. Louis Post Dispatch, Internet, 5/9/05)
Kabbalah Centre
Cult-like Aspects
Some of Kabbalah Centre founder Philip Berg’s estimated 5,000 followers around the
world believe that the popularizer of Jewish mysticism can resurrect the dead. Berg and his
extended family, who are at the apex of a highly profitable network of businesses founded
on religious objects and cures, and boosted by star followers like Madonna, live in luxury, in
stark contrast to four-to-a-bedroom conditions and $35-a-month stipends offered to full-
time volunteers who cook and clean for them. The Centre‘s use of cult-like techniques to
control members include sleep deprivation, alienation from friends and family, and
Kabbalah-dictated matchmaking. (Mim Udovitch, Radar Online, Internet, 6/17, 6/20, 6/21/,
6/22, 2005
Kingdom of Jesus Christ The Name above Every Other Name
Suit to Recover “Brainwashed” Teenager
The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) in Baguio City, Philippines, is suing to recover 19-
year-old Arlene Rillon from the Kingdom of Jesus Christ The Name above Every Other
Name, led by Apollo Quiboloy, who allegedly brainwashed her (when she was a minor)
and other underage devotees.
Arlene, whose mother has complained to the city council about her daughter‘s situation,
appeared on TV indicating she did not want to leave the group, but FLAG lawyers maintain
that she ―has been programmed by [the church] and her mind is being controlled by ...
Quiboloy.‖
Although she is an adult now, the lawyers contend that Arlene is ―no longer capable of
making decisions that are the product of her consent, as her will has been subverted. ..
Quiboloy and members of the Kingdom use the Bible and select verses‖ to control the young
people. (Vincent Cabreza and Donna Demetillo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Internet, 5/7/05)
