THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MARTYRS
$1.25
Friday, May 16, 2014
Vol XCIII, No. 311
Is this group still a concern?
What can be learned?
Cult Origin and Beliefs
- Not as much as other groups around the world, even though the leader believes that he is a prophet sent by God.
- An event occurred where an ex-member had violent plans against numerous churches but Doug denies ever influencing any members to do anything violent
- It is still uncertain whether the FOTM is not a concern at all, or if it is building up until something disastrous occurs.
Fellowship of the Martyrs
Case Study and Points of Interest
James Todd and Greg Weiler
- In 2004 Doug Perry disliked the institution of church and had a religious awakening.
- 2 years later he moved liberty Missouri and started up the fellowship.
- Demons responsible for anything bad
- Marriage is a friendship and only divorced by God
- Gods voice guides them to do everything
- In 2012, Gregory Weiler was arrested and charged for possessing destructive materials
- He was then accused of planning to bomb 48 different churches
- This January he was ruled not guilty by insanity
- 2011 James Todd and his family found the FOTM online
- They ended up moving to Liberty, Missouri to live with the other group members
- James' wife began to hear voices
- After that James left in the night with his children
“Nobody seems to want to label an organization as a cult until the disaster happens,”
Is this group a cult?
Does it meet the characteristics?
Recruiting Techniques
Information on the Leader
Who do they target?
Doug Perry
This group meets some characteristics of a cult...
- The beliefs are new and change (ex, the cup model)
- The leader of this cult is living but he does not claim to be the messiah
- There is no ancient writing
- Some members are fanatical, but not necessarily withdrawn
- Beliefs are centered around the will of the leader
However there is no mention of...
- Total financial commitment
- Isolation
- Physical gratification
- Conditioning techniques
- Deception
- Son of a pastor
- Claims to have witnesses the church's "shady-behind-the-scenes" business
- Double majored in religion and psychology
- Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration
- However he became a businessman
- First encounter with God in 2004
- Preach about Jesus and his teachings two thousand years ago.
- Attempt to "bribe" those with mental illnesses/disabilities to join the fellowship.
- Look for those that believe in Jesus' teachings but are against the church.
- Through technology (social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to look for those that may be willing to join the FOTM.