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UNBELIEVABLE: Brethren | History Defined

Who are the Brethren and what do they believe in?

In recent days, investigative journalists have accused members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church of mobilising far-right influencers to harass and heckle Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as well as Labor and Greens candidates, during the 2025 federal election campaign.

The Conversation

Afternoon Update: Brethren church denies paying far-right activists to target election; Sydney Swans latest; and diamond-soled shoes

Religious organisation also denies claims it coordinated volunteers to support Liberal candidates across the country

The Guardian - AU

Brethren church denies paying far-right activists to stage election stunts targeting Albanese and others

Church director tells parliamentary inquiry reporting by Nine newspapers a ‘complete lie’

The Guardian - AU

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Church may be forced to front election influence probe

A Christian sect and a conservative action group could be compelled to front a parliamentary inquiry over their influence on the 2025 federal election.

AAP

Greens to call for inquiry into public funding of Exclusive Brethren schools

Advocacy group Save Our Schools also backs inquiry into funding for religious-linked institution that received more than $130m from taxpayers over five years

The Guardian - AU

Exclusive Brethren students exposed only to material that conforms to church’s ‘ethos’, former teachers claim

Former staff claim OneSchool Global network does not offer some subjects in year 11 and 12, including biology, but spokesperson says school students have taken ‘high level art, sciences and social studies’

The Guardian - AU

Lucrative building contracts for Exclusive Brethren schools awarded to businesses run by church members

Donations to school building funds are tax deductible, with Brethren-owned businesses across three states the beneficiaries

The Guardian - AU

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Wealthy Exclusive Brethren schools net almost $30m in disadvantage payments

The sect bans most women from paid work and restricts university attendance, insiders claim, and this has an unexpected benefit for network of aligned schools

The Guardian - AU

Students under near constant surveillance at Exclusive Brethren-linked schools, insiders claim

School laptops are allegedly monitored by a roster of church members, with parents sent summaries of their child’s internet use

The Guardian - AU

Morning Mail: inside Exclusive Brethren schools, French far right blocked from power, public transport deserts revealed

Years at school ‘darkest moments of my life’, former student says; left-green parties surge in French election; analysis reveals barriers to regular public transport in major cities

The Guardian - AU

Why Guardian Australia is investigating Exclusive Brethren schools

The sect’s OneSchool Global network has received generous support from Australian taxpayers while tightly controlling students and discouraging tertiary study

The Guardian - AU

Years at Exclusive Brethren school were ‘darkest moments of my life’, former student says

Ben Woodbury says school run by sect was not a safe environment for him, with limited access to external counselling services

The Guardian - AU

Plymouth Brethren: Man who grew up in church ‘cult’ said he attempted suicide after leaving

Gilli fled the church in 2012 at the age of 24 to be with his girlfriend

The Independent UK

Accounting firm controlled by Exclusive Brethren church to close after extraordinary ATO raid

It is not known if decision to shutter division of secretive sect’s umbrella company has any link to raid reportedly conducted ‘without prior notice’

The Guardian - AU

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The Guardian - UK

Romans, Druids and Camelot: the UK’s best ancient sites, as chosen by readers

Atmospheric forts, solstice circles and exquisite Roman mosaics feature in readers’ pick of the UK’s finest ancient monuments

The Canberra Times

Times Past: March 31, 1962

Two Canberra people claimed the Exclusive Order of the Plymouth Brethren had broken up their families.

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