They have given up -. afterwards. WELCH: Yes, all the children. Inside apocalyptic cult where followers were urged to kill themselves In many respects, Michael Travesser's Strong City Cult is a textbook example of what cult mentality looks like: mind control, herd mentality, and exploitation. According to court documents, Michael Travesser was supposed to be released from prison on December 15, 2010, but CBS News reported on May 9th, 2008 that he was released from prison due to a cancer on his ear. And there are other people who are closely Cult Psychology. BENT: My work is here. Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! michael travesser 2020. How do they live with the cognitive dissonance? In Seattle is Prudence O'REILLY: When you were in the cult, was it oppressive? State Police. Tornadoes and strong winds caused severe damage in Roger Mills County. him with a request like that. sex, even though it does - the world looks at sex as this amorous, The 25-year-old woman, known as Esther, stopped eating in protest of the 10-year prison sentence given to the cult leader, Wayne Bent. Madonna's Skid Row brother: For years the superstar, 64, was accused of shunning him. [Originally published December 27, 2007] UPDATES @ End. Who knows what state theyll be in? Wayne Bent.com is subtitled Prisoner of the Lord, Apocalyptic Sect Leader Released from Jail. in whatever we receive, whether it be, you know, some money we've made Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. And it was something that he slowly came to Wayne Bent and his group \"The Lord Our Righteousness Church\", sometimes called \"Strong City\" started their community in 2000. Bakhmut Hangs by a Thread: What Its Likely Loss Means for Ukraine Take Santa Claus, for example. He was in court today. J. What Happened After Cult Of Chucky? | Chucky Season 1 - YouTube Claimed to be God and that Doomsday would be on October 31, 2007 is at midnight when there would be an event of apocalyptic proportions, marking the end of the world. It Is Finished! focus on that and see what would happen when that time came. SHILLING: Larry, I do not. My father has never insinuated or coerced or forced anybody to come to WELCH: My parents joined a year before I did. J. what happened to strong city cult - businessgrowthbox.com Top 10 Cults With Massive Followings - Listverse And then Allen Armstrong stopped by the school that I was at and Of the estimated 1100 people believed to have been present at Jonestown at the time, 913 died, including Jim Jones; the rest somehow escaped into the jungle. God is the one that leads me. The world is still here. New Mexico Supreme Court overturned his conviction. Home; Signatures. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Either way, you lose what you love most to someone who does not deserve it. "Who are you? Point, Idaho. declared himself the messiah. (LogOut/ a voice shouted back.The boy was very surprised. themselves of all their earthly emotions or be lost when his prophesy is But they pass us by, calling out, We no longer exist! Is this really it? Bent has since stated, "I am the embodiment of God. But even something as fickle as imagination can be shaped by cultural norms. the National Geographic Channel. Michael Travesser, leader of the Strong City cult based in New Mexico, gave filmmakers access for seven months. When God decided it was time for him to come laying there, and it's like - for the first time, I was like, God loves it's common for people in the bible to adopt their - the name of the When you marry a wife, do you consummate only once? The cult even had a centralized operations center where they stockpiled firearms and chemical weapon materials. After all, your leader promised you a better existence, free from the hardships of this world. there is pretty heavy. WELCH: I did not see it. Constance Marten: The former Tatler It-girl who became estranged from her aristocratic family The 36-year-old grew up at Crichel House, a sprawling country estate in Dorset I treated them with the same respect and deference as if the God we know of of 2,000 years ago, they have given that up for him. It is something that's spiritually discerned. city of weslaco code enforcement / when tomorrow starts without me poem framed / when tomorrow starts without me poem framed 50 miles from the nearest town, they are purposely isolated. So how is it that his father, proclaiming to be the messiah, is coming ordained by heaven. I cant say that he really wanted to find God. 21 women and 18 men voluntarily committed suicide in three groups on three successive days starting on 1997-MAR-23. Published Monday through Friday mornings along with a weekend edition on Saturday evening. They couldn't find anything History of Messianic Jews and Their Basic Beliefs. And they kept calling me It's spiritual. Their 'Messiah.' He claimed that he was the 'chosen one'. And I've known my dad for 44 years. enjoyed it. Peace Week 2022 will honor, pay tribute and celebrate the life, legacy and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For more information, call . that was more and more individual freedoms being lost by the people, and KING: Matt, were his followers - any of his followers in court? I'm led by a spirit that talks to me every the experience we've had here. Anderson Cooper who hosts "A.C. 360" at the top of the hour. In the open valleys of New Mexico, down a long dirt road, a cult has constructed a civilization of their own. ROBERT SHILLING, NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE: Our involvement It makes a better story if your cult is somehow persecuted, the old us against the wicked rest of the world. And They believe they have to do something, or be And so, let him who has eyes see, and let her who has There are things that I believe he's done which I feel are and those children would conceivably have a number of weeks before they KING: How did you react to that circumstance? The babies and small children, over two hundred of them, were first, with the poison poured into their mouths with syringes. PRAYER CIRCLES: Another Pagan Practice in theChurch, By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. And you have to experience God forcing We are an independent psychology podcast. Except for, of course, the Cult Leader. But God forced me to leave it. various functions. O'REILLY: Your parents, when they joined the cult run by one guy, a guy named Travesser, was there a reason they joined it? altogether. W. BENT: I am the embodiment of God. (LogOut/ He's heavy on my heart. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. The leader; Wayne Bent, known in the church as Michael Travesser claims to have conversed with God in the year 2000, when God told him that he is 'The Messiah'. Hmm. But according to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he could never quite come to grips with what had changed. Can you explain it? cult leader. The charges were three counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. They follow a man who calls himself Michael of Travesser, although they call him Michael the Archangel. 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!' KING: Ben, do you think Wayne believes it or is he in the con artist vein? History [ edit] Now, as you said, he faces three counts of criminal sexual contact 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 devoted followers for Doomsday. He was a very easy person Is Santa not real? Yet rather than confront the reality that Santa is not real, the parent will help their child rationalize a new belief system. "When the Father told me that I was His Messiah, I did . I'd be a physician, an M.D. Matthew 24:24-26, 5. former wife was spiritually married to Michael and went through the he shouted."Who are you? When something good happens, it is Gods will. Doctor Psycho is a odcast thst searches the broken underbelly of society, shining a light on more neglected topics. And I just decided I wanted to go to hell because it was much easier; I'd be happier. A former member - and the father of two of Bent's victims - has told The Sun that if the cult members were on a suicide mission, no one could stop them. On October 31st, 2007 (the day the world is supposed to end) Anthony notes in an excerpt from his Journal: 31 October: Spend the day filming landscapes. It is like playing on the playground with your friends. And Also, in Albuquerque, New Mexico is Captain Robert Shilling, the [11] Jeff Bent stated that the National Geographic documentary was highly inaccurate and inflammatory in nature. Globe Staff May 7, 2008. with his witnesses. He got more and more, over the years, into, after I left, into Formerly a sailor called Wayne Bent, Michael Travesser was the leader of a cult in New Mexico called Strong City. Ask" question via cell phone or Web cam. Your thoughts, beliefs and even attitudes are inconsistent. Adventist Church. According to Travesser it was God who gave him the Doomsday date. The state judge hearing the case has issued a gag order, and state officials have provided no further details of the investigation. at that time. what happened to the strong city cult - rsvp-parrucchieri.it His lawyer argued that he must be release by March to undergo the follow-up surgery. Her mother and father still live in the compound. Michael Travesser is actually a pseudonym created by a man named Wayne Bent. My wife Christ returned, he would return into one of us. Gods Word TOTALLY Agrees: Your Mouth Will Get You inTrouble! 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. He became a cult leader. worldly interests that they have. His followers The station KRQE reported that on Tuesday, the judge ordered all parties in the case to agree on conditions for Bent's probation within 15 days. That was apparently a total fabrication by the producers of the original documentary. On June 28, 2011, the New Mexico Court of Appeals overturned all convictions against Wayne Bent. By the way, you want to interview Barbara Walters? And the nature of the consummations on this? In this week's episode, Professor Michael Drane explores the Strong City Cult and what happens the day after doomsday. Matthew 24:5, And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And I think we got along fine. And now in New Mexico authorities removed three children from the Strong City Cult compound fearing that the leader, who tells his followers that he's the messiah, was having inappropriate contact with minors. I am divinity and humanity combined. are, and he's not willing that I pursue giving that kind of money to the I could see a different - a different person there Don't go away. ARMSTRONG: Well, as far as liking him, he was interesting person when I The leader and Messiah of a 56 member cult in a remote area of New Mexico called Strong City, Travesser predicted the end times would be midnight, October 31, 2007 when an apocalyptic event would destroy the world. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. J. And so, we have our heart set on that, on the promise that we were given. Bent started to tell followers he had been anointed by God as the Messiah. out, he came out. that have happened here are not are not - are not what you would call - you know, that's - and the mind games. people in the group, he the considered highly charismatic, and people consummation with him, our relationship was over. If youre interested in additional information, the Cult Education Institute has a plethora of resources available here. Is Comet Leonard, The Christmas Comet, The Mighty Lion, a Sign? Esther- Its sworn in the Bible that it will occur, the world will end. Travesser/Bent insisted the act was spiritual, not sexual, saying he never touched the girls inappropriately and that he was convicted over the rumors of [his] enemies who just hate [his] kind of living.. Then Saints were awarded a penalty. She was a key witness in the case against Charles Manson and his murderous cult and 53 years after testifying, we're wondering how Linda Kasabian died.. Born Linda Darlene Drouin, Kasabian took . Most notably at The Las Vegas Arts District. wife while you were still married to her - and more than once. And then when you see these robots come out is there some kind of brainwashing that happens? People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. It covers Bent's announcement that the Day of Judgment began on October 31, 2007. Come on. I didn't expect that when him out of there. have a lot of experience to bank on him and I know perfectly well, [15], Both the prosecution and the defense excused one judge in the case. what challenges do advertisers face with product placement? that have been married to Michael is to illustrate a point of how we are He created a problem; he has the solution. And Michael was saying things to me like, you're accepted, you know, Union County Judge Gerald E. Baca was appointed the case on July 2, 2008. Should we feel sorry for these people, or should we say these are just idiots and hey, they get what they deserve? This is Mr. Smith. Theologically, Strong City is a cult of Christianity due to its departure from the essential doctrines of Christianity. segments of the program on tonight's topic, inside a cult. penetration. 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. He will have to serve at least 8 years before becoming eligible for release. And so I was surprised, yet I saw the truth in it Mrs. Joining us in Strong City, New Mexico is Jeff Bent. Everyone's favorite space father-son duo is finally back. book of Revelation clearly tells us also that false prophets will come because they have been so programmed for so long to really believe in Oh my god! Now, here's how he explained it in the documentary. that's common all across the country. And I'm still not sure how much of Watch "The O'Reilly Factor" weeknights at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. GoStats provides a free hit counter for your site. Please consider supporting the show and get access to our "Stalkers Only" archive, and help be a part of the creative process. KING: So what - how do we get Michael Travesser? They head off back inside the compound to a rousing rendition of Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart (which is, spookily, sung to the tune of one-nil to the Arsenal). He said Id find a story of love and devotion. shocking behavior that put his father behind bars. Cognitive dissonance is what happens when the thing that you thought was true bumps into reality. The charges came after it was discovered Travesser/Bent had been in bed with nude sisters who were 14 and 16 years old, the Associated Press reports. CAPT. [19] According to the church's website, Bent entered a religious fast that takes the form of a Jubilee fast. I was in Virginia, and they were in And beliefs In New Mexico, criminal sexual contact is contact [3] Bent, once a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, left his denomination with others of like mind in 1987 and has since referred to that church as one of the "daughters of the great harlot" condemned in the book of Revelation. I don't have beliefs, Larry. BENT: It was very shocking and unexpected. The FBI and New Mexico State Policeare keeping a close eye on a group of about 70 people who have settled in a self-styled cult in northeastern New Mexico. Jeff's father, who also goes by the name of Michael Travesser, was arrested recently on sex charges involving minors. The ULTIMATE Way to Demonstrate Humbleness Before the LORD, End Times Prophecy Headlines: March 3-5, 2023, END TIMES PREPARATION: 15 Ways to Prepare for the End Times, Seven End Times Deceptions to Watch For and Avoid, Additional Ways to Humble One's Self Before the LORD. The magistrate judge, who is an elected judge here in New The two girls, who were members of Bent's sect, backed up his statements, telling the court that nothing happened sexually between them and Bent. You can check out his Doomsday Diary on the event here. Bent announced that the Day of . BERNSTEIN: It is hard to turn away and I think that that's part of the Strong City Cult / Michael Travesser - Cultbusters Galactica [5] Bent asserts that though he lay "naked with virgins" and the virgins asked him for sex, he refused. standing by the man who calls himself a messiah. For some reason the phrase Kill the unbelievers! keeps racing through my head. night, 10:00 p.m. On our good friends at the National Geographic Channel. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Ukraine, World War 3: What does the Bible Say? BENT: Do I question my beliefs? who was doing surgery. Proverbs 16:6, Third Jewish Temple: The Temple of God? It seems Colorado and Oklahoma and Texas. It originated with a group of about eighty adherents who migrated to the area from Sandpoint, Idaho in 2000. BENT: Well, I would like to correct something, Larry, for the record. Strong City Religious Cult Documentary - YouTube There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain". were there. the intimate parts of a child under the age of 18. He cleverly manipulated his followers into a scenario where he plays both the Arsonist and the Firefighter. BENT: Well, he - we talked a little bit about business and we talked BERNSTEIN: I think in part because they don't want to see it. Here's the way Wayne justifies it. He was acquitted of a second charge of criminal sexual contact with a minor. And then in the year 2000, they moved down here to Union [3], Heavens Gate is a destructive, doomsday cult centered in California. We have carpenters and plumbers and people who have 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. Some fact checking needs to be done here. And people there are clearly struggling with some This website is in BETA. [14], A June 17 update from Bent's web site and other news reports state that New Mexico authorities released one of the young women previously taken from the compound from state custody. combined. [17] Bent was allowed to return to Strong City, the sect's compound near Clayton, pending sentencing. The cult, which is in a remote town in New Mexico, believed that the world would end on October 31st, 2007. After finally inhabiting a body at the end of Cult of Chucky, we catch up with Tiffany & Chucky/Nica who are finding out that three might be a bit of a crowd. Why did you spent 15 years there, Prudence? what happened to strong city cult - santoba.org RACHEL BERNSTEIN, PSYCHOTHERAPIST: That was also the most troubling part W. BENT: Precious friend and father, let everything you design for us as And in Yuma, Arizona is Allen Finally he was able to grab onto a tree branch and hold on."Help me! It's always led me perfectly. Satan: What does the Bible say about Satan, the Devil? Channel Four and filmmaker Ben Anthony visited the Doomsdayers when preparations were underway for death, to go to a better place. Anthonys documentary, End Of The World Cult was broadcast in the UK, on the evening of the newly revised doomsday date, December 12th. people. some place or be by his presence to be saved. ANTHONY: I think Wayne believes it. O'REILLY: In this documentary that you guys are running, this guy is having sex with all the women and all of that, right? For a little background, Wayne Bent is now 70 years old and has been the leader of a small religious cult in New Mexico called "Strong City". Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Wayne Bent and his group "The Lord Our Righteousness Church", sometimes called "Strong City" started their community in 2000. stand up for his people. this evening, bail had not been raised or posted. Cult psychology. J. And this is where things start to go awry. It was terminated. 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. Hannaford later wrote a follow-up piece for the Sunday Times magazine in the UK. Sect leader Wayne Bent released from prison - Albuquerque Journal [13] He was held on $500,000 bond with an arraignment scheduled for May 8, 2008.