A year after that, Bill DeLongs 23-year-old son Andrew was told he would serve 15 years in prison after admitting four counts of sexual assault against two children. Our family made it out although it was very difficult to leave. He concedes that he got the type of vehicle wrong but says it was a simple mistake. Within a short period of time, the country went from awarding military honors to Jewish soldiers and lauding Jewish scholars to denigrating and destroying them, he says. More Info Classroom Gallery Get a glimpse of our classes and workshops in this photo gallery. What was the basis behind the cult and did they use any pre-existing religious doctrines like the Bible and one of their own? But thats it. So no, no physical threats. Promotional materials distributed by your outlet, including all social media work, must include cites for the Observer and our reporter. From age 5, Sandy said she was sexually abused by two different men. A spokesperson for Child Protective Services said that every case is different, but using something other than your hand, leaving marks or bruises, or hitting in the face could constitute abuse. Crow, who left the group seven years ago, said young men growing up in the community are made to suppress their desires and sex drive. Among the signatories is Carolyn DeLong, Bill DeLongs wife, who according to court records, also knew about her husbands pedophilia a year before he went to police, allowing the abuse to continue. The closest the group came to providing evidence that anybody acted in bad faith is information it gave the Tribune-Herald about Watchman Fellowship researcher Phil Arnn. I had some substance abuse issues for a while because it was the first time I realized I could actually control the way I felt and I'd been depressed just about my entire life lol. Leaving you said it was difficult to leave, did many people come and go or was it more of a closed society? At least 20 people who were critical of the article contacted the magazine, says deputy managing editor Timothy Morgan. I lived in chalk bluff when I was younger. Homestead Heritage and Ploughshare's Beginnings He intends to plead guilty, according to the McLennan County DAs office. Partners must notify. Former Homestead members, anti-cult group accuse sect of deception The group noted that the attorney Elder hired became so impressed with the churchs handling of the matter he started bringing his family to Homestead Heritage events and continues to do so. Another charge leveled at the group to make it appear cultic, members say, is that leaders exercise authoritarian control. But the alleged victims refused to speak publicly, and the details of their stories couldnt be independently confirmed. r/AMA 6 yr. ago. Then hed berate somebody on the spot. She finds it hard to date people and often worries about the children still living in the community of Elm Mott outside of Waco. PDF Media. In an email, one elder, Dan Lancaster, wrote of the groups concern that countering in a public media forum a laundry list of sour grapes accusations and distortions would, at best, simply lend credence to a characterization of our community that is misleading. Instead, Lancaster suggested meeting in person to talk completely off the record. The Observer asked for a telephone interview instead. It's funny because they believed the world was going to end in y2k and people spent a fortune on huge water resivoires and all sorts of stuff like that but my dad didn't buy into it. More. He told me tonights broadcast is explosive stuff.. It was a cut-and-dried case, he said. He did everything he could shy of getting involved., In his statement to police(warning: graphic material), DeLong said he also told his wife, Carolyn, about his crimes a year before he gave himself up and that the couple just prayed and cried over what happened for a long time. The officer asked him if his wife ever told him to turn himself in and he said they just prayed and were hoping something would change.. Ex-members have intentionally tried to stoke those fears by comparing Homestead Heritage to the Branch Davidians and other cults, members say. George had been telling this man to turn himself in. They also believe people have an obligation to leave Homestead Heritage if they fail to keep walking in greater light meaning greater revelation from God or if they feel called to leave by God. Others helped with the story but, because they still have family members inside the community, refused to speak publicly. Sex is treated as an extremely taboo subject and it leads to a lot of weird behavior. The Bible says youre allowed to discipline children, but everything was magnified with Blair, she said. We all were. A Homestead Divided: Religious group fighting to preserve its image 64 reviews of Homestead Heritage "There is so much to see at Homestead Heritage, you should visit their website at www.homesteadheritage.com to get a good feel for all they offer. homestead heritage abusecarlton fisk hall of famecarlton fisk hall of fame Crow also has an explanation for his comments about medical care. List of Pennsylvania State Drug Abuse and Treatment Centers Cult, abuse: these words define a popular community located in Waco, Tx, known to most as Homestead Heritage, with perhaps a thousand or more faithful members. I pray to God and cry my tears. His attorney, Darren Obenoskey, told me what the church did or didnt know about his clients crimes never came up. I suggested to him that he should turn himself in and he said he would.. But my parents didnt have a clue. One of the things I learned after being in there is how you really can interpret the bible to say almost anything you want it to say with enough of a deceitful bias. But here is the method they use for new members. So happy you did this, so thanks for taking the time to share and answer questions! Homestead Heritage Does that make them a cult? However, Trimm came by his knowledge of Branch Davidian theology through legitimate study, Arnn said, and that knowledge is still sound. The group is led by a contingent of 20 men called ministers who are similar to what other churches call elders. Three members have been convicted of sexually assaulting minors. Another former member, Robin Engell, admits she once locked her 7-year-old child in a room for two weeks. And throughout, John said, all eyes were firmly fixed on Adams. I firmly believe that. 388 Halbert Lane, Waco, TX 76705 (254) 754-9604. About one fourth of them live on the Brazos de Dios community property, and the remainder live on their own personal properties in the surrounding area. Thanks! You can see it here. . Articles must link back to the original article and contain the following attribution at the top of the story: This article was originally published by the, Articles cannot be rewritten, edited or changed beyond alignments with house style books. Only then did he give himself up. He suspects the caller was a member of a New Zealand anti-cult group that he believes has had contact with an ex-member of Homestead Heritage. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.texasobserver.org/heritage-of-abuse/, https://www.texasobserver.org/wfaa-weighs-in-on-homestead-heritages-with-a-two-part-investigation/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elFvLVR0J6w. Again, the elitism claim is made because it fits the image of a cult, members say. Homestead Heritage certainly has its quirks, Olson says. Making the point that Watchman Fellowship claims to be a truth-discerning ministry, Homestead Heritage officials furnished documents which show that several articles on Watchman Fellowships site about Branch Davidians were written by a man named James Trimm. Visit Homestead Craft Village at Homestead Heritage I love you, yet you pushed me away. Ask me anything! He has been decried by numerous religious groups for misrepresenting and faking his credentials. Through the years, he says he has learned when something might be gained from meeting with group leaders and when it wont. Its the persons attitude. When you work these cases, you need all the help you can get as far as testimony is concerned, he said. I read once about a guy who's family was involved in Scientology and his mom finally packed up him and his brother and left their brainwashed dad and took off because they knew they wouldn't be able to leave any other way. In fact, according to court records, DeLong claimed the abuse stopped after he confessed to a church elder. Our family made it out although it was very difficult to leave. It was to set the record straight, especially for those outside the group to whom Elder had given his epistle. The group practices nonviolence. They don't practice any sort of sex Ed and enforce strict abstinence and it leads to a lot of the kids (and adults) doing some really weird sexual stuff. Contrary to Elders subsequent assertions, nothing in Homestead Heritages public response, issued in the form of a book, was confessed to a minister, the group says. Texas Observer exclusive: Waco religious group accused of child abuse, beatings and cover-ups. Its literature stresses simplicity, sustainability, self-sufficiency, cooperation, service and quality craftmanship. Every former member can speak of experiences that fit into these definitions perfectly. Every November, Homestead Heritage members show off their crafting, woodworking and agriculture skills at the well-attended Homestead Fair. And they preach that they are representatives of God. What started out at a lone complaint from a former member (who later decided it was too risky to continue providing me with information) evolved into a laborious quest to track down and authenticate allegations of abuse. he says. The group first tried community living at a ranch in Colorado, but eventually settled on a 500-acre farm in McLennan County, near Waco. Thats not to say nonmembers never come to Sunday meetings. Homestead Heritage leaders learned of the site three days after it was launched. Menus | Cafe Homestead in Waco, TX . Local ophthalmologist Scott Smith, 45, says hes all too familiar with the phenomenon. So there are a lot of allegations of abuse but I never personally experienced anything like that. Improve this listing Similar Experiences People would dance in the aisles and speak in tongues. Four members, I discovered, had been convicted of sexually assaulting minors, but I uncovered further allegations of sexual abuse of children that had never been reported to authorities. Man, I sat here for five solid minutes trying to think of anything I missed from those years and I honestly can't think of anything . Its forcing people not to be human., Janja Lalich, a sociology professor at California State University and author of two books on recovering from cults and abusive relationships, said sexual repression is one of most powerful ways that a group can exert control. 10/06/2020. But Homestead Heritage also believes there are other Christians every bit as sincere as they are. Shop eBooks and audiobooks at Rakuten Kobo. It lists hundreds of questions, including controversial ones like Did you find it necessary to cut off relationships with old friends and family when you joined this fellowship?; What do you believe about dating?; Who is your leader here? and Are you a cult? Blair Adams composed a number of the answers. He theorized founder Blair Adams wrote it. For the Circuit Court Clerk's 3rd . Thats all just a lie, Wheeler says. Whats really going on near Waco? Did you have any personal interaction with the founder at all? The rationalization that Elder and other ex-members have engaged in, the group says, has left those ex-members vulnerable to Watchman Fellowships manipulation.