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Philosophy/religion

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Original poster

Can anyone tell me what religion this is??

26 replies

mykidsmum · 11/01/2006 18:09

Hi people, I am quite friendly with a lovely mum at school who wears a small triangular headscarf. I would love to ask her about her religion but for some reason have found it difficult to broach the subject. Can anyone tell me what her religion is likely to be?? I know they don't celebrate xmas thats about as much info as i have TIA

OP posts:
collision · 11/01/2006 18:11

Plymouth Brethren.

collision · 11/01/2006 18:12

they dont do Xmas or watch TV or computers and the kids will go home for lunch as they are not allowed to eat with other people.

collision · 11/01/2006 18:13

They have very long hair and dont wear makeup.

Original poster
mykidsmum · 11/01/2006 18:13

Yes they do go home for lunch, now that is a new one to me, not allowed to eat with others, does that mean I can't ask her ds to tea?

OP posts:
Original poster
mykidsmum · 11/01/2006 18:14

Yep long hair and no make up, very attractive woman though, doesn't actually need make up

OP posts:
Original poster
mykidsmum · 11/01/2006 18:15

What about birthdays

OP posts:
collision · 11/01/2006 18:15

No he wont be allowed to go to your house for tea. They arent allowed to cut their hair either which is why the hair is so long.

pinkmagic1 · 11/01/2006 18:16

Never heard of these, what do they believe in. I am intrigued.

collision · 11/01/2006 18:16

I think they do birthdays but it wont be a 'normal' birthday as you know it and your ds prob wont be invited to go.

collision · 11/01/2006 18:17

They are very religious and can often be seen shouting out scriptures outside on the High Street.

They believe in Jesus and heaven and hell.

Original poster
mykidsmum · 11/01/2006 18:18

They do drink though, as we have talked about what we drink

OP posts:
pinkmagic1 · 11/01/2006 18:18

so it is a christian religion, is it a cult?

collision · 11/01/2006 18:21

No, no, it isnt a cult. they are all interbred though and have to marry within the religion and are often people they have grown up with.

They are a bit like the Amish from that Harrison Ford film.

purpleturtle · 11/01/2006 18:21

I think you'd probably call it a Christian sect, rather than cult.

Original poster
mykidsmum · 11/01/2006 18:22

Thanks collision, off to google, i take it as computers are forbidden we will have no members on here!

OP posts:
collision · 11/01/2006 18:22

Nope!!

Original poster
mykidsmum · 11/01/2006 18:23

They do have their own website though

OP posts:
collision · 11/01/2006 18:24

how strange. what is it?

SoupDragon · 11/01/2006 18:24

A previous thread here which has a few links on i

Original poster
mykidsmum · 11/01/2006 18:32

plymouthbrethren.com and plymouthbrethren on line, did a google and these came up was quite suprised!

OP posts:
MrsSpoon · 11/01/2006 18:32

Very strange, don't know anything about them at all, although have heard the name. I find it very odd that they don't eat with other people, didn't Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners. Would love to know the reasons why, although as has already been said there are very unlikely to be any members on MN.

Recently read Jodi Picoult's Plain Truth, a story about an Amish girl and it made a very interesting read.

collision · 11/01/2006 22:29

Hi Mrs S.

The reason they dont eat with others is to do with that scripture about eating with tax collectors and sinners. and the scrip about the braiding of the hair is why they dont cut it or wear makeup.

I have met a lot in my time and they are 'different' and can be quite rude although I think they are peaceable people and wouldnt go to war.

ghosty · 11/01/2006 22:45

We lived next door to the largest 'exlusive' brethren church in NZ before we moved to where we live now.

This is what I make of them:
Very very religious
Follow the bible literally
Apart from driving cars and having electricity and modern basics they keep themselves separate from the modern world ... no radio, no tv, no newspapers. Do not want the modern world corrupting the minds of their children.
Work in businesses with eachother ... try if at all possible not to work outside the group.
Kids go home for lunch (again to avoid corruption)
Older kids get exempt from learning some things in national exams ... most secondary kids home educated (again to avoid corruption) and for example might not need to read all the books on the English lit syllabus if deemed unsuitable by church elders.
Girls definitely trained to be at home and be married and have children. Boys expected to go out to work and provide for families.

Not very friendly or approachable ... never ever said hello or good morning or even smiled when we were in the garden. Kept themselves to themselves. Definitely had the feeling that they saw us as dangerous evil people!

Neighbour on the other side of us was born into the exclusive brethren and as adults she and her husband decided to leave the church (didn't give me details as to why). As a result she was shunned by her family and her parents never spoke to her again . She never even knew that they died when they did. She was a lovely old lady who very honestly told me what a terrible and dangerous sect it was. Her brother lived in the next street and they hadn't spoken for 45 years

I am talking of the very strict 'Exclusive Brethren' ... there are more 'open' brethren churches that are not so strict.

Ellbell · 13/01/2006 00:42

Open brethren are fairly indistinguishable from most other fairly strict protestant religions. I knew a family well. The father was an 'elder' in their church, but he also often preached in other local churches (methodist and similar). The women did not wear headscarves, though they would cover their heads in church. As I understand it, they follow the teachings of St Paul to the early Church quite closely (women not allowed to speak in church, and so on). Didn't know about not celebrating Christmas. The people I knew wouldn't do anything 'un-spiritual' (watching telly, going out, having fun, etc.) on a Sunday (though they would set the video on Saturday to tape things to watch later). I guess my description doesn't make it sound a whole lot of fun, but just wanted to make it clear that not everyone is as extreme as the people mentioned in some of the other posts.

prairiemuffin · 13/01/2006 12:24

She might not be PB, you know. I think it'd be worth asking her. I cover my head, have long hair, and we do things very differently. But we're not PB. We're run of the mill baptist. Like I say, ask her, I'm sure she won't mind.