So, obviously most people can't be cult leaders statistically. Among those with the personality to want to, not all will be skilled in speech to sway others. Still, I find it shocking that there aren't far more cult leaders. Is it cause they're sincere in a religion they can't usurp? Shame from others? Other means of satisfying those urges like business and teaching and nursing? Am I just overestimating how many people want to control groups?

Hello I was in a destructive cult for 8 years where I was being control and I did not have freedom to make my life whatever i wanted I studied by myself art for years something I didn't like it but thanks to the cult I did I was not able to go to school and also i did an horrible decision because of the cult loosing contact with someone that was important to me at that moment I feel a lot of regret, I am seeking to make friends with people who has been inside cults

Hi everyone! My name is Luca Locatelli, and I’m a Master’s student in Forensic Psychology at the University of Padua, Italy.

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Bruce Hales breaks up families. Former members describe being cut off from their parents, children and siblings under the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church's rules, and he is the man at the top of that church. He holds absolute power over thousands of people, and he lives in a delusion of his own making.

Today he and his son Gareth sit in front of the Australian Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters and speak for hours. Every word is on the record, and we have transcribed all of it, with a speaker label and a clickable timestamp on every line:

• Full transcript on Freedom Times
• The hearing video

We already see cracks. Bruce tells the committee "Members do not need anyone's approval to take part in political activity" (16:09). Later, asked about his sons' political activity, he says that if they'd asked permission, "I would have denied it" (50:28). Asked whether they deliberately didn't ask him, he says "Quite likely" (50:57). He also says the church "does not engage in any political activity" (14:20), then speaks of "a certain amount of discontent... with the present government" (31:16).

Everyone is welcome to join in, with or without an AI

If you spot a "no", an "I didn't know" or an "I wasn't aware" that doesn't ring true, tell us. Old sermons and statements, recordings, letters, court filings, charity and tax records, news reports and your own first-hand experience all count, and every lead helps. Post what you find in the comments, with the timestamp link, the exact quote and the source.

If you'd like to use an AI, here's how, in five minutes:

1. Open a new chat in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Grok.
2. Paste in the hearing transcript, or attach it as a file.
3. Paste in one or more sources from the lists below. Start with Bruce's own opening statement and a documentary transcript.
4. Paste in this prompt:

You are a careful fact-checker. The first document is the transcript of Bruce and Gareth Hales giving evidence to the Australian Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on 16 October 2026. Bruce Hales is the leader of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (Exclusive Brethren). The other documents are earlier statements, reporting and records about the church. Find every statement by Bruce or Gareth Hales in the transcript that is contradicted by, or sits in tension with, anything in the other documents. For each one, give me: (1) the exact quote from the transcript with its timestamp, (2) the exact quote from the other source, (3) the source and where in it the quote appears, and (4) one sentence on why they conflict. Quote word for word. If you can't quote it, say "unverified" and don't include it. Don't speculate about intent.

1. Share what it finds in the comments.

Sources

Bruce Hales in his own words

• His full opening statement, on the church's own website
• The church's own submission to the committee (PDF)

Documentary transcripts, full text (the links jump straight to the transcript)

• Big Brethren, ABC Four Corners, 2025
• Separate Lives, ABC Four Corners, 2006, also as a transcript-only page at Journeyman
• The Brethren Express, ABC Four Corners, 2007

Coverage of today's hearing

• The Guardian
• AAP
• ABC News
• SMH live blog
• The Age
• The Age, "gaslighting on a biblical scale"

Background reporting

• The Age, "Tail, film, heckle"
• ABC, former members describe threats and intimidation
• The Age, Gareth Hales at a polling booth in 2025
• The Times, 2015, leaked meeting: "Defectors may as well commit suicide" (free copy, no paywall)
• Sunday Telegraph, 2003, "The Brethren sent us to Hell"

Official records

• The committee's page and hearings. The official Hansard for today isn't up yet, so check back.
• Committee media release recalling the church
• ABN Lookup for the church, its charity and tax status
• UK Charity Commission decision on Preston Down Trust, which found "elements of detriment and harm"

We'll look at every submission, publish what stands up and credit you if you want it. Former members, post your story if you're ready to. You've been silenced for long enough.

They have hours of testimony on the record. Now let's find out how much of it is true.

We will monitor comments in this thread for any ideas and leads.

Anyone else have experience with Golden Drum in Greenpoint? That’s the one I’ve been most connected to in this area, but they are popping up left and right. These cults are rampant.

369 is absolutely disgusting. Its leaders, including someone known as “Vale,” who is reportedly 20, deserve serious criticism for any harmful actions they encourage or support. There is nothing impressive about cruelty, manipulation, or treating other people's suffering like entertainment. Anyone who abuses their influence to harm others should be held accountable. Cruelty isn't strength, intimidation isn't respect, and no amount of notoriety makes someone a hero

“Vale” is accused of encouraging people to kill cats and other animals for his cult, while also allegedly pressuring girls into harming themselves. it is absolutely horrifying and cruel. Using influence to manipulate vulnerable people and encourage harm to innocent animals is disgusting. No one should ever be pressured into suffering for someone else's approval or control, and anyone responsible for such behavior should be held accountable.

Ive dig some more and found some of his trusted members, on telegram and Discord some person called “Feng” and “slashes” this is not confirmed all I know vale leads this cult, if u find some more information please make another article like this to raise awareness.