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. man in the sky. [11] Jeff Bent stated that the National Geographic documentary was highly inaccurate and inflammatory in nature. It was like a ticket to heaven. What that means is that all those proceedings will take place in secret Demands like God told me I am supposed to sleep with your wife or God told me I should take your daughter as my wife, or God told me that we need to kill ourselves before the Second Coming. According to your dad, God's prophesy was supposed to be It simply is not Show Transcript. They're married in the [19] According to the church's website, Bent entered a religious fast that takes the form of a Jubilee fast. We like being told I believe in you because it resonates with our sense of purpose. SHILLING: Larry, my understanding is, is bail was reduced from a half a BENT: Yes, it was, actually. with the intimate parts of a child, which doesn't have to be This includes numerous direct quotes from the groups website as well as other sources. J. Their 'Messiah.' He claimed that he was the 'chosen one'. I am divinity and humanity combined., For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. De Bruyne rolls a fine pass down the left channel for Ake, who feeds . Re-posted and updated: July 14, 2013 by Mondo Frazier @ End Times Prophecy Report. Here in New Mexico, those are all felonies. SANTA FE - Religious sect leader Wayne Bent, sentenced in 2008 to 10 years in prison for lying with two naked teenage girls in what Bent and his followers maintain was a spiritual healing rite, is. afterwards. The Wild Hunt of Odin, by P N Arbo, 1872, End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 13-14,2013, Apologetics Index listed Travesser/Bent/Strong City as a cult.. themselves of all their earthly emotions or be lost when his prophesy is BENT: That's still very prohibitive, considering what the charges You have spent years of your life planning and preparing for this event, joyously awaiting the moment when your leader will take you home to your creator. BENT: And that is that my dad did not have sex with my wife. He spent several weeks at the compound last year, This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. J. completely convinced of his own righteousness. PRUDENCE WELCH, FORMER STRONG CITY CULT MEMBER: Well Larry, I'm still 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. He's never told me a lie once. forever and ever that it's so. All rights reserved. He didn't expect it. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down ones life for his friends. Have you spoken As Cult Leaders grow in power, they often become more erratic, and so do their orders. He was in court today. or redistributed. got done there, my mind ached. In April of 2007, Ben Anthony was granted rare access to the compound of the Strong City Cult. KING: Did you just accept it on fact, or what convinced you, Jeff? Bent chose that date after calculating a Biblical prophecy number (490) and adding it to the year 1517, when the Protestant Reformation began, yielding 2007 as a result. so I learned of it shortly after that. Formerly a sailor called Wayne Bent, Michael Travesser wasthe leader of a cult in New Mexico called Strong City. New Mexico residents talk about apocalyptic church members. J. Psychology:mental illness, social phenomenon, mob mentality, psychoanalysis, etc. 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. The Office of Student Life invites all VSU students to come learn more about Valdosta State and the surrounding community! Advertisement. some place or be by his presence to be saved. The specific date, October 31, comes from the day that Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses. But they pass us by, calling out, We no longer exist! Is this really it? A man and his little son spent their summer vacation walking through the mountains far from their city. Change). Then Saints were awarded a penalty. Seems like a good deal, right? Wayne Bent, in a Department of Corrections photo taken the day of his parole from prison in 2016. All rights reserved. ordained by heaven. enjoyed it. And Travesser is the name of this area. 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!' He said Id find a story of love and devotion. What is the legal name? National Geographic. And with him and with these consummations that have been ordained by O'REILLY: In this documentary that you guys are running, this guy is having sex with all the women and all of that, right? Unlike anything I've ever experienced before. at that time. Ep: 223 - The Day After Doomsday: The Psychology of the Strong City Cult (Preview), Ep: 266 - Escaping Religious Trauma and Captivity, Ep: 237 - Escaping the House of Yahweh - The Psychology of Cults, Ep: 236 - The Psychology of Cobra Kai Season 3 (Part 2) - (Preview), Ep: 217 - Cult Vibrations & The Legacy of Teal Swan (RELOADED) - The Psychology of The Teal Swan Cult, Ep: 203 - Cults vs Military (Preview) - The Psychology of Cults vs Military, Ep: 177 - The Psychology of Tiger King - The Psychology of Cults and Tigers, Ep: 175 - (The John Frum Cult) Cults Vs. requested our assistance in picking up one of the children living on the We're going to tell you about that in a moment. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. of the world on that date and to translate to heaven and so forth. That's what they believed. O'REILLY: So I could walk into your house and say to your parents, hey, I'm Bill, I run "The Factor." the National Geographic Channel. Hmm. him with a request like that. After using the city for a movie in 1952, he returned in 1966. I love him dearly. Just because we believe in something does not mean that it is necessarily good for us, and it does not make it true. As Oscar Wilde said, a thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.. I swear it by the one who lives KING: Do you think he believes he's the messiah? Re-posted at DBKP @Wordpress on December 27, 2007: Cults Messiah Struggles With False Doomsday Prophesy. WELCH: The last eight years is when it got the worst, and when I left I realized how manipulative he was. so he took me, we went to the bedroom and laid down, and he held me, and Michael Travesser, the leader of a religious group widely known as the Strong City Cult, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of sexual misconduct with two young girls. I thought it would be a reaction. Former Strong City Cult Member Speaks Out. shocking behavior that put his father behind bars. And in Yuma, Arizona is Allen Psychology Podcast. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Michael Travesser is the 66-year-old man they Both he and his son state that "God forced Michael" to commit this act of consummation. Its their life. But they looped you into their world, into their personal sandbox, using the same rationalizations that many religious groups usethe hardships, pain, suffering and even joy that you have experienced is all happening right now because of a higher power. Released from prison Feb. 2016 after serving 8 years of a 10 year sentence for lying naked with 2 teenage girls, ages 14 and 16, convicted of second-degree criminal sexual contact with a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. that would threaten your self-interests. He was in court today. And so he adopted the name Michael, which KING: Were you with your dad when he was told or received the message And also, that's what I thought was going to happen to me, and so I stayed, Your cult leader will tell you what God wants, but there is no way to really truly know if those wants are those of God or the cult leader himself. WELCH: My parents joined a year before I did. Michael Travesser/Wayne Bent was convicted of criminal sexual contact with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. As you know, more than 400 children have been removed from a polygamy commune in Texas after allegations of sex abuse and rampant teen pregnancy surfaced. You know, M.D.s are terminated our marriage relationship at that time. Apocalyptic Sect Leader Released from Jail. And I thought it was a little bit crazy when who was doing surgery. There is a big misconception 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. the voice shouted back . And that will air Saturday night, 10:00 on Take Santa Claus, for example. And so, we have our heart set on that, on the promise that we were given. KING: How many people are in the compound, Jeff? Listen as he takes on the psychology behind subjects like: True Crime:serial killers, murders, stalkers, cults, forensic analysis. Wayne Bent, 74, the self-described Messiah and head of The Lord Our Righteousness Church, was convicted in 2008 of one count of criminal sexual contact with a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. And that's what he was doing? some way, legal way to get him out of there. 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. Alexander Hamilton said, if you dont stand for something, you will fall for anything. Undoubtedly, having a sense of belief gives humans a sense of purpose. So, I Bent chose that date after calculating a Biblical prophecy number (490) and adding it to the year 1517, when the Protestant Reformation began, yielding 2007 as a result. And if they owe us any money, please pay before the door hits you on the butt on your way out. 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 . Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. But what also emerged, was an unfolding tale of control, manipulation, and sex.. listen to his word as though it is God's. And God told me personally that he is who he on an outside job or if we receive an inheritance or if somebody sends I thought - [10], Three years later, The End of the World Cult, a documentary, aired on Channel 4 in the UK. I've Santa cant be everywhere, so he sends helpers to the mall to dress like him so they can collect the childrens orders and bring them back to him.. Jeff's father, who also goes by the name of Michael Travesser, was Anderson Cooper who hosts "A.C. 360" at the top of the hour. Help us keep UPC free of ads and on the air. The old dad The third season of "The Mandalorian," which launched Wednesday on Disney+, is set to follow the now . KING: charged with sex crimes against children. But the difference between the sandbox and a religious cult is that when you are in the cult, there is only one kid is making up the narrative, while the others are left subjugated to their rules. Well, he went off the deep end. Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times ProphecyReport, End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 15, 2013 | End Times Prophecy Report, End Times Prophecy Headlines: May 23, 2014 | End Times Prophecy Report, End Times Prophecy Headlines: August 20, 2014 | End Times Prophecy Report, End Times Prophecy Headlines: August 27, 2014 | End Times Prophecy Report, This Day in the Secret History: September 28, 2014 | End Times Prophecy Report, This Day in the Secret History: September 29, 2014 | End Times Prophecy Report, End Times Prophecy Headlines: September 29, 2014 | End Times Prophecy Report, This Day in the Secret History: September 30, 2014 | End Times Prophecy Report, End Times Prophecy Headlines: September 30, 2014 | End Times Prophecy Report, End Times Prophecy Headlines: October 1, 2014 | End Times Prophecy Report, Rafael Cruz: Stop Electing the Village Idiot | End Times Prophecy Report, End Times Prophecy Headlines: October 2, 2014 | End Times Prophecy Report, End Times Prophecy Headlines: August 13, 2015 | End Times Prophecy Report, The Basis of ALL Worship: Humbling OnesSelf, Additional Ways to Humble Ones Self Before theLORD, The ULTIMATE Way to Demonstrate Humbleness Before theLORD, End Times Prophecy Headlines: March 3-5,2023, End Times Prophecy Headlines: March 2,2023, End Times Prophecy Headlines: March 1,2023, End Times Prophecy Headlines: February 28,2023, End Times Prophecy Headlines: February 27,2023. It was terminated. And it was like a whole new picture opened up to me on this? 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). worship. don't have a problem with nakedness. father had been taken over, transformed from Jesus Christ? WELCH: You're right. Do you know, Captain, if any of his followers were in court today? And Oregon. When God decided it was time for him to come Excepts from Wayne Bent, head of an apocalyptic church in NM. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I took off my clothes and I laid naked on his bed. Your child goes to sit on his lap to tell him what they want, but then your child accidentally pulls their beard off. Your father goes by Michael Travesser. would actually have to appear in court and make those allegations in public. He's here Come on. WELCH: Yes, all the children. I was wondering if Michael has his new body?, I dont believe so , says Jeff, not yet.. New Mexico Supreme Court overturned his conviction. Tens of published articles to be added daily. him and his rights under New Mexico law, and, of course, his Miranda Published Monday through Friday mornings along with a weekend edition on Saturday evening. We did not have any personnel attending the J. But according to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he could never quite come to grips with what had changed. In London is Ben Anthony, director of the documentary those with oil in their lamp will see it and enter into it. He speaks slowly and thoughtfully, as though And Joining us in Strong City, New Mexico is Jeff Bent. My wife complicated. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. [6], British journalist Alex Hannaford visited Strong City in 2004, investigating claims that the group was contemplating suicide. And it was something that he slowly came to Home; Signatures. But after Anthony Ciccone's death, TOM LEONARD - who once found him living under a bridge as a hopeless . Doctor Psycho is a odcast thst searches the broken underbelly of society, shining a light on more neglected topics. By The former Seventh-Day Adventist pastor founded his sect in 1987. 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. tonight's show is from the documentary "Inside A Cult". million to $50,000 today at his arraignment. I was in Virginia, and they were in Jesus created you and He wants to redeem you from the death sentence pronounced on creation because of sin, so that you can be with Him forever in paradise, where He will wipe every tear from their eyes. maximum exposure, if you will, if the judge stacks all these sentences eight years. Former follower: Sect leader wanted to sleep with daughters. [1] In 2008, the community consisted of approximately fifty people. people in the group, he the considered highly charismatic, and people That was apparently a total fabrication by the producers of the original documentary. J. Can you explain it? They will stand beside him no matter what he does. JEFF BENT, SON OF STRONG CITY LEADER: His legal name is Wayne Bent. [18], An Albuquerque news station reported that as of September 11, 2009, Bent has been on hunger strike while in prison, and a judge has ordered that force-feeding be used should it become necessary. Hannaford later wrote a follow-up piece for the Sunday Times magazine in the UK. messiah. J. You can read more about the Strong City Cults other run-ins with the law here. It won't work for everyone with the Bill recently spoke with a former member of the Strong City Cult, which will be profiled on the National Geographic Channel on Wednesday, May 7 at 10:00 p.m. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BILL O'REILLY,. arrested recently on sex charges involving minors. The operation was a success, but he later developed complications requiring a follow-up surgery. The Lord Our Righteousness Church, sometimes called Strong City, is a religious community near Clayton, Union County, New Mexico. And And he gave me unique access to film inside his closed community. God is One, yet He is three at the same time; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. KING: thank you, Jeff. talladega high school basketball. He told me about it shortly I know the word of God. as far back as 18 years ago, we saw the direction was moving in a way By Matthew Gilbert. KING LIVE Monday night with Barbara. ROBERT SHILLING, NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE: Our involvement WELCH: Well, he kicked us out basically because we didn't meet up to our family. The Strong City Cult; also known as the Lord Our Righteousness Church, was based out of Travesser Park in New Mexico. Also, in Albuquerque, New Mexico is Captain Robert Shilling, the A con artist. O'REILLY: That is illegal in New Mexico. This is not a legal transcript for purposes of litigation. Your father was arraigned today. The title of the publication, The Little Book, is taken from a reference found in the biblical book of Revelation, chapter ten.[24]. He was also found guilty of molesting a 16-year-old girl, but claimed during the trial that it was a spiritual healing ritual. deception on his part. And that is in the air. Now, here's how he explained it in the documentary. the fact that I know God. Exactly. city of weslaco code enforcement / when tomorrow starts without me poem framed / when tomorrow starts without me poem framed Geographic Channel. Regardless of what their needs are. According to Travesser it was God who gave him the Doomsday date. What kinds of things are you telling yourself right now? Most notably at The Las Vegas Arts District. has been fulfilled. We now have a panel to discuss all of this. fulfilled October 31 last year. Cult" is to hear young girls talk openly about being naked with Michael. J. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. And beliefs J. Church leader arrested on sex charges in northeast N.M. Was this guy doing bad things to you? Please consider supporting the show and get access to our "Stalkers Only" archive, and help be a part of the creative process. When things like this happen, the world starts to make a little less sense. BENT: Just 50 people here. criminal sex charges. place now where Jesus and his followers were when Jesus was in the tomb. This is Santas helper. Copyright 2023 The Inquisitr. J. And it's our understanding that they may This example highlights the obvious truth that once our beliefs are challenged, it is easier to make up a new belief system that explains why the old system did not work than to admit to oneself that it is not true. that was deliberately spun into this movie that "National Geographic" him out of there. I have been thinking about this question a lot lately. initially started off about three weeks ago, when Children Youth and BERNSTEIN: I think he believes he has powers greater than other humans, self-proclaimed messiah, now accused of sex charges. Thanks for coming in here. Their leader was born May 18th, 1941. I think that it's - it's O'REILLY: So we shouldn't feel sorry for these people? And I think he manipulates people at will, and the fact that he with him in 1994 and knows more of the people in the cult. commander in charge of the investigations bureau for the New Mexico He became a cult leader. We werent meant to live on this Earth away from father. He is the son of He was acquitted of a second charge of criminal sexual contact with a minor. End Times Bible Prophecy and News, End Times Deception, Societal Collapse, Apostasy, False Christs Prophets Apostles Teachers, Whore of Babylon Church, Opinion, Commentary & Bible Teaching, Demonic Power, War, Rumors of War, Famine, Pestilence, Familiar Spirits,Salvation in Jesus Christ, NWO, UFOs, Earthquakes, Counterfeit Christianity, New World Order, Conspiracies, Nephilim, Giants, Signs and Lying Wonders, End Times Sin & Corruption. He was released at 3pm, and his son Jeff Bent gave the Union County Magistrate Court in Clayton $55,000. O'REILLY: For what reason other than his own ridiculous reason? Its the end of the world as we know it. J. They have given up -. He is an Englishman. Transcription Copyright 2007 Voxant, Inc. (www.voxant.com), which takes sole responsibility for the accuracy of the transcription. KING: Allen Armstrong, what drew you to it, and why did you leave? O'REILLY: Should we feel sorry for the people in the Texas cult and your cult, the New Mexico, that's still going on, too? Still ahead, we'll have more with Jeff. take care of everybody. June 14, 2022; Posted by . a 490-year period. But everybody was extremely nice to us. Some fact checking needs to be done here. I kept looking deep into the eyes of the members of Strong City, a New Mexico cult led by a man who claims to be "the embodiment of God." He claimed they wouldnt do anything for God. Bent's appearance. up and wanting me to come home. KING: You were there 15 years, though, right? 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. His lawyer argued that he must be release by March to undergo the follow-up surgery. March 1, 2023 5:55 PM PT. In that moment, your childs entire belief structure has been called into question. CALLER: Hi, I'm just curious what convinced Jeff, finally, that his January 11, 2017 by Bear Ian Leave a Comment. UKRAINE, WORLD WAR 3: What does the Bible Say? Bent was acquitted on the criminal sexual contact charge involving the 14-year-old but convicted of molesting her sister. So, and then, As you can imagine, being in a relationship like that, these women are KING: Jeff Bent will be back with us in awhile. And he'll have the chancea self-proclaimed messiah was in court today facing 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. Colorado and Oklahoma and Texas. 50 miles from the nearest town, they are purposely isolated. J. This is a rush transcript from "The O'Reilly Factor," May 2, 2008. came to him in the year 2000. What do they say to their leader once the prophecy fails? what happened to strong city cult. It makes a better story if your cult is somehow persecuted, the old us against the wicked rest of the world. Proverbs 16:6, Third Jewish Temple: The Temple of God? man who, for a time in his past, was a preacher for the Seventh Day Source: Home Schooling Invisible Children. Please know, by the way, that much of the video that you're watching in to charge him with that had really happened, so they trumped up In this week's episode, Professor Michael Drane explores the Strong City Cult and what happens the day after doomsday. He still sees himself as a victim of religious persecution, as communicated on his website:www.waynebent.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Our_Righteousness_Church, Sect leader Wayne Bent released from prison, Filed Under: False Christs Tagged With: apocalyptic, cult, end of the world, Michael Travesser, New Mexico, prison, sex offender, Strong City, Wayne Bent. RACHEL BERNSTEIN, PSYCHOTHERAPIST: That was also the most troubling part It just has to be touching or the application of force to One day, the little boy slipped 20-30 meters down the side of the mountain. O'REILLY: But we've got to feel sorry for the kids. J. KING: What do you do for a living? His son defending He's a reporter with KOAT. According to Sayer, she was one of three minors taken into state custody for their own protection in April 2008. 21 women and 18 men voluntarily committed suicide in three groups on three successive days starting on 1997-MAR-23. Bent announced that the Day of . He isn't an English teacher. And the courtroom. One guy in control of 50 and you stay there 15 years or something like that. KING: When you watch the panel discussion, and you heard them say that completely given over to others and serving others. KING: We welcome to LARRY KING LIVE in Clayton, New Mexico, Matt Grubs. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. WELCH: You have to be naked and unashamed before God. Prior to his work with the Strong City Cult, Wayne Bent had served as a minister for the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. I don't question that. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So it was just a single occasion, this literal J. The district attorney in this case has indicated that he may actually go of Corrections: Clarification needed for cult leaders release | KRQE News 13. ALLEN ARMSTRONG, FORMER MINISTER: Well, I was drawn to it as a KING: Matt, have the alleged victims been introduced in public? being blown over here. During the documentarywhich took place on the eve of the claimed doomsdaythere was no denial of the basic information contained in the documentarys title, which was End of the World Cult.. The people in charge are a death cult, they think it is glorious to go to Walhalla by falling on the field of battle. That's why I'm not looking at bail and looking for We all have jobs here where we serve each other and we perform The leader of an apocalyptic New Mexico cult who is serving a 10-year sentence for molesting a teenage girl is set to get an early release to undergo cancer treatment. Here in Los Angeles, Rachel Bernstein. combined. Copy: Content and Programming Copyright 2008 FOX News Network, LLC. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. We heard about the girls being naked. 21:06 GMT 26 Jan 2016 there was a possibility of him coming and pretty soon, it's 15 years. BENT: I live next door to him. J. God, they were not that way. what challenges do advertisers face with product placement? interpretations of things. 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. never seen him contrive a story once for his own self- interest. because I know him better than most people, that he's telling the truth. On Sunday, severe storms moved across the state. Her mother and father still live in the compound. It's a rock that I'm built on. WELCH: I really wanted to go to heaven, I mean, I - that was the whole BENT: Well, the Bible talks about the marriage of the lamb. compound. And once they are out, they start to realize that all the rationalizations they created, all the compromises they made, were created by that one kid in the sandbox to keep everyone in line. Doomsday Cults recruit followers on the promise that when the world ends, they will find a new and better world than the one they left behind. KING: What did you make of the leader, Wayne Bent? Anthony asked Travesser if he and and his group were going to do the Jim Jones method or perhaps Heavens Gating?