The Brethren (Jim Roberts group)

The Brethren is one of several informal names for a nameless religious movement created by Jimmie T. "Jim" Roberts. Other
names include the Body of Christ, the Brothers and Sisters. The movement’s members shun material things and family, living
essentially as vagrants and doing odd jobs to pay their expenses. The movement's way of life has led to accusations that it is a
cult.

Contents
Origins
Beliefs
Secrecy
See also
Bibliography
Footnotes
References
Further reading
Books
News reports
External links

Origins
Jimmie T. Roberts (also known as Brother Evangelist Roberts[1]), son of a former Pentecostal minister, created the movement
around 1971, drawing together followers of the Jesus Movement across the United States. Roberts had become convinced that
mainstream churches were too worldly, and wished to create a wandering discipleship patterned on the New Testament apostles.
He began recruiting a core of followers in Colorado and California.[2] At first they adopted a communal lifestyle.

Jim Roberts died on December 6, 2015 in Denver, Colorado at the age of 76. His cause of death is listed as "metastatic
adenocarcinoma of unclear primary." Upon Jim Roberts’ death, the leadership role of the organization was passed to Jerry
Williams; A.K.A. "Brother Hatsair".

Beliefs
Beliefs are prominently millenarian and apocalyptic, centered on the teaching that humanity is in the end times and that members
must purify themselves in preparation for the end of the world.[3] The movement directs new members to sell their possessions
and break ties with their families as a necessary part of earning salvation.[1] Any finances generated are distributed according to
need. For instance, money might be used for material to sew clothing, traveling expenses, or cooking spices. In some cases new
members' money was given to older members, but in other cases it was kept by the individual to do what they would with it.

The main scriptures used in support of "The Brethren" are;

Luke 14:33 "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."
Matthew 19:29 "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or
children, or lands, for my names's sake, shall receive an hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting life."
 Acts 4:32 "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul; neither said any of them that
ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."
Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink;
nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than raiment?"
Mark 8:35 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the
gospel's, the same shall save it."
2 Timothy 6:7-8 "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having
food and raiment let us be therewith content."
The Brethren live as itinerants. They acquired the nickname "the Garbage Eaters" after being observed collecting discarded food
from dumpsters.[1][4] Although some members at times don't bathe too frequently, especially when camping out, the group has no
laws or rules against bathing or using soap, shampoo, deodorant etc. Although some members refuse medical treatment, other
members have accepted medical treatment or dental work. During the 1970s, members wore monk-like habits.[2] Men wear long
beards, and women dress modestly in long dresses and long hair. Women and men eat separately and new members are restricted
in all contact with the opposite sex. Women and men have clearly defined roles. Immediately on joining the group women begin
sewing their own clothing (May 2011). The Brethren essentially disallow marriage by single group members, maintaining that
"the hour is too late." Children of couples who join the group are not allowed to play. Laughing, dancing and other forms of
celebration are to be reserved for the return of Yeshua (Jesus)(May 2011). Graven images are not allowed and any image on
products found are covered to protect the members from seeing them. Coloring is allowed, but not creating images and singing is
a part of nightly gatherings.

The Brethren also maintain that there is no actual sacrament of the Eucharist and that the bread and wine should be understood
only as a metaphor for fellowship. Members are divided into pairs (or occasionally three) and sent off to preach. The teams
regather periodically for fellowship, to hear Brother Evangelist Roberts, and to be assigned new companions and their next
destination. The hierarchy is minimal. Directly under Roberts are a group of Elders. Members are designated as "Older brothers"
or "Middle brothers" according to time served in the group.[2]

Secrecy
A highly publicized case of deprogramming in Arkansas during 1975 brought unwelcome attention to the Brethren. Beginning in
the late 1970s, stories written by members, such as Rachel Martin,[5] also began appearing. Coverage, often negative, continued
to surface in the media. The group dropped out of sight around 1980.[2]

After several police raids and arrests in the 1970s, Roberts ordered members to keep their locations secret and not to
communicate with their families. The members fear being arrested or kidnapped at the request of distraught families, with
instances reported as recently as 1998.

Families of members have asserted that their relatives are moved about to keep them from reestablishing familial contact.[1]
Parents whose children have disappeared into the movement have formed a group called "The Roberts Group Parents Network"
for mutual support and to aid in locating missing members.[3] In 2011, Evangeline Griego's documentary film God Willing[6]
explored the experiences of parents trying to reestablish contact with children who had joined the Brethren and disappeared. The
film has since aired on PBS stations in the United States.[7]

See also
Jesus Christians

Bibliography

Footnotes
 1. Walker (2007), p. 74.
2. Melton (2003), p. 1131.
3. Snow (2003), p. 190.
4. Melton (2003), p. 1132.
5. Martin (1980)
6. Griego, Evangaline. "What I Learned About Cults While Making God Willing" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evan
geline-griego/god-willing_b_851258.html). The Huffington Post. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
7. "God Willing – A Film by Evangeline Griegio" (https://web.archive.org/web/20120118170945/http://godwillingmovi
e.com/). About Time Productions. Archived from the original (http://godwillingmovie.com/) on 18 January 2012.
Retrieved 11 March 2012.

References
Martin, Rachel; Bonnie Palmer Young (1980). Escape. London: Pickering and Inglis. ISBN 0-7208-0459-0.
Melton, J. Gordon (2003). Encyclopedia of American Religions (Seventh edition). Farmington Hills, Michigan: The
Gale Group, Inc. ISBN 0-7876-6384-0.
Snow, Robert L. (2003). Deadly Cults: The Crimes of True Believers (https://archive.org/details/deadlycultscrime0
0snow). Westport Connecticut: Praeger Publishers. ISBN 978-0-275-98052-8.
Walker, James K. (2007). The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest
House Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7369-2011-7.

Further reading

Books
Darnell, S.E. (2017) [2011]. Agents of Discord: Deprogramming, Pseudo-Science, and the American Anticult
Movement (https://books.google.com/books?id=miRBDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT87). Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-351-
53322-5.
Dugger, Rachel Martin; Bonnie Palmer Young (1980). Escape. London: Pickering and Inglis. ISBN 0-7208-0459-
0.
Guerra, Jim (2000). From Dean's List to Dumpsters: Why I Left Harvard to Join a Cult. Dorrance Publishing Co.
ISBN 978-0-8059-4850-9.
Walker, J.K. (2007). The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality (https://books.google.com/books?id
=AMUpn_AK8iQC&pg=PA74). Harvest House Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7369-2011-7.

News reports
Coleman, Cornelius (1998-09-03). "Member: Life joyless before joining". Denver Post.
Dolbee, Sandi (1997-11-13). "Brothers and Sisters use the Bible to their advantage". San Diego Union-Tribune.
Staff writer (2006-02-10). "Father receives letter from missing daughter" (http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/feb/
10/father_receives_letter_missing_daughter/). Lawrence Journal-World.
Gao, Helen (2000-12-27). "Missing Son Seeking God". Ventura County Star.
Kondo, Emmy (1998-03-25). "The Clandestine Brotherhood" (https://web.archive.org/web/20010928230616/htt
p://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/garbage0324.html). ABCNEWS.com. Archived from the original
(http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/garbage0324.html) on 2001-09-28.
Lavelle, Phillip J.; Sandi Dolbee (1997-11-10). "In the shadows". San Diego Union-Tribune.
Lopez, Rebecca (2000-11-28). "Cult Targets College Students" (https://web.archive.org/web/20010208133652/htt
p://www.wfaa.com/wfaa/articledisplay/0,1002,16849,00.html). WFAA.com. WFAA-TV. Archived from the original
(http://www.wfaa.com/wfaa/articledisplay/0,1002,16849,00.html) on 2001-02-08.
Raney, Dave (2006-02-08). "Family believes cult lured daughter" (http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/feb/08/fami
ly_believes_cult_lured_daughter/?city_local). Lawrence Journal-World.
 Richards, Deanna (2006-02-07). "Missing daughter believed to be with cult" (https://web.archive.org/web/200806
20170814/http://www.6newslawrence.com/news/2006/feb/07/missing_daughter_believed_be_cult/). 6 News
Lawrence. Archived from the original (http://www.6newslawrence.com/news/2006/feb/07/missing_daughter_belie
ved_be_cult/) on 2008-06-20.
Robeson, Michael (2001-09-07). "Time spent with the Brethren brings self-reflection and many questions" (http://
media.www.collegian.com/media/storage/paper864/news/2001/09/07/UndefinedSection/Time-Spent.With.The.Br
ethren.Brings.SelfReflection.And.Many.Questions-1697896.shtml). Rocky Mountain Collegian.
Sanzaro, Francis (2001-09-05). "Controversy surrounds The Brethren" (http://media.www.collegian.com/media/st
orage/paper864/news/2001/09/05/UndefinedSection/Controversy.Surrounds.The.Brethren-1697853.shtml).
Rocky Mountain Collegian.
Sawyer, Diane (1998-03-25). "The Brethren". Primetime. ABC.
Sheill, Bill (1998-05-11). "Held Captive By A Cult" (https://web.archive.org/web/20120208090352/http://www.new
snet5.com/news/321137/detail.html). NewsNet5.com. Archived from the original (http://www.newsnet5.com/news/
321137/detail.html) on 2012-02-08.
Sheill, Bill (1998-05-11). "Kidnapped From A Cult" (https://web.archive.org/web/20120208090358/http://www.new
snet5.com/news/321079/detail.html). NewsNet5.com. Archived from the original (http://www.newsnet5.com/news/
321079/detail.html) on 2012-02-08.
Sheill, Bill (1998-05-11). "Cult Con Men" (https://web.archive.org/web/20120208090402/http://www.newsnet5.co
m/news/321233/detail.html). NewsNet5.com. Archived from the original (http://www.newsnet5.com/news/321233/
detail.html) on 2012-02-08.
Sherry, Allison (1998-09-08). "Students warned about cults" (http://media.www.collegian.com/media/storage/pape
r864/news/1998/09/08/UndefinedSection/Students.Warned.About.Cults-1692844.shtml). Rocky Mountain
Collegian.
Vorsino, Mary (2000-10-20). "U. Hawaii students still missing, possibly in cult". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

External links
B.A. Robinson, Religioustolerance.org by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, "The Brethren (Jim
Roberts) a.k.a. The Brotherhood, Garbage Eaters, etc." March 17, 2006 (http://www.religioustolerance.org/body_
chr.htm)
The Roberts Group Parents Network (http://members.tripod.com/~nfishel/index.html)
ICSA review for From Dean’s List to Dumpsters: Why I Left Harvard to Join a Cult (https://web.archive.org/web/2
0100116205631/http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_bookreviews/bkrev_fromdeanslist.htm)

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