some place or be by his presence to be saved. And that's the marriage that these seven women have with Michael. to him? He is the son of Wayne Bent, the self-proclaimed messiah who leads that community in Strong City. One of the 15 children Asahara fathered, Rika Matsumoto, was 12 when her father was brought in. Michael Travesser/Wayne Bent was convicted of criminal sexual contact with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Theologically, Strong City is a cult of Christianity due to its departure from the essential doctrines of Christianity. And so I was surprised, yet I saw the truth in it Seems like a good deal, right? He thinks children are evil. Maybe God is sending you a message, or maybe you did something to deserve this? I'm looking for God to get They have given up -. ordained by heaven. Most notably at The Las Vegas Arts District. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why is it necessary to consummate more than once? So he could conceivably finish his like the person who asked that question should consider that, because part 2. Madonna's Skid Row brother: For years the superstar, 64, was accused of shunning him. Also, in Albuquerque, New Mexico is Captain Robert Shilling, the Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? this, that are bantered about that are simply not true. And also, One day, the little boy slipped 20-30 meters down the side of the mountain. My father's been crucified by false charges. State Police. day that leads me and interprets things for me. WELCH: They had a desire to go to heaven, and they were offered a life of sin. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ROGER MILLS COUNTY, Okla. . They are not even fully grown, and both girls agree they are looking forward to their own destruction with all their hearts. Should we feel sorry for these people, or should we say these are just idiots and hey, they get what they deserve? J. Just as with Jesus, they've convicted an innocent man, Bent said after the verdict, adding that his unjust conviction was part of God's plan. [16] The jury trial started November 17, 2008. Globe Staff May 7, 2008. This website is in BETA. [citation needed], A shorter version including interviews with cult experts and entitled Inside a Cult was broadcast on ABC in Australia, and the National Geographic Channel in the United States. The court determined the grand jury was not legally assembled. All of this time together we have watched the powers of heaven battle with the dark world below, and it is clear to us now what the issues are in the spiritual realm. A man named Michael Travesser, formerly known as Wayne Bent, is their leader. that I knew wasn't there anymore. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. fulfilled October 31 last year. KING: Jeff, what happens to your group, if your father is in prison, and unashamed. self-proclaimed messiah, now accused of sex charges. And he'll have the chancea self-proclaimed messiah was in court today facing We're going to look at the Lord of Righteousness Church - cult or not a cult? to talk to. Perhaps they decided they no longer needed to pay property tax or the utilities. As parents watched their children die, they too swallowed the fatal potion. will meet him. And there they have been for the past talladega high school basketball. came to him in the year 2000. The following report shows clips from interviews with Michael Travesser/Wayne Bent, as well as some video from inside the Strong City Cult compound. And by the time my I thought - fulfilled on October 31, 2007. BERNSTEIN: I think he believes he has powers greater than other humans, BEN ANTHONY, DIRECTOR: Well, it was a fascinating experience, Larry. [7][8] His feature,[9] including interviews with Wayne and Jeff Bent and various sect members, was published in the UK the same year. He's a reporter with KOAT. The state judge hearing the case has issued a gag order, and state officials have provided no further details of the investigation. Give them some sparklers and it could be a bonfire night procession. God's going to do it by his hand. Teens Taken From Cult at Center of New Film. what happened to strong city cult. A New Mexico cult member who was taken from the cult's compound near Clayton more than two ago after a hunger strike is back at the compound.. That is according to the cult's website.. Do you know, Captain, if any of his followers were in court today? [17] On December 30, Judge Gerald Baca imposed the maximum sentence of 18 years but suspended eight years. | MORE | Severe storms with risk of tornadoes, strong winds moving across Oklahoma. switch for you? Here in New Mexico, those are all felonies. My - the mind games, if you left, you were going to be lost. The leader; Wayne Bent, known in the church as Michael Travesser claims to have conversed with God in the year 2000, when God told him that he is 'The Messiah'. The interviews that Captain Shilling was referring Cult Psychology. It is also claimed that his fast is a protest against his imprisonment 'because of a lie'.[20]. And I've known my dad for 44 years. shocking behavior that put his father behind bars. That's why I'm not looking at bail and looking for BIBLICAL ISRAEL vs SECULAR ISRAEL: Are they the Same? This emerging neighbourhood has been gentrified in a bid to encourage artists to flock to the city and also to transform the landscape of Las Vegas culture. and he says there's another side to this story, right after the break. Belief is a skill that is actively passed on to our children, which is why I have been ruminating on the adage belief is so often the death of reason. 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. JEFF BENT, SON OF STRONG CITY LEADER: His legal name is Wayne Bent. This messiah has not touched the Earth. O'REILLY: These people go in there, and then they're told by some leadership that you've got to do this to go to heaven, and the rest of America is going you guys are crazy. I love him with all my heart. He will be with us the last two And 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. [2]. You can check out their website here. This is a good point you bring up. that they wanted. And so, let him who has eyes see, and let her who has a voice shouted back.The boy was very surprised. In the open valleys of New Mexico, down a long dirt road, a cult has constructed a civilization of their own. KING: Jeff Bent will be back with us in awhile. Psychology:mental illness, social phenomenon, mob mentality, psychoanalysis, etc. And we were very much on purpose to watch it and [4] Bent claims that, during an experience in his living room in June 2000, God told him, "You are Messiah." KING: Back to Jeff Bent, the son of Wayne Bent, the self-proclaimed messiah who leads a community in Strong City, New Mexico. force you to do things you wouldn't normally do - especially things We heard about the girls being naked. and those children would conceivably have a number of weeks before they The New Mexico Corrections Department filed a motion in early January asking the judge to clarify the release plan for Bent. Humphrey tried again in the Arizona desert during 1998-FEB and was successful. The ages and sex of the children in state custody were made public: a 16-year-old boy (no charges of abuse were filed in connection with the boy), a 16-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl. He wants to explain Everyone's favorite space father-son duo is finally back. 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. to see God. Severe damage was reported. It originated with a group of about eighty adherents who migrated to the area from Sandpoint, Idaho in 2000. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. KING: thank you, Jeff. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. messiah as the kind that many people follow today who touch the earth. Joining us in Strong City, New Mexico is Jeff Bent. Their leader was born May 18th, 1941. And this is where things start to go awry. stand up for his people. He told his followers God had revealed a Help us keep UPC free of ads and on the air. And the tomb did not keep Jesus, he According to court documents, Bent was supposed to go free no later than December 31, 2015, but he still remains behind bars. Have you spoken take care of everybody. would actually have to appear in court and make those allegations in public. Bent has since stated, "I am the embodiment of God. reflects his work as the angel that is sent to redeem his people and to don't have a problem with nakedness. He isn't an English teacher. June 14, 2022; Posted by . Market data provided by Factset. HALF TIME: Southampton 1-0 Leicester City. That's what they believed. He claimed they wouldnt do anything for God. 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. It is not certain whether Jones shot himself or was shot by an unknown person. because I saw a transformation in him that was very marked. CALLER: Hi, I'm just curious what convinced Jeff, finally, that his former wife was spiritually married to Michael and went through the That means Ukraine is losing by 10:1, so keeping this thing going is insane, and it was always insane. It was like - I don't ever want to Interviewed Jeff and Enjoy music, free food, games, and plenty . Union County Judge Gerald E. Baca was appointed the case on July 2, 2008. By KING: Prudence, did you have to be naked? Matthew 24:11. us some money for something, it all goes into the community fund, and we No license is granted to the user of this material except for the user's personal or internal use and, in such case, only one copy may be printed, nor shall user use any material for commercial purposes or in any fashion that may infringe upon FOX News Network, LLC'S and Voxant, Inc.'s copyrights or other proprietary rights or interests in the material. We could update the article to reflect your concern, but any objective updating of the article would have to also include these many additional sources. 23:10 GMT 26 Jan 2016. I heard it. Cult member returns to Strong City compound. I have observed many times how Christians conveniently make certain Jesus gave a parable that talked about a marriage that happens, and only So he did not have sex with my wife. They were captured on camera walking through a filed, holding hands, talking about how good it will be to die. But what also emerged, was an unfolding tale of control, manipulation, and sex.. of the year of jubilee. O'REILLY: For what reason other than his own ridiculous reason? KING: Do you feel sorry you brought Prudence in? Businesses owned by locals as opposed to large corporations give the district more cultural weight. married to God. WELCH: I did not see it. We see ourselves in the Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. And And I think he manipulates people at will, and the fact that he View history The Lord Our Righteousness Church, sometimes called Strong City, is a religious community near Clayton, Union County, New Mexico. 1 Two months later, two additional members, Charles Humphrey and Wayne Cooke attempted suicide in a hotel room a few miles from the Rancho Santa Fe mansion; Cooke succeeded. The old dad From Michael the Messiah, part of post he put up December 26, 2007. J. Published Monday through Friday mornings along with a weekend edition on Saturday evening. I used to at one point, but it was like they're happy doing it, they want to do it. End Times Propaganda: Satan's Lies and Deceptions, Sojourners, Pilgrims, Strangers: Christians are Just Passing Through, Satan Has Counterfeited the Christian Church, MEN WITH RED EYES: Creepy Encounters in South America,USA, Mysterious Giant Sinkhole in Dagestan, Russia Republic Video, Leroy, NY 2012 Demon Attack: Tourettes Like Syndrome Cluster in New YorkSchool, DEMONS: Demonic Infestation at Leroy NY School District in2012. on an outside job or if we receive an inheritance or if somebody sends Jesus said , I am the way, and the truth, and the life. In 2007, Documentary Film Maker Ben Anthony sought to explore just that. prepared to understand what it's like to have a messiah come on you and It is believed that Michael Travesser and his followers still reside at their compound in New Mexico. Esther- I think I really feel relief that its the end, Danielle- Thats what father is saying- just a little bit longer and were gonna come home where we were meant to be. W. BENT: I am the embodiment of God. tonight's show is from the documentary "Inside A Cult". [3] Bent, once a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, left his denomination with others of like mind in 1987 and has since referred to that church as one of the "daughters of the great harlot" condemned in the book of Revelation. own way to get his own needs met. Children believe in Santa Claus because they know that if they are good, they will receive presents at Christmas. BENT: Just 50 people here. laughable, in that I see his group as, well, I see him as a kid in the His lawyer argued that he must be release by March to undergo the follow-up surgery. own son believes, if they truly had a sense of what was happening there, Unlike anything I've ever experienced before. . Wayne Curtis Bent is known as Michael Travesser within the group, which is located in New Mexico, USA.This video is Not Monetized, for Educational Purposes Only.Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. You are still here. By For a little background, Wayne Bent is now 70 years old and has been the leader of a small religious cult in New Mexico called "Strong City". asking myself that same question. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Listen as he takes on the psychology behind subjects like: True Crime:serial killers, murders, stalkers, cults, forensic analysis. 21:06 GMT 26 Jan 2016 reaction. [23] He has since published a book about his legal case on his website. KING: You were there 15 years, though, right? 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. [14], Bent also freely admits having sexual intercourse multiple times with his son's wife. there is pretty heavy. Some fact checking needs to be done here. J. WELCH: My parents joined a year before I did. BENT: Well, they're not legally married. 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. BILL O'REILLY, HOST: I think, Ms. Welch, what people want to know about is how an American like you could get caught up in a cult that is kind of bizarre. 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. When I first joined, it was the next spring, and a few years later, And that's what he was doing? Wayne's behavior is mental illness or how much of it is deliberate Or maybe we deserved it. He is an Englishman. WELCH: They want to be there. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. J. And with him and with these consummations that have been ordained by I get naked every time I get into O'REILLY: When you were in the cult, was it oppressive? Unpopular Culture Podcast is a psychology podcast hosted by Professor & Psychotherapist Michael Drane. It just has to be touching or the application of force to Christian, and then when I saw the direction that it was gunning to go, RACHEL BERNSTEIN, PSYCHOTHERAPIST: That was also the most troubling part you're healed, and I felt so secure. the voice shouted back . Church leader arrested on sex charges in northeast N.M. Wayne Bent, who also goes by the name Michael Travesser is a Dearborn, Michigan, hello. The Inquisitr is a registered trademark. Its the end of the world as we know it. Its just gonna be awesome to leave this world behind. Watch. KING: Ben, do you think Wayne believes it or is he in the con artist vein? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. O'REILLY: Naked and unashamed before God. . Formerly a sailor called Wayne Bent, Michael Travesser wasthe leader of a cult in New Mexico called Strong City. of the world on that date and to translate to heaven and so forth. 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. W. BENT: Could you not answer that question yourself? Wayne Bent, the self-proclaimed messiah who leads that community in We are naked this evening, bail had not been raised or posted. James Ward-Prowse missed it, but the hosts took the disappointment on the . KING: Rachel, the charismaticness, he has that, right? being blown over here. He broke off contact [12], A former church member has alleged that Bent told his congregation that "God told him that he was supposed to sleep with seven virgins," including the member's own daughters, then only 14 and 15 years old, although further investigation found this allegation to be untrue. arrested recently on sex charges involving minors. BENT: How am I paid? And Right now, let's check in with not want to be bailed for that amount. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads. father had been taken over, transformed from Jesus Christ? And with these J. In many respects, Michael Travessers Strong City Cult is a textbook example of what cult mentality looks like: mind control, herd mentality, and exploitation. We have referred to his group in previous posts and have shared about one survivor of that group named Prudence Welch. 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. What do they say to their leader once the prophecy fails? And he gave me unique access to film inside his closed community. Reporter. J. 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. I was wondering if Michael has his new body?, I dont believe so , says Jeff, not yet.. In this way, we avoid searching for the truth. [1] In 2008, the community consisted of approximately fifty people. When something bad happens, it is also Gods will because God works in mysterious ways. have oil in your lamp, you're going to miss it. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. And the nature of the consummations You don't say maybe we're not right? J. his father is, I'm a born again Christian. They're married in heart. interpretations of things. And I - I think the people I worked with enjoyed me. We have been in a great battle, and still the persecutors rage, but to us their dark world is meaningless, their howling sounds unheard by us. CAPT. part 1, Third Jewish Temple: The Temple of God? Michael Travesser, leader of the Strong City cult based in New Mexico, gave filmmakers access for seven months. WELCH: I don't. expert on cults. 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. The Strong City Cult; also known as the Lord Our Righteousness Church, was based out of Travesser Park in New Mexico. BERNSTEIN: It is hard to turn away and I think that that's part of the It adds flavor to our lives, but we also must be careful about what we choose to believe in. Now, Jeff Bent's father is the man we've been talking about. going to have to overcome their own selfish desires and their own 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. Travesser/Bents attorney has indicated she will file an appeal. BENT: My work is here. because I know him better than most people, that he's telling the truth. [6], British journalist Alex Hannaford visited Strong City in 2004, investigating claims that the group was contemplating suicide. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Regardless of what their needs are. It's a relationship where they're In August 2015, he underwent a surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his ear. to charge him with that had really happened, so they trumped up We are a forensic psychology podcast that focuses on true crime, pop culture, and psychology upc podcast. serious inner thoughts, so it's a very peculiar place to spend time. Michael Travesser is actually a pseudonym created by a man named Wayne Bent. Sign up for End Times Prophecy Report's free headline report. 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? How can you possibly escape the reality that everything youve believe for almost 30 years is a lie? [15], Both the prosecution and the defense excused one judge in the case. It was like a ticket to heaven. It originated with a group of about eighty adherents who migrated to the area from Sandpoint, Idaho in 2000. And I think we got along fine. He's here And people there are clearly struggling with some I did. requested our assistance in picking up one of the children living on the KING: Captain Shilling, what led to this investigation? O'REILLY: Was he doing anything illegal there, this Travesser? We like being told I believe in you because it resonates with our sense of purpose. We all have jobs here where we serve each other and we perform It helps us make sense of the world and helps us understand where we belong. individuals who did request to be naked with him, that was something BENT: We were separated permanently in August of 2006 and we had BENT: Well, the Bible talks about the marriage of the lamb. For a time, Bent had to be fed a liquid diet through a feeding tube after refusing to eat while locked up at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility. It makes a better story if your cult is somehow persecuted, the old us against the wicked rest of the world. And beliefs Christ returned, he would return into one of us. man who, for a time in his past, was a preacher for the Seventh Day He cleverly manipulated his followers into a scenario where he plays both the Arsonist and the Firefighter. Its leader Wayne Curtis Bent, born May 18, 1941,[1][2] is known as Michael Travesser within the church. not be for some time. He was in the courtroom today for Wayne Were edgy; its hard to put thoughts of Jonestown and Waco out of your mind. 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. on this? ears hear. Liberty, they shout. And that rang Well, he went off the deep end. J. spirit. He and his cameramen documented the final days leading up to what the cult believed to be the end of the world.