Support the show:

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Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts:

https://william-branham.org/podcast

Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

Come Out of Her My People Vol II:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNFN2XYR

John and Charles investigate the controversial life and teachings of Ewald Frank, a major figure in the movement that grew out of William Branham’s influence. They explore how Frank’s leadership unraveled following serious moral failings, resulting in the development of unusual doctrines to justify personal actions. Throughout the discussion, they reveal how doctrines such as the “two-soul” teaching emerged, how widespread the acceptance became, and how the movement’s international reach, especially into Africa and Europe, was shaped by these events.

The discussion expands into the disturbing intersections between religious groups and powerful political regimes, highlighting Frank’s connections to international mission networks and to questionable organizations abroad. John and Charles also reflect on broader patterns of cover-up, doctrinal manipulation, and the complex web of relationships that protected and perpetuated harmful behaviors within the movement’s leadership. Their conversation uncovers a rarely seen history that sheds light on why so many followers were left unaware of the deeper truths behind the public faces of the movement.

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Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

John and Chino open with a heartfelt discussion on the lingering emotional, physical, and spiritual effects experienced by those who were part of authoritarian religious groups, particularly Faith Assembly. They dive into stories of former members struggling decades later with fear, guilt, and distorted teachings about healing, salvation, and obedience. With compassion and personal experience, they explore the roots of trauma caused by extreme doctrines—like the rejection of medical treatment, the condemnation of glasses, and the idea that salvation was tied to physical perfection. They emphasize how such beliefs led to needless suffering, secrecy, and even death, all under the guise of “faith.”

Throughout the conversation, John and Chino share firsthand testimonies, address manipulative leadership tactics, and expose the theological distortions used to control congregants. From a child being shamed at school for not participating in holidays to adults unable to drive because they were told glasses were a sign of unbelief, the episode uncovers how deep the damage runs. But amid the pain, there’s a note of hope. Many who once felt alone are now finding comfort and solidarity through open conversations like this, where spiritual abuse is called out and healing is finally possible.

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Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K

John and Jed explore the complex issue of unspoken power dynamics in modern spiritual groups, focusing on how certain religious communities enforce unwritten rules to maintain control. They begin by reflecting on how seemingly small personal beliefs or doctrinal differences can lead to exclusion from leadership, even when those boundaries were never explicitly stated. Drawing from firsthand experiences within organizations like the International House of Prayer, they expose how doctrinal expectations are often concealed until someone crosses an invisible line—only then discovering the limits of what is permitted within the group.

As the conversation develops, they examine the psychological roots of these boundary systems and how they often stem from leaders confusing their personal impulses with divine instruction. John and Jed reflect on the dangers of non-denominational structures that lack accountability, allowing doctrines to shift arbitrarily and placing followers in unstable spiritual environments. They also draw connections to historical spiritual movements, modern charismatic expressions, and even popular worship practices that trace back to earlier mystical traditions. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of discernment and warn against communities that cultivate an “us versus them” mentality while obscuring their true beliefs.

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Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K

John invites Jennifer to share her story about growing up in a small religious group affiliated with Faith Assembly, a movement shaped by Hobart Freeman’s teachings. Jennifer describes her experience from childhood through early adulthood, revealing how the group’s strict beliefs and practices impacted her mental, emotional, and social development. As a child, she was taught to fear the outside world, suppress her individuality, and conform entirely to the expectations of the group. The pressure to be spiritually perfect led her to internalize guilt, reject personal passions, and even hide medical treatment to avoid judgment. She reflects on how the doctrine’s emphasis on isolation, obedience, and fear shaped her worldview and arrested her development well into adulthood.

As Jennifer recounts her teenage years and early departure from the group, she describes the emotional toll it took, including anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and disordered eating. Encounters with people outside the group, especially those who genuinely showed compassion while defying the group’s standards, began to chip away at her conditioned beliefs. Eventually, through professional counseling and increasing distance from the group, Jennifer found clarity and healing. Her story captures the internal conflict faced by many who grow up in closed communities—where fear is spiritualized, emotional needs go unmet, and questioning is suppressed. Her journey reveals the slow, painful, but redemptive process of rebuilding identity after years of control.

Support the show:

https://www.patreon.com/branhamAvailable on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts:

https://william-branham.org/podcastWeaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962Come Out of Her My People Vol II:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNFN2XYR

John and Charles explore the life and influence of Ewald Frank, a central figure in the global expansion of the Message following the death of William Branham. The discussion begins with Ewald Frank's early association with Branham as a translator in Germany and gradually unveils how Frank's actions played a significant role in shaping the post-Branham Message movement. The episode uncovers how Frank's missionary work, strategic control over foreign language literature, and cooperation with major sect leaders allowed him to become one of the most powerful figures in the movement.As the conversation deepens, they examine a series of troubling incidents, including claims of misleading followers with embellished stories, manipulating translations to push a singular narrative, and maintaining control through psychological and institutional pressure. The latter portion of the discussion delves into a major scandal that led to the collapse of Frank's original congregation, exposing methods of enforced public confessions and alleged cover-ups. The episode closes with a look at how Frank rebuilt his influence using global missionary networks, hinting at darker developments yet to be discussed in future episodes.

Support the show:

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Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts:

https://william-branham.org/podcast

Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K

John and Chino discuss the extreme healing doctrines taught by Hobart Freeman and how these beliefs impacted the lives of his followers. The conversation begins with a personal reflection on minor illnesses and segues into the problematic theological assumption that miraculous events in the Bible must be normative for all believers. Chino shares how Freeman’s teachings, particularly on healing and the rejection of medicine, led to serious consequences—including people avoiding basic treatments like wearing glasses or seeking help for life-threatening conditions.

The discussion critiques how specific verses—such as those about Moses’ eyesight or Paul’s handkerchiefs—were used to create rigid, harmful doctrines. John and Chino unpack how misinterpreting isolated biblical stories into universal rules fostered cognitive dissonance and spiritual control. They reflect on how these interpretations promoted fear, secrecy, and even legal violations, like driving without a license. The conversation closes with a sobering look at the human cost of bad theology and a call for common sense, humility, and context-based biblical reading.

Support the show:

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Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts:

https://william-branham.org/podcast

Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K

John and Jed discuss how wealth is accumulated and obscured within authoritarian religious movements, drawing from their personal experiences in Branhamism and the International House of Prayer (IHOPKC). They discuss a pastor who secretly died with $4 million, exposing how perceived poverty can be used to mask extreme wealth. The conversation shifts to IHOPKC, where Jed describes the dual system of control: most members live in poverty, relying on food banks and subsidized housing, while leaders quietly acquire wealth through donations, real estate, and shell nonprofits. This disparity creates dependency, making it hard for followers to leave, as their housing, finances, and community ties are tied to the organization.

The hosts analyze how these financial dynamics form part of a broader authoritarian structure. They explain how IHOP used manipulative systems of guilt, false spiritual elevation, and hidden assets to maintain power, even when the organization was collapsing. As they expose the deceitful practices—such as laundering money through shell organizations, undervaluing assets, and silencing dissent—they call attention to how difficult it is for victims to recognize abuse in the midst of desperation. Their critique expands into a condemnation of organized doctrinal manipulation, equating it to a form of spiritualized organized crime that benefits leaders at the expense of devoted followers.

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Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K

John and Ralph discuss what appears to be one of the largest financial and spiritual scandals in modern religious history, tracing a network of evangelical institutions that supported Gospel for Asia (GFA), a missionary organization founded by K.P. Yohannan. Ralph, a former insider with extensive experience in Charismatic, Pentecostal, and Vineyard churches, recounts how he was pulled into GFA through trusted Christian networks and unknowingly promoted it to others, only to later uncover the deception. The story unfolds to reveal that GFA manipulated supporters with stock photos, misrepresented how funds were used, and operated like a cult, complete with a secretive compound and spiritual control tactics. The scale of fraud shocked even the whistleblowers, with funds totaling over $1 billion, supported by prominent evangelical leaders including Chuck Smith and Francis Chan.

The conversation also connects the scandal to other movements and figures like Mark Driscoll, and explores how the evangelical infrastructure—from church boards to conferences—may have enabled or overlooked financial corruption. Ralph details how he worked with the GFA diaspora and investigative blogger Warren Throckmorton to expose the fraud. Through lawsuits, leaked documents, and firsthand testimonies, the scope of deception and spiritual abuse comes into sharp focus. What began as a well-meaning attempt to support missions turned into a painful lesson in manipulation, whistleblowing, and the hidden machinery behind many large Christian organizations.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:

This podcast, its host, partners, and affiliates are not responsible for the information presented in this podcast or the links provided

Support the show:

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Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts:

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Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962Some Say They Blundered:

https://a.co/d/2cEkDyF

John and Bob explore the complex history and theology of prophetic belief systems, weaving together ancient cultural insights, biblical interpretation, and personal experiences within modern movements. They highlight the importance of context in understanding ancient texts and challenge the common approach of interpreting Scripture without regard for the historical and cultural world it emerged from. As they reflect on the dangers of unquestioned authority and selective interpretation, they expose how manipulation often replaces truth in religious systems that centralize power around charismatic leaders.

The discussion also dives into the evolution of prophecy from a communal, written tradition to a performance-driven platform. They explore why people across economic classes—especially the very wealthy and the very poor—gravitate toward prophetic voices and how this desire for hope and certainty often fuels misplaced faith. The conversation concludes with reflections on humility, personal growth, and a call to encourage rather than manipulate, pointing toward a vision of spiritual health rooted in honesty, learning, and love for others.

Support the show:

https://www.patreon.com/branham

Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts:

https://william-branham.org/podcast

Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

Come Out of Her My People Vol II:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNFN2XYR

John and Charles examine the controversial doctrine of Perusia and its role in the fragmentation of a religious movement. They explore how this theological concept, originally meaning “presence” in Greek and referring to the second coming, was reinterpreted by Lee Vayle, a close associate of William Branham. The discussion unpacks how Vayle’s teaching that Jesus Christ returned spiritually in 1963, along with his claim that Christ left the “mercy seat,” sparked internal conflict among followers. This disagreement created deep divisions, painting those who questioned the doctrine as worse than unbelievers. The duo also reflects on how such ideas evolved through time and splintered into new groups.

As the conversation progresses, John and Charles analyze how shifts in leadership, strange beliefs, and personal experiences caused further disillusionment among adherents. They highlight Lee Vayle’s increasing isolation, his unique interpretation of salvation, and the emotional impact of doctrines centered around fear and exclusivity. They also touch on more troubling aspects of Vayle’s later teachings, his growing doubts, and the disintegration of his sect following his death. Through historical context and firsthand reflections, the discussion traces the slow unraveling of one branch of the movement, offering insight into how belief systems evolve—and fracture—over time.