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September 23, 2008 | 10:03 am

Tony Alamo marches to a very different drummer

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

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I’m always skeptical when people refer to fringe religious groups as “cults.” You know, Christianity was a heretical Jewish cult in the first century, and look how that turned out.

The word cult was thrown around in Sunday papers this weekend following the raid of Tony Alamo Ministries, and again, I chose against using the word. The guy certainly seemed odd, and allegations of a child pornography ring at his religious compound didn’t help. But those were allegations, and Fouke, Ark., wasn’t Jonestown or Rancho Santa Fe.

I’m still not ready to call Alamo a cult leader, but I am willing to say he is absolutely bonkers, at least theologically. Last night he exactly what no person in trouble should do: He opened his mouth, and to a reporter no less. And, boy, he’s got some wild ideas.

An excerpt of the blog post from John C. Williams at the Arkansas Times, who interview Alamo, is after the jump:

Not surprisingly, Alamo categorically denied charges of child pornography and polygamy that have been reported in the past few days. “Anybody can accuse and spread it around town, and of course they want to kill you,” he said of the allegations. “But there’s no child abuse going on.”

It’s not that polygamy is wrong, he said: “If you can find anything in the Bible about fire and brimstone for the practice of polygamy, then I’ll give you $250,000 in cash. Adultery is condemned, but not polygamy.”

“Most of the world believes in polygamy,” Alamo said. “The Africans, the Indians, the Chinese. The Jews – the Jews can have at least four wives. Two-thirds of people in the world practice polygamy.”

He added that polygamy is not for everyone – just for “great men of God, if they can take care of their wives and children.” He also repeated his typical complaint that if school-age girls can ‘fornicate’ and use birth control, then there’s no reason it should be illegal for men to take young wives.

Yet Alamo denied that he had wives of any age, other reports to the contrary: “You can check all the marriage records in the world.” He said his only two wives have been Susan Alamo and “the princess of Sweden,” Birgitta Gyllenhammar, who left him and the church after two years.

He also denied that anyone in his church was practicing polygamy or marrying underage girls. “I don’t believe that at all. Otherwise I would kick them out. And they don’t want to be kicked out.”

Alamo blamed a Fouke man named Tony Lane for the raid. He claimed Lane’s wife lived at the complex and that he wanted her to leave against her will. He accused Lane of being an alcoholic and a bad guy in general, though he admitted that he had never met him. Alamo added that a number of Fouke residents – whom he referred to as ‘hillbillies’ – were being paid off by the government to give information about the complex. He claimed Fouke to be a main base for the KKK.

It’s never been totally clear why Alamo chose the Miller County town of 800 for his headquarters after his release from prison for tax evasion in 1998. The answer is simple, Alamo said: Convenience. His followers were visiting him in the Texarkana federal pen, he said, so it made sense for them to set up shop nearby. “They didn’t want to stay in hotels.”

There’s more here.

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In reference to polygyny and Scripture, Mr. Alamo is correct, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Regardless, it would be wise for Mr. Alamo to avoid providing any more interviews, as they will always end up to be less than flattering, even if he did make complete sense…which he doesn’t.

Comment by Joshuah on 9/24/08 at 2:10 am

There is NO wrong doings in that Church it is a Holy Church. They read the Bible, attend Church Services Every Night at 8 pm. and pray.
The local Foukeans hate the people of the Lord because their deeds are evil, they are dead in their sins and on their way to hell. They hate seeing a work of God in that town because it convicts them of the sins they refuse to repent of.

Comment by until on 9/24/08 at 7:29 am

Apologists beware: I agree with Brad Greenberg, far too many Christian apologists just jump at the opportunity to label (or is it libel) churches and denominations that are not like them, as cults.  I had been an active member of the Worldwide Church of God for 27 years, knew very many people in that denomination, both before and after Mr. Armstrong’s death, and I have to admit, most of the people I got to know, and still know, had and have the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ruach Hokadosh).  We must remember also, the parable of the tares.  Believers are advised by Jesus to let the tares grow with the wheat, it’s not our job to go uprooting tares, tare-churches or tare-denominations.  The is the job of Yeshua haMeshiach at his 2nd coming.

Comment by Pete Benson, editor UNITYINCHRIST.COM on 9/24/08 at 2:27 pm

There is a reason there is no proof of polygamy or underage marriages,it is because the marriages in this cult are not legal.  The marriage ceremonies are performed by their own church members.  How do I know this?  My brother is in this cult, and he “married” a fourteen year old girl.  This is a cult, because the members do not leave the compound without Tony’s permission. He is in control of almost everything.  The members have no money of their own. Also, how many churches have someone’s name in front of it?  I saw a photo of a building with the sign, “Tony Alamo Christian Church”.  My brother has a photo of Tony on his wall. It is very sad.  However, I must add, I believe my brother is going to heaven.

Comment by Concerned Sister of a Cult Member on 9/25/08 at 9:36 am

To the Sister of a Cult Member:  Obviously, you have personal inside knowledge, just like I did for the old WCG.  And if your knowledge is accurate, then yes, they probably are a cult.  But then, as you stated, you believe your brother (again from personal knowledge of him) is truly born-again.  So my advice, based on Jesus’ parable of the tares, is also correct.  To uproot this “cult” church would probably spiritually do more damage to your brother, than to leave things well enough alone.  Or else you may uproot that precious wheat plant.  That’s my point, and that was Jesus’ point as well.  His concern was for the precious wheat which had its roots entangled with the roots of the tares.

Comment by Pete Benson, editor UNITYINCHRIST.COM on 9/25/08 at 9:54 am

The “man” alamo is not God but his congregation treats him like he is. The once on fire for the Lord church that used to wittness about the Lord and Salvation spend there time now justifying in there hearts all the evils that they are now partakers of. Tony does have more then one wife and some are taken at his will.  The first round of people who came in the late 60’s and 70’s have been in denial and have let the conviction of God go stone dead.  There hearts have become like stone so its impossible for them to discern right
from wrong. Yes its true to let the chaff grow up with the wheat but it appears all whats left in there is chaff.  So maybe its time for the reapers to go in. Alot of pray from former members who could no longer endure its hypocrisy and blatant quenching of the Holy Spirit have been waiting for God to tear down the strongholds. tony alamo God is not mocked and He will not give His Glory to another. He will repay the wicked to their face. Thus saith the Lord “Let my people Go”

Former member

Comment by tear down the strong holds on 9/25/08 at 6:43 pm

FBI Special Agents arrested Bernie Hoffman, also known as Tony Alamo in Flagstaff, Arizona. A federal Arrest Warrant was issued for Alamo by United States Magistrate Barry A. Bryant in the Western District of Arkansas for violating United States Code Title 18, Section 2423. This statute is defined as knowingly transporting a minor (under 18) across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual activity. If convicted of the alleged crime, Alamo could be imprisoned for 5 to 30 years.

Comment by Crime News on 9/26/08 at 10:04 pm

I am also an ex member. I remember when living there we treated Tony and Sue (who was then living) as if they were just under God in righteousness. I found that to be false. Tony separates children from parents (see People Magazine June 13, 1983). The mother was tricked into leaving the group; and then Tony had the father and children spirited out of the group and hid from the mother. Is that “Christian”? I don’t think so… There are many other parents whose children were kept from them..This is the honest truth. The “Alamo Church” is a cult; it is not a ‘church.’ The group is mentioned in the book by Walter Martin, “Kingdom of the Cults.” Please read..

Comment by Anonymous on 11/11/08 at 4:02 pm

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