Cult of Density

TV3's 'Campbell Live' featured an expose of the activities of the Destiny Church here in Auckland, New Zealand. The report, by Mihi Forbes, centred on the issue of Founders Brian Tamaki and his wife's lifestyle, paid for by the congregation. That congregation is made up of some of the poorest families in the area who are pressured to tithe 10% of their meagre incomes.

Brian Tamaki, reportedly, has a Harley-Davidson, Mercedes Benz, a boat and a 'purple palace' of a residence. The couple run a media business tied to the church and the members are encouraged to purchase freely.

Brian Tamaki, a self-appointed 'Bishop', has 'reluctantly' accepted the appointment of 'King' after pressure from his parishioners.

King Brian was a tough man to get an interview from. TV3 managed to obtain Destiny's manager for the 2nd part of the program. Like all media savvy spin doctors, the guy had his agenda to run and dodged most of John Campbell's questions. Instead, he propagandised while accusing TV3 of 'disrespect' and 'running its own agenda.'

Destiny Church seems publicity shy unless it can control the interview. Tamaki was never going to turn up - likely because John Campbell would've embarrassed his Holiness. Usually fairly aggressive in interviews, in the past King Brian has displayed a problem with logical thought when tangling with skilled interviewers. He gets rattled easily and says dumb things. The substitute Spinner was plainly a smart move by Destiny.

A possible motive was to create an certain aura around the anointed one, in much the same way that savvy managers kept their rock star clients out of the public eye. It created an air of expectation, of mystery and, dare I say it, sacredness.

Tamaki looks like an old fashioned spiv - like a friend suggested, 'a 1950's pimp.' His hair is slicked back - Brylcreamed to the max, as if a stock of hair cream was carefully stored for the great one's personal use. His suits are shapeless, black and grey, and looks freshly stripped from a cheap nightclub's bouncer. His troops are dressed the same with blank expressions copied from the Nuremberg rallies. They're scary and solid like an All Black scrum.

Most of Tamaki's followers are Polynesian and poor. Pacific Islanders have a hierarchical culture with a pervasive Christian presence. It's not such a big shift, I imagine, to accept Destiny's hierarchical, Christian Charismatic structure. Traditional Island life is paternal, conservative when it comes to 'family,' with firm gender roles. Destiny merely clones that which is familiar to the people of South Auckland.

My guess is that Destiny members are no stranger to gangs, unemployment, poverty, alcoholism and drug use, illiteracy, poverty, racism, etc. They may know the sound of the cop car in the early morning, drunken gang scraps and family violence. Destiny Church offers them a way out through 'traditional family values.'

I have to admit, I struggle with that label. What are 'traditional' family values and how do they differ from the 'nontraditional?' I'd say we are a typical, liberal NZ household that values education, respect, tolerance, obedience to the law of the land and such. I encourage my kids to be opinionated and outspoken, while respecting the rights of others. I don't see how these values differ all that much from so called 'traditional' ones.

Of course, this happy, 'traditional' past era was something of a myth, but I digress.

The psychology of cults is well known. First they offer 'salvation', support, community, 'family'. Then they ask for your money. The big guy is charismatic and encourages your personal devotion. He is imbued with the 'holy spirit' and offers the same to you if you do as you're told. The world outside is a dangerous place and you must be protected from it. Your contact with non believers is cut off - you are completely under control.

Back in the 70s I was (very) briefly associated with such a Christian cult. I was a drug addled biker, emotionally vulnerable, fucked up and lonely. I was convinced there was a better way, so I attended this guy's 'church' service. Pretty soon I realised I wasn't going to be allowed to leave. They had my bike keys and wallet.

I knew I'd made a mistake and lied myself out. I had a spare key taped to the battery cover of the Honda 4. I grabbed the bike and ran.

They double teamed me upstairs in a room equipped with sound baffles. There was the nice guy and the one who shouted - just like a TV detective show. I trembled, freaked, my discretionary powers deserted me, I was rubber, plasticine, I was theirs - but, I bolted.

I'm educated, well read and smart, from a family that encouraged debate and skepticism. I've studied religion, history and psychology to tertiary level, yet, I was nearly sucked in. Without those assets, I'm not sure where I'd be now.

There are ways to lift yourself out of poverty, violence and addiction without handing your brain - and your money - to self appointed spiritual superiors. You don't have to disengage from the world, but you can seek to change your little corner of it.

I don't know whether Brian Tamaki is a charlatan or believes his own propaganda. I know he hates the outside world full of Gays, prostitutes, politicians, drugs, gangs, yet is happy to enjoy the luxury goods the world provides. All that worship has likely amped his ego to the degree he really believes in his own godhead. He doesn't preach tolerance, but hatred for those outside his control. He doesn't encourage understanding of the world but alienation from it - in that he does his people a grave disservice.

The State has no place to encourage this sort of brain washing by subsidising his 'schools.' In my opinion, this is the biggest worry. He has part of the future generation under his control and he does little to stimulate enquiring, open minds. Instead, he passes on his monastic, bigoted, fearful view of the world based on fundamentalist Christianity a la US Baptist belt. We're not America - I don't want that silliness in this country.

Some would view him as a clown - 'King Brian' with his palace goon guard and 10,000 zombied, beatific followers. Maybe he's searching for an island to establish his kingdom - a Jonestown Guyana, or Branch Davidian Waco in the making, perhaps? He may be a fruit loop, but a shrewd one. He knows how to run an organisation - or hires people who can. Scientology model, or 'hand out the Kool-aid, boys,' I don't know.

So Lotto fleeces the poor of their unemployment cheques with promises of instant wealth, but at least they pay taxes. Lotto's regulated by law - more or less - but Destiny doesn't have any outside scrutiny - or pays taxes. Goons screen who can attend their services and unfriendly journalists are tossed out. King Brian's not above stiff arming a few of his enemies to ensure only information Destiny sanctions is released to the public. How much does King and Queen Tamaki rake off the gross? We don't know.

Does Destiny achieve anything worthwhile? Probably. Kids are protected from gangs and drugs, their parents are taught to read and write and given some life skills. Doubtless there's support networks, etc, but nothing that isn't already there. There're charities, agencies, established churches, community organisations and such - likely underfunded, to be sure - but, nevertheless available. I don't see why Destiny is needed.