POWERPLAYPAUSE: THE JACOB PRASCH FILES ~ MORIEL PLACED ON AUSTRALIAN CULT INFORMATION SERVICE

The Jacob Prasch Files No.8: Australian Cult Information Service Places Moriel on List of Possible “Extremist Groups/Destructive and Manipulative Sects/Cults/High Pressure Groups.”
December 5, 2019 by powerplaypause

I have uncovered several rather eye-opening articles about Jacob Prasch from the late 1990s and early 2000s. This is the eighth in the collection:

Jacob Prasch’s group Moriel saw rapid expansion in Australia in the late 1990s, despite Prasch’s explosive behaviour, and his gurning about not receiving enough financial offerings, and being labelled by a Moriel Australia volunteer “a malevolent and breathtakingly ungrateful thug” for his idiot attacks on his own volunteers. Theologian David Pawson, in an arbitration report between Prasch and his target the Elim denomination in 1998, keenly noted this about Prasch’s group:

“Moriel is a smaller group of autonomous fellowships in loose association, but its publications are the virtual mouthpiece of one dominant personality, apparently operating without mutual accountability.”

And about Prasch specifically David Pawson wrote:

“He is a powerful personality with considerable intellectual ability and emotional capacity. He has a unique ministry in Bible teaching, especially in the area of Jewish interpretation and application of scripture. His unusual background, knowledge and experience have attracted many followers though, as with other persuasive communicators, some of his devotees regard his pronouncements as the last word on a subject or issue, an attitude he does not appear to discourage. The title of his newsletters (‘Moriel’ means ‘God is my teacher’) has more than a hint of a claim to special revelation, whether this is intended or not.”

A few years down the line in 2003 Prasch’s group Moriel was listed by The Cult Information Service in Brisbane, Australia, in their list of Extremist Groups – Destructive and Manipulative Sects – Cults – High Pressure Groups on their website. The group to this day watches out for fellow Australians, although no longer publishes publicly its list. Here is the 2003 list:

Extremist Groups – Destructive and Manipulative Sects – Cults – High Pressure Groups. We carry an extensive collection of articles and books on a wide variety of groups about whom concern has been expressed.  The following list represents a small selection of those about whom we have information.  In addition we have access to reference libraries and various sources.  If the group is known or significant, we can usually find out what types of beliefs they hold. The listing a group on this page does not imply it is a “cult”.   It simply implies that some observers have expressed concerns about the extremist practices or unhealthy group processes exhibited by the group, and that critiquing information about them is available in the public domain.  They may be healthy – you decide for yourself. Name(s) of Cults Location(s) Leader / Comments Year Founded Notes / Writings Aum Shinrikyo Tokyo Japan Shoko Asahara 1987 Tokyo subway Nerve Gas attacks Calvary Centre Brisbane Sharon & John Fawcett 1988 Small independent Christian Community Children of God (see also the Family) USA Australia, various Archbishop Amos Otest, David Berg. 1976 Free love, forced marriages, banned contraception, “Flirty Fishing” Church Universal & Triumphant USA Elizabeth Clare Prophet 1961 Syncretism based on Christianity + ascended masters,  karma, re-incarnation. Circle of Light USA Rev Cassandra D Anaya 1995? New Age psychic, channelling angels Community Church “The Community” North East Kingdom Community Canada, New Zealand   1972 Orthodox Evangelical theology, excessive on “cutting off from the world” and some cases of abducting children in divorce disputes. Elan Vital – Maharaj Ji – Divine Light Mission – Premie USA   1973   Family (see also Children of God)     Peter Amsterdam Healers Numerous Various   Some Christian, some new age, other.       Heaven’s Gate California Marshall Applewhite   39 committed Suicide Infinity – Forms of Yellow Remember Sydney Australia     Sells expensive water in vials.  Extensive website. Jehovah’s Witnesses WorldWide Charles Taze Russell 1870 Strong Milieu Control, Anti-trinitarian, Exclusivist Kenja Sydney Ken Dyers, Jan Hamilton 1991? Self-awareness, some allegations of sexual misconduct. Life Integration Programs (The Metaphysical Association) Brisbane UQ Natasha Lakaev 1993 Excessive physical endurance courses Local Church   Witness Lee 1940s, Zealous group, Modal Monarchianism and Exclusivist. Centralised authoritarian structure. All other churches are “Satanic”. Magnificat Meal Movement Helidon Qld Debra Geileskey… 1993 Catholic offshoot, Mary co-redemptrix, Mahikari Japan, Australia Yoshikasu Okada, Dr Andris Tebecis 1959 True Light radiating from hands.  Sometime members Richard & Jo Court. (WA premier) Moonies Korea, USA Sun Myung Moon 1960 Numerous front organisations “Family Federation for World Peace” etc Moral Rearmament USA Frank Buchman 1921   Moriel   Jacob Prasch   Appears theologically orthodox. mildly-charismatic evangelical. Mormons Utah, worldwide Joseph Smith 1830   New Age Movements (see also “Cult Encounter” book by Rick & Helen Larson – Extra Terrestrial Earth Ministry) Worldwide Many and varied New groups emerge continually Combination of occult practices, divining, witchcraft One Humanity Near Brisbane Shaiah Raz-ael Nineties Seeks to unite all religions Paganism (See witchcraft) worldwide various ancient Related to new-age People’s  Temple Guyana Jim Jones   913 committed suicide Guyana 1978 Potter’s House USA, worldwide Wayman Mitchell 1970 Orthodox Trinitarian Pentecostal.  Some have practiced “heavy shepherding”. Promise Keepers Worldwide Barry Cutchie (Australia) 1990 Orthodox evangelical men’s movement. Some small concerns over USA right-wing influence. Raelian – UFO cult USA, France, worldwide, Calude Vorilhon (“Rael”) 1973 Alien embassy plans. Demonstrated against “Independence Day” movie as “racist towards Aliens” Reiki Japan, USA Various   Healing with hands – energy Essene New Life Church (see Reiki)         Revival Centres International Worldwide L.R. Longfield 1958 Pentecostal extremist, British Israelism Sant Thakar Singh (see also Yoga)         Scientology USA, worldwide L.Ron Hubbard 1952? Cosmic alien religion. Suma Ching Hai – the Quan Yin Method Vietnam, Taiwan, worldwide Ching Hai “living buddha”   Buddhist offshoot Toronto Blessing Toronto, worldwide John Arnott, Rodney Howard Browne, 1994 Pentecostal Orthodox theologically, extreme in manifestations. Trennia – New Apostles of Divine Mercy Ireland + ?     Divine Mercy Novena. Twelve Tribes USA     Christian Unorthodox United Pentecostal Movement     1910 Unitarian Pentecostals adhering to Modal Monarchianism. Witchcraft Worldwide     Various types of different significance World Peace Universal Church (Matson) Boondall, Brisbane Roger Gregory Matson 198?   Yoga (see also Sant Thakar Singh) India Hindu Offshoot ancient Knowing God through body mastery. Bhagavad Gita. This list is necessarily brief and indicative.  Call for more details

(c) Cult Information Service – Brisbane Australia (07) 3878 5212 – Call Anytime. This website carries information of a general nature only and is no substitute for professional counselling.

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The Jacob Prasch Files:

No.1: David Pawson’s 1998 Report on Prasch’s Behaviour
No.2: Prasch Damns His Chosen Arbiter David Pawson!
No.3: Prasch the “Malevolent and Breathtakingly Ungrateful Thug”
No.4: Moriel Australia Inc. & Prasch’s “List of Imaginary JW Supporters and Heretics”
No.5: “Head-kicking” Benny Hinn, and “Culling” Moriel’s “Aunt Maybel” Subscribers
No.6: Prasch: Pastor or Predator?
No.7: Prasch: “Women Are Vulnerable to Spiritual Seduction More Than Men Are”

No.8: Australian Cult Information Service Places Moriel on List of Possible “Extremist Groups/Destructive and Manipulative Sects/Cults/High Pressure Groups”