Wonderful Works of God Through Tony Alamobs Church

[tlthe5th (tlthe5th)]

Dear precious holy servant of God,



I am so humbled by seeing what your ministry is doing in the world, and I say may our Almighty God alone bless you physically, spiritually, and financially. Beloved Brother Tony, I was overjoyed when I read your writing to me, telling me I can become part of the Lord’s compassionate, soul-winning team, because I am a man of God who always likes working for God, so I would like you to put me on your monthly distributor list and send 250 literatures monthly. World Pastor, please, I am a man of God here who teaches the Word of God by moving on the streets preaching, preaching in the markets and at lorry stations. I also move from door to door in different houses and also in different villages. Please, through your newsletters and your book entitled, The Messiah, sixty people have been converted and been baptized, which fifty of them are well-educated, and for them to understand well about what you preach, they need Bibles to be reading regularly, so I would like you to help us. Also, I will be grateful if you could please send me two Holy Bibles, a Bible dictionary and a concordance. I would also like you to send me five of your messages and music videos. Beloved Pastor, please I went to a village here in the Volta Region, and all people here are poor farmers and hardly able to have food even two times a day, so we are helping them and their children to study your literature. Be praying for us also because we are translating your literature in the local language (Ewe). Thank you very much and may God bless you richly, and we are keeping your ministries in our prayers.


Yours faithfully,


S.G.

Volta Region, Ghana

[tlthe5th (tlthe5th)]

Dear Pastor Alamo,


Greeting you in God’s wonderful name and God’s bountiful blessings be always upon you and your ministry together with all of your staff or co-workers in this wonderful ministry. I was overjoyed to receive your literature together with King James Version Bibles, and especially some literature about Catholicism. The literatures and Bibles will be sent to the Philippines, as they really need those materials. A lot of Christian churches in the Philippines are lacking materials because of financial reasons. Those literatures about Catholicism, some of it I gave to those persons I’m witnessing to, and really tears are flowing for those revelations they read. They were enlightened, because for many years they were deeply brainwashed with their wrong beliefs. Pastor, since 1994, I was already receiving literature from your ministry, and I know that you’re truly a faithful servant of God, who deeply believes His teaching and are obeying His Word, but some Christians here in Hong Kong are asking why you put “Holy” before your church “Holy Alamo Church.” Would you mind to explain it in one of your literatures, and please send it here to Hong Kong.


[The reason I put the name “Holy” in front of the church is because the church of Christ is holy. I’m just a member of the body of Christ, the church; however, His church is holy. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). If the church is walking in the Holy Spirit, then it is holy, and if a church is not walking in the Holy Spirit, then it is not a church. Anyone who is not holy shall be cast into Hell then the lake of fire, so I want everyone to know that our church is a holy church, which simply means that we walk in the Holy Spirit. It’s obvious to me that your friends in China don’t understand the Bible that well. The Bible tells us, “Be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 11:45). So if we are holy, why should we not say so? Most people in the world say they’re not holy. They’re not ashamed to say that, so I’m not ashamed to say that I’m holy.]


As I explain it to them that those who faithfully follow and obey our Savior are called saints or holy, but for further enlighten-ment, please explain to them because some conservatives Christians believe and keep telling me it is only the Lord that deserves to be called holy.


[Jesus said, “As Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us…I in them, and Thou in Me, that they be made perfect in one” (John 17:21, 23). The Bible tells in the book of Revelation that we are the bride of Christ, “the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming deon from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2). If they are not holy like Jesus is, then they’re not Christians. We have to be like Him, and the only way we can be like im is if He is in us. And if He is in us, then you better believe we’re holy because He will not reside in anyone who is unholy.


You never hear anyone complaining that the Catholic cult calls themselves the holy Catholic church, when in fact, it is the actual headquarters of Satan, the anti-Christ church. Why don’t they complain about that? I reckon it’s because that the prophecy is being fulfilled that in the last days people will “call evil good, and good evil” (Isa. 5:20). The’re just fulfilling prophecy.]


I was so thankful for counting me in your regular list for all your Christian literatures. I was well fed by those articles. Really, hearing messages are not enough, but reading will make us grow more through Him. I give glory! Pastor, I’m sorry for at this time I have no job, but I hope in days to come I could find one, so I can also help your ministry financially. Right now, all I can offer are my prayers for you and your ministry, for God’s protection, good health, guidance and full knowledge that only comes from Him. Thank you for your braveness for exposing the things that need to be exposed. Still now days, a lot of Christians don’t know anything about world news, because they’re just content listening to the church messages and are not exposed to some reading materials. Your articles are just on time for our church members because we’re at the battle at this moment for the problems we encounter from our own churchmates, too. I thank the Lord for you, Pastor, for your faithfulness to our Lord and Master. God bless you and I will keep praying for all of you in your ministry.


In His presence,


R.L. Hong Kong

[ivy (ivy)]

Praise the Lord!!! Thank you brother tlthe5th. Thank you for putting the edifying letters above on this message board. We know that the more Satan and his imps attack the work of God. The more God will increase His army. Someone must being doing a good job @ winning souls because Satan sure is fuming.... time is short and Satan is like a devouring lion seeking whom he may devour. Keep it up brother... the double edged sword is working ...

[skeptik (skeptik)]

Dude! The pair of you! My gosh! You guys have really bought into that TA thing! I'm curious if those letters were real, or just made-up! If they're real, then TA has quite a fan club, which certainly feeds the old man's ego. If they aren't, it's fraud and you should be ashamed of yourselves!

[tlthe5th (tlthe5th)]

i've personally seen these types of letters come in the boatloads. I have no reason to lie. disgruntled ex-church members who were excommunicated have reasons to lie. they want to get back at Tony.

[skeptik (skeptik)]

tlthe5th, you forget, I am not a former church member of the Foundation, because I never joined.

[skeptik (skeptik)]

But hey, I'm not called Skeptik for nothin'!

[christophr19 (christophr19)]

tithe, do you know how much tony pays for those materials he sends you? And besides, we never said anything about materials being sent overseas
DId you know that tony doesn't do that, the bros. and Sis. do (which we all were, and still are--just free in deed from the bondage of the flesh...mostly just tony's flesh). That wasn't something that tony ever did. He considered it beneath him to work, that was for us, his worker drones to do. There are two classes of people in the church, sex partner material, and workers.
anyone who was there can back that up.
And the fact that tony has these materials sent all over the world, well, didn't the pharisees tithe large amounts of wealth? Pray long prayers and messages, on the street corners? etc... Jesus called them whited sepulchures, and said that we would know them by their fruits....well, for those of us who have actually seen the fruit that tony bears. Lets just say that we bear witness of the fruit he produces. Lies, anger, Hate, Malice, Jealousy, Carnal lusts, slander, bigotry, Idol worshiping...no wait, that one is what all you tony worshippers are doing. SO, to reiterate; tony may send information to 3rd world countries, but here in his own house. There is only death and sickness. You tell me, which one shows his real fruits of the spirit? People who have never met him, or people who have witnessed countless transgressions, and unspeakable acts?
Be careful who you say is lying.....remember...God is always recording.

[helives (helives)]

If the people writing these letters, in other countries or the USA knew what was REALLY going on inside the foundation - they would run as fast as they could.

No new thing happening inside the Alamo Foundation!

Remember we were living inside the foundation when Justin Miller was beat 140 times with a board,

however

We being the faithful followers of Tony (we thought we were being faithful to the Lord - we were very tricked )
We did the same thing you are doing Ivy, Jedi and fifth by defending Tony. We dennied the facts regarding Justin Miller, and came back with 1 liners and lies. SAying the same lies how those people were blackslidden and just trying to get back at Tony

Did Justin Miller get beat with a board 140 times-

the answer, and truth is YES YES YES

If you really want to know what Tony's response was -go and read the court documents that are for public viewing. Those will be Tony's exact words.

You will find Tony LIED LIED LIED AND KEEPS ON LYING

[tlthe5th (tlthe5th)]

chris, some of what you said is true. as far as the scriptures but they don't apply correctly the way you used them. those pharisees never received the Holy Spirit filled responses that Tony gets. And don't forget, we ship out the literature but Tony gets it from the Lord. Also, I met Tony and my wife spent time at his house and she told me every one was genuinely happy and healthy there. My wife is a very smart person too. She graduated Columbia University and was accepted into Harvard Law school. Her father's is a physicist. And I was raised in Long Island, New York and am a military Vet who was honorably discharged and I know when someone's pulling my leg or not. I am careful to say who's lying because it's a serious offense in God's Word and I can tell that not only are you either lying or believe a lie but that the way you used Scripture that you're a heretic. It's easy to see that and to see why you're not in the church any more and that's because Tony doesn't allow heretics in the church because we only receive the pure doctrine of the Lord there straight from the Bible.
I can believe there is sin in someone's life like yours by the words that come out of your mouth. And the Words that come out of Tony's mouth testify that he is free from the bondage of sin because the Spirit being ministered through someone's Words is a major part of the Gospel. You can only have that if your living out the truth. The spoken word created all things and there's power in that word if it's from God. It does something to your spirit. I could go on for a long time giving scriptures and reflecting on this wonderful topic but I believe my point has been made.

[christophr19 (christophr19)]

to all,
Tithe or tittyfive, might just be tony....
don't know, but here is a website, that displays behavior that we(as former cultists) are familiar with.... read top to bottom then tell me what you think.
http://www.corante.com/mooreslore/archives/2005/03/28/the_schiavo_spammer.php
remember God is always recording

[tlthe5th (tlthe5th)]

no, chris, i'm not TA. i'm a 36 yo man who works for a major ny newspaper. i'm not in the church now but i was for about 6 years. i got saved when i was 27. it was very powerful experience. about 4 months later i found tony's literature and saw that he preached the real bible, not the watered down version that i was hearing everywhere.
i was in the navy when i was 20 to 23 so obviously that was before i was saved. i wasn't raised hearing the truth all my life like possibly you. like i said before but you just dont want to receive it. Tony ministers the Holy Spirit, you for sure do not. You're a creep, an odd-ball. look at your posts. the best you can do is sound like that? that just shows how shallow you are. i would be embarrassed if i were you actually i'm embarrassed for you. talk about going off the deep end? anyone who would read your posts couldn't take you seriously. I'm glad all you people are incriminating yourselves on here. because if those things did happen and you didn't do anything you will be just as guilty as Tony. now, you all come on here saying how stupid you were to let that all happen. please, you wait to get thrown out and then you bring all these accusations. nice try. any officer or judge and jury would see right through you phonies. ALL you phonies. how pathetic!

[helives (helives)]

tlthe5th - I really got saved at the Tony and Susan Alamo Christian Foundation. I agree with you - about the hell, fire and brimestone. He sure can preach hell, fire, and brimestone. The problem that I have with Tony is that he no longer, if ever, lives what he preaches.

He is very selective about who he lets know the real Tony.

We all know Tony's 1 liner -
It is okay to lie to the devil!

So one feels justified in twisting the truth and lying. Maybe they live in a remote location, so they could say - "I don't live at the church"

Or you really don't know the real Tony. He doesn't trust you enough to let you see how he really is.

I have stated many times how I was a devoted follower.
It was confusing to feel the Holy Spirit when I prayed and read the Bible, but then to see all the contradictions Tony was doing.
Tony told us it is okay to lie to the devil! However I never read that in my Bible.

Pray and ask the God in heaven to show you. Remember He made the hearing ears and the seeing eyes and He said if you call upon Him He will answer you. Ask him to show you.

Don't be so fast to defend Tony.

Call Tony on the telephone and tell him about these postings.


Let him come on here and defend himself!

If you haven't been in the church for a few years - why do you defend Tony . Let him defend himself.

Like I told Nfly - this isn't about nfly, jedi or you.

Let Tony defend himself.

The things I have posted I know for certain they are true.

Sue Balsley

(Message edited by HeLives on October 30, 2005)

[rattlesnake (rattlesnake)]

Not true.. tlthe5th..check out this site... http://www.rickross.com/groups/polygamy.html. Different group.. same crimes..lets just leave God out of this factor for the moment, shall we. Let's just talk what is right and what is wrong. These polygomists and child molestors got charged so why do you think Tony is any different? I think he is actually trying to copy cat these guys only he forgot to read the part that says that it is illegal to marry little girls and that it is even illegal to facilitate the marriage of a little girl to anyone. That is the crime here as well as the beating of women and children.

[skeptik (skeptik)]

Helives, you're aware of the website for TA, right? Well, there's a contact us form on that site. How feasible do you think it is for one of us-or even me for that matter-to extend an invite to the man, the myth, the legend, Tony Alamo? Do you think he'll go in for it?

[tlthe5th (tlthe5th)]

rattlesnake, re: that link you sent me. he got that from the same people who were made to leave the church. none of these charges were ever proved but they were brought against tony and he was found innocent and he can't be charged again. doesn't he have a right to be free from this if he was found innocent? according to the law he does. none of this stuff is true. some os these people are the same ones who say nice things about tony then all of a sudden they have letters on here saying bad things about him. for example that piper letter.
these people are just lying rattlesnake and its been proven in court.

[nfly (nfly)]

exactly right ththe5th. Piper is mentally unstable and as a matter of fact while she was visiting Tony's home she gave messages to the congregation. taped messages. Now she is claiming she was there by force. Believe me, that is not true. She was always free to come and go..like everyone else. There are no barbed wire fences or gates etc.. just go if you want to go.

[helives (helives)]

Nfly

that was funny - we have said the same exact words, here are a few more you may not know yet.

There are no ball and chains around our ankles, we are free to come and go anytime we want.

Anyone who believes the lies told about the foundation needs to be locked up in a padded room. (that is always a good one - it worked a long time ago when we were questioned about eating out of trash cans, and getting 5 bucks a week)


PS: why did you remove all your posts?

(Message edited by HeLives on October 27, 2005)

[iasmann (iasmann)]

To tlthe5th, nfly and Jedi

Have you been on the Alamo Ministries website and seen the Book Tony wrote called "Messiah"? Pretty powerful isn't it? Only thing is Tony didn't write it. He stole it. The real author is Fred John Meldau. Tony tried to buy the copyright but Meldau wouldn't sell it to him. So Tony stole it. He changed a line or two here and there and I think he threw in a paragraph about the Vatican but other than that it is 99% the same as the original.

The sad thing is that he is such a pathalogical liar he probably believes he did write it by now.

Of course he'll deny this but what I am saying can be easily verified. First by going on the Alamo website where Tony does indeed claim to be the author. Then by going on Amazon.com and ordering a copy of the original book called, "Messiah in Both Testaments" it is available for $2.79 and will ship in one to two days. Just do a search under the name Meldau and the book will turn up. Compare the two and decide for yourself who is the liar. Of course Tony may say Meldau stole it from him but if you check the copyright date on the book you'll see that Meldau's book was written decades before Tony's.

And remember "...all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

Ian

[rattlesnake (rattlesnake)]

Was Tony charged for marrying little girls or for facilitating with the marriages of little girls to grown men? I have never been aware of him having those charges. I guess I must of missed that one. It is illegal, you do know that much, don't you Tlthe5th? Really, you can not blame people for being upset about something like that and if it was your little sister, granddaughter, child etc. would you not be enraged? I would kill someone for doing that. I did not think that these things (polygomy, child brides etc.)happened while Susan was stil alive and was she not still alive when he was going through all the charges and went to jail, etc.? And if he was innocent of the charges that were against him, why did he spend those years in jail?
Also, tlthe5th, were you just in the church or did you actually live at the foundation? I am only asking on my own behalf because I am curious. I personally never lived at the foundation, but know of some who do. I am trying to find the truth and a lot of what I have read here confirms information I received elsewhere. I really just want to know the bottom line truth.. no frills, no bull <font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font><font color="ff0000">•</font> and if you really can not honestly say with all truthfulness before God that you have a broad firsthand knowledge of what goes on in Tony's house, then please, as God is your witness, admit that. I would rather hear someone say they are not sure than have someone lie about it.

[tlthe5th (tlthe5th)]

i don't know about him facilitating younger girls to marry anyone but it does bring to my remembrence that in many states girls are allowed to marry at a very young age with their parents permission. from what i understand as well is that Mary was given to joseph when she was 12 or younger and he was old, he had five sons and two daughters already. i think alot of this stuff is exagerated or made up by these people. how do they know all these details? they're not in the church.

[mylilboynme4ever (mylilboynme4ever)]

nfly,
hi how are you doing.you dont know me and i dont know you but i was told to ask you about amy eddy..i heard that this guy TA was abusing her and beating her really bad and that there is a chance that she might have been killed so if there is anything you could tell me about this situation i would really appreciate it..thanks for listening.

[rattlesnake (rattlesnake)]

tlthe5th: You have not addressed the issue of Tony himself marrying (legally or illegally) young girls nor how firsthand your information is on the happenings within Tony's house. I really would appreciate an honest response to that.
I would also point out that it may be a good idea to check out the laws as far as marriage of girls at such a young age.. I find it quite questionable. I also hardly find what happened back in the time of Joseph and Mary to be relevant to what is happening in this day and age. Laws are no longer the same, are they?
I asked a direct question and would really appreciate a direct answer, truthfully. I am not trying to be ignorant either, I am trying to find answers but I want them to be honest and if you don't know, please say so. It is very important to me.

[tlthe5th (tlthe5th)]

you look it up. you're the one who's interested in the subject. one thing i do know is that my 6 day old baby was going to die and tony prayed for him and he's fine now 2 years later. the doctor told me it was a miracle from God. it happened right after i called tony and he prayed for him. i'm keeping this short but you'll probably overlook this too right? overlook it all and just keep trying to make something out of nothing from disgruntled ex-communicated church memebrs that are all washed up.

[rattlesnake (rattlesnake)]

tlthe5th: I am happy that your baby is fine and I will not go into the hows or why. I'm just happy for you.
I am going to have to assume from your answer that you cannot answer my question honestly or truthfully because of your lack of knowledge of the real facts.
Nobody on this board knows who I am. I was asking you because I wanted to know for my own peace of mind. I find it very frustrating that those of you who are defending Tony so fiercely cannot offer any substantial basis for your arguments. As a "now" outsider and much removed, but yet concerned individual, I have to take the words of those that have actually been in there and have facts and personal experiences to back their statements. I find them much more believable and I am sure anyone else reading this board would do the same.
Thank-you for confirming my concerns and reassuring everyone else reading this board that none of you Alamo defenders really have a clue what you are talking about when you defend Tony Alamo.

(Message edited by rattlesnake on October 28, 2005)

[helives (helives)]

I'm getting just a little tired of hearing you and your friends refer to me as some disgruntled excommunicated - all washed up - doing nothing for the Lord, reprobate, etc blah blah blah

1st - you don't know me at all!!

2nd I have been gone from that place for over 15 years. So once again - YOU DON'T KNOW ME!

So don't judge me and try to convince yourself of what I am or am not doing for the Lord - because you don't know!!! THAT IS A FACT

3rd - Do not judge my walk with the Lord and pretend like you are the great discerner of my spiritual condition. YOU DON'T KNOW ME!

Over and over I have posted that I still seek the Lord and He has given me a new depth in Him that was never possible while I was subjected to Tony Alamo. I have stated repeatedly that I am very blessed by the Lord.

Quit lying about Tony having multiple wives!!

I saw the wives with my own eyes -standing not more than 5 feet away from me. Tony's own lips telling me these little girls are my wives. Do you want me to list their names again? My facts do not change! It will be the same names everytime! Also the beatings on Georgia ridge and justin miller beating DID Happen!
just because you weren't there, doesn't mean they didn't. Once again why are you defending Tony as if everything that has been posted was about you? Let Tony defend himself - he has a mouth - let him speak for himself!

I could tell you story upon story of crazy events that happened involving Tony Alamo during the almost 20 years I was in the foundation. Is that going to change anything? NO - I've put the past behind me, repented and gone on for the Lord.
Sue Balsley



(Message edited by HeLives on October 28, 2005)

[christophr19 (christophr19)]

Mrs. B. We love you.
Nfly, jedi, tk-5....sigh...are you willing to say that before God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and all of eternity; standing as witness right now to what you say. That you will stand before and be judged. That tony(1) is not having sex with mutiple girls, (2)doling out young girls to selected men in his church, (3)beating or causing to be beaten(past and presently)women and children, (4)anybody else want to join in here?...
Well, do you or your motley band of a defense team agree to go on record here, saying that with above mentioned witnesses listening and recording, that tony has not and is not doing these deeds?
Yes, or No......the only answers that you need to send your soul to heaven or hell. this isn't Jeapordy, this is real. For all the marbles!
you decide, which is it gonna be? Is it worth it? Have a nice day, God is always recording.

[ivy (ivy)]

rattlesnake, SIGH!!!!! I am telling you. Once and for all. I have been in Tony's house and does he get angry? YES. Is he having sex w/multiple girls/women? NO. I am telling you, these people are posting such lies about a good person. They are hoping that by trying to make him look bad they will accomplish some kind retribution. who knows. I am a young person. I want to go back. I am not lying here. I am not trying to be vicious. My sister was dying also... my mom and everyone was praying for her. She had been to he doctors and they didn't know what to do or what exactly was wrong. My mom asked the Pastor to pray for her. She was immediately healed!!! She got up from her bed and said "Jesus healed me" meanwhile she had no idea that the Pastor prayed for her. I will never forget that. I do give God the glory. But I know that Tony reached the throne of God and God did answer his prayers. I have seen so many good things of God there. I have felt the Holy Spirit pour down so strong and break hardened hearts mine included. Just because we are raised in a church does not mean that we will grow up to choose being a christian. We have our own personal experience with God. I have seen many kids come and go.. it is a decision each individual has to make. Just like the ones who are making the grave decision to lie about someone and blame them for such atrocities. The things mentioned are vile, disgusting, perverted lies. I know that God does not allow it. I have been taught from my parents and Tony that those things are wrong. You too will someday see that these things are false.

[ivy (ivy)]

mylilboynmeforever, sir, we answered you already but here it is again.... Amy is fine. So are the other children. Amy is one of my best friends even though she is older than me. Please don't worry and don't let satan torment you by reading these posts that are lies and extreme exagerrations.I'm sure that you would be very proud of her.

[iasmann (iasmann)]

Where in the Bible does it say that Mary was 12 when she was engaged to Joseph? It doesn't. And it doesn't say she was given, it says she was espoused. There's a huge difference. Given means she had no say in the matter, espoused simply means engaged. Tony likes to twist this to justify taking or giving away young girls against their will.

According to the Bible Mary was probably in her 30's or 40's at the time she was espoused to Joseph. It's easy to tell because her close cousin Elizabeth was very old. She could easily have been 60 or older. The Bible describes her as "well stricken in years" This phrase is only used 4 times in the Bible; once to describe Joshua at 110, once to describe David at 80 and twice to describe Elizabeth. It's very clear from reading Luke chapter 2 that her ability to have a child at such an old age was a miraculous act that could only have been accomplished by God.

In case you don't know, cousins are usually around the same age. A difference of ten to twenty years is not unusual but a difference of 40 to 50 is highly unlikely.

If the Bible said so I'd believe it but it doesn't. The idea that Mary was so young comes from the Catholic Church. A source Tony would never use under other circumstances but I guess those little girls are just too hard to stay away from.

[beccasue1975 (beccasue1975)]

IVY,

I don't mean this to be ugly, but it is what it is....

#1- It is well known that Tony Alamo does not like chubby semi-attractive little girls. He only likes the really pretty, innocent looking, petite, thin, child like bodies. Perhaps this is why you were not "chosen" to be one of his concubines or wives?


#2 - Tony Alamo has taken his reign of terror this far only by being extraordinarily DISCREET!!! Hello, he isn't going to make HIS filth front page news. Think about this... if he did that, would anyone, INCLUDING YOU, support him????

#3- I want to tell you something personal. I was raised in very close proximity to Tony. I had access to him that most other children did not, because my dad was very, very clsoe with Tony. I loved him more than you can imagaine. In fact, when I was little I used to think I was going to hell because I loved him "more than Jesus". I used to compare my love for my parents and Papa Tony and Jesus... a childish thing "Who do you love more". The answer for me was sickeningly obvious. When I was 13 Tony had been married to a few other women other than Susie... He had married a Sweedish lady named Brigitta and then some weirdo named Elizabeth, and then Diana (Kenya's mom). In all the years I was close to Tony and his wives, he never once inapropriately touched me. I had seen and heard him give very brutal beating (orders) and heard him with my own ears laughing at some of the kids yelping and screaming. I had seen and heard him be unfair and lie and be down right vicious, but none of those things could sway me. I loved Tony. He and my dad had a knock down drag out fight... they both told eachother they were going to hell.... bla bla bla

Next thing you know Tony is verbally bashing my dad saying absolutely incredible things about him... making people in the church tell vicious lies about him and stopping at NOTHING to make certain my dad could never see me again. He did this to hurt my dad. Guess what? I didn't care. I was supportive, agreeable, even tried to help him destroy my own father! You know, at the time I promise you I beleived with all of my heart Tony was right. I BELIEVED HIM WITH ALL OF MY BEING. I KNEW HE WAS SOOOOO RIGHT. I was invested heart, mind, body, and soul. If Tony had never kicked me out I am pretty sure I would have never been far away enough to ever see who Tony really was. (Ever hear the saying, you can't see the forrest for the trees? That was me!) Anyway, long story short here... Tony kicked me out with out ever speaking to me personally... A bunch of people reported me for who knows what (I was never called to deffend myself) and I was put on a bus from Nashville to Florida. I was 14 years old.

It took me YEARS to sort through all that I had seen and heard and done. It took me YEARS to be able to look at Tony and comprehend what he had done and was doing.

I know where you are right now. I have walked that same long road. I have deffended Tony and believed in him.

I BELIEVED. That is such a strong thing, to believe. When you beleive something there is no turning back, with out divine revelation.

To tell you the whole story I will tell you the real truth... not because I have to, but because I want you to know the real truth.

When I got out of the church I was confused and scared. My entire life was that church. It was all I had ever known, ever. We were much more sheltered than the kids are today. We lived on the ridge and we were literally raised in a bubble. Coming out to the world of sin was terrifying, especially because I was such an Alamo believer. I had no direction and no path and I stopped serving all together. I stopped serving Tony and I stopped serving God. I stopped reading the Bible and praying and fasting and I tried to errase it all. For me the Word of God and the words of Tony were intertwined and interlaced. I couldn't read the Bible without hearing Tony's interpretaiton. I did fall away from the Lord. I sinned. I did things that grieved the Holy Spirit. Do you want to know something really interesting? God's mercy was still new to me. Did you know that the Bible says God is married to the backslider? (Jer. 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zionhttp://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/happy.gif God never stopped loving me. He jealously longed for my fidelity to Him and Him alone! I did repent. I gave my heart, mind, body, and soul to Jesus, Christ. No longer to a cause or a pastor... but to Jesus, Himslef. God led me, powerfully, to a place where I could get Spiritual healing. I found my still waters and my green pastures. He leads me even now. I know God, my father better now than I ever did. I have purpose and destiny. And so do you... we all do.

I pray for you, IVY, because you are young and still so vulnerable. I think you believe you are deffending the man of God and because of that I really understand where you are coming from. Alot of people on here sound bitter and angry because they ARE bitter and angry. It is natural to be angry and bitter when you have believed a lie and lived a lie for so many years. It is hard...

I pray that your understanding will be opened and God's Word and true nature will be revealed to you. I pray for supernatural revelation and that a gift of discernment would begin to grow in you. I pray that God will use you mightily. I will continue to pray for you, IVY.

Rebecca}

[ivy (ivy)]

beccasue,
for one I am not semi-chubby, or semi-attractive. You have never seen me so it is wrong for you to assume that. But that really doesn't matter. Looks are really unimportant at this point not to mention a matter of opinion. I just will not agree to things that I know Tony would not do or allow. I do not worship him. But I have been around him so much...a lot of kids have stayed there at the house boys and girls take turns and yes there is a separation and adult supervision. There is nothing wrong with that. These stories are just crazy.To prove how easy it is for people to make things up is... as soon as i finally decided to say something on this board I get called fat and ugly... by supposed to be christians, meanwhile, none of them know me. That is how easy it is to make things up. Yes, I did say that I would not post again after my first post, but I changed my mind. I should have never got on this board my soul is so vexed.

[iasmann (iasmann)]

You know what, I apologize for calling you fat and ugly. If you are young and attractive there is another possiblity why Tony hasn't taken you. You are already married. If that is the case, don't worry Tony will soon kick your husband out on a false accusation so he can marry you. That's what he did to Randy and Tammy Sprinkle.

[beccasue1975 (beccasue1975)]

Whoa, IVY I never called you fat or ugly. Please re-read my post. Maybe I should have never addressed your post then you would have had nothing to misconstrue.

[joshb (joshb)]

Ivy,
Still too scared to come out and give your real name. Afraid? Whats your dirty little secret that you don't want anyone to know about you. Tell me, why it is ok to rape young girls. Perhaps you like to watch others as they are taken advantage of by those older and more deceptive. Why aren't you there anymore? Or is that a lie too. If you are still there, why waste your time on here. Should'nt you be out getting your tract count out. When I think of ivy, I think of poison ivy. It gets in your skin causing an allergic reaction, a rash if you will. So look you little RASH keep telling yourself that it is ok to rape and abuse those that are too young to even have enough courage to stand up for themselves. Then imagine if it happened to you. Not a nice warm thought is it. Maybe that is your problem. Maybe you like to be treated like a piece of meat. Are you into that kind of sick twisted perversion? Why won't you answer me? The truth hurts doesn't it! Tell Jedi to answer for you scared biatch.

(Message edited by joshb on October 28, 2005)

[jewels81475 (jewels81475)]

This is quite discusting. Your not working for God, your working for Tony Alamo, the false prophet who rapes and molests children and beat the innocent. Poor Justin Miller was beaten once because he was like seven years old and coudln't get some altering or something done in time for Tony to make money on. I know these things for a fact or I wouldn't be writing them! I don't start rumors, I dont pass untrue ones around either. Tony is a brainwasher, I know because my entire family and I were brainwashed once but we got out on our own before it got too bad. I was never beaten and I thank my Heavenly Father for that, but some of my very best friends were beaten and one of my very best friends was made to marry Tony when she was sixteen years old. On their wedding night he had to get her drunk and rape her because she was so scared. She was a child. do any of you have young daughters, because if you do beware because he's got a thing for young ones. No matter how "kingly" he lives here on earth, there is a much worse fate waiting for him when he crosses that bridge and is judged before God. I would fear God to the fullest if I were him. Just wanted to let you know that if your just now joining his "cult" i'd get out now before it's too late for you and your children, finances and your eternal soul.
jewels.

[jewels81475 (jewels81475)]

to Helives, who are you? I'm just curious, will you e-mail me and let me know. i'll tell you who i am in a reply. jewels81475@yahoo.com
thanks, jewels
Never mind, I read on and figured it out Sue..it would be nice to hear from you though and if you know how to get ahold of Justin, or is Jason or Jared do could you pleeeeease help me out. thanks. Jewels.

(Message edited by jewels81475 on October 28, 2005)

[christophr19 (christophr19)]

oh ivy,
From a once fat and ugly,
I used to be quite a chub, and had a comepletely messed set of teeth. And trust me, the names fat and ugly are not near as nasty, cruel, names as tony likes to use. And secoundly, go read nfly, and jedi's post....look at the names they use. you still haven't addressed any thing I said....We are waiting....yes or no?

[smitty (smitty)]

To ivy, t/the5th,nfly et al:I hardly know where to begin concerning the Tony and his doctrines, but here goes....
#1.) I have heard you say that Tony is a humble servant of God, yet he styles himself"World Pastor".Neither Paul nor Peter or the other Apostles ever took upon themselves that kind of arrogant title.God called him to do that? How do you know? Because he said so? And I suppose you belive him because he is alter all, the World Pastor. Circular reasoning proves nothing.I know that in all of his writings, Tony had held up the Constitution of the U.S. as a Godly document (after all it's the 1st. ammendment that has protected Freedom of Religion). Yet.....Let's looks at how that document (esp. the Bill of Rights) is practiced..

There is no Freedom of Assembly since the only gatherings are those called for by Tony.

There is no Freedom of the Press since only information approved by Tony is allowed

There is no Freedom of Experssion .I double dog dare you to stand up in a housemeeting and try to disagree w/ Tony.

There is no Freedom to keep and Bear Arms , since the only firearms are owned by Tony. I bought a pistol while I was there and it was sizeed and confiscated.

There is no freedom from Unreasonable Search and Sizeure reference the above.

There is no Freedom from Self-Incrimination, since when someone is accused of wrongdoing they are MADE to confess it publicly before the Congergation.

I understand some of you served in the U.S.Millitary, or were involved w/Law Enforcement. You swore an Oath, "So Help You God" to "Support, Protect and Defend the Constitution of the United States". Shame on you!!! You call others Backsliders and Heretics, I call you all the name you richly deserve....TRAITORS.

[smitty (smitty)]

Oh BTW there's more.There is no church government in the Foundation outside of Tony. Now, we can plainly see that the bacics of church government was set up in Acts and in the letters of Paul (Elders and Deacons ect.) I tell you that the only gov't. in the Foundation is Tony. All decisions are made by him, and no one else. Why does Tony disobey the Word of God and not set up a church government? You may say that it is because of the many failings of the Brothers and Sisters (that was his excuse), but doesn't that still mean that it's his fault, since he was the only one teaching us? Right there he is doubly condemmed as failing God. I've heard it said that "mistakes" of this kind are forgiven him because he is "Called of God". Moses was called of God, yet when he sinned, he had to pay the penalty of not enytering the Promised Land with the rest of the Childern of Israel. Davis was a man after God's own heart, yet when he sinned, he also payed for it by having Absolom rebel against him. In the end you can trace David's disobedience out to the breakup of Israel and Juda and all the problems it caused.
Oh yeah, the forign ministry that the foundation has, again, it's just sending paper to these other churches. No money, no people who have the calling to "go into all the world". Zip. Did anybody check out these outposts to see why they were not affifiated with any other denomination? I suspect not just so long as they keep pedaling Tony's papers.I remember the letters from some of these places, they were certainly thankful for the literature, but they were also in desperate need of material help, which was not given. In the realm of Tony's foreign outreach, is a case of "Be Ye Warmed and Filled"

[helives (helives)]

Jules
I know how to get ahold of Jared and Jason, but as far as Justin Miller - I'm sorry - I haven't seen him or heard from him since the day the LA county sheriffs took Justin out of the foundation for being beat by Tony and his faithful followers 140 times. I haven't talked to any of the Millers since I left the Alamo foundation in 1989.

[christophr19 (christophr19)]

ask mr M. I think, and I could be wrong, but he might know how you can get a hold of him.

[moonflower (moonflower)]

In light of everything that is being said on this message board, the Lord keeps bringing this scripture to my mind. (No, Tony didn’t remind me of this scripture like you are probably going to say. I talk to the Lord myself, and believe me, I’ve talked to him about you people.)

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you� (Matt. 5:11-12). “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets.�

You people will be some of the very ones that will be sending gifts to each other when the two witnesses are dead, lying in the streets for three days. You’ll be sending the gifts because they tormented you so much with the truth of the Word of God. I’m sure you would be so happy if something would happen to Pastor Alamo, but remember there’s nothing you can do until he has accomplished everything the Lord has for him to accomplish. Even then, remember, you won’t keep him down for long, just a few days. Then you know what happens next. Praise God for the victory we have in Jesus Christ! We win remember!

Misheal

[anonymous2 (anonymous2)]

people please know that misheal is one of tony's many wives/concubines

[anonymous2 (anonymous2)]

and i'm not speaking evil unless thats what you call the truth these days

[double_j (double_j)]

Alamo supproter wrote to me....

"why should we believe you Jared? you're probably just another liar like rebeccasue turned out to be. tony probably hurt your feelings by asking you to leave his church and now you're tramatized over it. Jared, Tony has rules there and you didn't want to keep them and he asked you and your whole family to go." that's all I've seen Tony do, put people out. so now you're disgruntled and into satanic music and
believe there are other gods and obviously have a wild immagination according to someposts I saw you leave on another Christian website saying "would it be ok to kill 300 people, would I still go to heaven?" that's just a crazy question. I wonder what the FBI would say about that. Are you considering killing 300 people Jared? why would you ask such a question? to see his question just go here. ->
http://www.christian-forum.net/lofiversion/index.php/t562.html

WELL FIRST OFF....I dont go around asking questions about god....ever think there is more than one Double J out there in this world????/ Nice try. And no I dont need to lie about it.....Cuzz I dont give a crap. It should be very apperant from all my other posts I dont ask questions about why God did this or what ever that crap is on that web site....#1 ...I never heard of that web site....# 2...not my cup of tea to go to christain web sites....Id rather watch the weather channel than debate God with you or some other moron...... most definately another Double J.....
As far as me being disgruntled....Aaaahhh Hardly...lol. No I am not. As a matter of fact, I am happy, with 4 beautiful children (that will not and dont get beaten), I have a great job and a family that loves me....I'd say thats pretty content.....Wouldnt you?????


You said "Tony had rules" and I "didn't want to keep them, so he aasked me to leave" HA ..... is thats what he told you? Well if so, then yet another lie from him. Actually, I was accused by Glen Grickson of throwing an grapefruit out of a bus window, and hitting a winshield and cracking it. I told Tony Alamo I wasn't the one who did it....Tony Alamo said..."GOD TOLD ME IT WS YOU AND YOU ARE LYING".

Problem is....I didnt do it....Even Levi Willis said I couldnt of done it, cuzz I was sitting next to him. However Tony insisted the LORD was telling him I did it....(it wasnt the Lord he was talking or hearing)....He ordered me to recieve 70 swatts. I said no...I wasn't going to get them, cuzz i didnt do it. He then told me I was getting kicked out. Put me on a plane the next day, and had me fly to LA to meet my parents...... You know, I probably would have taken those swats that day, If I had really thrown that orange/gapefruit.......But I did not do it. Tony Alamo is a liar and a fake.

As far as ME being a liar....Ummm NO... There is not much I hate....But a liar is one of them.

These things happened not only to myself, but to my friends, and my brother when we were involved with the Alamo Foundation bac in the 80's.

Now lets get back to the fact that none of these Tony Alamo supporters will address the main issues on this board. That is the CHILD ABUSE issue, and the polygamy issue.....It seems that every time an Alamo supporter or wife or someone posts, they only quote scriptures and avoid the direct issue of the beatings that took place on the Ridge in Arkansas and the multiple wives or concubines that Tony Alamo has.

That is great that people write letters to Tony Alamo and thank him for helping him...... Thats great that people survived, when they were
down and out. (I believe that would be by Gods graces though that they are still alive not a mans graces....but who am I to say) Thats great
that people in other countries have found Christ, and feel better about their lives. I wonder if they know that Tony Alamo is married to more than one woman? All these people posting on here talk about how good Tony Alamo has treated them, and we all know how good he can quote scriptures, still it does not change that fact that Tony Alamo
practices polygamy.

Now lets talk about the child abuse issue for a minute...

All these letters from people who are thanking Tony Alamo for them
finding God,and bring Christ into their lives, still does not change the facts that Tony Alamo ordered many CHILDREN back in the 80's to be
beaten with a board....( I don't know if he still does this these days, for I had enough back in the 80's and said no more, and we got kicked out) Some were beaten so badly they were bleeding. (this I know because it happened to my brother) There were times I was beaten so badly It would take me a minute (literally a minute) or more to sit down, and every time I would move, the pain would course though my body. I would be black and blue on my butt for weeks at a time. I remember one time I was hit, I believe it was 40 times, it may have been 70 but think it was 40 times with a board for holding my breathe in class and I passed out in the class room. Luckily,when I fell
backwards (unconscious) my head hit a pile of books that were on the floor next to my desk, otherwise my head would have probably split
open from hitting the tile.....It was a stupid trick I know, but I had just figured out by dong this you could make yourself dizzy, and was
showing it to my classmates. I got BEATEN at Tony Alamos house for that. It may sound like a childish and foolish thing to do (holding
your breathe to get dizzy) but at the time I was only a child. I believe I was 13 years old when this happened. . Did that really deserve to beaten with a 2x4? Holding your breathe in class.... Man what a horrible sin against God.

Post all the letters (whether they are true or fake)....What does that have to do with the fact that many children were severely beaten
at the hand of Tony Alamo or beaten after given the orders from Tony Alamo back in the 80's at the Ridge, inside Tony Alamos "Spec House"?

Tony Alamo will be eventually be held accountable in a court of law. You can not beat children and then just think that you can get away with it by quoting scriptures and calling people whores, homos, imps,devils, back-sliders, punks...etc....... It does not matter if it was
15+ years ago or not. I finally have built up enough courage to tell just part of my story and tell some of the stories of others I know
who have been beaten or abused at the Alamo Foundation back in the 80's at the hands and orders of Tony Alamo. Did Tony Alamo and Susan Alamo help young and old, destitute and broke
people get on their feet and find God.... .Yes.....Did Tony Alamo
order those peoples children to be beaten back in the 80's.... Yes It doesn't matter how long ago these children were abused, and I am including myself....the fact is he still had children beaten, and some times these children were beaten to a bloody pulp. By LAW they were physically abused. Tony Alamo can still be, and probably will be charged for some of these crimes that he has committed against children. Call me all the
names you want. Yes I am a backslider, yes at times I can have a foul mouth.......That still does not change the fact that many children
were beaten at the Alamo Foundation at the orders of Tony Alamo. That is a fact. It will remain a fact.

Double J...AKA - Jared Balsley (and yes there are other double j's in the world)
Go ahead ...Im waiting for the attack on me..... Tell me how Im a Imp, big mouth, call me a liar, say Im disgruntled.....Fact is....Tony Alamo has abused far too many children, I will continue to post what happened to me, my brother and my frieds until this lunatic is stopped.

[havebrainwilltravel (havebrainwilltravel)]

I know this is going to sound really tacky, but what the heck!

I just got back from my daughter's girl scout meeting and they sing the cutest song.

"Make new friends
but keep the old,
one is silver and the other gold
a circle is round
it never ends.
That's how long I want to be your friend."

Pretty simple, but not something we were taught as children. No, we were taught to backbite and devour each other.

Girls, I have been where you are, and I want to say,just like my little girl sings to her friends, "a circle never ends, and that's how long I want to be your friend."

I've never stopped caring for you, loving you. I know that it seems like you have to be where you are, but you do not. You are not bound by any law, any spiritual threat, but the belief that Tony is right, which he is NOT.

All those letters you post? So what? those people, some of them, have never even met Tony in person. You have.

You post those things, because, honestly, you are at a loss for words. You hate where you are, but don't know how to get away.

Some of you can draw, some can sing, others can write, and still others can keep books. I don't know what kinds of gifts you have, but how long will you hide your candle under a bush?

Are you going to be one of those women who dies, never having expressed yourself, never having realised the dream God had for you when He created you?

Tony is a big bag of hot air. He is SO NOTHING. Do you not see that?

Tami

[alamosupporter (alamosupporter)]

The
Tony Alamo Story

By Nancy Ross

THE FOUNDING OF ALAMO'S MINISTRY

In the early 1960's, Alamo and his late wife Susan, went out on the streets of Hollywood and West Hollywood, California and preached the Word of God to young street people, including drug addicts, alcoholics, criminals and prostitutes. They were the first of the "Jesus movement," and their street preaching attracted thousands. The Alamos' beliefs followed a strict adherence to the King James Version of the Bible, and were so popular that their first church was ironically a transformed former drug den in Hollywood. The ministry grew quickly, and soon moved to larger headquarters in West Hollywood and then to Saugus, California.

In the late 1970's, the ministry expanded to Georgia Ridge (near Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, and Dyer), Arkansas, where Susan Alamo was born. Soon ministries were founded in Tennessee, Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma and New York. They began modestly, by preparing meals, providing clothing and a place to sleep for their followers and anyone in need. As the congregation grew, they built housing for families, schools, nurseries, medical and recreational facilities. They developed workshops1 which provided job training for their followers, many of whom had never worked before. Through these workshops they opened a grocery store, restaurant, service station, hog farm, and trucking firm. They began manufacturing clothing, and Tony Alamo's fashions became a major success. His "glitzy" denim jackets were sold in department stores, in the most fashionable boutiques throughout the U.S. and Europe. The "Alamo of Nashville" store became world famous for its western, continental, and rock'n roll fashions. Clothes were made for Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, James Brown, and countless others.

The church developed a complex social and religious environment, which one must understand to have an accurate assessment of its practices and mores. The church followed an orthodox fundamentalist tradition. Church followers lived in an extended community and dedicated their labor, money, and time to expand the church in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether a church member worked in a church-run workshop or in an outside job, salaries were contributed, and all personal necessities, all bills and expenses including housing, medical care, food, clothing, and schooling, were met by the church.

The primary commitment of church members was to spreading the gospel, winning new converts and building their church--not in receiving high salaries. With every restaurant meal served, every gallon of gas pumped, every jacket sold, the customer was sure to receive a church brochure, and if they chose, be "witnessed" to.

Throughout the 1970's, Alamo and the church received strong praise from government officials and the media. In 1972, Herb Ellingswood, an aid to Governor Ronald Reagan came to the Saugus community to present a commendation from the government to Tony and Sue for their work. Press from throughout the world, including the French Paris Match and German Der Stern, wrote praises about Alamo and the church. Neil Young, for Warner Brothers, recorded the Holy Alamo Christian Choir singing the "Hallelujah Chorus" and the Alamo orchestra playing "King of Kings" for the motion picture "Journey Through the Past."

THE CULT AWARENESS NETWORK

SEES AN OPPORTUNITY

The church's enormous growth and success also attracted the attention of the Cult Awareness Network (CAN). CAN has a significant ideological and financial interest in the destruction of churches and so-called "new religions" they unlawfully deem illegitimate, particularly those which demonstrate success in attracting large numbers of converts among young people. CAN-related deprogrammers prey on the pain of families to convince them they can cure their child of their faith, which CAN terms "brainwashing." These deprogrammers charge these parents tens of thousands of dollars, and use such "tactics" as kidnapping, coercion, and physical abuse. They subject them to sleep and food deprivation, humiliate and ridicule them, deprive them of privacy, and have even used sex--all to deprogram a "believer."

CAN went after Mr. Alamo and his ministry in the worst tradition of the Salem witch hunts, the 19th century attacks on the Mormons, and other examples of religious intolerance. CAN's campaign of demonization against Alamo lasted 25 years, during which they disseminated and distorted misleading interpretations of church practices and false information to the media, and instigated investigations by government agencies -- from the Labor Department to the I.R.S.

Several qualified religious scholars have studied Alamo’s church, and have regarded it as a legitimate fundamentalist religion. However, these scholarly opinions have been drowned out by the "cult hysteria" whipped up and unlawfully manipulated by CAN. It is this latter interpretation that has most influenced the media and the courts. Although the consensus of the psychology profession is that the concepts of "brainwashing" and "mind control" are entirely without scientific merit, the media adopted CAN's allegations that Alamo "brainwashed" his congregation. CAN pseudo-psychologists recently lost a major law suit which has permanently ended their financially beneficial practice of testifying in court that so-called "cult leaders" could "brainwash" people to act against their will. But Tony Alamo was attacked before these theories were debunked, and these phony psychologists were allowed to peddle their bogus theories against Alamo in court. They portrayed him as having total control over his congregation, and compared church workshops to sweat shops whose workers were forced to hand over all their earnings to the Tony and Susan Alamo Foundation (TSAF). Thus the image of a "cult" leader was firmly ingrained in the public's perception of Pastor Alamo; and once demonized with this label, Alamo, like the Branch Davidians, became less than human in their eyes. The successful and good work of the church, of helping people overcome crime, drug and alcohol problems, of providing stable livings and jobs, and of giving people faith in God and a reason to live, were completely ignored.

ALAMO'S TRIALS BEGIN

Between 1976 and 1994, Alamo faced a multitude of lawsuits, many of them fomented by CAN. In 1976, the U.S. Labor Department filed a lawsuit against the Tony and Susan Alamo Foundation (TSAF), alleging that it was subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and that its members had to be classified as employees rather than volunteers. Church members countered that they did not expect a salary per se. They were volunteers working for the Lord and the goals of the church, and were working to pay their own bills as well as church bills. The church provided them with housing, food, all their necessities, spending money, and they were using additional money to build homes for new followers and other community facilities. The case went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in 1985 that people working in church-related businesses were subject to the minimum wage and FLSA regulations.

In January of 1988, Tony Alamo was accused of child abuse, of allegedly directing--over the telephone--the beating of 11 year old Jeremiah Justin Miller. At the time, the child was at the center of a custody battle between his mother, a member of Alamo’s church, and his father, Carey Miller who had left the church and joined CAN. Miller had abandoned the mother and the child, and according to the church, had embezzled church funds. Nonetheless, the father's accusations prompted a March of 1988 raid on the Saugus community, in which 60 Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies took the child and confiscated church property to be used as evidence. The raid turned up no evidence and the prosecutors initially declined to file charges. However, the charges were reinstated in April of 1989, when father and son, under the "guidance" of CAN-associated attorney Peter Georgiades, agreed to testify against the church. (Justin later became a ward of the state.) This case was never brought to trial, and recently, the California district attorney formally dropped the charges.

In October of 1988,nine months after the child abuse charge, Justin's father, Carey and his brother Robert Miller, filed a suit against Alamo, TSAF and Music Square Church, falsely charging Alamo with stealing their trucking business, and asserting there was no distinction between Alamo and the church. The Church claims that in fact, it was the Millers who stole $100,000 and the trucking business from the church. (The Millers used church drivers, who were never paid, as well as church administrative officers, trucks, and the church's credit rating.)

Georgiades, the Millers' attorney, claimed they tried to serve Alamo with a summons, but they couldn't find him. Even though the Millers knew Alamo was in California, they convinced the court to serve Alamo in Arkansas. The court finally effected service in an obscure Arkansas newspaper, and then charged Alamo with unlawful flight. Alamo denies this, pointing out that during the three years the government asserted he was fugitive, he was seen in pictures with Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, (now congressman) Sonny Bono and his wife, martial artist Benny the Jet Uriquidez, and George Albert of Cash Box Magazine, who were all modeling his trademark jackets. He did photo sessions with Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, the mayors of Las Vegas and Jersey City; did numerous radio interviews, including several with his brother Dan Hoffman, a well-known talk show host in Nashville; attended clothing trade shows in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas; did business with several Las Vegas casinos; and had dinner with the Wynn family, owner of the Golden Nugget, Dunes and Mirage Hotels and Casinos. At one point he even spoke with the LA Sheriff’s office.

Despite Alamo's obvious visibility, Judge Morris Arnold adopted the Millers' claim that Alamo was nowhere to be found, and proceeded with the case. In April of 1990 Arnold ruled in a default judgment against Alamo, and awarded Carey and Robert Miller $1.466 million in damages. The judge ruled that Alamo had fraudulently transferred assets to avoid a judgment, and that Alamo, the TSAF and Music Square Church were all the same--"alter egos" of each other. Neither Alamo or other church witnesses were allowed to testify at the trial, and no evidence was allowed on behalf of the church. It is clear from the judge's statement, that the case was highly colored by CAN's inflammatory charges. After issuing the judgment, he said, "No feeling person could fail to be moved by the testimony in this case or be reviled by the cold-blooded and calculated manner in which the [abusive spanking] punishment was carried out."

On July 5, 1991, Alamo was "captured" in Tampa, Florida where he and other church members openly operated a hardware store and family-style restaurant. He was charged with threatening to kidnap Judge Morris Arnold. In September of 1991, a Ft. Smith, Arkansas jury acquitted Alamo of these charges.

In April of 1982, Susan Alamo died of cancer, and was buried at Georgia Ridge. In 1991, after the government confiscated the church's Georgia Ridge property and there were threats that the mausoleum was going to be desecrated, her body was taken from the Georgia Ridge mausoleum. In March of 1992, Christhiaon Coie, Susan Alamo's estranged daughter whom she had disowned, filed a lawsuit inspired by CAN against Alamo accusing him of stealing her mother's body. Coie hadn’t seen her mother in over twenty years, including during the time she was dying. (She has even denied that her mother died of cancer.) But neither Coie or CAN could miss the opportunity of a potential financial reward from characterizing the removal of the body, a felony in Arkansas, as a "theft." The judge fined Alamo $100,000 and ordered his imprisonment unless he reveals the whereabouts of the body. While Alamo denies knowledge of where the body lies, he points out that according to Arkansas law, the body belongs to the spouse and not to the child. The case is on appeal.

REVOCATION OF THE CHURCH’S TAX

EXEMPT STATUS

During this same period, the IRS began to move against Alamo and the churches. In 1985, prodded by CAN members, they revoked the church’s tax-exempt status retroactively for the years 1977 to 1980. Despite the church’s attempts to reverse this ruling, it was upheld in 1992. The IRS simultaneously opened a criminal investigation against Alamo, thus effectively denying him the right to testify in the tax exempt case.

In 1990, the IRS filed liens of $7.9 million against church-run workshops (businesses) for taxes it claimed were due in six states -- Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Oklahoma and Florida. The IRS then issued a (jeopardy) assessment against Alamo claiming he owed $745,000 in personal income taxes for the years 1977 through 1980, and that Alamo-related companies owed another $5 million in corporate income tax, and $1.6 million in unpaid employees withholding taxes.

These charges, coupled with the default judgment in the Miller case, gave the IRS license to seize church property. In July of 1990, two dozen IRS agents raided the "Alamo of Nashville" store, seizing all of its merchandise and equipment. In October of 1991, the jeopardy assessment was abated by Federal Judge Thomas Weisman, who stated that the IRS had acted illegally. Eventually, the IRS and CAN attorney Georgiades, succeeded in getting another judge to allow them to re-seize the property.

In February of 1991, sixty U.S. Marshal Service agents, with weapons drawn, stormed the Alma and Georgia Ridge, Arkansas communities of more than 200 families. They confiscated their homes, businesses, and personal possessions, took scores of designer jackets ready for market, industrial sewing machines, dozens of cars and trucks, and over $8,000 in cash. They cut off phone and electrical lines, and closed the cafeteria, throwing the families out of their homes in the dead of the winter, and guaranteeing they wouldn't return. In addition, they took all the financial records, depriving Alamo of any means of defense in the tax violations cases. At least six separate court pleas in federal courts for return of the financial records were denied. Other seizures took place in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida and Oklahoma.

THE POWER OF THE "CULT" LABEL

Meanwhile, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles "cult" division, in a CAN-related campaign, launched a successful boycott to get stores to stop carrying Alamo fashions. They echoed the Millers' false child abuse charges against Alamo, and even arranged media interviews for the Millers. Even though these charges were unproven and later dropped, the department stores did not want to get caught up in a controversy, and Alamo lost contracts with Bullocks, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, and many others. These contracts projected enough income to pay all back taxes the IRS claimed Alamo owed.

In February of 1993, a Memphis grand jury indicted Alamo on charges of filing a false income tax return for 1985, and failing to file tax returns for the years of 1986, 1987 and 1988. In April of 1993, Alamo was arrested, and one year later, in May of 1994, his trial began before U.S. District Judge Jon P. McCalla. On June 8, 1994, Alamo was convicted of all four tax charges and sentenced to six years in prison.

Once again, Alamo was convicted by CAN-orchestrated slanders. When Judge McCalla ordered Alamo jailed, he expressed concern about the "very great control Mr. Alamo has over a number of people." While Alamo was not on trial for such bogus charges, it is clear that his conviction for tax fraud was influenced by this and other slanderous charges, which were given full play in the media.

Within a month, in July of 1994, Alamo filed a motion for a new trial, after discovering that his attorney, Jeffrey Dickstein, had been operating under a serious conflict of interest, making his defense ineffective. The government was considering charging Dickstein with tax fraud, and a bankruptcy judge had reported Dickstein for possible criminal prosecution for money paid to him in cash on behalf of Alamo. Alamo, who was largely unaware of these charges, was a potential government witness against Dickstein. In addition, Dickstein was facing a disbarment charge in California.

Dickstein's failure to provide a competent defense, and his propensity to alienate judge and jury alike, worked against Alamo. With the exception of a few government agents who testified, the remaining witnesses were disgruntled ex-church members who were aligned with CAN. Dickstein either refused to cross-examine these witnesses, or his examination was so lackluster that he allowed these witnesses to introduce slanders damaging to Alamo's character. The trial lasted three weeks, and despite Dickstein's feeble defense, it still took the jury three days to render a verdict.

It took eighteen months after Alamo's sentence for the judge to rule against his motion for a new trial. An appeal is pending.

Beginning in April of 1991, the U.S. Marshal Service, on behalf of the Millers and Georgiades, began auctioning off church properties and personal items to supposedly "satisfy" the debt. The IRS held simultaneous auctions which included real estate holdings in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Meanwhile, through these auctions, Georgiades was able to purchase church properties for pennies on the dollar which he then resold at a hefty profit. The church has not been able to get an accounting either from the U.S. Marshal Service or from the IRS as to the worth of their confiscated properties and goods. While the church estimates their value at over $100 million, the real value will never be known. Besides the loss of property, there were several cases of Alamo fashions being sold illegally. For example, in 1992, a Ft. Smith police officer, employed by the U. S. Marshal Service, was charged and convicted of stealing Alamo jackets. There are other similar stories of stolen church goods illegally sold for individual profit.

In February and March of 1995, a court hearing was held on seven more civil tax cases against Alamo and the churches. The IRS, Alamo and the churches agreed to resolve the issues in an "offer in compromise" which is presently under discussion.

In July of 1995, Alamo filed a (2255) double jeopardy motion claiming he had been punished twice. Alamo's liability by the government was assessed at $765,009. But between 1990 and 1991 over $52 million in property and goods were seized to satisfy this tax liability. Even if the government disputed the figures, there is no question that the seizure was excessive. Alamo also filed a motion claiming the government had indicted him 254 days after the expiration of the Statute of Limitations on the first two tax counts. Alamo noted that the government waited until after they had seized his financial records to charge him, effectively stymieing his ability to defend himself. The government counter-charged that the Statute of Limitations didn't apply since they refused to count the time Alamo was a supposed "fugitive." In reality, the government waited two years until after Alamo was arrested before they even indicted him.

CAN INTERFERES IN PAROLE HEARING

On June 5, 1995, Colorado Parole Examiner Robertson conducted a parole hearing at Federal Corrections Institution in Colorado and recommended Alamo for parole. He noted that Alamo was a model prisoner.

On October 30, 1995, the U.S. Regional Parole Commission in Kansas City, Missouri overturned the recommendation and denied parole. The Commission chose to ignore the Parole Examiner and over 400 letters in favor of his release, and instead relied on letters from disgruntled former church members, all allied with CAN. These letters were initially kept secret from Alamo's attorney, and only two, both heavily redacted, have since been released. But their content was unmistakably CAN slanders, and it was based on these slanders, taken as fact, that the acting Regional Commissioner Michael Gaines made his decision. He referred to Mr. Alamo's church as "a cult in the truest sense... [L]etters from victims are sufficient for a reasonable conclusion that subject committed his scheme by exerting unusually strong control over very vulnerable religious followers of his... He used destitute people, unwed young mothers and children to bring in money in exchange for living in subject's religious compound." The Regional Parole Commission adopted CAN's explicitly ideological anti-First Amendment terminology, which has been soundly rejected by reputable religious scholars.

The Commissioners seem unaware that CAN is a religious hate group whose "brainwashing" theories have been completely debunked and are inadmissible in court. They also seem totally unaware of the First Amendment, including its prohibition of government on the free exercise of religion. With total prejudice, the Commissioners do not recognize that these so-called "destitute people" and "unwed mothers" have the right to join any church they desire.

The parole decision is presently on appeal before the U.S. Parole Commission in Washington. Tony Alamo was denied due process. He, like all American citizens, has the right to have his case tried on the merits, in a trial free of the taint of officially sanctioned religious prejudice.

PRO-FIRST AMENDMENT VICTORIES

There are some hopeful signals that CAN's tactics and practices are now being called into question by the judicial system. Since the Waco tragedy, many Americans have become more aware of the deadly consequences of CAN's anti-religious rhetoric. At least one CAN practice has been stopped. As mentioned above, in October of 1995, CAN psychologists Margaret Singer and Richard Ofshe lost a major suit against the American Psychological Association (APA). They had sued because the APA had refused to endorse a report on "brainwashing" prepared by Dr. Singer, thus depriving her and Dr. Ofshe of their lucrative employment as "expert witnesses" in legal cases where the existence of "brainwashing" was at issue. The APA concluded that her report lacked scientific rigor, and that there was no empirical evidence to support a belief in "brainwashing." The court concurred, and ruled that their pseudo-scientific "brainwashing" theories were unsubstantiated opinions, rather than the professional consensus, and therefore, were not admissible as testimony under the Frye principle.

In March of 1992, the Emery Wilson Corporation d/b/a Sterling Management Systems, a company associated with the Scientologists, was awarded over a million dollars in a suit against CAN attorney Peter Georgiades for defamation of character and slander. In September of 1995, a jury awarded a member of the Seattle United Pentecostal Church $5 million in damages against CAN. The church member had charged CAN and their deprogrammer Rick Ross with depriving him of his religious freedom, by abducting him, holding him against his will, and trying to coerce him into giving up his religious beliefs. This past December, in another victory against an anti-religious witch hunt, a reverend and his wife from Wenatchee, Washington were found not guilty of leading a child sex ring.

These small victories must be extended to insure religious liberty and freedom for all Americans. The term "cult" and all hate language must be permanently stripped from our judicial system. All Americans have the right to the freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
We must preserve and guarantee our Constitutional rights.

Ross &amp; Green
435 West 57th Street, Suite 8-F, New York, New York 10019;
(212) 246-2488, Fax: (212) 246-2384
e-mail: nross00@aol.com

[false_prophet_detecter (false_prophet_detecter)]

wow it amazes me how much you have to say that doesnt really say anything at all guess what your not immortal you are going to die one day you really should be having more fun ill ask JC to help you out hes a personal friend of mine

[rattlesnake (rattlesnake)]

I am sure that even God is cringing at this so called Christian language and behaviour that you alamo supporters use.
Probably even Tony would be disappointed in you because for an outsider to sit and read all of this, they would definately not believe that a leader who allowed his followers to speak and behave in such an outrageous and rude manner would be a leader led by God.

All the time that you spend trying to convince outsiders how righteous and godly Tony Alamo is, is blown to bits by all your nasty posts.

Seriously think about it from a mature point of view if you will. The Alamo supporters are the ones trying to prove that Tony is led by God and that everyone else is just trying to destroy Tony, for whatever reason.

If you, alamo supporters, had never heard of Tony Alamo, and you were seriously trying to get some sort of answers about whether or not he was truly led by God, would you find what you are saying very convincing?

I know you will come back at me with something rude, at this point I expect nothing less, but I think that if you really search your heart, deep down you know this is true.

If you truly believe that Tony is who you think he is, then do you not think that he is capable of defending himself?

And if you are truly worried about someone getting turned off from following Tony because of what the non-supporters are saying, consider this: If Tony really is chosen by God and God wanted to choose someone to be a follower of Him through Tony, do you not have enough confidence in God to see his will be done regardless of what is said on here?

Why don't you let God and Tony fight this battle instead of coming on here and making Tony and his ministry look like such an unattractive ministry?

Please really give this some consideration. Right now things don't look too attractive and as a "mostly" outsider, I have to tell you ... they ain't getting any better.

[jules11468 (jules11468)]

If you would like to only see the posts you want, you can set your "preferences" to have Factnet email you the new posts only.

That way when you see that the file size of the post is in the 200 range - you will know that it is one of TA's ramblings and you can hit the DELETE button. Its a beautiful thing! You wont have to scroll all the way down every thread, since copying and pasting is all he knows how to do.

[false_prophet_detecter (false_prophet_detecter)]

your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself.