All about the Exclusive Brethren sect

The Age, Australia/September 19, 2006

• An offshoot of the Plymouth Brethren formed in 1830s.
• World leader is Bruce Hales, an office equipment supplier.
• 40,000 members worldwide, about 18,000 in Australia.
• Members meet in rooms, not churches. They are allowed no public entertainment, novels, university attendance, wearing of shorts, mobile phones, voting or contraception.
• A no-computer rule has been modified recently, with computers now allowed if they are leased from Mr Hales' office supply business.
• Rule-breaking leads to excommunication, the loss of contact with all family members and the loss of business networks.
• Have spent an unknown amount on the 2004 Australian federal election campaign; ($US530,000 — $A704,400) on the George Bush re-election campaign, and an unknown sum on the 2006 Tasmanian election.