Portal:Controversies: Difference between revisions

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William Branham, his message and the followers of his message are not without controversy.
William Branham, his message and the followers of his message are not without controversy.  The important issue with controversy is to determine which issues are valid concerns and which issues at not significant.


The following is not an inclusive list and, if there is something that you feel should be dealt with on this page or information that will bring greater accuracy or clarity to this information, please contact us.
The following list comprises issues which we feel are valid concerns.  This is not an inclusive list but we have tried to list everything that we are aware of.  If there is anything that you feel should be dealt with on this page or information that will bring greater accuracy or clarity to this information, please [[Contact information|contact us]].


=Why Are These Controversies Showing Up Now?=
=Why Are These Controversies Showing Up Now?=
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:''And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.''  
:''And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.''  


One symptom of [[Cognitive Dissonance|Cognitive dissonance]] show itself in the existence of the [[The Returned Ministry Sect]].
[[Cognitive Dissonance|Cognitive dissonance]] is a condition in followers of William Branham.  This psychological condition shows itself in a number of manifestations, including the develoopment of the [[The Returned Ministry Sect]] as a means of dealing with unfulfilled prophecies and visions..


==The Credibility of William Branham==
==The Credibility of William Branham==
Are the stories that William Branham told true and factual?  Do they hold up under scrutiny?  Is he believable?
If not, then this has a significant impact on everything that he stated in his sermons.  Here are some issues that need to be considered in determining whether he was credible.


*[[Plagiarism]]
*[[Plagiarism]]
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*Jospeh Diety - Believing that Joseph Branham is God in flesh.
*Jospeh Diety - Believing that Joseph Branham is God in flesh.
*The Seven Thunders - followers of Joseph Coleman
*The Seven Thunders - followers of Joseph Coleman
*[[Vaylism]] - followers of Lee Vayle, although some of these have gone of on a separate tangent, such as the followers of Terry Sproule in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (who originally were followers of Lee Vayle).  Lee Vayle taught a number of controversial doctrines including the ''Parousia doctrine'' and the denial of the deity of Jesus Christ.
*[[Vaylism]] - followers of Lee Vayle
 
::''...the church has made the great mistake in making Jesus equal to God — which he is in a certain way — but he’s not God. He’s not Deity. I’m sorry, but he’s not, because God is not in him. No way. What God was in him is not Deity, same as what God is in you is not Deity, concerning Deity Himself, which is Sovereign God and Creator and Maintainer.''  (Lee Vayle, Godhead: Tape #1500/11-05-2000, Godhead Q&A #4: Tangibility of God)


Additionally, there are a number of individual churches that espouse the message but would be considered cultic or cult-like because of their [[Sociopathic Leadership]].  These would include:
Additionally, there are a number of individual churches that espouse the message but would be considered cultic or cult-like because of their [[Sociopathic Leadership]].  These would include: