Re: Looking for exmembers of Calvary Temple
Date: September 18, 2009 12:48AM
Seems like this is a dead thread, but just in case: I am an ex-member, and this is definitely a cult.
Calvary Temple started in the late 70s as an Assembly of God church. Star Scott, the head pastor, came from California, and is heavily influenced by the faith movement of the 70s.
Calvary became independent from the Assembly of God church (and oversight) in the late 80s. Star Scott prefers power over money (to a point) because his teachings split the church in the mid-80s. The church was on its way to becoming one of the mega churches in NOVA with over 1,000 members and gaining. After he started teaching on his disapproval of specific members, there was a large split, and the church was left with less than 500 members. The member numbers started to decrease more after the church became independent and Star Scott implemented strict rules and heavy tithing (20% plus) requirements. If members could not afford the tithe or the mandatory schooling for their children, they were allowed to work off the amount by providing services around the grounds (cleaning, maintainence, etc.).
Into the mid-90s, rules became more strict, with clear social hierarchy. When people would disagree with or question a teaching, s/he would be punished by being required to sit within a specific section of the "sanctuary" during services. That person would also be placed on a social blacklist, and it was understood that the rest of the congregation would distance themselves with someone who may "backslide." The person was expected to reform their views and fall back in line with the "flock." In extreme cases, people would be ex-communicated from the flock. People within the church were, and are, not allowed to speak with ex-communicated members. Many families that left during this time were split. Children that wanted to stay with the church were encouraged in private to run away from their "rebellious" parents. Some children did run away, however, local police would return the children back to the parents. One child that stayed with the church later decided to leave, but left the associate pastor's house in the middle of the night for fear of his safety. His parents had not pressed legal charges as they had adult children still in the church.
Towards the latter end of the 90s, Star Scott was able to have the church's property signed over to him solely. He also started investing heavily in specialty racing cars (see finishtheraceministries.org). He also made nightly attendance of prayer meetings mandatory. The only day not required to be spent at church was, and is, Saturday. The church also prepped for the impending Y2K "disaster" by tithing extra to build up a food and emergency supply at the church.
In the early 2000s, Star's wife died of cancer. Within one month, he remarried a 22 year-old from the church. He preached (this can be found on swordofthespirit.org sometime in fall 2002) that, as the high priests in the old Testament, he was allowed to go out amongst the flock, and choose a virgin for a bride. A few families left after this announcement.
In 2008/2009, Star required that all the associate pastors sign over their homes to him. One pastor would not comply and left the church; however, he still agrees with all of the church's teachings and, therefore, has not been ex-communicated. Star's son also sent out an email in the fall of 2008 to the entire church, with an accusation that Star had sexually offended minors when he lived in California. After the email had been sent, Star told his followers they were not allowed to open the email. The email contained detailed information, enough that many individuals left afterwards. In 2009, the Washington Post published two extensive articles on the church, and the IRS looked into their finances.