Dangerous Church Cult Information

Posted on 06/11/2005 at 14:01:36  |  Report Abuse |  0

Many claim to have been raped and lost their marriages and children due to Thomas Streitferdt Sr. One woman recently had several surgeries due to Streitferdt and her husband. Streitferdt's wife recently died mysteriously and Streitferdt did not tell their daughter about her mother's death and warned church members not to inform his daughter because she is no longer a church member, but rather an enemy of God. Although, the daughter received information regarding her mother's death due to someone who was disobedient to Streitferdt was blocked from the physical buriel site by agressive church members.

New York Times 5/23/88, New York Daily News 5/27/88, Newsweek
5/30/88, Denver Post 5/20/88, Newsday 6/11/88
Rev. Thoma Streitferdt, 59, a white Pastor in charge of the mostly black 700-member True Church of God in Harlem, was charged with rape and sodomy of two young sisters (ages 14 and 16) in his congregation.
Law enforcement officials charge that Streitferdt told females worshippers that they could end up in hell if they refused his sexual advances, and raped at least one woman during premaritial counseling.
Although his congregation was working class, Streidtferdt lived in a 1.4 million waterfront estate on Long Island, and owned property financed by contributions illegally coereced from church-goers. He and his family had exclusive rights to drive three church-owned Mercedex-Benz autos. Yet his tax returns in 1987 listed income of just several thousand dollars.
The church required members to turn over tax records, and to tithe 10 percent as a condition of membership, increasing that tithe to 30 percent every third year. He also controller the finances of many of his members by keeping their savings at a bank set up through his church. Members were told that if they were not buried under church auspices at an additional fee in the church cemetary that "they would not go to heaven."

Posted on 06/11/2005 at 14:10:19  |  Report Abuse |  0

Hello excult, and welcome.

This is sad and when you get people who can interpret the Bible however the 'spirit' moves them, then why not?

Posted on 06/11/2005 at 14:25:07  |  Report Abuse |  0

It is also sad that when some just want control and uses their bible school degree to get them the position they want so they be destructive

Posted on 06/11/2005 at 14:26:52  |  Report Abuse |  0

Were you a part of this church?

Posted on 06/11/2005 at 17:50:22  |  Report Abuse |  0

Yes, at one time.

Posted on 06/11/2005 at 18:03:26  |  Report Abuse |  0

What was inviting to you about this church?

Posted on 06/11/2005 at 18:18:43  |  Report Abuse |  0

My parents were members of this church for a long time. I was brought there as a child and later saw things for what they really are as I became older.

It is interesting because people in general want to do the right thing, serve God and be around people who feel the same way.

Posted on 06/11/2005 at 18:40:15  |  Report Abuse |  0

What do you think was more important in that situation: worship or fellowship?

Posted on 06/12/2005 at 10:35:54  |  Report Abuse |  0

I would have to say a proper balance of both. The pastor at The True Church of God enforced everyone to come their and listen to "the word"

Streitferdt took over The King's Chapel Assembly and elemenated all connections to any and all connections to other organizations and other assemblies. There is a book about Penticostalism and in it is a mentioning of Streitferdt and that he changed the name and type of religious services to one private and members only.

Posted on 06/12/2005 at 14:48:06  |  Report Abuse |  0

quote:

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There is a book about Penticostalism and in it is a mentioning of Streitferdt and that he changed the name and type of religious services to one private and members only.

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Was it mentioned as a positive?

Posted on 06/12/2005 at 21:36:29  |  Report Abuse |  0

No, is was not.

Posted on 06/15/2005 at 10:09:13  |  Report Abuse |  0

No it was not mentioned as a positive move by Streitferdt because he drained key former members, in certain offices, of their power and position leaving no one qualified for him to answer to.

Get this, it has been discovered that Streitferdt had been removed from churches he was once apart of due to sexual misconduct!

Posted on 06/15/2005 at 11:11:27  |  Report Abuse |  0

Sadly, Catholics are no strangers to this. But at least we have a hierarchy to appeal to. I don't know what recourse these independent congregations have other than the Law. Or simply leave and warn others to do the same.

Posted on 06/16/2005 at 13:04:23  |  Report Abuse |  0

Streitferdt tells his church members that only God deals with his representatives. Does this look familiar, "rebuke not an elder"? His family members reported that he has molested those in his own family.

I would think that if anyone informed the police that it would be too much of a hassle and Streitferdt knows this and is very experienced,

Posted on 06/16/2005 at 14:41:05  |  Report Abuse |  0

Maybe only a groundswell of massive exposure from his own congregation will stop him. Let's pray that one way or another he is stopped.

Posted on 06/17/2005 at 06:11:32  |  Report Abuse |  0

There is one problem, the members are afraid and think that Streitferdt is God's only minister for this day and time for God's people, per Streitferdt's teachings and doctrine. The doctrine he teaches come from God's revelation to him for the saving of God's people, per Streitferdt. "How can they hear except there be a preacher and how can he preach except he be sent" So, the projected threat is that to go against Streitferdt is to go against God.

I really appreciate this message board because I get to communicate with people who care and may have gone through similar experiences as I have.