Neville Cooper Essay

Neville claims that God speaks directly to him: Claim to some divine authority is not necessarily a dangerous trait, as prominent religious groups within the world today were started by a leader or individual claiming to be a messenger or to have special insight from a divine being. A single leader’s claim to divine authority is the foundation of religions such as Islam (for example, Mohammad: a prophet of Allah), and thus this claim to divine authority itself cannot define a cult.

As Neville Cooper may argue: a leader who uses their authority to share their genuine interpretation of the Bible is not necessarily a cultic trait. Neville Cooper claims to focus his statements of creed, and thus what Gloriavale members follow, on the teachings of the bible. If true, this within itself is not a cultic trait as being influenced

“The power my dad had: he became so warped in his own self-image, in his self-belief, that it defied reason and logic.” - Phil Cooper (Scott, 2009). Neville’s son stated in the same documentary, that as the head of the community, Neville considered himself above a doctor and therefore could teach sexual education - even in practice - to young members. “Neville felt he was invincible. He viewed himself as called and chosen by Jesus… his decision would be the ultimate authority.” (Beale, 2009). Neville was sentenced to 5 years in prison in 1995 for indecent assault against community members, including his own son. A leader who places himself above the law and uses his authority to violate serious laws within the community is a cultic trait. Neville Cooper’s power “defied reason and logic”, which shows alone that his actions are considered immoral and wrong by his own son. “God’s law -his law- is above the law of the land” - Phil Cooper (Scott,