FBI investigating fundamentalist Christian sect, after widespread allegations of childhood sexual abuse
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“The gaslighting and the guilt is what has created such a perfect breeding ground for the pedophilia that goes on,” a former member said to the 7 Investigates team.
BOISE, Idaho — A fundamentalist Christian sect has mostly stayed under the radar for the past century. But it has emerged from the shadows recently, revealing a disturbing and shocking secret.
The FBI is investigating the group – as it faces widespread allegations of sexual abuse. The sect has fewer than 100,000 members worldwide, and about 700 in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon.
It isn’t set up as a non-profit, and doesn’t have one main leader or an official name. Outsiders call it “The Church With No Name” or “Two by Two” (2×2), insiders call it “The Way” or “The Truth”. But former members said its leaders work to conceal the real truth. So, they spoke to 7 Investigates, to expose it.
For the last 80 years, followers of a little-known Christian sect have met in a field in Parma for an annual regional convention.
Members of what the FBI calls the “2×2” church also meet weekly in homes, schools and other public places all over the world, including Idaho and Oregon.
For more than a century, the international organization’s teachings and activities were largely unknown to the outside world.
“Deanne,” a former member, said, “it’s just so secretive. And I don’t know why it has to be so secretive. Nobody wants to talk about it.”
But former members are talking to 7 Investigates, coming forward with widespread allegations of child sex abuse.
“It has to be exposed,” former member and child sex abuse survivor Sheri Autrey said.
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