Key Takeaways:
- Destiny Church, led by Brian Tamaki, has been a part of New Zealand’s religious culture for over 25 years and has recently made headlines for its anti-LGBTQI stance.
- The church’s support group for men, Man Up, has been accused of promoting toxic male behavior and victim-blaming.
- Women who have left the church or are still members have spoken out about the fear and hurt they have experienced, with some afraid of violent responses from Man Up members.
- The church’s use of haka against the LGBTQI community has been criticized as inappropriate and harmful.
- Brian Tamaki’s sermons have been described as incendiary, promoting homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia.
Introduction to Destiny Church
Destiny Church, led by Brian Tamaki, has occupied a small but loud corner of New Zealand’s religious culture for over 25 years. The church has recently made fresh headlines due to its active stance against the LGBTQI community, with members of its Man Up division targeting rainbow events and storming the Drag Story Hour at a West Auckland public library. This incident resulted in injuries to the public and seven Destiny arrests. Journalist John Campbell has launched a five-part TVNZ+ investigation into Destiny Church, exploring the culture of antiquated patriarchy and violence within the church.
The Investigation into Destiny Church
John Campbell’s investigation into Destiny Church began with an unexpected phone call from two people who were dealing with Destiny Church members and reported that some of them were in a bad way. Campbell had previously covered Destiny Church on his show, Campbell Live, but had not done so recently. He decided to take a deep dive into the shadows behind Destiny, watching hours of Tamaki’s sermons and conducting over 20 interviews with current or former members of the church. The women he spoke to were afraid of speaking out, with some afraid of violent responses from Man Up members. They reported feeling hurt, scared, and exhausted, and were often in tears during their conversations with Campbell.
The Culture of Fear and Control
The women who spoke to Campbell reported a culture of fear and control within Destiny Church. They were afraid of losing their place in the community, and some were afraid of violent responses from Man Up members. Campbell spoke to Debbs Murray, a family violence awareness expert, who explained that the dynamics of coercive control can trap people in relationships by tapping into their vulnerabilities. Campbell believes that Destiny Church exercises a similar kind of control, attracting vulnerable people and convincing them that there is great danger outside of the group. The church’s use of haka against the LGBTQI community has been criticized as inappropriate and harmful, with Professor Leonie Pihama describing it as a form of cultural appropriation.
The Motivations behind Destiny’s Homophobia
Brian Tamaki’s sermons have been described as incendiary, promoting homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia. Campbell believes that Tamaki’s obsession with fatherhood and protecting families from perceived threats is a key motivator behind the church’s anti-LGBTQI stance. Tamaki has been accused of conflating child abuse with LGBTQI issues, despite evidence showing that child abuse is more likely to occur in state institutions or churches. Campbell also notes that many Man Up members may have come from backgrounds of state care and violent crime, and are being taught to channel their rage towards a community that does not deserve it.
The Targets of Destiny’s Rage
Destiny Church’s targets of rage extend beyond the LGBTQI community. Tamaki has also targeted Māori activism, calling Te Pāti Māori a terrorist association. He has also made explicit comments about immigrants, suggesting that 98% of them are "probably terrorists" and that multiculturalism is "evil". Hundreds of people attend Tamaki’s sermons every week, but it is nearly all men who go out on these confrontational missions, which Tamaki admitted he directs. Campbell’s investigation also looks at other issues attached to Destiny, including financial irregularities and the disappearance of large amounts of cash.
Conclusion
John Campbell’s investigation into Destiny Church has shed light on the culture of fear and control within the church. The women who have spoken out about their experiences have reported feeling hurt, scared, and exhausted, and are often afraid of violent responses from Man Up members. The church’s use of haka against the LGBTQI community has been criticized as inappropriate and harmful, and Brian Tamaki’s sermons have been described as incendiary. Campbell’s investigation is a timely reminder of the importance of holding institutions accountable for their actions and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity.
