Tampabay.com
AUGUST 09, 2010

Bud Chiles and the alleged cult that employed him

Miami New Times: As he campaigns for governor on an independent ticket, Lawton "Bud" Chiles III likes to trumpet his decade running HOPE Worldwide, a health-care charity. "We did immunization and health outreach for thousands of kids," Chiles says.

Sounds nice!

But Chiles -- who's threatening to torpedo Democrat Alex Sink by nicking thousands of moderates -- neglects to mention a key tidbit about HOPE: It's the nonprofit wing of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC), a denomination many believe is a cult.

"This cult has destroyed so many people's lives -- financially, emotionally, and spiritually," says Jenny Hunter, a former ICOC true believer who left the church and now helps counsel other members trying to escape. "People have committed suicide."...

(More here)

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