John and Jed discuss the issue of blind trust in cult leaders, using the recent defense of Mike Bickle as a case study. They explore how trust in healthy relationships is earned through honesty and integrity, but in cult settings it is demanded and weaponized. Drawing parallels from their own experiences in Branhamism and the International House of Prayer, they reveal how the same manipulation tactics keep followers trapped in circular reasoning and misplaced loyalty. <br /><br />The conversation also examines how defenders of Bickle dismiss victim testimonies, misuse scripture, and even deny the reality of grooming to protect leadership. John and Jed highlight how these patterns echo the broader history of abusive revivalist movements, and why recognizing the difference between genuine trust and coerced control is critical for healing and freedom.<br /><br />00:00 Introduction <br />00:31 Opening Thoughts on Trust <br />02:15 The Cult’s Demand for Blind Faith <br />05:00 Inside the Defenders’ Rhetoric <br />08:06 How Trust Flows Uphill <br />12:26 Manifested Sons of God and Authority <br />19:05 Unaddressed Accusations Against Bickle <br />23:41 Grooming Dismissed as “Temptation” <br />25:21 Cult Mindset and Mental Health <br />31:02 The Cost of Questioning Leaders <br />36:01 Speaking as “God’s Voice” <br />43:44 Manipulation of Scripture and History <br />50:03 Failures Framed as Proof of Calling <br />55:41 The Santa Claus Analogy <br />58:51 Continuing Efforts to Prop Up Bickle <br />59:58 Closing Remarks <br /><br />______________________<br />Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:<br />Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962<br />Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K<br />______________________<br />– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham<br />– Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ<br />– Visit the website: https://william-branham.org<br />– Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg <br />– Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham<br />– Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr<br />– Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books
