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|---|---|
 La Luz del Mundo's temple in Guadalajara, México | |
| Classification | Christian, Millenarian |
| Orientation | Charismatic |
| Region | >40 countries |
| Founder | Eusebio Joaquín Gonzalez |
| Origin | 1926 Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Congregations | 11,000 |
| Members | More than 5 million, according to the church, but less than 1 million per outside sources |
La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World) is a Christian denomination with international headquarters in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The church is based on a Christian doctrine centered around two charismatic leaders, Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez, known as "Aaron the Apostle" to his followers, and since 1964, his son Samuel Joaquín Flores, known as "the Servant of God".
History
Aaron Joaquin Gonzalez, Servant of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ
The founder of La luz del Mundo was Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez. He was born in 1896 in Colotlan, Jalisco to a family of small means. In the Mexican revolution he joined the constitutionalist army and fought the rebels from 1915 to the end of the war in 1921, and stayed in the army until 1926. In 1926, while serving in Coahuila he came into contact with ministers of a Pentecostal church and left the army.
He and his wife Elisa lived in Monterrey working as servants for leaders of the church, but on the night of April 6, 1926, he claimed to experience a revelation in which God spoke to him, gave him the name Aaron and charged him with the task of restoring the primitive Christian church and establishing a new chosen people. With his wife he left Monterrey and journeyed on foot to Guadalajara, Jalisco.
At this time Jalisco was the center of the Cristero movement, a Catholic movement involved in an armed conflict with the anti-catholic administration of Plutarco Elías Calles. Gonzalez' anti-catholic stance and his relations with high standing army officials enabled him to get a good footing in Guadalajara, where he was able to recruit a substantial number of followers especially among the poor. In the early thirties he was able to purchase a large tract of land on the outskirts of Guadalajara. On this land he constructed the first church of the movement and the sold the rest in parcels to church members, effectively building an entire neighborhood of devotees which he called "La Hermosa Provincia" (the Beautiful Province). Aaron started missionary efforts in Central America and by the early sixties La Luz del Mundo had 64 congregations and 35 missions.
Samuel Joaquin Flores, Servant of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ
Samuel Joaquín Flores was born on February 14, 1937. According to church teaching, he was born dead but resurrected by the power of prayer and Gods hand. Samuel was baptized into his father's church at 14. He became part of the church's ministerial corps and held positions in Tepic, Nayarit and in Veracruz. He was married at 25 and took control of the church at 27. Samuel's leadership was even more focused on outward growth than his father's and he began opening up the boundaries between the church and the surrounding world, and carried out an aggressive missionary strategy. In 1993 the faith had reached 23 countries in Latin America and in 1991 there were 45 congregations in the southern United States. Samuel traveled extensively to the international congregations.
Doctrine
The group teaches that from the death of the last Apostle (Apostle John) circa 96 AD, until the calling of Aaron in 1926, there was no salvation on earth. Aaron died in 1964, at which time followers say Samuel Joaquin Flores was elected by God as Apostle and the new leader of the church. Samuel Joaquin Flores teaches members that La Luz Del Mundo is the only true Christian church, because he is the only true Servant of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ, and that thus there can be no salvation outside his church. A central doctrine is that one can only reach God through the servant Samuel and one can only achieve eternal salvation in the name of Jesus Christ and baptizing in the name of Jesus Christ. The church believes that Christianity should be led by "servants of God" of which they consider Samuel Joaquin Flores to be one. The church also teaches moral and civil principles such as community service and that science is a gift from God.
The church is also millenarian and teaches that the end of days is imminent and that only members of La Luz del Mundo will achieve salvation. The group denies the historic Christian doctrine of the Trinity and espouses Nestorianism, dividing Jesus into two persons: Jesus (man) and Christ (God). The church also stresses the importance of community service via the Association of Professionals and Students founded by Samuel Joaquin Flores with the intent to help high school students and others complete a college education and attain a professional career
The church prohibits women from wearing trousers, cutting their hair or using make-up. Male and female members are separated during worship. The use of musical instruments is forbidden during services. The most important yearly rituals are the Holy Supper (Santa Cena in Spanish), held yearly on August 14 (Aaron Joaquin's birthday), and the anniversary of Samuel's calling by God (held on June 9–10).
Organization
The organization of La Luz del Mundo is highly hierarchical. The supreme head of the church is Samuel Joaquín Flores, who holds both the spiritual authority as Apostle and Servant of God, and the organizational authority as General Director of the Church. Below him are ranks of Pastors. Pastors are expected to develop one or more of the qualities as Doctor, Prophet and Evangelist. All pastors are Evangelists, expected to carry out missionary tasks, as Doctors, pastors explain the word and as Prophets they explain it. Below them are the Deacons, who administer the sacraments to the congregational members. Below the Deacons are the Managers, who have responsibility for the moral conduct and well-being of certain groups within the congregation. Managers grant permits to congregational members who wish to leave their congregations for vacations or to take jobs outside of the church district. The lowest rank within the ministerial hierarchy is that of "Worker", with responsibility for assisting everyone above them in the hierarchy with menial tasks.
Women were not initially able to hold higher positions in the hierarchy but can now rise to the rank of Deaconess, but no higher. Female office holders are always head of groups of women, and not groups of men. A Deaconess can help the Pastors and Deacons, but cannot herself administer the sacrament. All members of the ministerial hierarchy receive economic remuneration for their services, paid as part of the tithe by the congregational members.
Architecture
The flagship church in Guadalajara is said to be the largest non-Catholic house of worship in Latin America. It is characterized by its pyramidal shape and innovative structure. It was erected between 1983 and 1991, largely by the members of the church. It is a notable architectural feature in Guadalajara despite being in a working-class district on the outskirts of the city. A local architect, Leopoldo Fernandez Font, designed the structure, project management was done by Joel Silva and José Rangel and the executive engineer was Mario Uribe.
Built to accommodate 12,000 worshipers, the temple is used for annual ceremonies. Members come from all over the world every August 14 to celebrate the Santa Cena (Holy Supper) as well as on February 14 to commemorate the birthday of Samuel Joaquín Flores (known to followers as El Apostól de Jesucristo, "The Apostle of Jesus Christ").
In accordance with the movement's teachings, the building's design represents the infinite power and existence of God. Its seven levels over a base (menorah) symbolize the seven angels of God and the progressive steps toward the human spirit's perfection.
The area around the temple is known as La Hermosa Provincia (the beautiful province) and is inhabited almost exclusively by church members. In several other communities in Mexico the congregants strive to live close to each other and around the temple, leading to small neighborhoods of church members.
Demography
Countries with congregations of La Luz del Mundo include Australia, Israel, Russia, Cape Verde, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Moldova, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Romania, Norway, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Curaçao, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, Canada, United States, and Mexico.
Controversy
La Luz del Mundo has been the subject of various accusations, including violations of tax-exempt codes, rape accusations, exploitation of underage women by the group's founder, and the potential for mass suicide.
Silver Wolf Ranch
In May 2008 it was discovered that Samuel Joaquin Flores purchased an exotic zoo in Seguin, Texas, known as Silver Wolf Ranch. Flores came under fire by local communities for closing off access to the public, given that "IRS regulations require nonprofits to actively promote their tax-exempt purpose of benefiting the public and not the personal wealth of anyone". Silver Wolf Ranch, valued in excess of $3 million dollars, was renovated with a private mansion and a "long rectangular warehouse" where, according to the ranch's manager Vaspi Coronado, the family's private collection of "real restored vintage automobiles are kept."
Rape accusations
In 1997 and 1998, Moisés Padilla, a young dissident member of LLDM, was interviewed by several Latin American anthropologists and psychologists. Among other data, he provided a detailed account of having been drugged and sexually abused as a minor by Samuel Joaquín. According to the L.A. Times, days after his interview, Padilla was kidnapped and stabbed 57 times with a dagger.
Additionally in 1998, a handful of women went public with similar accusations of being raped by Samuel Joaquín. After initiating a formal investigation through the Religious Affairs Department of Mexico's Interior Ministry and a state prosecutor, Mexican authorities remarked that "because the alleged crimes occurred so long ago , it's unlikely any trial will take place." Researchers assert that "the wealth and publicly known political connections of the sect with Mexico’s most powerful political party help explain the impunity with which this and other alleged human rights violations have occurred for decades."
In 2004 the church was accused on Mexican television of several counts of rape against female members. The accusations were spearheaded by the Mexican Anti-Cult group "The Christian Institute of Mexico", who demanded that La Luz del Mundo should be stripped of its legal recognition as a religion. The Mexican government was again reluctant to take action.
Founder's exploitation of underage women
In 1942, the founder of La Luz Del Mundo, Eusebio Joaquin Gonzalez, was accused of exploiting underage women. Eusebio was later sued by the mother of Guadalupe Avelar, a minor who claimed to have been impregnated by Eusebio. To settle the lawsuit, Eusebio registered himself as the father of Abel Joaquin Avelar, the child of Guadalupe Avelar.
Mass suicide
Following the Heaven's Gate (religious group) mass suicide, La Luz Del Mundo was scrutinized for its potential to commit similar acts. According to Gordon Melton and David Bromley the Church la Luz del Mundo became subject to fraudulent accusations of planning acts of violence or mass suicide against its members.
References
- ^ Fortuny Loret de Mola, Patricia, 1995, "Origins, Development and Perspectives of La Luz del Mundo Church", Religion, Volume 25, Issue 2
- ^ Samuel Joaquin Flores. "Presencia". Lldm.org. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
- Samuel Joaquin Flores. "Historia". Lldm.org. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
- Samuel Joaquin Flores. "Fundación". Lldm.org. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
- http://lasa.international.pitt.edu/members/congress-papers/lasa2004/files/DowJames.pdf
- Fortuny Loret de Mola, Patricia, "Origins, Development and Perspectives of La Luz del Mundo Church", Religion, Volume 25, Issue 2, April 1995, Pages 147-162
- Fortuny Loret de Mola, Patricia, 1995, "Origins, Development and Perspectives of La Luz del Mundo Church", Religion, Volume 25, Issue 2, p 150
- ^ "Divine Retreat". www.toddbensman.com. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
- "Foundation". lldmusa.org. 2010. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
- "Principles". lldmusa.org. 2010. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
- "Centers for Apologetics Research(CFAR) - International Countercult Ministries > Search Groups". CFAR. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
- "Feria de la Salud en San Diego". lldmsandiego.com. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
- "300,000 Attend Sect's Holy Supper Ceremony". AustraliaNews.com.au. 2011-08-16. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
- Fortuny Loret de Mola, Patricia, 1995, "Origins, Development and Perspectives of La Luz del Mundo Church", Religion, Volume 25, Issue 2, p 155
- Fortuny Loret de Mola, Patricia, 1995, "Origins, Development and Perspectives of La Luz del Mundo Church", Religion, Volume 25, Issue 2, p 157
- Nutini, Hugo G., 2000, Native Evangelism in Central Mexico, Ethnology, Vol. 39, No. 1 pp. 39-54
- Archivos del Departamento de Investigaciones sobre Abusos Religiosos. Naucalpan, Mexico. Moises Padilla personal interview July 12, 1997, with anthropologists Laura Collin and Masferrer.
- ^ "A Growing Faith and Outrage". latimes.com. 1998-03-10. Retrieved 2010-09-23. Cite error: The named reference "L.A. Times" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "Secrecy and the Institutionalization of Sexual Abuse: The Case of La Luz del Mundo in México". revistaacademica.com. 2009-04-01. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
- Garma Navarro, Carlos. 2004. "The Legal Situation of Religious Minorities in Mexico:The Current situation, Problems, and Conflicts." In James T. Richardson (ed) Regulating religion: case studies from around the globe. Springer, 2004
- "Eusebio Joaquin".
- Bromley, David G.; Melton, J. Gordon (2002), Cults, religion, and violence, Cambridge University Press, p. 50, ISBN 9780521668989