(The) Bab. Founder of Baha'i,
actual name Mirza Ali Muhammad. Publicly executed in 1850. Bab means gate.
He said he was the Madhi (Messiah) for whom the Muslims were waiting,
and referred to himself as a manifestation of God. He predicted a World
Teacher who "would appear to unite mankind and bring a new era
of peace."Baha'u'llah later claimed
that title.
Baba, Sai.
Sai Baba is a Hindu guru and New Age leader.
He is assigned a Danger rating here because of his false teachings.
Baha'i.
False world religion founded by the Bab in 1844. Originated
from Shiite Muslim. Contradicts itself, denies the essentials of Christianity.
"While claiming to be the great unifier of all religions, Baha'is
ironically deny all other religions by attempting to make each one conform
to their concept of the universal religion of God. They have amalgamated
bits and pieces of each faith into one eclectic mass of religious confusion."
(David L Johnson.) A few of the contradictions in Baha'i:
Baha'i claims that each famous religious leader (eg, Moses, Jesus
Christ, Muhammad, etc) is supposed to have been a manifestation of God.
Unfortunately for Baha'i, Buddha and Confucius lived at the same time
(between about 550-480 B.C.), as did the Bab and Baha'u'llah.
Note: Watchman Fellowship in their Baha'i
Profile points out "The infallible Center of the Covenant
(Abdu'l Baha) said that Confucius was a Manifestation (Promulgation
of Universal Peace, p.346)."
Baha'u'llah taught that the universe had no beginning and had no end,
which contradicts the second law of thermodynamics. (One of the fundamental
principles of Baha'i is that harmony must exist between religion and
science.)
Baha'u'llah's teaching that the universe had no beginning and had
no end contradicts his own teaching that God made the universe out of
nothing.
Baha'u'llah taught that religious truth is not absolute, which is
self-refuting.
(See the Self-refuting
Statements page for some more examples.) This means Baha'u'llah
was a false prophet.
For more information read this excellent Baha'i article
by David L Johnson, DMin, MA, or for a closer look at some of the contradictions
within Baha'i regarding the nature of God read Some
Key Issues Considered. Information can also be found at former Baha'i
Eric Stetson's Baha'i
Faith site. He writes: "My instincts tell me that as the Baha'i
Faith fails to keep its converts, fails to grow and in fact declines in
membership, its leaders are gradually transforming it into more of a cult
in order to preserve what they have." Note that we do not agree
with all of Eric's theology, particularly his beliefs regarding Hell.
Baha'u'llah. Second leader of Baha'i,
actual name Mirza Husayn Ali. Died in 1892 age 75. Baha'u'llah means the
glory of God. In 1863 (while in prison) he declared himself to be the
manifestation of God promised by the Bab. His followers
became know as Baha'is. Spent the rest of his life in prison, wrote over
100 books and letters, which are considered sacred by the Baha'is.
Chantelle Baker. Conspiracy theorist and promoter of COVID-19 and vaccine disinformation. Also hosts a programme on Reality Check Radio (run by anti-vaccination conspiracy theory group Voices For Freedom), and according to her Wikipedia listing has "expressed support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine." She has been supported by Canadian billionaire James Grenon. She is rated Danger for the risk of death and long-term disability her disinformation poses to the general public.
In June 2025 a judgement ordered Chantelle Baker to pay a $100,000 bond against costs for the defendants in case she loses a defamation case she is pressing against Stuff for its documentary Fire and Fury. In explaining the judgement, Stuff quotes the judge as saying "... my assessment is that Ms Baker will face difficulties establishing her claims against the defendants."
Ballantyne,
Walter Simpson.
Walter Simpson Ballantyne (born 16 September 1937, died 16 July 2011) led the Tauranga-based School
of the Prophets, which he founded in 1997. He was a marriage celebrant and
a former pastor of Gisborne New Life Fellowship Church. (That church was renamed Mega Life
Church a few years after he left, to reflect the change in management and distance themselves from what he had introduced.) He was said to not like the term Christian, using the word believer
instead, and taught that believers must pray in tongues for an hour a day and
that a person is not saved unless they pray in tongues. He claimed to have visions
of angelic visitations (compare William Branham) and made hundreds of teaching tapes which are still in circulation.
Walter Ballantyne is rated Danger for
his non-biblical teachings including serious misrepresentations of the person,
role and position of Jesus Christ (some evidence suggests he may even be uncomfortable
with the idea that Jesus Christ is an actual person with an adult, glorified
body; for example, he has taught that Christ is a child growing inside him and his followers), and especially for the detrimental impact he has personally had on relationships,
particularly marriages. Submissions for this listing
are now being accepted. Please see the Contact page.
BASE Institute. An
acronym for the Bible Archaeology, Search & Exploration Institute.
One of several groups that make false claims such as having discovered
Noah's Ark, and the "real" Mt Sinai. Led by Bob
Cornuke.
Bee, Alia. Alia Bee is an online pseudonym used by Alia Bland.
Bell,
Rob.
Rob Bell is the founder and former teaching pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in the United States,
is a leading teacher in the Emerging Church movement,
and has made a series of videos titled Nooma.
He is presently working on a television series. His book Velvet Elvis is included
in Dr Norman Geisler's list of Emerging
Church literature. Rob Bell is a false teacher and his theology, while
giving lip service to Christian doctrine, is sufficiently flawed for
it to actually be regarded as non-Christian. For example, he rejects
the necessity of the Trinity or the need for Jesus to be born of a virgin
(although he claims to affirm that it happened). While he
has claimed
to affirm the Nicene Creed, one of his basic ideas is that Christianity should
not depend on any fundamentals – anything that would cause Christianity to
fall if they were proven to be wrong, such as the Trinity and the virgin birth
of Christ. On that subject he writes:
[Without the virgin birth] is the way of Jesus still the best
possible way to live? Or does the whole thing fall apart?
He answers his own questions; referring to a trampoline analogy:
Yes, of course you can keep jumping, even if you stop believing
in the Trinity or the Virgin Birth.
It's important to recognise that Rob Bell's "the way of Jesus" is
not the biblical gospel message that we are all sinners with a need for repentance,
and salvation from our sin made possible only by a saviour born without sin
(necessarily of a virgin birth) who died in our place and was physically raised
from the dead. Not for Rob Bell orthodox theology; he acknowledges the empty
tomb, but doesn't believe in a physical resurrection, as Ken Silva writes:
And as you’ll hear Bell himself say, for him it was a
Jesus resurrected with an incorporeal spiritual body; and that’s really
not too much unlike that taught by the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Instead of the biblical gospel message, Rob Bell teaches a worldview in which
sin is replaced by social and political (not religious) oppression, and we
aspire to liberty from that oppression. With that worldview, it is not surprising
that he may also reject the essential Christian doctrine that Jesus is the
only way to God the Father, apparently believing in pluralism
– that all religions are valid (although he possibly believes they are not
necessarily of equal effectiveness, since he has called Christ's way "the
best possible way to live" – but note again that he believes
"Christ's way" is something other than the biblical gospel message).
I am far more interested in jumping than I am in arguing about
whose trampoline is better.
And also:
One of the lies is that truth only resides in this particular
community or that particular thought system. I affirm the truth anywhere in
any religious system, in any worldview. If it’s true, it belongs to God.
Now, living our faith and social action are good and the Bible instructs
us to engage in them. However, they are not enough for salvation. Works are
just as insufficient for salvation as feelings are. Read Feelings
– Why subjective experiences are not enough to base one's salvation on
in the Cult FAQ for an explanation. In promoting what we do over what we believe,
Rob Bell teaches a works-based theology. Also, he teaches
(also pointed
out by Dr Norman Geisler) an opt-out form of universalism,
where everyone is automatically saved unless they decide they don't want to
be.
So this is reality, this forgiveness, this reconciliation, is
true for everybody. Paul insisted that when Jesus died on the cross, he was
reconciling “all things, in heaven and on earth, to God.” All things,
everywhere.
This reality then isn’t something we make come true about
ourselves by doing something. It is already true. Our choice is to live in this
new reality or cling to a reality of our own making.
Correct Christian doctrine is that forgiveness is available for all, not true
for all. Rob Bell has expressed
skepticism of people who believe in a literal hell and teaches that Jesus
believed hell was only a present reality – hell on earth. Other comments he
has made about hell only make sense in the light of this view.
Heaven is full of forgiven people. Hell is full of forgiven people.
As with Brian McLaren, Rob Bell supports the teachings of radical theological
liberal ("Progressive"
Christian) Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan (the former co-director of the
Jesus Seminar) and Ken Wilbur (who teaches
cosmic consciousness). Patrick Abendroth of Omaha Bible Church has
this to say of Rob Bell:
Simply put, Rob Bell is a theological liberal resembling the
mainline denominations of the early 1900s. The difference is that Bell is sporting
a fashionable new dress or in his case, a new pair of geek-chic glasses.
If J. Gresham Machen were alive today, I suspect he would do
what he did with Bell’s theological predecessors. Machen would remind
him that while he has the freedom to start a new religion, he really should
call it something other than Christian given that his religion does not resemble
what Christ actually established as recorded in the Christian book, the Bible.
But perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that Rob Bell's gospel doesn't resemble
Christ's teachings, as Rob Bell doesn't even believe the Bible is the divinely
inspired Word of God.
[The Bible is a] human product... rather than the product of
divine fiat.
This
review of Rob Bell's book Velvet Elvis
looks at some of his incorrect theology and its consequences. If a person relied
only on Rob Bell's teachings he or she would never hear a full gospel message
and would probably never come to a saving knowledge of what Christ did for them
on the Cross. Out of the six
essentials of Christianity, Rob Bell either denies or rejects as being
essential all of them (except possibly that Jesus was God in human form). Reviewing
Rob Bell's Nooma video Love Wins, Todd Friel says:
This [Rob Bell] is another fellow who doesn't understand the
gospel. I'm not kidding. He doesn't understand the gospel. He doesn't understand
propitiation, he doesn't understand justification. Or if he does, he's clearly
rejecting it.
The false and
confusing teachings of Rob Bell and of those he supports (including emerging
church proponent Brian McLaren, who has criticised Christians who believe in
a literal return of Christ) firmly earn Rob Bell a Danger rating.
Bentley,
Todd.
Todd Bentley is a charismania leader (of Canadian origin) in Lakeland, Florida,
USA, and has visited New Zealand (February 2008). His ministry is basically
Toronto (Holy Laughter Movement)
repackaged, with many added occult practices thrown
in such as necromancy and astral
travel. He makes claims of being assisted by female angels in his money-collecting
efforts, and that gold dust appears during his meetings. Todd Bentley supports
false prophets such as Bob Jones and William
Branham (deceased). A NZ Cult List researcher points out that apart from
Zechariah 5:8-11 there are no biblical instances of female angels. (The two
winged women of Zechariah are apparently evil since they fly off to build a
temple for wickedness. Compare this to Todd Bentley's floating female angel
"Emma" – the name being a contraction of Emmanuel, "God With
Us".) Our researcher also has serious concerns about Todd Bentley's preoccupation
with money, angels collecting money, gold dust in meetings, people roaring like
lions and/or clucking like chickens, etc. Many of the manifestations of the
Holy Laughter Movement are the same as the New Age,
occult Kundalini. For more information see Todd
Bentley, Fires of Kundalini or Comparison
between Kundalini and Toronto Movement. Todd Bentley is assigned a Danger
rating because of his charismania (Holy
Laughter Movement, etc), unbiblical experiences and practices, misquoting
of and misuse of the Bible, connections with and support of false prophets,
and spiritual danger he poses in deceiving the wider Christian church, including
the deception involved regarding the veracity of healing and especially resurrection
miracles. From his own claims, it seems he's either a liar or highly physically
dangerous, too.
Colossians 2:18-19 is a warning for us:
Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship
of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail
about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and
held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
Ezekiel 22:23-31 puts it even more strongly:
Again the word of the LORD came to me:
“Son of man, say to the land, ‘You are a land that has had no rain
or showers in the day of wrath.’ There is a conspiracy of her princes
within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures
and precious things and make many widows within her. Her priests do violence
to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy
and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and
the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I
am profaned among them. Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their
prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain. Her prophets whitewash
these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This
is what the Sovereign LORD says ’—when the LORD has not spoken.
The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the
poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice. “I looked
for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the
gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.
So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing
down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
Bethel Church Whangarei. A church plant from Bethel Church in Redding, California, USA, where its leaders were trained and thus embrace unbiblical Bethel activities such as Sozo prayer, Manifest Presence practices including fire tunnels, and false signs including feathers, gold dust, and glory clouds. See the book The Physics of Heaven in which Bethel leaders promote Christians looking to the New Age and occult for lost treasure. See this quote from the blog of Matt Landownie Senior associate leader at Bethel Church NZ, and Director of Kingdom Life School:
If you've read my previous two blogs it will have become clear that Santa lived a full, radical, transformative, and history shaping life. But it didn't stop there... the flow of God's miracle power didn't stop with his death. For example it is widely known that his grave excreted an oily substance known as the manna of Saint Nicolas. When the "manna" would get on a sick person they would be healed. This happened for many years after his death along with many other amazing demonstrations of kingdom power.
We note the parallels of this little known and highly questionable historical matter (ignoring the matter of Santa having more fictitious than historical origins) with the practice of Bethel leader Beni Johnson with Bethel students to lie on graves to absorb the annointing of dead people.
Beyond Tolerable Recovery. See the
Books page here.
Bhavsaar, Kaveeta. Kaveeta Bhavsaar is woman who founded and leads a scam cult, Kosmic Fusion. Born in 1970 or 1971. Within the group she uses the "holy name" Sree Maa. She is married to Sunil Kumar Porumamilla, who goes by the "holy name" Shri Ji. This Stuff article quotes her husband saying she has "more knowledge than 1,000 people put together. That’s her gift." The same article says at a retreat in Taupo in 2016 she announced she is a reincarnation of Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830), a Hindu teacher whom his followers believers was a manifestation of God. She later clarified to the article writers that she is a "guardian" of Swaminarayan's power.
Bible Believers.
A name used by some William Branham churches
around the world, possibly not used in New Zealand.
Bibles For New Zealand.
Started by Bibles for America with the aim of distributing free copies
of the Recovery New Testament throughout
New Zealand in an apparent attempt to get new converts to the Local
Church of Witness Lee, a Christian sect. Bibles For New Zealand claims
to be not associated with any church. While this may be true on paper
it is certainly not true in practice and is an example of the mind
control technique deception. Also deceptive is why they have called
their version the Recovery Bible. Although they claim it is simply a name,
"recovery" has a particular meaning in Local Church theology.
Bicom Bioresonance Therapy.
Started in Germany in 1977, now operating in Takapuna, Auckland, where
it is led by managing director Warren Pearson. As there is no scientific
explanation of how it works (or any way that it could possibly
work) it looks suspiciously like quackery, but IF it works as claimed
– 85% success rate for stopping smoking and getting rid of nicotine addiction
in Europe, particularly Germany – it's a very strong placebo
effect. Cost $450 for a normally one-time treatment (repeats if needed
are free). See Wikipedia's bioresonance
therapy listing for more information, including references of numerous
scientific studies that have concluded it's no more effective than a placebo.
BioActive Technologies International.
Manufacturers of "value added" colostrum products: "Colostrum
is the pre-milk fluid produced from the mother's mammary glands during
the first 36 hours after birth." Their claims of all sorts of
benefits for the stuff may or may not be well substantiated. Submissions
for this listing are now being accepted. Please see the Contact
page.
BioLogos Foundation. A
Christian organisation based in the United States that markets a Bible curriculum
for homeschoolers. It promotes theistic evolution, a non-literal Adam
and Eve, etc. A recent creation is not one of the fundamentals of
Christianity but theistic evolution seriously misrepresents the nature
of God, in that it necessitates God using billions of years of death
and decay to produce everything which He called "very good" (Genesis
1:31). The Bible teaches that death is a result of sin, not pre-existing
it by billions of years – "sin
entered into the world through one man, and death through sin" (Romans
5:12). This is very important because it is one reason how Jesus Christ was able to pay for our sins on the cross. The article It's not Christianity examines some of the teachings and consequences of BioLogos.
Blake, Roger. Scammer. Roger Blake is the distributor of the toxic Miracle
Mineral Solution, and has marketed it by claiming it "to
be effective against the flu, HIV and cancer" – making it a
clear scam – but which Medsafe
has warned (for example, see this NZ Herald article)
could cause "severe harm to health" because it's the same as drinking bleach. He thinks there
are more than 100 distributors for it in New Zealand, some of whom
make their own bogus claims for the product, such as boosting the immune
system. He says in this NZ Herald article he has sold it in New Zealand since 2007 or 2008. In May 2020 RNZ reported he was selling MMS claiming it could cure COVID-19. Roger Blake calls himself a "bishop" in the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, a pseudo-religious front for the scam. He also sometimes calls himself "Roger William living man" and talks of himself in the third person (eg, "Roger has something to say"). Medsafe brought charges against Roger Blake at the end of 2020, while continuing to warn the public not to drink it. He was found guilty of 29 charges, then at a court appearance in December 2023 he refused to sign a bail bond so spent the following 28 days in custody, and in January 2024 was sentenced to prison for 10 and a half months and ordered to pay half of Medsafe's costs.
Bland, Alia. Alia Bland is a conspiracy theorist, and co-founder of and spokesperson for the COVID-19 conspiracy theory group Voices for Freedom. Also known online as Alia Bee. She is rated Danger for the risk of death and long-term disability her disinformation poses to the general public.
Blavatski, Helena Petrovna.
Helena Petrovna Blavatski founded Theosophy
in New York, USA, around 1875. Her writings also strongly influenced
esoteric teachings such as Ageless Wisdom. She was born 12 August 1831 in Russia and
died 8 May 1891.
Blood Balance. A dietary supplement scam product produced by Nutrition Hacks, and marketed in New Zealand with misleading and fraudulent advertising, including faked celebrity endorsement, as outlined in this RNZ report. Paid magazine advertising has appeared in the form of apparently neutral articles claiming to be investigating whether Blood Balance is a scam or legitimate, but the articles are nothing more than exclusively positive marketing spiels and do not address the product's status as a scam. This deceptive advertising is one more indication the product is a scam. Some of the advertising has been targeted at New Zealand and Australia, including the diabetes communities in these countries.
One of the main claims about the product is that it is effective in helping control and prevent diabetes. For example, "mitigates the risk of diabetes"; "mitigates the risk of type 2 diabetes"; "diabetes type II ... helps prevent this"; and "reduces the risk of onset of diabetes" all in one marketing article. The company also claims other specific effects such as regulating/normalising blood sugar levels, stabilising blood pressure, and helping treat malaria. There is no indication of clinical trials or anything other than anecdotal evidence that the product has any effect at all on diabetes or diabetes control, blood pressure, or malaria.
The company makes questionable claims about the efficacy of the ingredients, and uses vague and nebulous wording – more signs the product is a scam.
Blood Balance is formulated with 100% natural and safe ingredients whose efficacy in supporting blood health has been corroborated by ample scientific research. All ingredients present in Blood Balance are well-researched, clinically-studied, and scientifically-proven.
And then lists 17 ingredients, each with multiple claimed benefits, without any indication of the specific consequences on those alleged benefits of taking the ingredients together, or any indication of scientific testing to confirm the combination of ingredients is even safe. Multiple possible side effects are listed for the product, even in some of the most gushingly positive marketing material. And yet, articles are contradictory on the side effects (emphasis added).
The product is completely safe to use as it doesn’t contain any ingredients that could cause side effects in your body.
That's saying the ingredients are unable to cause side effects – simply not credible. Compare to another article:
Though Blood Balance is generally safe to consume, some people may experience minor side effects e.g. nausea, headache, or digestive problems. The side effects are more likely to occur if you overdose on the supplement. ...
Blood Balance is not meant for children under the age of 18, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and people who are on certain medications. The ingredients present in the supplement may interfere with some medications, causing allergic reactions or other adverse impacts on your health. The supplement should be administered according to the given instructions and doctor’s advice.
The product is rated Danger because while simply buying the product is unlikely to do any harm other than to the buyer's wallet, some of the claims are in regard to serious conditions that should not be treated with self-medication. Also see Mannatech.
Bowen Technique, aka Bowen Therapy. A New
Age/occult alternative health treatment that is practiced in New Zealand. Do not confuse
with Bowen Technique (sheep shearing). Bowen Technique was founded by Tom Bowen (b. 1916, d. 1982) from Geelong, Australia. Tom Bowen didn't try to explain how the Technique worked, but asserted that it was effective. However, no rigorous scientific studies have shown it is any more effective than a placebo. It is primarily marketed by anecdotal evidence – a warning sign that it is not as effective as claimed. Practitioners since Tom Bowen have explained it as manipulating a patient's qi, or life energy, using acupuncture meridians, making Bowen Technique a New Age practice. (It could be argued that without that New Age explanation – as originally practiced by Tom Bowen – and without any scientific explanation, it was an occult practice. Ironically he claimed it was "a gift from God". There is no indication he credited God as the source of any healing.) About.com points out its lack of specificity in treatment – another warning sign of its ineffectiveness (unless appealing to occult sources):
The actual method of the Bowen Technique generally involves movements of muscles and various connective tissues in the body with the hands and fingers. These movements follow a pre-determined pattern regardless of what the patient actually complains of and regardless of what the physical problems actually are. This is, then, a one-size-fits all cure – sure to help, whatever ails you.
Bowen Technique (sheep shearing).
Sheep shearing technique jointly pioneered by Godfrey
and Ivan Bowen. Do not confuse with Bowen
Technique, aka Bowen Therapy. Godfrey Bowen, MBE, was a Christian who wrote
a short book Why the Shepherd explaining Psalm 23. See Blow by Blow for Country Calendar's 1984 tribute to the New Zealand legend.
Brahma Kumaris.
Eastern cult with a presence in New Zealand. Beliefs and practices include
karma, reincarnation,
meditation, yoga
etc. Followers believe founder is a god, reject the idea that Jesus Christ
can save us, etc. Name means "Brahma's Daughters" (or "Brahma's
Virgins" – Brahma is the Hindu creator of the world). Also known
as Raj Yoga and Worldwide Spiritual University. True universities
reject the claim that it is a university and the UN rejects the Brahma
Kumari claim that Brahma Kumaris operates under UN auspices (they just
rent a room for meetings in the UN building). Wikipedia's Brahma Kumaris article gives an indication how seriously they are viewed internationally:
The Brahma Kumaris were declared an "enemy of the state" by the government of Greece in 1993 and classified as dangerous by the government of France in 1996. The Brahma Kumaris were listed as a "cult movement" in the 1995 French government report on "Cults in France".
The article also explains how they believe time is cyclical and gives more cause for concern:
The Confluence Age is said to be 100 years long, and believed to have begun again in 1936 with the descent of Shiva, during which present day civilization is to be completely destroyed by natural disasters, civil and nuclear war. Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi states this information is generally hidden from non-members.
In other words, civilisation will be destroyed by 2036. Hiding beliefs is an indication of a cult; putting a date on the end of the world is another. For more information about Brahma Kumaris read
this Overview or this testimony from a former member.
Branham, William Marrion.
William Marrion Branham (William Branham, 1909-1965) was a false prophet.
Born on 6 April 1909 near Burkesville, Kentucky, USA. Died 24 December
1965. Denied the Trinity
and denied that Jesus is eternally God, in that he believed in modalism.
Claimed to be aided in healing by angels. Taught Word
Faith. Early ministry greatly influenced by "Jesus only"
Pentecostals. He is assigned a Danger rating here because of his
seriously bad doctrine (including Seed
of the Serpent), extremely strong occult practices, and false prophecies
(eg, predicting that America would be destroyed in 1977, and that the
milleni[al reign of Christ] would start in 1977). For more information
see the Truthwatch
William Branham profile or the Watchman
Expositor William Branham profile.
Breakthrough To Excellence (BTE).
A course for young people run by The Pacific
Institute. Possible New Age content.
Brewer, Karen. Karen Brewer is a New Zealand based conspiracy theorist "who has been calling for a coup where politicians, bureaucrats, media would be tried for treason." Anyone found guilty, either in New Zealand or Australia, she plans on killing with a gallows. Originally from Australia, she is now living in Northland. In Australia in 2020 she was ordered by the Australian Federal Court to pay AU$945,000 to an Australian senator for defamation. In New Zealand she organised a protest to overthrow the government in August 2021. Of her followers who bothered to protest, 19 were arrested, including herself. (There were more media than protestors at some of the planned protest locations.) Read more in this Newshub story or this Newshub follow-up article. In November 2021 Karen Brewer was arrested for a second time, for failing to comply with the bail conditions of her previous arrest. At the time, she was driving and decided to use a cellphone to make a video recording as she was being pulled over, thus adding another offense, that of using a cellphone whilst operating a vehicle. The NZ Herald reports she has again been released on bail and will appear again in court on 16 November. Karen Brewer is rated Danger for the death threats, but the conspiracy theories she spreads are also dangerous because they are so strongly anti-vaccine, which presents a very real risk of loss of life. Her disinformation is also delaying New Zealand's return to post-Covid life by encouraging people to not get vaccinated.
Bridal Paradigm.
A false teaching originating in the false revival movement that states
we can individually be Brides of Christ and he will be our lover.
British Israelism.
False doctrine which states believers are descended from the lost ten
tribes of Israel and that the British monarchs sit on the throne of David.
The British Israel World Federation (a para-church organisation) has a
bookshop in Auckland. See Wikipedia's British
Israelism article.
Buddhism.
Major world religion, increasingly popular in NZ as the number of Asian
immigrants increases (in Auckland especially). Buddhism is a religion
based around suffering rather than the Christian idea of sin (wrongdoing),
with the basic idea that suffering is caused by greed or selfish desire.
The objective of Buddhism is to get to nirvana, a state of freedom from
desire, not a location. Unfortunately, in a self-contradictory
way the desire to get to nirvana will keep one from nirvana. (And if a
person doesn't want nirvana why would they achieve it?) In Buddhism there
is no God or creator, and the universe has come about through completely
natural mechanisms. Karma and reincarnation
are integral parts of Buddhism. See Basic
Buddhism for a Buddhism outline including a listing of the Four Noble
Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path by which Buddhists believe desire
is eliminated. Buddhism in the news: A major Buddhist temple was
erected a few years ago in Ellerslie, Auckland, with the (separate) purchase
in 2000 of the former Auckland Christian Assembly building in Eaglehurst
Rd, Ellerslie for a Buddhist resource centre or book room, for a reported
$1.6 million. Update November 2012; this is apparently run by SGINZ as a community centre. In October 2007 the largest yet Buddhist temple (on a 3.6ha
site) was opened in East Tamaki Heights, Flat Bush. The building itself
is valued at more than $20 million.
Burgess, Natalia. Fraudster, catfisher. Also known as "the Facebook predator". Basically, she tricks boys into online romantic relationships by setting up multiple fake Facebook accounts and using photos she had stolen from other people's Facebook accounts – catfishing. Detailed in several NZ Herald articles over years, such as (but not limited to) this article and this article, both from May 2011, and this article and this article, both from October 2024. She was sent to prison in 2013 after her activities were brought to light in 2011, but after she was released from prison she went straight back to her catfishing again. Also available is a podcast about her, Chasing Ghosts – The Puppeteer, starting on 1 October 2024. Natalia Burgess is rated Danger for the damage her catfishing, deception, and financial fraud has done to done to young lives and families.
Bush Aflame International.
Christian ministry which organises trips to Romanian orphanages for volunteers
– about the only NZ ministry that seems to do this. Based in Warkworth
(north of Auckland).
Buteyko Method.
A set of breathing techniques that are claimed to reduce the incidence
and severity of asthma. We believe it to be non-New
Age.
Byrne, Rhonda. Rhonda Byrne is the producer of a 2006 film The Secret and author of a self-help book also called The Secret, along with several book sequels.
See 
False world religion founded by the 
Walter Simpson Ballantyne (born 16 September 1937, died 16 July 2011) led the Tauranga-based 
An
acronym for the Bible Archaeology, Search & Exploration Institute.
One of several groups that make false claims such as having discovered
Noah's Ark, and the "real" Mt Sinai. Led by 
A group which meets bimonthly to disseminate the teachings of the 
Sheep shearing technique jointly pioneered by 
Christian ministry which organises trips to Romanian orphanages for volunteers
– about the only NZ ministry that seems to do this. Based in Warkworth
(north of Auckland).