Tony Alamo, a local "evangelist", was sentenced to 175 years in prison during July of 2009. His history in Santa Clarita extends over 40 years. In spite of his incarceration, this past weekend a flyer for his Tony Alamo Christian Ministries was placed on the windshield of my car. Heads up parents, his easiest converts are teenagers.
Tony Alamo's connection to Santa Clarita
One Alamo compound sits on Sierra Highway in the Canyon Country section of Santa Clarita, California. His organization called Tony Alamo Christian Ministries began on the streets of Hollywood in the 1960's. As it grew, he settled in the Saugus area of Santa Clarita and then expanded across the country.
Crimal charges followed him
Though at birth he was named Bernie Lazar Hoffman, he legally changed his name in 1966 to Tony Alamo. In 1988, the first child abuse charges began. He was accused of beating an 11 year old 140 times with a paddle. Repeatedly the authorities lacked sufficient evidence to send Alamo to prison. Children were removed for his Saugus compound in 1988, he was accused of abuse again in 1989. Families were, however, awarded money because of these crimes. The judge for that case, U.S. District Judge Morris Arnold said, “No feeling person could fail to be moved by the testimony in this case or be revolted by the cold-blooded and calculated manner in which the punishment was carried out.”
Alamo practiced and preached polygamy. He took multiple wives, including many under age "women". He stated that women should become married as soon as they begin to menstrate.
In 1994, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to six years in federal prison for income tax evasion. An attempt was made to further imprison him on child abuse and polygamy charges at that time, but the charges were dropped.
Finally, in 2009, previous members of his group brought suit against him on child tafficking and abuse. He was convicted on federal charges for taking girls as young as 9 across state lines to have sex with them. The five victims in this case watched him receive the conviction. One had been made to be his bride at the age of 8.
Inspite of his conviction the "work" continues
The newsletter placed on my car window last Saturday in the Whole Foods parking lot on Valencia Boulevard came packed with random Bible verses strewn together to create the image of a Christ-centered community. It contained letters from people supporting Tony Alamo and comparing his imprisonment to struggles experienced by Biblical prophets. It invited people to come to the Sierra Highway location or three other locations across the country.
How can I tell a fake prophet from a real one?
Alamo and his organization plays on people's lack of knowledge and desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves. There have been people claiming to speak for God from the beginning of time. Scripture itself makes us aware of them and how to recognize them. Here are a couple references to help parents educate their children.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Matthew 7:15-19
The "fruit" of a prophet or any person is a result of their actions. In the same way, water and sun and soil nutrients flow into a plant and result in fruit, the things we do show evidence of what we really believe. As mentioned above, the "fruit" of Alamo's ministry is not a Christ-centered fruit, regardless of what pretty words they use.
"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." James 2:14-18
There are people within the Alamo organization who would argue that they help homeless people all the time, however one seemingly kind act cannot obliterate the other damages caused by this group. Whenever we seek to determine if someone is truly following the tenants of Christ, these verses serve as helpful guidelines.
*Alamo, Tony. "The Polygamists". Tony Alamo Christian Ministries. 1993.
*Sheth, Kershal. "Tony Alamo News: Verifiable facts and opinions." www.tonyalamonews.com
*Associated Press. "Evangelist Tony Alamo found guilty of taking young girls from state to state for sex". www.foxnews.com. July 24, 2009.
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Comments
It's good to add that anyone who gets tangled up in the Alamo mess will be immediately put to work in illegal activities whether they realize it or not. many of the "brothers" there have married underage girls. Yet they don't tell you that in the cult. They may hint that their wives were young when they married and that's it. And think about how you would look if you began asking them. They would throw you out of their bus or residence and put you on the street. Even after you "tithe" all your money to them and handed over any and all assets. Also be prepared to have your stuff "checked" and possible confiscated by the people there. the "trusted" members are in charge and do everything according to how Alamo instructed them. and much much more. working almost around the clock, hard work and injuries on the job are looked at with suspicion. I hurt my shoulder working for them. The doctor thought i got into a fight. thats how bad my injury was. yet i still was harassed by members of the cult and treated suspiciously. and thats just a tidbit.. there's more but i dont want to reveal who i am because the alamo cult would target me for a barrage of lies on their web site.
Pastor Alamo is a Political Prisoner for Exposing the Vatican's One World Government
Excerpt and link to taped message by Pastor Alamo exposing the terrorism that the Vatican “prophesied” would happen in the early fall of 2001 would only come to pass because they were the ones who were going to orchestrate i“A devastating bombing in October will signal the beginning of a bloody wave of terrorist violence.”
The Lord doesn’t say that that is part of His wrath. 's Rebuttal to the Pope part 2,
Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth
http://www.ae911truth.org/Evil
. The charges of taking girls over state lines for illicit purposes are false. Three of the five hostile government witnesses were flown to a “retreat” for deprogramming for two weeks before testifying. The two weeks of brainwashing cost $5,000.00 for each woman. This was paid for by the government. The five government witnesses were bribed by the government with many benefits, such as jobs, phones, gifts, and money. The government threatened them with imprisonment of their parents if they didn’t testify against Pastor Alamo.
Government Cult. The one world government, cult, and media will use all means to silence the truth and deceive the whole world (Revelation 12:9
wwww.alamoministries.com
The fact that this New World Order is using Christianity to spread itself around the world just goes right over your head, doesn't it?
x
Pastor Alamo and this ministry have been suffering this type of persecution for over 40 years.
A real investigative reporter you would come to a service and see for themselves what a holy and wonderful church/ministry they are. Yes, you do know them by their fruits,,.And the Lord has used Pastor Alamo and their members to win many souls to Christ. Baring fruit as the Bible states.
Nothing will stop the preaching of the gospel and Pastor Alamo will NEVER stop getting the word of God out to others.
Only the Spirit of the Lord leads people to come and serve Him in this ministry not recruiting. They are not interested in free loaders, liars, and false accusers. Just those who truly are called by God who want to serve the Lord to get the gospel out in these endtimes.
Good day and God bless
Vist their web site and see the messages that God has for you.
www.alamoministries.com
You that think this man is good an true are living in a fantasy world. He is a freak, pediphile and allegations of abuse have been made for many many years, thank God that enough evidence was presented and he is put away for ever. Now the problem remains of all of his followers that believe in his sick twisted philosophies. I had the unfortunate experience of meeting one of his previous followers, brought close to my family through another family member that was not aware of his past. The SOB was a pedophile and three of my children were victimized by this freak. I stopped at nothing to get him put behind bars and he is now a registered sex offender. I have zero tolerance for child molesters. I am a christian woman and know that Jesus forgives and that is his job not mine, he will forgive me for my intolerance when the time comes. If you need to truly know the Lord, read and learn the bible, don't let these anti-christ like freaks lead you astray.
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