I consider this a book that every South African should read to get perspective in their lives. Its honesty is most refreshing and Al Lovejoy`s ability to capture in words the essence of a culture and history of a generation of south Africans is amazing. Al Lovejoy has earned a lot of respect from a generation of youth who appretiate the truth. Thank you Al.

Other reviews:

‘Acid Alex is quite simply one of the most shocking autobiographies I have ever read. It is also well-written, addictive, excellent.’

– Sue Blaine, Business Day

‘Heartbreaking! Entertaining! Intelligent!’

– Erns Grundling, SL magazine

‘Nothing I have read has sketched the scorched social landscape of South Africa’s last half-century with such intensity and honesty. Read it.’

– Charles Thesen, Marie Claire

‘There are elements of Hunter S Thompson, Herman Charles Bosman, William Burroughs and William Wharton. But in the end it is an amazing story told in a unique voice. A voice moulded by pain, a voice honed by a government reformatory..., whetted by the SADF, and sharpened by Pretoria Central.

It is the story of a man who went to hell and came back, a morality tale, a Bildungsroman, the narrative of a f*ckup who found redemption, and the anthem of a lost generation.’

– Caspar Greeff, Sunday Times

‘Truly, as Koos Kombuis says, this is “an astonishingly breathless story” … Besides being a great read, Acid Alex is an invaluable record of a type of mania that gripped a certain type of South African in the last quarter of the 20th century. It’s a book that’s going to appeal to many young South Africans who currently have to turn to the United States for their myths of pointless excess, and it’s going to inspire them. Not necessarily in a particularly savoury way.’

– Chris Roper, Mail & Guardian

This book is more than just a suggested read.

When I wrote up my last piece on the Shofar Christan cult I never perceived that it would receive as much attention as it has. I received numerous emails in my inbox from many different people from many different walks of life with more information on this cult.

Firstly, I wish to address the use of the word 'cult' in this article and in my previous one. Wikipedia defines the definition of the word cult, as the following:

"In religion and sociology, a cult is a term designating a cohesive group of people (generally, but not exclusively a relatively small and recently founded religious movement[1]) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be outside the mainstream."

By the above accepted definition of the word cult, I believe it is safe to refer to this 'cohesive' Stellenbosch Christian group going by the name of Shofar Christian Church as a cult.

To ratify my above on conclusion, lets look at the second part of that definition, "devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be outside the mainstream.". Off the top of my head I can think of two points that would qualify that point:

1) Their Creationist stance on evolution and naive belief that the Theory of Evolution is false is outside of mainstream beliefs. For instance it is almost completely accepted in the real science world (outside of a few nutters), and is even accepted by the Vatican and the Catholic Church (the largest organization of the Christian faith)

2) Preaching in pubs and clubs. I know this one is pretty trivial, but darn Shofar people..., "Have you NO clue?" I have a suggestion to those of you who get haunted by these strange people when you are looking for a little R&R. Two words. Water balloons.

Now, I suppose Shofar Christian Church could try do to me what they did to jeeva.net, and send a letter from a lawyer complaining about 'defamation of business', but if they do that.. and if they are a business... What happens to all those tax breaks they get for being a "Church"?

Now that I have got the word cult of the way I want to move onto information more relevant to Shofar Christian Church. One of the more interesting emails I got was from Al Lovejoy, the author of the book Acid Alex (I will supply a link to where you can purchase this brilliant piece of work in my linkblog). My girlfriend was the one who heard excellent reviews about this book a couple of months ago and purchased a copy for us to read.

The book Acid Alex is a wonderfully honest look at certain South African cultures during some very difficult times in South Africa. The author of the book is frank and honest, and pretty much lays his story out in such a way that leaves you humbled.

When I read the book I remember reading about a possibly dangerous cult in South Africa and about some of the more darker aspects of the 7th Day Adventists (who are still waiting ;)), and other dubious religious people Al Lovejoy came across.

I received an email from Al Lovejoy pointing me to have a look at his book in reference to my last article on Shofar Christian Church. Then it all clicked. The book that I had read several months before was linked in a way to this cult and a whole lot more became clear.

First, lets look at a little at the history regarding Shofar Christian Church and how it came to be. A businessman by the name of Fred May and his wife Lucille May started the campus cult in 1992 in Stellenbosch (South Africa).

A little bit about Mr Fred May. Fred May has never been ordained through an established church, Fred May has no degree in theology and his highest level of tertiary education is a B.A. Fred May appears to use American Creationist ("praise the lord and pass the loot Bible Belt heroes") Rhema style preaching.

Mr Fred May has a deep contempt of the Roman Catholic Church as well as the NG Kerk and regularly has a go at them from his pulpit.

Fred May is almost like South Africa's own Ted Haggard in the hypocrisy of his belief and teachings... however there is currently no evidence that he has taken Crystal Meths or that he is hiring a male prostitute.

Al Lovejoy had the following to say about Fred May and his organization,

"These are the voices of very, very angry and defensive - so called "Charismatic Christians" who belong to a campus cult called Shofar here in Stellenbosch. The other is "His People" who now call themselves "Every Nation". I called out their founder leader, a self appointed man named Fred May through Die Matie, the University of Stellenbosch's newspaper - on the straight fact that he and his new associates in Rhema finance their businesses by means of committing Biblical fraud and extortion - thus committing heresy and financial theft. Fred May is the worst of them because he isn't just illegally stripping working people of 10% of their monthly earnings - he's stripping the students of 10% of their study loans, inheritances, bursaries, scholarships, parent's salaries, waitressing tips and pocket money…in other words - their tertiary education funds."

A Tithe is not a Christian law or required in Christianity, but rather old Jewish Mosaic Law. Biblical teachings appear to indicate that although tithing was practised extensively in the Old Testament it was never practised nor taught within the first-century Church. Instead the New Testament scriptures seem to teach the concept of "freewill offerings" as a means of supporting the church (I Corinthians 16:2 and II Corinthians 9:7).

In fact the earliest groups sold everything they had and held it in common to be used for the furtherance of the Gospel (Acts 2:44-47). Such practices are testified to in the Acts of the Apostles. Also in Acts one can find a narrative relating to a man and wife who promised to sell a piece of property and donate it to the Church. Instead they only brought part of the selling price before the Lord and were struck dead for lying to a prophet of God, one of the Apostles.

These were clear examples that the first-century Church did not establish nor insist on a 10% (or tithe) rule but instead emphasized freewill giving. Clearly the Church believed in making offerings of money or goods to God dependent upon the conscience of its members.

Denominations and sects view tithing differently. As tithing was only a requirement found in the Old Testament, some consider it to be a practice that has no place in modern Christianity.

However, that does not stop the modern pulpit pushers from fleecing their gullible flock for as much money as they can.

Someone wrote into the Sunday Times with the following letter regarding the off spin sequel cult called, "Every Nation";

"I have been a faithful member of Every Nation Stellenbosch Church where the accused Fred Van Der Vyfer also attends. Coming from a very poor background I still had to commit to paying monthly tithes with my student loan and weekly offerings. I was told to commit my time to disciple students but when I needed someone no-one was there for me. The church expected me to be in meetings even when my studies and family life were not going too well. The pastors only made time for the wealthy students and never had time for the poorer students. They invite the wealthy students to their homes for lunches and supper but the poor students often don’t even have enough money for food. The pastors also make contact with the parents of the wealthy students and visit their homes but the poor students’ parents are never contacted.

I see this church as merely exploiting the poor to make a name for itself. They want to show they have all kinds of people in the church but it’s not real. They don’t show any compassion towards the poor. They don’t have any black or coloured pastor in Stellenbosch, and only white pastors preach who can relate to the white students. Whites go into the full-time ministry and get paid by the church. They don’t work but disciple the wealthy students on Stellenbosch campus.

Paul Daniel was the founder of His People (now Every Nation) and he fell into sexual immorality with many females in the church. The church has a history of oppressing the poor and rejecting them when they need help. The church has expanded to Somerset West where they serve the wealthy people and no poor people. They don’t have any projects in the poor areas like Kayamandi or Cloetesville to give food, clothes with the money as they believe it’s about God and themselves. They are not committed to the poor. The poor students in the church tithe but the money is not used to help any poor community."

Since we are on the topic of money, lets have a look at the testimony of Al Lovejoy and his book Acid Alex. Some of you may be thinking that he is just bad mouthing Shofar Christian Church and Every Nation for his own personal financial gains from the sale of his book. To set the story straight I am quoting directly from Al Lovejoy himself,

"On the 28 February 2007 I donated 100% of the current and future proceeds from the sale of Acid Alex, including international distribution rights and the movie rights (less 15% agent's fees) to an NGO children's foundation that is mostly my brainchild but in reality will eventually become a more lucid entity via the efforts of a number of people both here and internationally."

I can tell you right now Al Lovejoy is doing more good for the people of this world than the Mr Fred May. I wonder if Fred May donates a 100% of his profits to charities? Nope, he does not give 100% of his profits to children charities..his "church" and his "God" need the money. Of course.

There is a real lot of information coming out about these dangerous cults that masquerade as 'Christianity', if you are one of your loved ones have fallen victim to one of these Christian Cults, please leave a comment or email pb@pickledbushman.com with the information so your story can be shared.

Source information:
- http://thechiz.co.za/archive/2006/10/17/The-real-deal-with-al-lovejoy.aspx
- http://www.acidalex.com
- http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Lifestyle/Article.aspx?id=456264
- http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=466838
- Previous Shofar article by pickledbushman

UPDATE EDIT: http://prometheusongebonde.wordpress.com/2007/02/23/when-ignorance-is-called-god/#comment-2237

Update 19-02-2011 from a reader email submission:

Reader submission:

I’ve been living in Stellenbosch for over 10 years now and have had
(too) much exposure to Shofar and His People/Every Nation, thus I am
in a position to confirm almost every one of the “negative claims”
made here against it, first hand.

I’ve also observed many of their services and dealt with many of their members.

I am convinced that Shofar fits the definition of a cult, (using basic
brainwashing tactics to exploit members for money), but I dare not say
it out loud in fear of being threatened by legal action. Thus also
why I prefer to post anonymously.
(I don’t know who pb is, but you’re welcome to contact me via email)

To those that don’t know much about Shofar, and genuinely want to know
more, I can confirm that:

SHOFAR BELIEFS:AND PRACTICES

a) they believe being homosexual is a sin and they’ll go to hell if
they don’t repent (they even reveal this on their website)

b) they aggressively insist that every word in the Bible is literal
and relevant, “directly from God” and that its accuracy is
undisputable.

c) they aggressively deny even the possibility of Evolution

d) they believe that the earth (and universe) is only 6,000 years old

e) they believe in “groot doop” - being physically baptised,
completely and full bodily submerged under water, as a necessary
ritual after being “reborn” and being accepted as a “true member”

f) they believe in “speaking in tongues” and views it as a blessing
(gift) from God (the Holy Spirit) after you’ve been “reborn”

g) they believe in “laying on of hands”

h) they vigorously believe in faith healing (and encourages this
instead of traditional medical methods)

i) they strongly oppose the use of psychologists and psychiatrists,
and going to one would imply to them that you don’t have faith in God
(and Shofar) to heal/fix your problems

j) they believe that God still speaks directly to every day members on
a daily basis

k) the founder, Fred May, claims to receive instructions directly
from God on a daily basis and he implies that everything he says (and
orders) are straight from “the big man upstairs”

l) they refer to Fred May as the “high priest” – and somehow he is
everyone’s (especially the wealthier or influential member’s) personal
friend… feel welcome to pop in for a cup of tea at any time, but don’t
expect him to lend you his Mercedes SLK

m) they believe in “holy ointment” and use this in several rituals
(usually normal olive oil… or wait, maybe it is extra virgin)

n) they believe in “driving out demons” from other people, using
“holy ointment” and prayer, this is done by regular members on a daily
basis

o) they pray for physical buildings on a per room basis and use their
“holy ointment” to make a smeary oily mark on the doors

p) their ‘sermons’ are regularly up to 3 hours long and they
encourage members to go to ‘church’ more than once on a Sunday when
possible

q) they encourage their “bible classes” as well as “cell groups”
during the week
(these have to be paid for separately)

r) they renamed their levels/foundations recently for public
relations reasons and also claim that “a lot has changed/improved
over the last year” when you confront them with certain illogical
things they encouraged (eg. dating only people from Shofar on the same
level)

s) they have a great focus on convincing members that the more they
give (money), the more they will be blessed and receive riches in many
forms

t) they preach the “tithe” to radical extremes and guilt-trip
students to view their student loans and pocket money, inheritance,
etc all as “church taxable” monies.

u) separately from, insisting (guilt trip tactics) on paying your
“tithe”, they have “gratitude donations” and “special donations” etc.
adding up extra, then also paying extra for bible study classes and
cell group membership and tons of books and CD’s, DVD’s etc that they
endorse (and have financial interest in)

v) they actively persuade members to boycott people or institutions
that they deem to be “against Shofar” or “against God’s word”(or at
least their interpretation of it)

w) they persuade members to see Shofar as “their new true family” and
encourage them to avoid anyone who doesn’t accept (or tries to
discourage them against) Shofar, including the member’s own family,
citing reasons like DEMONS possessing the family members or friends

x) they believe that one purpose is to “harvest souls for God”, even
using unconventional, intrusive and harassing tactics on complete
strangers in public

y) they ‘reward’ members who moved up high enough on the levels to
invite them on discipline missions (exposing them to dangerous and
exhausting places/conditions – oh and obviously the members have to
pay for this trip to Tibet or Zimbabwe themselves)

z) they use threats and intimidation tactics against people who they
portray to be against Shofar

oops, the alphabet ran out, so only 1 more for now: 

z2) they have security / bodyguards at every single service, (regular
members promoted to “ushers”) patrolling and securing the entrances –
usually fitted with ear pieces or radio’s and ‘well trained’ and
instructed to use force to “bounce” anyone they have on their “watch
list”

Most of the above would be seen as obviously radical and rediculous to
an objective, sane person.
Typical practices and beliefs connected to a cult - and many of them
dangerous and destructive to individuals and/or society.