Inside the Golden Dawn Tabernacle church compound, within the Grace Library and Translation Center, lies a small room. Measuring no more than 7 by 7 feet, it is furnished with a couch, two chairs, a loud and almost hypnotizing ticking clock, and an ample supply of tissues. A small window into the library lobby is covered by blue curtains, and a bookshelf holds books by GDT, which consist of Pastor Isaac Noriega's teachings and doctrines, with inserted quotes from William Branham on various topics. At the corner of the room is Isaac's personal chair. This room is very familiar to the congregation of GDT, as many have found themselves here, making life-changing decisions. Known informally as the counseling room, it is where Pastor Isaac Noriega conducts private meetings with congregants. If this room could talk, it would reveal some of the deepest and most personal secrets of the congregation. In this article, we will examine how these private meetings function, their purpose, and how they differ from more conventional pastoral counseling. We will use audio recordings of prior meetings as part of this examination.
Is Pastoral Counseling Biblical?
Part of a pastor’s duties often involves meeting with congregation members to provide counseling, spiritual guidance, and encouragement. Pastors are called to feed, help, gift, comfort, and edify the sheep.
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14:19)
"Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:28)
As mentioned before, nearly every congregant has had a private meeting with Pastor Isaac, a fact even acknowledged in his biography “Time-Tested Memorials, The Life Story of Two Pioneers: Brother Isaac and Sister Lucy” where it is mentioned that he spent countless hours counseling as quoted below:
"Called by God to be the founding pastor of a Word Assembly, for over sixty years of ministry Brother Isaac has dedicated his life to prayer and to the study of the Bible and of the Message of the hour in order to preach with great unction the unadulterated Word and lead his flock to Christ. Spending countless hours studying, countless hours preaching, and countless hours counseling, he has touched the lives of countless individuals, as he has married couples, dedicated babies, and officiated many burials."
Purpose of Private Meetings
The reasons for these meetings differ significantly from those in other churches. Due to the extensive rules and control exercised by the GDT ministry, congregants primarily seek private meetings to request permission or address issues, rather than for counsel.
Parishioner Is In Trouble
It is common for congregants to find themselves in trouble due to reports of rule or dress code violations. Consequently, meetings are arranged for Isaac to interrogate, counsel, and determine the spiritual condition of the individual. Often, these meetings occur after Rey Aguirre has already questioned the congregant, frequently misrepresenting the facts to Isaac.
In some cases, congregants feel so guilty about breaking the rules that they schedule a meeting with Isaac to self-report and confess. During this process, they often implicate others involved, causing further trouble under the guise of “making things right.” Isaac sometimes asks the confessor to write a letter detailing the allegations against others involved and then demands a private meeting with those individuals to confront them. Isaac always strongly encourages church members to confess.
Isaac uses these allegations and confessions as leverage to control the youth, threatening to punish them in various ways that almost always involve public shaming, including:
- Not allowing them to sit in the front pews of the church when they are deemed to be in trouble.
- Forbidding them from participating in the choir or band.
- Denying them the opportunity to have a public church wedding.
- Isolating them by smearing their reputation to others.
- Staring them down during services.
- Preventing them from taking communion.
Below is an example of Pastor Isaac Noriega gaslighting a young parishioner for not sitting up front and also taking communion (when the ministry leadership prevented him from sitting up front because they deemed he was in trouble). What biblical rule says it is wrong to take communion while sitting in the back pews? This is the type of questionable and judgmental behavior that is engrained in the church ministry.
Parishioner Asking For Permission
Another reason for private meetings is that the parishioner is seeking permission for major life events, such as buying a house, getting a new job, or getting married. Due to Isaac’s control, he micromanages the congregants’ lives, claiming to speak for God and steering them toward his desires.
Examples of Asking For Permission:
- Permission to go to school/college
- Permission to marry
- Permission to go on vacation
- Permission to skip a church service
- Marriage counseling
- Sex advice
- Asking for forgiveness
In the recording below, you can hear Isaac preparing to be mediate between a young man and the girl's father.
Other Reasons For Private Meetings
- Resolving conflicts with family or other church members
- Reporting someone in the church caught doing something against the rules to get them in trouble
- Confronting a parishioner when they get caught doing something wrong or is in trouble (or is an accomplice or a witness)
- Spiritual advice and counseling
- How to have a real testimony in the church
- One-sided “mediations”
Below are some additional audio recordings of Pastor Isaac Noriega's positions, opinions and advice that he gave to various parishioners on pertinent topics mentioned in this article.
Pastoral Confidentiality
Confidentiality places a duty on clergy not to disclose information shared with them in private. Confidentiality is also the ethical and often legal responsibility to safeguard congregation members from unauthorized disclosures of information given in the context of a confidential pastor-parishioner relationship.
In one recording that was provided to us, we hear Pastor Isaac Noriega assuring the congregant that he will keep their meeting details confidential.
"You don’t have to worry about me saying anything."
The concern is that Isaac does not adhere to confidentiality principles. Instead, he uses private information shared with him as examples and cautionary tales in other meetings or even blurts it out directly. This is devastating for those who confide very personal information, only to have it spread. An unfortunate side effect of these meetings is that individuals often leave with more information about others than they had when they arrived. This has become a significant source of conflict within the church. Below are a few examples demonstrating that Isaac is not above using information about past and current members.
The Ultimate Authority
Pastor Isaac has been hard of hearing for the past 15 years, a condition he attributes to Meniere’s disease, which significantly limits his hearing. As he ages, he also tends to forget or misremember things. This is particularly problematic given his role as the final authority in the church, leading to frequent misunderstandings or missed information. During meetings, he has been known to receive phone calls on his flip phone, with the volume so high that both ends of the conversation can be heard. According to multiple witnesses, the majority of these calls are from widows seeking permission under Isaac’s headship rules as demonstrated by the audio recording below.
Other reasons for meeting include asking for marriage counseling or permission to marry someone, as no courting is allowed (we wrote a whole article about this). This places Isaac as the gatekeeper of marriages and couples, allowing him to often steer marriages according to his preferences. He has been known to give birth control advice and even offer couples guidance on how to “make love" as shown in the below recording.
In this excerpt, he explains why he doesn’t allow courting.
Private Meeting Tactics
We were provided with multiple recordings of meetings from current and former members and due to their sensitive nature, we cannot share them all. However, what we noticed is that Isaac uses various tactics in the meetings to get his desired result. A significant number of psychological tactics are used to control, gaslight, and dominate the individuals, including fear tactics during these meetings. but again Isaac changes his approach based on each individual or case. Here is an example of Isaac gaslighting, claiming not to be a dictator and to not have that kind of power.
Meetings with Isaac often become opportunities for him to say things that are too candid or controversial for the pulpit. These topics can range from sexual matters to misogynistic opinions and, most troublingly, divulging personal information about other congregants. He frequently uses his age as a basis for claiming wisdom and experience, but this often serves as an excuse for him to cite other congregants or those who have left the faith as "examples" or "cautionary tales". Given his position and insight into their lives, the information he shares is often extremely private and biased, yet it is taken as gospel truth by the community. This practice is a major source of gossip within the Golden Dawn Tabernacle, as Isaac tends to divulge very personal information. Unfortunately, this practice works both ways: Isaac will demand personal information during meetings and may later use it against the individual in another meeting. Below is a recording of Issac attempting to use fear, cautionary tales.
Isaac often uses his age and experience to suggest that others should follow his example, implying they should live as he does. This puts a lot of pressure on anyone meeting with him, especially newly married couples and families, and sets unrealistic expectations. While he talks about his marriage, being ideal, he has publicly admitted that he had little time for his own kids and family, which he even acknowledges in some meetings. He also seems to brag on how distant he from his family and grandkids.
His attempt to lead by example is confusing because his family is very private, so no one really knows what their life is like. Additionally, Isaac implies that he is without sin, adding to the unrealistic pressure he places on others. This causes confusion and unrealistic expectations.
General Observations
When you greet Isaac, he won’t ask you how you are doing, even if you ask him how he is doing. We are not sure if that is a cultural or a narcissistic trait. During small talk, Isaac asks the men what their height is and mentions their weight. Perhaps height and weight are one of Isaac's major insecurities? Private meetings are mostly a one sided conversation. Most meetings involve talking about a family or former member. He constantly mentions women wearing makeup. He repeats a lot of the same stories about the people who have left. He does not socialize much with the church or family. He verbally talks down to people during meetings. He accuses some of them of not paying tithes. He gets upset if they defend themselves or question him
Isaac’s impression of church members are almost entirely based on what the deacons or others tell them about you and his observations of you in church. If he doesn’t have any inputs about you, he will solely base his impression of you based on how you act in church. He knows when you show up late, or if you stay all day Sunday to fast and pray (due to the cameras). He will judge you based on these actions. We ask if these are simply pharisaical acts that demonstrate he either has poor judgement or is incentivizing self righteous holier than thou public acts simply to win favor with him?.
Conclusion
In our observations of the recordings and based on our personal experiences, these meetings offer a fascinating look into how Pastor Isaac Noriega operates. He does most of the talking, often mixing in gossip he’s heard to see if it sticks, or switching tactics mid-meeting to unsettle the congregant. While some of his advice might seem reasonable (after all a clock is right twice a day), the real danger lies in the lack of accountability, his final authority, the punishment for going against or questioning his counsel, and the lack of privacy.
We’ve seen instances where Isaac says one thing in a meeting and then completely contradicts himself from the pulpit, claiming God anointed him to go against his flesh. In other cases, he appears friendly and understanding in the meeting, only to lash out later from the pulpit, accusing the person of being demon-possessed. The Isaac in the meeting room is merely a tool of the Isaac on the platform, used to control the congregation.
Of course, this commentary is not to say that meetings with your pastor are inherently bad or should be avoided. However, the way Golden Dawn Tabernacle operates, revolving around Pastor Isaac, there can certainly be a dark side to these meetings. They appear to have become another tool for him to use to maintain control over the church. As with many issues in the church, there is a lack of accountability, and there is no oversight regarding what is said, what advice is given, or who he speaks ill of. Sometimes there are no witnesses, leading to coverups, while at other times, personal information is spread. We, as writers, have personally seen him use charm and charisma to play the good cop, only to later hear him lash out and use family and friends’ personal information as bad examples.
We urge the congregation to be cautious with their approach to these meetings, as your privacy and best interests are at stake. Also, please consider that a pastor does not need to grant you permission (under the guise of counseling) to visit your family, take a vacation, purchase a home, a vehicle, further your education or career, etc. Those are perfectly normal life decisions that people make without having to invoke a pastor.
Do you have any information you'd like to share about this topic? Feel free to comment below, or you can contact us directly at our Contact Us page or via our social media accounts below.
Archived Comments
45 comment(s) imported from the original site:
Saved By Grace — July 20, 2024
So sad to see Isaac playing Moses (the law). This asking for permission and advice started in the late 80s when he started the practice of private weddings and taking people out. His premarital/ newlywed meetings can get disgusting. One of my family members was proud to have saved themselves for marriage. However due to Isaac’s disgusting and perverted mind he claimed my family member had to have a private wedding because as he described it to his/her parents “Bro Isaac said I fornicated in my mind”. Questions: if God has forgiven a confessed sin, how can Isaac have more power than Jesus and bring it back up and then use it as blackmail ? People wake up !
Wow!!! — July 20, 2024
Isaac Noriega’s position on women and how he treats them is sickening. Not allowing your wife to go to the grocery store or to visit their own mother is mind blowing. You know you’re in a cult when the pastor has this type of control on the people.
L S — July 20, 2024
“I’m not a dictator” said the worst Dictator I know.
Ligth — July 20, 2024
Mateo, porque no tienes valor y paras a tu padre!??? Como puedes amar mas El dinero que a esta pobre gente abusada y prisionera de tu padre maniaco!!! Loco, mentiroso, opresivo, controlador, … Enfermo sexual, flojo, toxico, destruyendo familias completas, VAS a darle cuantas Al Señor y ademas lo vas a pagar con Tus propina hijas, …. No tienes temor???? Como pueden soportar tanto abuso y mentiras y discordias… Tanta malicia??? Como la gente pueden exponer a sus hijos a esto?… Mientra y engaña, enemista a unos contra otros…Dios mio!!!! Pero tambien entiendo que hay personas que no pueden vivir fuera de esas paredes , sus vidas estan sostenidas en ellas, como esos animales que nacen en jaulas, no saben sobrevivir en la verdadera libertad…..ellos pienzan. Y exponen a sus hijos a semejante moustuo. Es escalofriante oir estos audios….Me hacen vomitar… Es un sicopata manipulator y mentiroso… Poreso tiene tanto miedo a morir…. Ahunque se valla a vivir a los mas privado y escondido que tu piensas Isaac, De El Señor no te vas a escapar, ni tu Mateo ….. Si no se arrepienten y piden perdon en publico, sus pecados los van a alcanzar y to-do su dinero y sus posiciones de nada Les va a ayudar, porque con El Señor no hay sobornos, no lo compras con Tus dadivas, … Estan en graves problemas…uds y todos los que los soportan….
ZC — July 21, 2024
This has to be the most damming article yet. This has to be the most toxic church environment in the world. I’ve seen many documentaries and studied cults and they all leave some boxes unmarked. Golden dawn marks all of them and you can add new red flags. Keep believing, keep praying for these people to see the truth soon. Let’s not give up on our loved ones. Grateful everyday to have made it out.
Isaac’s a narcissist — July 21, 2024
Lol Isaac says he found a girl (Lucy) that was shy, timid, and quiet, of course he did. So he can control her and manipulate her. That’s exactly what he wanted. That’s why he left sis Malena because he knew she wouldn’t bow down to him.
Isaac you say your wife wasn’t scared of you because you are a narcissistic lying asshole. But she was scared of you, you’re entire marriage. You just failed to realize it after 50+ years.
How sad.
Bride — July 21, 2024
This isnt what recordings were meant for. God invented it only for the word to be on tape by Brother Branham and for bride music. Its a perversion the way these recordings were made.
Special Agent Deacon — July 21, 2024
Amen! Any vile technology being used to expose Brother Isaac’s methods and lies should be banned! He didn’t say those things, the recordings got it wrong…because…uh…they are not anointed recordings.
GD survivors — July 23, 2024
Yes, these private meetings with Isaac have gone on for far too long..Parents need to be parents to their children. Stop letting people like Ray and Isaac dictate control the family. The family environment that God created for the mother and father Nowhere absolutely nowhere in the Bible is a pastor part of the mother, father structure, and family. The mother, father Terry, a sacred bond with the child between them and God, not a pastor and especially creepy old manic Isaac who loves your dirty stories When I was 12 years old, my parents found out I had a girlfriend in a public school so this should tell you what era of GD I am from. an when I say, girlfriend I mean, a girl that I had a small crush on exchanged a letter from time to time no more than that, I was forced to a meeting with Isaac alone . This meeting quickly went Into sexual questions..then a question, I was definitely not mature enough for and should have only been asked by my parents. Isaac asked me if I masturbated .. Are you kidding me!? Maybe I’m just naïve, but I didn’t know what that meant and obviously that word didn’t sound good so I said “no”. These meetings still go on to this day… 99% of the children in GD Isaac knows nothing about personally , but he treats him them all the same as somebody said before children are raised in a Cookie cutter at GD Let’s put an end to this madness this crazy old man has ruled too long
Perfect love — July 23, 2024
Every father there, knows the bad acts of isaac; And even so they invite him to their homes, when they get married, or remodel their house, or simply because they fear him,. 😬🥴 Teaching their children to idolize Isaac. WHAT MISERY OF LIFE… 😩
Left GD — July 23, 2024
I remember having a conversation with Isaac one time where he was “warning” me about some of the boys I hung out with. He completely divulged a bunch of information about one of these young boys, stuff that should have definitely stayed private. At least if it was me, I wouldn’t want it to be spread. After that I never trusted him with anything personal. The reality is, as much as Isaac rags on gossipers, he’s surgical with it when it comes to using it for manipulation and control. The sexual fascination adds a whole other element to it. Parents don’t let your kids have meetings with him alone, he doesn’t need to lay a finger on them to damage them, he knows exactly what he’s doing. Also the foot washing whith him alone in a small room is weird, especially since he wants to be the first to do it with the all the newly baptized teen boys.
BR0 R3Y — July 23, 2024
Wait Isaac gets to wash the newly baptized boys feet!!!
GD gazette — July 23, 2024
7/23/24 bedside chat @ Mockingbird Manor’s prayer time
Prince Harry- “Dad the GD crusaders found out about your private footwashing sessions..and asking the young men about masterbation is a little creepy“ ISHMAEL- “I’m gathering content for my divine sermons” Stephen - “Dad can I wash the feet of the newly baptized brothers and sisss….” Prince Harry- “that’s enough!!!!…your not even supposed to be within 500 yds of children you perver…” ISHMAEL- “stop it.. the both of you, your supposed to be brothers” BRO R3Y- “I would be willing to wash feee…” ISHMAEL- rey !!! Really? After the crusaders uncovered your foot fetish, that’s all we need” Prince Harry- “what about young bro Mason hands?” Stephen- “those calloused working hands would hurt my royal fathers feet” ISHMAEL- he is young though, I wonder if he masterbaaaa…” Prince Harry- alright !!!!! It’s late and this is getting inappropriate” Bro R3Y- “well pray about it” …2 be continued
Anonymous — July 23, 2024
He can read minds?…hmmm
Anonymous — July 23, 2024
Isacc….Strange he said he wasn’t attracted to his wifes body, he showed my mother and me the photo of his wife when she was 15, isaac carries this photo in his wallet. a photo of his wife with a tight sweater and a tight skirt. With high heels. Why doesn’t he throw the picture away? The picture was so bad he wouldn’t show it to my father.
Anonymous — July 23, 2024
So isacc condones gossip in the church? Isn’t that what the sister did about the other sister daughter wearing makeup? I’ve seen and heard the gossip with my own ears.
Grossed out — July 24, 2024
So let me get this straight
Ishmael thinks the ugliest part of a woman is her breast despite what the Bible says (Proverbs 5:18-19) He said what attracted him to his wife at the time was “her innocence” (she was 15 at the time) He’s was asking boys as young as twelve if they masturbated!!! The one on one foot washing with him which are least inappropriate. On top of all of this he’s harbored predators at that church for DECADES at this point and protected them apparently more than he’s protected the kids.
Anyone else noticing a pattern here?
Definition of Stupid — July 24, 2024
Knowing the Truth, seeing Evidence of the Truth, but still believing the Lie.
Mason hands — July 24, 2024
You’re the ones who are perverting Bro Isaac’s pureness and integrity as our father figure! You are blasphemous to the Holy Ghost! Leave me out of your story
BR0 R3Y — July 24, 2024
Romans 10:15 “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace..
Golden Dawn — July 25, 2024
Si vas a tener una cita con Isaac, tienes que ir muy bien vestido, porque es lo primero que se fija, tienes que sentarte propiamente, y saludarlo exprecibamente, cualquier cosa lo puedes poner de mal humor. Isaac esperara a que tu comienses la charla, con una actitud y una mirada inquicitiva, pues el tiene la experiencia de manejar emocionalmente a sus victimas, primero te va a “aconsejar segun la palabra” si ve que no te convence comensara a gritarte y a basiarte ensima todo lo que pudiera decir contra tu persona, mezclandolo con supuestos dicernimientos hacía tu persona, y si con esa tactica no te dobla entonses usara su mas exelente tactica: SE PONDRA A LLORAR Y A DECIRTE TODO LO QUE A SUFRIDO Y LO QUE SUFRE Y CUANTO LO PERSIGUEN… Sumando promesas que te hara si lo obedeces especial si Eres soltero o soltero, te promete, ESPOSA, CASA, TRABAJO, Y SI ERES GÜERITO HASTA SER SU PARIENTE, Y DE PILON UNA POSICION EN LA IGLESIA. vimos a jovenes salir de Alli de Este cuartito embrujados cambiamos y conformados con los anzuelos bien clabados y aceptar sus ofertas de vida, que Issac Les da, y El 99%de estos jovenes ya casados, estan en al fondo de la confucion, casados con quien nunca escojieron mucho menos amaron, llenos de hijos y deprimidos confundidos esclavos de un hombre que los maltratar y les roba su libertad e identidad. Y esta estrategia de Isaac, a dado resultados con la mayoria de los jovenes. Con su hijo Mateo que amenazó irse de la Iglesia si no lo dejaba casarse con sierta joven, no le resultó muy Bien , pero con su nieto Abel y algunos de sus sobrinos y sobrinas a tenido bastante exito, Abel se fue de su casa uyendo de toda esta oprecion, y Al segundo dia lo encontraron, y a los pocos meses isaac su abuelo, le consiguió esposa, casa, carro y ahora ya tienen su POSICION en la Iglesia…ahunque los ves miserables, se consuelan con las crias que por fuerza tienen que sacar adelante y el circulo de abuso y control siguen.
TGBTG — July 25, 2024
The foot washing is weird. but the most disturbing for me was when he baptizes the boys he rubs the back of their neck while he’s talking to the congregation
Saved By Grace — July 25, 2024
Wow you nailed it almost exactly how my meetings progressed with. Culminating to promising a coupe young sisters by name. I know several young men who met with Isaac and where offered sisters as well..I never shared my version with anyone until several years later.. so this is a pattern not a coincidence. If you don’t think Isaac looks at all of you like property then try to take a vacation with your family to , Coverdale or Jeffersonville without asking him. He will blow a gasket. Your children are slaves. May God give you the courage to take your family back. Those are not his children! They’re yours. What business does a pastor have controlling families.
Saved By Grace — July 25, 2024
Rubbing and building them up.. of course because he knows those boys are his. He will get their 10% till the day they die.. At this point Prince Harry will be the inheritor of your kids next.
Bride — July 26, 2024
No the recordings are just out of context. It is like someone using just clips of Brother Branham without the full-word context. I firmly believe brother Isaac is just trying to be a head and a father figure for the sister on the phone. Wouldn’t you ask your father for counsel before going out and chit-chatting with others? what if the others were involved in gossip or something? Especially the sister of the one who called, who is known to be caught up in that.
GDT Research — July 26, 2024
Wow. Yes, let’s ask the pastor anytime we want to visit our own family because of…chitchat. What childish nonsense!
Shalom — July 27, 2024
Decearía que se hubiera grabado cuando Isaac le gritoooo efrente de sus hijos a la hna Ester Jaques!!! Cuando quedó viuda y queria quiterle su casa que su esposo le dejo a Ella , y darsela a su nieto rebelde y ateo Abel.!!! O cuando le decía a la hna viuda Andrea Rojas que le mintiera a sus hijas cuando tenía que ir al doctor. O cuando le dijo a la viuda Galvez que le diera el diezmo de lo que le dejó su esposo, o cuando le dijo a Claudia Jaques que la tela de su falda estaba incorrecta porque el le miro la rallita de sus nalgas. O cuando llama a padres de familia para decirles que su diezmo es poco, que no le roben!!! O cuando llama a jovencitas para convencerlas a casarse con algun joven… O cuando llama a los diaconos y les gritá y los maltratar como si fuera animales!!! Ni una grabacion esta fuera de contexto!!! Por lo contrario ni se asoman a la moustrocidad que este hombre dice a la pobre gente, que al parecer hay victimas que estan enemorados de su agresor . Y se mientra a su mismos y mienten a otros para proteger a quien a destruido a casa familia Alli.
Grossed out — July 27, 2024
Please explain to me in which context it is ok to ask a twelve year sexual questions. Or in which context it’s ok to directly contradict scripture. Or in which context it is ok for a pastor to teach sex acts to his congregation
David Alcantar — July 30, 2024
There are a lot of things to break down in this post…but I will keep it short..Bro Branham said the white man was the scoundrel.. devastation has followed the white man..he has always wanted to be white…and has acted like that his entire life…if he could change his skin color he would…keep in mind I am not being racist ..just look at the history of the United States..
Crusader 101 — August 2, 2024
@Bride —-Behold the mentality of a GD member. You show the evidence. And they still refuse to see it. Some people love their chains. They love being told what to do. And what’s more pathetic is that it’s the men the ones that are supposed to be leaders. They sell their whole families out. Just to obey Isaac. They sacrifice their own children to idols just like in the Bible to Baal.
Crusader 101 — August 2, 2024
Take note on what’s happening in Venezuela. Look at Maduro. It’s the carbon copy of Isaac Noriega. The way he esteems himself. The way he yells. I get ptsd just looking at Maduro. With all the yelling and threatening. And yet there are chavistas that still vote for him and protect and defend their abuser. Stockholm syndrome.
Shalom — August 2, 2024
Siiiii….. Identico!!! Isaac y Maduro!!! Es lo que nesecitas hacer alli en esa Iglesia sectaria, levantarse todos con valentía y bajar a esa familia noriega rica y floja, orgullosos y ventajosos, se aprobechan de los hermanos para que les sirvan, ya Basta!!! Dios bendiga Al pueblo venezolano!!!
Toenail Gunk — August 4, 2024
We know tonight church-wide that sisters have clipped gunky toenails, the backslidden ones have removed forbidden toenail polish. Some of them are making sure their legs are at least shaved (although we know the subject ones don’t even bother doing that ) for tomorrow’s monthly wonderful Lord’s Supper. Its definitely Rey’s favorite time of the month!
Golden Dawn — August 4, 2024
Tambien para el pastor Isaac, es el momento cuando ve a cada una de las mujeres que pasan a tomar la cena, las checa, de pies a cabeza, y si se molesta con alguna, por alguna prenda que el en su pacion morbosa se perturba, para el lunes sonará el telefono de su victima..
Richard — August 5, 2024
I see that for some, the situation happening in Venezuela is also familiar.
When the president said, “If I lose, blood will flow,” everything was already said, we knew what his intention was. He cannot lose, he does not know how to lose, he does not know how to compete, he does not know how to respect, he does not know the limit of his desires and will. What he says is as if it were the word of God, as if it were absolutely true.
All of this is so familiar to me; I have already lived it, I have already gone through it when I congregated at Shalom.
It is extremely sad, it is regrettable the situation that the Venezuelan people are going through. Here in Argentina, there are more than 200,000 Venezuelans who have left their homes, their families, their friends, their jobs, their land because of the dictatorial regime and all that it generates.
At this point in our civilization, absolute dictators should no longer exist. The moral, psychological, and physical damage produced under these conditions is too much!!!
The same goes for our churches and congregations; the moral, psychological, and physical damage under the regime of these religious leaders who want to sit on the throne of God in your heart, who believe they are the voice of God, is too much.
I deeply regret, from the heart, for I know what it is like when you managed to get out from under that regime but still have your family there.
You don’t know what to do, you don’t know what attitude to take. If you leave, you may lose almost everything. If you stay, you lose your freedoms, your opinions, your will, your soul dies. You corrupt yourself (you stop being honest and true to yourself) in pursuit of pleasing the pastor and the religious status. You end up being part of and complicit in that abusive and corrupt system.
Being many years under a dictatorship and submitting to it, joining it, the moral consequences are:
Individual Moral Consequences
Compromise of Values: Joining a dictatorship may require compromising or abandoning fundamental personal values such as justice, truth, and freedom. Guilt and Complicity: Actively participating in an oppressive regime can make a person feel guilty or complicit in the injustices and abuses committed by the regime. Dehumanization: Collaborating with a dictatorial regime can lead to dehumanization, where the individual begins to see the regime’s opponents as depersonalized enemies, justifying inhumane treatment towards them. Loss of Integrity: The need to conform and submit can erode personal integrity, as the person may have to lie, deceive, or act against their principles to survive or thrive under the regime. Internal Conflict: A significant internal conflict can arise between the desire to survive and moral conscience, leading to stress, anxiety, and psychological disorders.
Moral Consequences for Society
Normalization of Injustice: Acceptance and submission to the regime can lead to the normalization of injustice and oppression, weakening the moral and ethical standards of society. Distrust and Fear: The dictatorial regime often sows distrust and fear among the population, which can disintegrate social bonds and community cohesion. Culture of Denunciation: Dictators often foster a culture of denunciation, where citizens report the activities of others, creating an atmosphere of paranoia and betrayal. Loss of Solidarity: Cooperation with the regime can weaken solidarity and empathy among people, as fear and competition for the regime’s favor may prevail. Corruption of Institutions: The morality and ethics of institutions, such as the judicial system, security forces, and public administration, can be corrupted to serve the dictator’s interests instead of the common good.
And being under the regime and dictatorship of a religious leader (or perhaps they want to convince you that it is not religion they are giving you, but salvation):
Individual Moral Consequences
Compromise of Personal Values: Individuals may be forced to compromise their own beliefs and values if they differ from the doctrine imposed by the religious leader. Guilt and Complicity: Supporting or participating in an oppressive religious regime can make a person feel guilty or complicit in the injustices and abuses committed in the name of religion. Dehumanization: Seeing non-believers or those with different beliefs as enemies or infidels can lead to dehumanization, justifying inhumane treatment towards them. Loss of Integrity: The need to conform to imposed religious doctrines can erode personal integrity, forcing individuals to act against their own principles. Internal Conflict: The contradiction between imposed religious teachings and one’s own moral beliefs can cause significant internal conflict, leading to stress, anxiety, and psychological issues.
Moral Consequences for Society
Fanaticism and Extremism: A dictatorial religious regime can foster fanaticism and extremism, promoting intolerance towards other religions and beliefs. Distrust and Fear: The implementation of strict religious norms and constant surveillance can create an atmosphere of distrust and fear among the population. Polarization and Divisions: The imposition of an official religion can lead to polarization and division in society, marginalizing and persecuting those who do not adhere to the official doctrine. Control of Private Life: A dictatorial religious leader may attempt to control intimate aspects of people’s lives, such as marriage, children’s education, and personal morality, invading privacy and individual autonomy. Culture of Denunciation: Similar to political dictatorships, a culture of denunciation may arise, where citizens report others’ activities based on religious conformity, creating paranoia and betrayal. Consequences in Education and Critical Thinking
Manipulation of Education: Education may be manipulated to indoctrinate young people into the official religious doctrine, limiting their capacity for critical thinking and exposure to other ideas and perspectives. Censorship of Knowledge: There may be censorship of books, research, and knowledge that contradict the official religious doctrine, limiting access to information and intellectual progress. Consequences for Psychological Health
Guilt and Shame: The imposition of strict religious norms can generate feelings of guilt and shame in those who cannot comply with these norms, negatively affecting their self-esteem and mental health. Oppression of Diversity: The oppression of diversity in beliefs, sexual orientations, and lifestyles can cause significant psychological harm to those who are marginalized and persecuted.
I remember the early years of the Shalom congregation back in the 90s. “Pastor” Hugo had the opportunity NOT to be a Sectarian Dictator Leader. It was evident that he was seeking current models and examples to follow, as he had many insecurities and lacked preparation for pastoring a church. The entire congregation supported and loved him because we understood that we were a new sprout emerging almost from nothing.
Without denomination. Without preparation. With very little money overall.
At what point did we take the direction of becoming more like a sect than a Christian congregation with Christian values of freedom, honesty, and respect?
I suspect it was when Hugo met Isaac; something began to change then. Or perhaps I didn’t realize it, and Hugo was already like that; he found in Isaac the example to follow that he so wanted, admired, and needed for his insecurities and shortcomings.
It’s a shame, lamentable. Today, they are isolated from the “world” like a sect. With that sectarian mindset, they believe they are the chosen ones of God, the enlightened ones. Many years have passed under that dictatorial regime and indoctrination. Those who manage to leave (myself included) do not leave “normal.” They leave “marked,” with all those teachings and laws in their hearts. It will take the rest of your life to discern and recognize what is good and true for your life.
Verdaderamente libre!!! — August 5, 2024
Buenisima explicacion, explicita , inequivoca, exelente!!! Richard, totalmente explicaste la condicion de los miembros de Golden Dawn…. Creado por su idolo Isaac noriega, y va pasando de padres a hijos, como el Caso de los Zuñigas, Silvas, Jaques, Chacones, Malena’s, Gutierrez, Gonzales, Bonillas, samaniego, etc. Y porsupuesto los mas beneficiados y pribilegiados los Noriega’s, .. van dando en casamiento a sus hijos e hijas sentenciados a la misma caminata de muerte… Y no saben ni donde estan parados, solo a lo que salga cada dia… 😢
LIVE a life you LOVE — August 6, 2024
Your Trama and Toxic Environment does Not have to Control You !
Saved By Grace — August 6, 2024
Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Those of us who have left Golden Dawn Understand it is a process we want to be a resource for people who are thinking about leaving or Have recently left kind of like a watering hole another place to stay and live in mentally. So yes, there is a time to move on, but we don’t want people to bury their past in a way where several years later they’re still dealing with having left Family and that evil place The friends that were in GD Are easily exposed as conditional friends from day one However, leaving children, brothers, and parents behind is a different story. We want to expose this evil practice. Isaac has enforced an expose His little minions. Myself I’ve been gone for sometime having moved on emotionally mentally and spiritually. But now we’re coming back for the next generations and Isaac we are Exposing you and your family’s thirst for power and money and we pray this be the last generation which gives you 10% from childhood till death so we have started these websites does not mean we have not gotten over the abuse we have coming Back to expose it
Ezek 3:18 - When one is silent before the evil, we become a partaker with them
Not a Christian — August 6, 2024
When someone controls the narrative they tend to make it work for themselves and their agenda.
What has Issac done for you? What good has he brought to your life? How much closer has he brought you to God? Do you feel the warmth and love of the “Holy Spirit” when he preaches to you? Has his guidance brought you peace, comfort, direction, happiness? Are you happy with the person you are today at GDT? Is he bringing you closer to the person you want to be? Is there a cost associated with this “benefit”?
Weighing the pros and cons of something you devote your invaluable time to is of the utmost importance.
These are some of the questions I would ask myself before leaving something I’ve known my whole life.
It is definitely easier to follow someone because it gives you someone or something to blame when things go wrong in your life. If you don’t have someone to blame outside of yourself then that could be devastating to some people.
We live in the United States of America. There is a lot of freedom when you take the reins of your own life but with that freedom comes difficult decisions. There is a lot of help in this country for someone who wants to help themselves. I don’t care who you are, if you want to make a life outside of GDT you can. It might not be what you want at first but with time it can be more than you ever thought imaginable. If all else fails you write an apology to the church and return to the life you left. Probably without even missing a beat.
God wants more for you than what you’ve settled for.
Crusader 101 — August 11, 2024
Do you know what worse than a Dictator? The people that defend him.
Elected Bride — August 12, 2024
That’s right, with my own ears I heard that because of Isaac, they kill anyone…. exactly like the catholics, daughter like mother…
David Alcantar — August 28, 2024
So I think the big picture here is that …Bro . Branham told someone that it would take a strict pastor to get the bride to a raptureing faith….he has tried to do that …but it is like the law with no love or grace… He talks about how the glory of God filled his soul in the one or two meetings he attended…yet zo don’t know any one who looks at him and says I want to be like him…there is nothing about him any one wants to emulate…while he does have an anointing..he will never bring the bride to raptureing faith . He is incapable of bringing a cohesiveness to unite a people and elevate them to that stature.. Basically he is more of a divider… and he has his place…but like Moses he can only look and see the promise land but his ministry will not get them there..
David Alcantar — August 28, 2024
So I know somehow my words will get to him …I to this day still love the man….I My biggest regret is that I wish I didn’t have the balls to stand up to him…But even to this day I learned so many things from him …and he gave me the opportunity to help ..which I don’t regret.even today..the things I learned from him still help me..I am grateful for that..I am not his enemy..but I think he could have done better..
David Alcantar — September 27, 2024
A total narcissist…
David Alcantar — January 15, 2025
So this website is losing traction…now that the newspaper thing has come out..I just want to one thing…Lucy was afraid of Isaac…and so were his mom And Dad …I saw it first hand..
Comments