Father Divine (c. 1880 – September 10, 1965), was an African-American spiritual leader from about 1907 until his death. His full self-given name was Reverend General Jealous Divine, and he was also known as "the Messenger" and George Baker early in his life. He founded the International Peace Mission movement, formulated its doctrine, and oversaw its growth from a small and predominantly black congregation into a multiracial and international church. Image File history File links Originally from http://www. ... Look up Circa on Wiktionary, the free dictionary The Latin word circa, literally meaning about, is often used to describe various dates (often birth and death dates) that are uncertain. ... 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... September 10 is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years). ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link goes to calendar). ... An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black), is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... See: Spirituality Spiritual music Spiritual dance The Age of Spiritual Machines Spiritual possession This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The International Peace Mission movement was the religious movement started by Father Divine, an African-American who claimed to be God. ... The Doctrine of Father Divine are the teachings of the late Father Divine (d. ...

Controversially, Father Divine claimed to be God. Some contemporary critics also claimed he was a charlatan, and some suppose him to be one of the first modern cult leaders. However, Father Divine made numerous contributions toward his followers' economic independence and racial equality even if that was not his primary motivation. God is the term used to denote the Supreme Being ascribed by monotheistic religions to be the creator, ruler and/or the sum total of, existence. ... A charlatan is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick in order to obtain money or advantage by false pretenses. ... In religion and sociology, a cult is a cohesive group of people (often a relatively small and new religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream. ... Desegregation is the process of ending racial segregation, most commonly used in reference to the United States. ...

Early life and original name

Little is definitively known about Father Divine's early life, or even his real given name. Father Divine and the Peace Movement he started were not good record keepers. Father Divine himself declined several offers to biography his life saying that the history of God would not be useful in mortal terms. He also refused to acknowledge relationship to any family. Newspapers in the 1930s had to dig up his probable given name: George Baker. A given name specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name. ... Sir Thomas Malory wrote the most famous fictional biography of the Middle Ages with Le Morte dArthur about the life of King Arthur. ... // Events and trends A public speech by Benito Mussolini, founder of the Fascist movement The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the global depression. ...

His childhood remains a contentious point. Some, especially earlier researchers, suppose that Father Divine was born in the Deep South, most likely in Georgia as the son of sharecroppers. Newer research by Jill Watts, based on census data, finds evidence for a George Baker Jr. of appropriate age born in a African-American ghetto of Rockville, Maryland called Monkey Run. If this theory is correct, his mother was a former slave called Nancy Baker who died morbidly obese in May of 1897. Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... Sharecropping is a system of farming in which employee farmers work a parcel of land in return for a fraction of the parcels crops. ... The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A ghetto is an area where people from a specific ethnic background or united in a given culture or religion live as a group, voluntarily or involuntarily, in milder or stricter seclusion. ... Motto: Nickname: Map Location in Maryland Political Statistics Founded c. ... Obesity is a condition where the natural energy reserve, stored in the fatty tissue of humans and mammals is increased to a point where it is thought to be a significant risk factor for certain health conditions as well as increased mortality. ... Look up May in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 1897 (MDCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

Most researchers agree that Father Divine's parents were freed African-American slaves. Notoriously poor records were kept about this generation of African-Americans so controversy about his upbringing will not likely be resolved. An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black), is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ...

Father Divine was probably called George Baker around the turn of the century. He worked as a gardener in Baltimore, Maryland. In a 1906 sojourn to California, Baker became acquainted with the ideas of Charles Fillmore and the "New Thought Movement," a philosophy of positive thinking that would inform his later doctrines. Among other things, this belief system asserted that negative thoughts led to poverty and unhappiness. A gardener is any person involved in the growing and maintenance of plants, notably in a garden. ... Motto: The Greatest City in America (formerly The City That Reads; BELIEVE is not the official motto but rather a specific campaign) Nickname: Charm City Mob Town B-more Map Location in Maryland Political Statistics Founded 30 July 1729 Incorporated 1797 County Independent city Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Martin... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The New Thought Movement describes a set of religious developments that originated in the United States during the late 19th century, beginning with Phineas Parkhurst Quimby. ...

Baker attended a local Baptist Church, often preaching, until 1907 when a traveling preacher called Samuel Morris spoke to and was expelled from the congregation. Morris, originally from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, had a soft-spoken and uncontroversial sermon until the end when he raised his arms and shouted, "I am the Eternal Father!" This routine had him thrown out of many churches in Baltimore and was apparently unsuccessful until Morris happened upon the receptive George Baker. Baptist churches are part of a Christian movement often regarded as an evangelical, protestant denomination. ... 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Location in the state of Pennsylvania Formed January 22, 1800 Seat Pittsburgh Area  - Total  - Water 1,929 km² (745 mi²) 38 km² (15 mi²) 1. ...

In his late 20s Baker became Morris' first follower and adopted a pseudonym, "the Messenger". The Messenger was a Christ figure to Morris's God the Father. The Messenger preached with Morris in Baltimore out of the home of former evangelist Harriette Snowden who came to accept their divinity. Morris began calling himself "Father Jehovia". A pseudonym (Greek: false name) is a fictitious name used by an individual as an alternative to his or her legal name. ... This page is about the title, for the Christian figure, see Jesus Christ is the English representation of the Greek word Χριστός (transliterated as Khristós), which means anointed. ... In many religions, the supreme God is given the title and attributions of Father. ... Evangelism is the proclaiming of the Christian Gospel. ... Divinity has a number of related uses in the field of religious belief and study. ...

The Messenger and Father Jehovia were later joined by John A. Hickerson who called himself Reverend Bishop Saint John the Vine. John the Vine shared The Messenger's excellent speaking ability and his interest in New Thought. The New Thought Movement describes a set of religious developments that originated in the United States during the late 19th century, beginning with Phineas Parkhurst Quimby. ...

In 1912, the three-man ministry collapsed as the John the Vine denied Father Jehovia's monopoly on godhood citing 1 John 4:15 to mean God was in everyone. 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... In economics, a monopoly (from the Greek monos, one + polein, to sell) is defined as a persistent market situation where there is only one provider of a kind of product or service. ... Divinity is seen as the existence of some entity or entities which are greater than humankind. ... The First Epistle of John is a book of the Bible New Testament. ...

"Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him and he in God."

The Messenger denied both that Father Jehovia was God and that anyone could be God. Instead he declared that he himself was the only true expression of God's spirit. In 1912, the Messenger parted ways with his former associates and became a self-proclaimed God.

Preaching as God: 1912-1965

In the South: 1912-1914

The Messenger traveled south. He preached extensively in Georgia. In 1913, conflicts with local ministers got him sentenced to 60 days in a chain gang. While serving his sentence, several prison inspectors were injured in an auto accident, which The Messenger viewed as the direct result of their disbelief. 1913 (MCMXIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... A chain gang is a group of prisoners chained together while they performed a menial task, such as chipping stone. ...

Upon release, The Messenger attracted a following of mostly black women in Valdosta, Georgia. He taught celibacy and the rejection of gender categorizations, which was liberating doctrine for southern black women. Black men, however, were not amused. Valdosta is a city in, and the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. ... Celibacy may refer either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. ... In a variety of different contexts, gender refers to the masculinity or femininity of words, persons, characteristics, or non-human organisms. ...

On February 6, 1914, several follower's husbands and local preachers had The Messenger arrested for lunacy. This actually expanded his ministry, with reporters and worshippers deluging his prison cell. Some whites even began calling on him. One white disciple, J. R. Moseley, arranged for J. B. Copeland, a respected Valdosta lawyer, to represent him pro bono. The Messenger was found mentally sound in spite of "maniacal" beliefs. However, outraged black males forced him from Valdosta. February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1914 (MCMXIV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... A lunatic (colloquially: loony) is a pejorative term for a person who is mentally ill, dangerous, foolish or unpredictable. ... Pro bono is a phrase derived from Latin meaning for the good. The complete phrase is pro bono publico, for the public good. It is used to designate legal or other professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment, as a public service. ...

Brooklyn and marriage to Peninniah: 1914-1919

In 1914, The Messenger traveled to Brooklyn, New York with a very modest number of followers and an all-black congregation. Although he claimed to be God incarnate fulfilling Biblical prophecy, he lived relatively quietly. 1914 (MCMXIV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... For other meanings, see Brooklyn (disambiguation). ... The Bible (tanak/h in hebrew language) (sometimes The Holy Bible, The Book, Good Book, Word of God, The Word, or Scripture), from Greek (τα) βιβλια, (ta) biblia, (the) books, is the classical name for the Hebrew Bible of Judaism or the combination of the Old Testament and New Testament of Christianity... Prophecy, in a broad sense, is the prediction of future events. ...

He and his disciples formed a commune in a black middle-class apartment building. The Messenger forbade sex, alcohol, tobacco, and gambling among those that lived with him. By 1919 he had adopted the name Reverend Major Jealous Divine. "Reverend Major" was chosen as a title of respect and authority while "Jealous" was a reference to Exodus 34:14 where the Lord says He is a "jealous god". His followers affectionately called him Father Divine. A Commune is a kind of intentional community where most resources are shared and there is little or no personal property. ... The examples and perspective in this article do not represent a worldwide view. ... Borj-e Sefid apartments in Tehran, Iran An apartment (or flat in Britain and other Commonwealth countries) is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building. ... It has been suggested that Sexual penetration be merged into this article or section. ... In general usage, alcohol (from Arabic al-kukhūl الكحول = the spirit, the chemical.) refers almost always to ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, and often to any beverage that contains ethanol (see alcoholic beverage). ... Species N. glauca N. longiflora N. rustica N. sylvestris N. tabacum Ref: ITIS 30562 as of August 26, 2005 Tobacco (, L.) refers to a genus of broad-leafed plants of the nightshade family indigenous to North and South America, or to the dried and cured leaves of such plants. ... Gambling has had many different meanings depending on the cultural and historical context in which it is used. ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Reverend is an honorary prefix added to the names of Christian clergy and ministers. ... Major is a military rank denoting an officer of mid-level command status. ... Jealousy is an emotion experienced by one who perceives that another person is giving something that s/he wants (typically attention, love, or affection) to a third party. ... Exodus is the second book of the Torah (the Pentateuch) and also the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible), and Christian Old Testament. ... A lord is a male who has power and authority. ...

In this period Father Divine married a follower, Peninniah, who was decades his senior. Like Father Divine, her early life is obscure, but the she is believed to be from Macon, Georgia. The date of the marriage is unknown but probably occurred from 1914 to 1917. Peninniah, also known as Mother M. J. Divine, was the first wife of Father Divine, a prominent religious leader and the founder of the International Peace Mission movement. ... Macon is a city located in Bibb County, Georgia, USA. It lies near the geographic center of Georgia, approximately 80 miles (129 km) south of Atlanta, hence the citys nickname as the Heart of Georgia. ... 1914 (MCMXIV) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ...

In addition to lending her dignified look to The Messenger, Peninniah served to diffuse rumors of impropriety between The Messenger and his many young female followers. Both Peninniah, who was often called "Mother Divine", and Father Divine would assert that the marriage was never physically consummated. Indeed, no evidence suggests otherwise. As a verb, consummate means to bring something to its completion, such as a transaction, concept, plan or action. ...

Sayville, New York: 1919-1931

Father Divine and his disciples moved to Sayville, New York (on Long Island), in 1919. He and his followers were the first black homeowners in town. Father Divine purchased his 72 Macon Street house from a resident who wanted to spite the neighbor he was feuding with. The two neighbors, both German Americans, began fighting when one of them changed his name from "Felgenhauer" to "Fellows" in response to anti-German sentiment. His neighbor taunted him, and the feud escalated until Fellows decided to move. As a final insult, he specifically advertised his home for sale to a "colored" buyer to presumably lower his neighbors' property values. Sayville is the name of a hamlet (and a census-designated place) located in Suffolk County on Long Island. ... The four counties of Long Island. ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... German Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry. ...

In this period, his movement underwent sustained growth. Father Divine held free weekly banquets and helped comers find jobs. He began attracting many white followers as well as black. The integrated environment of Father Divine's communal house and the apparently flaunted wealth of his Cadillac infuriated neighbors. Members of the overwhelmingly white community accused him of maintaining a large harem and engaging in scandalous sex although the Suffolk County district attorney's office found the claims baseless. Nonetheless, neighbors continued to complain. Desegregation is the process of ending racial segregation, most commonly used in reference to the United States. ... Cadillac is a brand of luxury automobile, part of the General Motors corporation, produced and mostly sold in the USA; outside of North America, they have been less successful. ... In traditional Arab culture, the harîm حريم (cf. ... A scandal is a widely publicized incident involving allegations of wrong-doing, disgrace, or moral outrage. ... Suffolk County is a county located in the state of New York. ... A district attorney is, in some U.S. jurisdictions, the title of the local public official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminals. ...

Sayville arrests, trial, notoriety, and prison: 1931-1932

On May 8, 1931, a Sayville deputy arrested and charged Father Divine with disturbing the peace. Remarkable in the depression, Father Divine submitted his $1000 bail in cash. The trial, not as speedy as the neighbors wanted, was scheduled for late Fall allowing Father Divine's popularity to snowball for the entire Sayville vacation season. May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Dorothea Langes Migrant Mother depicts destitute pea pickers in California, centering on Florence Owens Thompson, a mother of seven children, age thirty-two, in Nipomo, California, March 1936. ... OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx Autumn (also fall in North American English) is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition from summer into winter. ...

Father Divine held banquets for as many as 3000 people that summer. Cars clogging the streets for these gatherings bolstered some neighbor's claims that Father Divine was a disturbance to the peace and furthermore was hurting their property values.

On Sunday, November 15 at 12:15 AM, a police officer was called to Father Divine's raucously loud property. By the time state troopers, deputies and prison buses were called in, a mob of neighbors had surrounded the compound. Fearing riot, the police informed Father Divine and his followers that they had fifteen minutes. Father Divine had them wait in silence for ten minutes, and then they filed into police custody. Processed by the county jail at 3 AM, clerks were frustrated because the followers often refused to give their usual names and stubbornly offered the "inspired" names they adopted in the movement. Seventy-eight people were arrested altogether, including fifteen whites. Forty-six pled guilty to disturbing the peace and incurred $5 fines which Father Divine paid with a $500 bill that the court was embarrassingly unable to make change from. Peninniah, Father Divine, and thirty followers resisted the charges. November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... Riots in Newark, New Jersey. ... Today, the currency of the United States, the U.S. dollar, is printed in bills in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. ... Peninniah, also known as Mother M. J. Divine, was the first wife of Father Divine, a prominent religious leader and the founder of the International Peace Mission movement. ...

Father Divine's arrest and heterodox doctrines were sensationally reported. The New York press feeding frenzy made this event and its repercussions the single most famous moment of Father Divine's life. Although mostly inaccurate, articles on Father Divine propelled his popularity. By December his followers began renting buildings in New York City for Father Divine to speak in. Soon, he often had several engagements on a single night. On December 20 he spoke to an estimated 10,000 in Harlem's Rockland Palace, a spacious former casino. Sensationalism is a manner of being extremely controversial, loud, attention-grabbing, or otherwise sensationalistic. ... Look up December in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Nickname: The Big Apple Motto: Official website: City of New York Location Location in the state of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area Total 468. ... December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Harlem neighborhood in New York City. ... Casino (disambiguation). ...

By May of 1932, meetings were regularly held at the Rockland and throughout New York and New Jersey. Father Divine had supporters in Washington state, California and throughout the world thanks to New Thought devotees like Eugene Del Mar, an early convert and former Harlem journalist, and Henry Joerns, the publisher of a New Thought magazine in Seattle. Curiously, although the movement was predominantly black, followers outside the Northeast were mostly middle class whites. Look up May in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) is a leap year starting on Friday. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 455 km 530 km 13. ... Official language(s) None defined, English de facto Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 47th 22,608 km² 110 km 240 km 14. ... This article deals with the U.S. state. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... The New Thought Movement describes a set of religious developments that originated in the United States during the late 19th century, beginning with Phineas Parkhurst Quimby. ...     This article is about the city. ... The U.S. Northeast is a region of the United States of America defined by the US Census Bureau. ... The middle class (or middle classes) comprises a social group once defined by exception as an intermediate social class between the nobility and the peasantry. ...

In this period of expansions, several branch communes were opened in New York and New Jersey. Father Divine's followers finally named the movement: the International Peace Mission movement. Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 455 km 530 km 13. ... Official language(s) None defined, English de facto Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 47th 22,608 km² 110 km 240 km 14. ... The International Peace Mission movement was the religious movement started by Father Divine, an African-American who claimed to be God. ...

Father Divine's trial was finally held on May 24, 1932. His lawyer, Ellee J. Lovelace, a prominent Harlem African American and former US Attorney had requested the trial be moved outside of Suffolk County due to potential jury bias. The court acquiesced and the trial took place at the Nassau County Supreme Court before Justice Lewis J. Smith. The jury found him guilty on June 5, but asked for leniency on behalf of Father Divine. Ignoring this request, Justice Smith lectured on how Father Divine was a fraud and "menace to society" before issuing the maximum sentence for disturbing the peace, one year in prison and a $500 fine. May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) is a leap year starting on Friday. ... United States Attorneys represent the U.S. federal government in United States district court. ... Suffolk County is a county located in the state of New York. ... Nassau County is a county located outside New York City in the state of New York. ... June 5 is the 156th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (157th in leap years), with 209 days remaining. ...

Smith, 55, died of a heart attack days later on June 9, 1932. Father Divine famously commented on the untimely death, "I hated to do it." The impression that Justice Smith's death was divine retribution was perpetuated by the press, which failed to report Smith's prior heart problems. The death was implied to be more sudden and unexpected than it was. June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) is a leap year starting on Friday. ... In theology, divine retribution is a punishment by a higher deity. ...

During his brief prison stay, Father Divine read prodigiously, notably on the Scottsboro nine. After his attorneys secured release through an appeal on June 25, 1932, he declared that the foundational documents of the United States of America like the Constitution and Declaration of Independence were inspired. Father Divine also taught that contemporary leaders strayed from these ideals, but he would become increasingly patriotic through his life. The case of the Scottsboro Boys arose in Alabama during the 1930s, when nine black teenagers, none older than nineteen, were accused of raping two white women on a train. ... June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) is a leap year starting on Friday. ... U.S. Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is a document in which the Thirteen Colonies declared themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain and explained their justifications for doing so. ... Defense of the homeland is a commonplace of military patriotism: commemorating the students at the École Polytechnique, Paris, 1814 Patriotism denotes positive attitudes by individuals to their own nation, to its national homeland, its culture, its members, and to its interests. ...

Harlem: 1932-1942

The International Peace Mission movement established over 100 Heavens in the Northeastern United States

Father Divine moved to Harlem, New York where he had accumulated significant following in the black community. Members, rather than Father Divine himself, held most deeds for the movement, but they contributed toward Father Divine's comfortable lifestyle. Purchasing several hotels, which they called "Heavens", members could live and seek jobs inexpensively. The movement also opened several budget enterprises including restaurants and clothing shops that sold cheaply by cutting overhead. These proved very successful in the depression. Economical, cash-only businesses were actually part of Father Divine's doctrine. One of Father Divines Peace Mission Heavens from the East Side of New York. ... One of Father Divines Peace Mission Heavens from the East Side of New York. ... This article is about the Harlem neighborhood in New York City. ... The Doctrine of Father Divine are the teachings of the late Father Divine (d. ...

By 1934 branches had opened in Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington, and gatherings occurred in France, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia, but the membership totals were drastically overstated in the press. Time magazine estimated nearly 2 million followers, but the true figure of adherents was probably a few tens of thousands, and a larger body of sympathizers who attended his gatherings. Nonetheless, Father Divine was increasingly called upon to offer political endorsements, which he initially didn't grant. For example, New York mayoral candidates John P. O'Brien and Fiorello H. LaGuardia each sought his endorsement in 1933, but Father Divine was apparently uninterested. 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nickname: City of Angels Motto: Official website: http://www. ...     This article is about the city. ... (Clockwise from upper left) Time magazine covers from May 7, 1945; July 25, 1969; December 31, 1999; September 14, 2001; and April 21, 2003. ... Nickname: The Big Apple Motto: Official website: City of New York Location Location in the state of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area Total 468. ... John P. OBrien (1873 1951) was an Irish-American mayor of New York City from 1933 to 1934. ... Fiorello Henry LaGuardia Fiorello Enrico LaGuardia (December 11, 1882–September 20, 1947) was the Mayor of New York from 1934 to 1945. ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

An odd alliance between Father Divine and the Communist Party of America began in early 1934. Although Father Divine was outspokenly capitalist, he was impressed with the party's commitment to civil rights. The party relished the endorsement although contemporary FBI records indicate some critics of the perceived huckster were expelled from the party for protesting the alliance. The Communist Party of the United States of America (CPUSA) is one of several Marxist-Leninist groups in the United States. ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... In economics, a capitalist is someone who owns capital, presumably within the economic system of capitalism. ... Civil rights or positive rights are those legal rights retained by citizens and protected by the government. ... Official FBI Seal The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a Federal police force and intelligence agency which is the principal investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ...

In spite of this alliance, the movement was largely apolitical until the Harlem Riot of March 19, 1935. Based on a rumor of police killing a black teenager, it left four dead and caused over $1 million in property damage in Father Divine's neighborhood. Father Divine's outrage at this and other racial injustices fueled a keener interest in politics. In January 1939 the movement organized the first-ever "Divine Righteous Government Convention", which crafted political platforms incorporating the Doctrine of Father Divine. Among other things the delegates opposed school segregation and many of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's social programs, which they interpreted as "handouts". March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Politics is the process by which decisions are made within groups. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Doctrine of Father Divine are the teachings of the late Father Divine (d. ... It has been suggested that Apartheid outside South Africa be merged into this article or section. ... Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882–April 12, 1945), 32nd President of the United States, the longest-serving holder of the office and the only man to be elected President more than twice, was one of the central figures of 20th century history. ...

At the zenith of Father Divine's influence, several misfortunes struck the movement.

On December 16 John Hunt, a white millionaire and disciple from California calling himself John the Revelator, met the Jewett family of Denver, Colorado. He kidnapped their 17 year-old daughter Delight and took her back to California without her parent's consent. Renaming her "Virgin Mary," John the Revelator began sexual relations with her. He announced that she would give birth to a "New Redeemer" by "immaculate conception" in Hawaii. Father Divine summoned Hunt to New York, separated the couple and chastised his eccentric follower. The Jewetts, finding their daughter apparently brainwashed into believing she was literally the Virgin Mary demanded compensation. After the movement's attorneys conducted an internal investigation, they refused. Outraged, the Jewetts offered their story to William Randolph Hearst's New York Evening Journal, an established critic of the movement. After a manhunt and trial, John Hunt was sentenced to three years and adopted a new name, the "Prodigal Son". Father Divine publicly endorsed the conviction of John the Revelator contrary to some expectations (some followers expected him to once again "smite" the judge). However, the scandal brought bad publicity to Father Divine. News coverage implied his followers were gullible and dangerous. December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... A millionaire is a person who has a net worth or wealth of more than one million United States dollars, euros, UK pounds or units of a comparably valued currency. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... Nickname: The Mile-High City Motto: Official website: http://www. ... Mary Immaculate This article refers to the doctrine of the immaculate conception of Mary, Mother of Jesus. ... Official language(s) Hawaiian and English Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 43rd 28,337 km² n/a km 2,450 km 41. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 455 km 530 km 13. ... Brainwashing controversies According to research and forensic psychologist Dick Anthony, the CIA invented the brainwashing ideology as a propaganda strategy to undercut communist claims that American POWs in Korean communist camps had voluntarily expressed sympathy for communism and that definitive research demonstrated that collaboration by western POWs had been caused... Saint Mary and Saint Mary the Virgin both redirect here. ... William Randolph Hearst William Randolph Hearst (April 29, 1863 – August 14, 1951) was an American newspaper magnate, born in San Francisco, California. ... This page meets Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ...

In March 1937, Peninniah fell ill in Kingston, New York. Father Divine rarely comforted her on what was widely believed to be her deathbed. He kept running the church, only visiting her once in Kingston, again causing bad publicity. Peninniah, however, claimed that she was not seriously ill or in pain. Look up March in Wiktionary, the free dictionary March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Peninniah, also known as Mother M. J. Divine, was the first wife of Father Divine, a prominent religious leader and the founder of the International Peace Mission movement. ... Kingston is a city located in Ulster County, New York, United States. ...

On April 20, 1937, a violent outburst occurred in a meeting when two men tried to deliver Father Divine a summons. One of the men, Harry Green, was stabbed as Father Divine fled. Father Divine went into hiding to evade authorities. April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

During this time, one of Father Divine's most prominent members, called Faithful Mary, defected and took control of a large commune, which was technically in her name. Of the Father she said, "he's just a damned man." She furthermore alleged that he defrauded his followers to maintain a rich lifestyle for himself. Faithful Mary also made a number of sexual allegations including a charge that Father Divine coerced females to have sex with key disciples.

In early May, Father Divine was located and extradited from Connecticut and faced criminal charges in New York. That summer, Hearst's Metronone newsreel distributed mocking footage of Father Divine's followers singing outside police headquarters "Glory, glory, hallelujah! Our God is in our land!" Look up May in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 48th 14,371 km² 113 km 177 km 12. ... William Randolph Hearst William Randolph Hearst (April 29, 1863 – August 14, 1951) was an American newspaper magnate, born in San Francisco, California. ... A Newsreel is a documentary film that is regularly released in a public presentation place containing filmed news stories. ...

Later in May 1937, an ex-follower called Verinda Brown filed a lawsuit for $4,476 against Father Divine. The Browns had entrusted their savings with Father Divine in Sayville back in 1931. They left the movement in 1935 wishing to live as husband and wife again, but were unable to get their money back. In light of their evidence and testimony from Faithful Mary and others critical of the movement, the court ordered repayment of the money. However, this opened up an enormous potential liability from all ex-devotees, so Father Divine resisted and appealed the judgment. Look up May in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... A lawsuit is a civil action brought before a court in which the party commencing the action, the plaintiff, seeks a legal remedy. ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Father Divine bounced back in 1938. He was cleared of criminal charges and Mother Divine recovered. Faithful Mary, impoverished and broken, returned to the movement. Father Divine made her grovel for forgiveness, which she did. By the late 1930s the movement stabilized although it had clearly passed its zenith. 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... // Events and trends A public speech by Benito Mussolini, founder of the Fascist movement The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the global depression. ... The zenith, in astronomy, is the point in the sky which appears directly above the observer. ...

Father Divine's political focus on anti-lynching measures became more resolved. By 1940, his followers had gathered 250,000 signatures in favor of an anti-lynching bill he wrote. However, passage of such statues came slowly in New York and elsewhere. 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The Verinda Brown lawsuit against Father dragged on and was sustained on appeal. In July, 1942 he was ordered to pay Brown or face contempt of court. Instead, Father Divine fled the state, and re-established his headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He still visited New York, however. State law forbade serving subpoenas in New York on Sunday, so he often spoke on the Sabbath day in Harlem, the Promised Land (his Kingston commune), and Sayville. July is the seventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... This article is about the year. ... Contempt of court is a court ruling which, in the context of a court trial or hearing, deems an individual as holding contempt for the court, its process, and its invested powers. ... Independence Hall, as it appears today. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 455 km 530 km 13. ... A subpoena (pronounced suh-pee-nuh) is a writ commanding a person to appear under penalty (from Latin). ... This article concerns the Sabbath in Christianity. ... This article is about the Harlem neighborhood in New York City. ... Kingston is a city located in Ulster County, New York, United States. ... Sayville is the name of a hamlet (and a census-designated place) located in Suffolk County on Long Island. ...

Pennsylvania: 1942-death

After moving to Philadelphia, Father Divine's wife Peninniah died. The exact date is not known because Father Divine never talked about it or even acknowledged her passing. However, it occurred sometime in 1943 and biographers believe Peninniah's death rattled Father Divine, making him aware of his own mortality. It became obvious to Father Divine and his followers that his doctrine might not make one immortal as he asserted, at least not in the flesh. Independence Hall, as it appears today. ... Peninniah, also known as Mother M. J. Divine, was the first wife of Father Divine, a prominent religious leader and the founder of the International Peace Mission movement. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ... The Doctrine of Father Divine are the teachings of the late Father Divine (d. ... Flagellants mortifying the flesh, at the time of the Black Death Mortification of flesh literally means putting the flesh to death. The term is primarily used in religious contexts, and is practiced in a variety of ways. ...

After his first wife died, Father Divine married a white Canadian woman called Edna Rose Ritchings in Washington D.C. on April 26, 1946. Interracial marriage was then illegal in Pennsylvania and the ceremony was kept secret even from most members until Ritching's Visa expired. Critics of the movement believed that Father Divine's seemingly scandalous marriage to 21 year-old Ritchings would destroy the movement. Instead, most followers rejoiced, and the marriage date became a celebrated anniversary in the movement. To prove that he and Ritchings adhered to his doctrine on sexual abstinence, Father Divine assigned a black female follower to be her constant companion. Edna Rose Ritchings, is the symbolic maintainer of the International Peace Mission movement. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (117th in leap years). ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Official language(s) None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 33rd 119,283 km² 255 km 455 km 2. ... An entry visa valid in all Schengen treaty countries Visas for Laos, Thailand, and Sri Lanka A visa (short for the Latin carta visa, lit. ... Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity. ...

He claimed that Ritchings, later called "Mother S. A. Divine", was the reincarnation of Peninniah. Reincarnation was not previously part of Father Divine's doctrine, and did not become a fixture of his theology. Followers believed that Peninniah was an exceptional case and viewed her "return" as a miracle. Past Lives redirects here. ... The Doctrine of Father Divine are the teachings of the late Father Divine (d. ... Peninniah, also known as Mother M. J. Divine, was the first wife of Father Divine, a prominent religious leader and the founder of the International Peace Mission movement. ... According to many religions, a miracle, derived from the old Latin word miraculum meaning something wonderful, is a striking interposition of divine intervention by God in the universe by which the operations of the ordinary course of Nature are overruled, suspended, or modified. ...

Going into the 1950s, the press rarely covered Father Divine, and when it did, it was no longer as a menace, but as an amusing relic. For example, light-hearted stories ran when Father Divine announced Philadelphia was capital of the world, and when he claimed to inspire invention of the hydrogen bomb. Father Divine's predominantly lower class following ebbed as the economy swelled. // Events and trends This map shows two essential global spheres during the Cold War in 1959. ... Independence Hall, as it appears today. ... The mushroom cloud of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945 lifted nuclear fallout some 18 km (60,000 feet) above the epicenter. ...

In 1953, a follower called John Devoute gave Father Divine Woodmont, a 72 acre (0.3 km²) hilltop estate in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia. This French gothic manor served as his home and primary site of his increasingly infrequent banquets until his death in 1965. 1953 (MCMLIII) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Woodmont is a 72 acre (290,000 m²) hilltop estate in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... An acre is an English unit of area, which is also frequently used in the United States and some Commonwealth countries. ... Gladwyne is a very affluent suburb of Philadelphia located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. ... Victoria Tower at the Palace of Westminster, London: Gothic details provided by A.W.N. Pugin The Gothic revival was a European architectural movement with origins in mid-18th century England. ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link goes to calendar). ...

As his health declined, he continued to petition for civil rights. In 1951 he advocated reparations, to be paid to the descendents of slaves. He also argued in favor of integrated neighborhoods. However, he did not participate in the burgeoning American Civil Rights Movement because of his poor health and especially because he disliked the use of racial labels, denying he was black. 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Reparations refers to two distinct ideas: Reparations for slavery of groups or individuals War reparations: Payments from one country to another as compensation for starting a war under a peace treaty, such as those made by Germany to France under the Treaty of Versailles. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

On September 10, 1965, Father Divine died of natural causes at his Woodmont estate. His widow and remaining followers insist his spirit is still alive and always refer to Father Divine in the present tense. Believers keep the furnishings of Father Divine's personal rooms at Woodmont just as they were as a shrine to his life. September 10 is the 253rd day of the year (254th in leap years). ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link goes to calendar). ... Woodmont is a 72 acre (290,000 m²) hilltop estate in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ...

Mrs. S. A. Divine became spiritual leader of the movement. In the 1972 she fought an attempt by cult leader Jim Jones to take over the movement's dwindling devotees. Jones based some of his doctrines on the International Peace Mission movement, and claimed to be the reincarnation of Father Divine. Edna Rose Ritchings, is the symbolic maintainer of the International Peace Mission movement. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year that started on a Tuesday. ... Brochure of the Peoples Temple, portraying cult leader Jim Jones as the loving father of the Rainbow Family. ... The International Peace Mission movement was the religious movement started by Father Divine, an African-American who claimed to be God. ...

After the Peoples Temple mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, Father Divine was posthumously ridiculed in a made-for-TV movie, "Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones". In the movie, Father Divine, played by James Earl Jones, advises the Jim Jones character to bring sexual desires to fruition. Brochure of the Peoples Temple portraying cult leader Jim Jones as the loving father of the Rainbow Family. The Peoples Temple was a cult that is best known for a mass suicide at Jonestown, Guyana, on November 18, 1978. ... Houses in Jonestown Alternate uses: See Jonestown (disambiguation) Jonestown was a town in Guyana established by Peoples Temple cult leader Jim Jones. ... A television movie (also known as a TV movie, TV-movie, feature-length drama, made-for-TV movie, movie of the week (MOTW or MOW), single drama, telemovie, telefilm, or two-hour-long drama) is a film that is produced for and originally distributed by a television network. ... James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is a well-known American actor who was born in Arkabutla, Tate County, Mississippi, the son of Robert Earl Jones, and raised in Dublin, Michigan, by his maternal grandparents. ...

Physical characteristics and preaching style

Father Divine was a lightly-built African American man at a diminutive 5 foot, 2 inches (1.57 m). Through most of his life he maintained a moustache which he kept well groomed. His hair was invariably combed, and since his days in Sayville, New York he almost always wore a suit in public. An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black), is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Mid-19th century tool for converting between different standards of the inch An inch is an Imperial and U.S. customary unit of length. ... Sayville is the name of a hamlet (and a census-designated place) located in Suffolk County on Long Island. ...

Like many religious or cult leaders, Father Divine was said to be very charismatic. His sermons were emotionally moving and freely associated between topics. His speech was often peppered with words of his own invention like "physicalating" and "tangiblated". Other eccentricities were drawn from his doctrine. For example, nearly every sermon began with the greeting and exhortation, "peace!" Father Divine believed that "peace" should replace "hello." Fishers of men; Oil on panel by Adriaen van de Venne (1614) Religion (see etymology below) —sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system—is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine; and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions and rituals associated with such belief. ... In religion and sociology, a cult is a cohesive group of people (often a relatively small and new religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream. ... Politics aside, Bill Clinton is generally considered quite charming and charismatic by his political peers and by the larger public as well The word charisma (from the Greek word kharisma, gift or divine favor, from kharizesthai, to favor, from kharis, favor), is often used to describe an ability to charm... A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. ... A Free Association is an association which meets certain mostly negative criteria. ...

See also: Doctrine of Father Divine The Doctrine of Father Divine are the teachings of the late Father Divine (d. ...

Civil rights legacy

Some biographers such as Robert Weisbrot suppose that Father Divine was a forerunner to the civil rights struggles of the 1950s and 1960s, heavily influenced by his upbringing in the segregated South. Others, such as Jill Watts reject not only this characterization, but also the theory Father Divine grew up in the Deep South. Watts subscribes to the Rockville, Maryland theory of his upbringing and asserts that Rockville was less oppressive than the south or even Baltimore, Maryland. Watts believes his civil rights positions are unintelligible without evaluating them in context of the Doctrine of Father Divine To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... // Events and trends This map shows two essential global spheres during the Cold War in 1959. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive. ... It has been suggested that Apartheid outside South Africa be merged into this article or section. ... A compass rose with South highlighted South is most commonly a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography. ... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... Motto: Nickname: Map Location in Maryland Political Statistics Founded c. ... Motto: The Greatest City in America (formerly The City That Reads; BELIEVE is not the official motto but rather a specific campaign) Nickname: Charm City Mob Town B-more Map Location in Maryland Political Statistics Founded 30 July 1729 Incorporated 1797 County Independent city Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Martin... The Doctrine of Father Divine are the teachings of the late Father Divine (d. ...

Although Father Divine strove extensively against lynching and bigotry, he accepted many of the negative characteristics assigned African Americans. He concluded that those who identified themselves as "black" manifested these characteristics. In short, he believed blacks perpetuated their own oppression by thinking racially. He once said that he was not poor because he did not belong to a poor downtrodden race—that he was not black. Lynching is violence, usually murder, conceived by its perpetrators as extra-legal execution, or used as a terrorist method of enforcing social domination. ... A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own. ... African Americans, also known as Afro-Americans or black Americans, are an ethnic group in the United States of America whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Sub-Saharan and West Africa. ...

In spite of Father Divine's "conservative" positions dissimilar to later civil rights leaders, his symbolic success story empowered his followers and other African Americans. Below is a list of civil rights leaders: Abernathy, Ralph (1936-1996) Anthony, Susan B. (1820-1906) Baker, Ella (1903-1986) Bates, Daisy (1914-1999) Bevel, James (1936-) Bond, Julian (1940-) Carmichael, Stokely (1941-1998) DuBois, W.E.B. (1868-1963) Evers, Medgar (1925-1963) Hamer, Fannie Lou (1917-1977...

Religious legacy

As of 2005, Edna Rose Ritchings (Mother Divine) is still alive and conducts services for the old and dwindling congregation. The movement still owns several properties such as the Divine Tracy Hotel near the University of Pennsylvania. This budget hotel has separate floors for men and women in accord with Father Divine's teachings. Other properties include Father Divine's Gladwyne estate "Woodmont" and his former home in Sayville, New York. Edna Rose Ritchings, is the symbolic maintainer of the International Peace Mission movement. ... Mother Divine is a name used by followers of the International Peace Mission movement to refer to either of the wives of Father Divine, an African American religious leader prominent in the 1930s. ... The University of Pennsylvania (Penn is the moniker used by the university itself) is a private, nonsectarian, research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Woodmont is a 72 acre (290,000 m²) hilltop estate in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ...

Chapters exist in California as well as in Pennsylvania and New York, but the Movement is not centralized and exists through a number of inter-related groups. Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... Official language(s) None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 33rd 119,283 km² 255 km 455 km 2. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 455 km 530 km 13. ...

Father Divine is thought to be an influential and original African American religious figure whose reputation was marred by the countercult movement of the 1970s. An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or simply black), is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. ... The Christian countercult movement, also known as discernment ministries is the collective designation for many mostly unrelated ministries and individual Christians who oppose non-mainstream Christian and non-Christian religious groups, which they often call cults. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ...

References

• God Comes to America: Father Divine and the Peace Mission Movement, Kenneth E. Burnham, Boston: Lambeth Press, 1979 ISBN 0-93-118601-3
• Father Divine and the Struggle for Racial Equality, Robert Weisbrot, Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1983 ISBN 0-79-101122-4
• God, Harlem U.S.A: the Father Divine story, Jill Watts, Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1992 ISBN 0-52-007455-6

External links

• International Peace Mission movement Homepage
• June 2003 AP story about the movement
• PBS — This Far By Faith: Father Divine