The Move
Special Guest: Richard Kiers
Richard Kiers is a survivor of The Move, founded by Sam Fife in the 1960s. In his book 'Swindled by Faith: A Time for Reconciliation', Richard tells his story in a unique style. Memories and thoughts throughout his younger years are articulated in a way that draws you into his life, paints a picture, and leaves you feeling as though you may have walked this road with him. Purchase a copy of 'Swindled by Faith' here.
Richard is the father of three grown sons. Currently living in Jamaica, his life has been a roller coaster ride including two marriages. The middle son of a large, Dutch family, he has four sisters and 3 brothers who all live in Western Canada.
EPISODE DETAILS
Written and Hosted by Sarah Steel
Music by Joe Gould
November 13th, 2019
56 mins 59 secs
Season 3
Season 3 presenting partner:
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Followers of The Move rejected mainstream society and headed into the wilderness in the 1970s, building isolated communities that were to set them up for the coming Apocalypse. Many ex-members would later tell stories of physical hardship, beatings, and worse, experienced in these communities. Move leader Sam Fife told devotees that should he ever die, they could consider it proof that he was a false prophet.
EPISODE LINKS
Swindled by Faith: A Time For Reconciliation — by Richard A Kiers, Tellwell Talent, 2019
Practices of Cults Receiving New Scrutiny — The New York Times, 21 January 1979
From Survivor to Thriver — by Angela “Vennie” Kocsis, ICSA Today, Vol. 5, No. 3, 2014
Cult Child — by Vennie Kocsis, Amazon, 2014
Vennie Kocsis’ website — includes various collected materials about The Move
Brother Sam Prepares His Flock For The ‘End Days’ — by Adon Taft, Charleston Daily, 10 April 1975
God’s School of Divine Government — by Sam Fife, 1974
Awaiting apocalypse in the Peace River Valley — by Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, 27 October 2016
Peace River commune awaits imminent apocalypse: Christian community of 250 shuns TV and requires year-long courtship void of physical contact — by Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, 22 September 2003
Divine Order Teaching #22: Divine Order for Raising Children — by Sam Fife, 1970
Open Letter to the Ministry of the Move — by Julie Leland Biggerstaff, Ross W. Bracewell, Michael Martella & Greg Sitteg
The Move Terminology — by Richard Kiers
Buddy Cobb — video taken by his granddaughter Ang Cobb, 2 April 2017
Vince Vaughn's stepfather liable in goat blood drug case, jury finds — by Kim Janssen, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2016
15 years for man who defrauded execs — by Jonathan Horn, The San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 September 2013
Christian cult leader worked Tampa “BLACK ICE” Operation — by Daniel Hopsicker, 6 March 2014
Tampa ‘Black Ice” drug operation tied to organized crime — by Daniel Hopsicker, 1 April 2014
Doctor pays for helping friend — by John Tedesco, My San Antonio, 25 August 2012
People Magazine Investigates: Cults — Investigation Discovery, 2 July 2019
My Story — by Glori Williams, 29 March 2014
One Survivor Among Many — video by ex-member Suzanne McConnell, 21 January 2014
IMA (the Move) Religious Cult Disguised as Christian Church – Hub page by ex-member Jacqueline Jarvis, updated 15 July 2018
No Place Like Home: My life in an all american religious cult – ex-member Lisa Kendall’s website
Part I – How a Religious Cult Ruined My Life – blog post by ex-member by Lisa Kendall, 20 January 2018
Man Recounts Desperation to Leave Cult as Young Boy: 'The Only Escape Was ... to Choose Hell' – by Jeff Truesdell, People, 1 July 2019
Survivor of Religious Cult Known as The Move: 'I Was Fighting Against Becoming One of Them' – by Jeff Truesdell, People, 28 June 2019