The Jesus Christians AKA 'The Kidney Cult'

Special Guest: Ross

Ross joined the Jesus Christians before they had that name when he was 20 years old in 1980. He remained with the group for 30 years, before objecting to a new direction, which saw him cut off from the group without even a 'goodbye'.


Special Guest: Daniel Reiher

Daniel Reiher lives on the west coast of Tasmania with his wife Mel and their 14 children. The family had a brush with Dave Mckay and the Jesus Christians in 2017/18 that had a huge impact on their lives, and it took Daniel six years to feel emotionally able to speak openly about what happened to them.


EPISODE DETAILS

Written and Hosted by Sarah Steel

Music by Joe Gould

Part 1

December 18th, 2024

46 mins 53 secs

Season 7

Transcript

Part 2

December 25th, 2024

52 mins 47 secs

Season 7

Transcript

Episode presenting partner:

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

The media coverage of the Jesus Christians tends to outweigh their size. Most people who have heard of them recognise the name ‘The Kidney Cult’, derived from an initiative where numerous members have donated one of their kidneys to a stranger. What may be surprising is that the person who first suggested the name ‘The Kidney Cult’ was the Jesus Christians’ founder himself, Dave Mckay.

In Melbourne you might have picked up a book or a comic from a Jesus Christian outside Flinders Street Station, or you could have seen their religious graffiti messages along Sydney’s railway lines. But while they portray themselves as an altruistic Christian community living life by faith and rejecting the money motivation of work, former members have been shunned and demonised, and parents tell heartbreaking stories of losing their relationship with their child after they have joined the Jesus Christians.

If you have been personally affected by involvement in a cult, or would like to support those who have been, you can find support with or donate to Cult Information and Family Support if you’re in Australia (via www.cifs.org.au), and you can find resources outside of Australia with the International Cultic Studies Association (via www.icsahome.com).


EPISODE LINKS