Governor Candidate ‘Bud’ Chiles Held Leadership Role in Church Accused of Being a Cult - Miami News - Riptide 2.0
But Chiles — who’s threatening to torpedo Democrat Alex Sink by nicking thousands of moderates — neglects to mention a key tidbit about HOPE: It’s the nonprofit wing of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC), a denomination many believe is a cult.
“This cult has destroyed so many people’s lives — financially, emotionally, and spiritually,” says Jenny Hunter, a former ICOC true believer who left the church and now helps counsel other members trying to escape. “People have committed suicide.”
Chiles, son of the popular Democratic governor who shares his name, sent New Times a brief email response denying knowledge of “cult-like” activities in the church.