Torben Søndergaard

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[[File:Torben Søndergaard healing.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Søndergaard getting hands on]]
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'''Torben Søndergaard''' {{lived|1976}} is a [[Danish]] [[Christian]] [[evangelist]], self-proclaimed apostle, and [[faith healer]], who claims to receive revelations and visions directly from God. His organization, '''The Last Reformation''', has been described as extreme, dangerous and a [[cult]] by former followers, former board members of the organization, the press, other churches, and professionals. The Last Reformation desires to return Christianity to the [[Book of Acts]].<ref name=hurd/>

Søndergaard and his cult are elitist and teach that only Søndergaard's "True Gospel" as well as Søndergaard's methods will result in the true doctrines and true discipleship that can bring about the final reformation of the worldwide Christian church before the end of the world. According to Søndergaard's own website, he does not mind suing former followers if they do not "submit to pastoral accountability" or criticize or publish information about the inner working of Søndergaard's organization.<ref>https://friendsoftorben.com/torben-files-defamation-lawsuit-against-former-student-paul-phillip-may/</ref>

He has been criticized for numerous things, including teaching that [[autism]] is caused by [[demonic possession]] and can be cured by immersion in [[water]]-filled trash cans, as well as claiming to be able to cure [[homosexuality]], [[cancer]] and remove "the Spirit of [[Reiki]] Healing" from Reiki practitioners in the same manner.<ref>[https://mennoknight.wordpress.com/2015/08/22/toren-sondergaard-and-gospel-plus/ Torben Søndergaard and Gospel Plus] (August 22, 2015) ''Mennoknight''.</ref><ref name=quinn>[https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/religious-group-claims-can-cure-8030025 Religious group that claims it can cure autism by baptising children in wheelie bins holds Dublin session: One vulnerable homeless man was included in the proceedings at the Ringsend venue at the weekend] by Trevor Quinn (13:01, 23 MAY 2016) ''Irish Mirror''.</ref>

Søndergaard was living in Denmark until 2019, where Danish politicians stated that they would be looking into Søndergaard's organization in Denmark and the potentially illegal actions carried out by it.<ref>[http://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2019-01-17-politikere-vil-have-praedikant-undersoegt-for-kvaksalveri Politikere vil have prædikant undersøgt for kvaksalveri] by David Buch & Sanne Lau Pedersen (17. jan. 2019, 11:14) ''TV 2'' (Denmark).</ref> Shortly after this, Søndergaard left Denmark and has shut down his Danish organization and started a new one in the US by the name "The Last Reformation Inc."<ref>[http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ConvertTiffToPDF?storagePath=COR%5C2019%5C0214%5C70447327.tif&documentNumber=N19000001536 Electronic Articles of Incorporation for Th Last Reformation Inc.] ''Sunbiz.org''.</ref> Søndergaard now falsely claims he is [[Persecution complex#In Christianity|religiously persecuted]] in Denmark, one of the most [[democratic]] countries with the most [[religious freedom]] in the world.

In September 2019, Søndergaard moved to [[North Carolina]] where he claims he is preparing "[[Noah's Ark]]",{{efn|[[Creation Museum|What, again?]]}} referring to his disciples as "[[animals]]" and has a continued public appeal for donations, for example encouraging you to "''[[pray]] if you are one of the 'animals' (people) [[God]] is calling to help with the rest of the [[money]].''"<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220711192154/https://www.facebook.com/torbenksondergaard/posts/894554504248946 God Has Prepared An Ark (New Jesus Center) For Us All – Amazing Testimony] by Torben Søndergaard (September 18, 2019) ''Facebook'' (archived from July 11, 2022).</ref>{{efn|{{bible|Matthew|22|21}} be damned.}} He Later changed his mind and moved on to other project. It is unknown where the collected funds went.

As of August 2020, Søndergaard was travelling across the US with his "tent revival meetings" because God told him so. Søndergaard tells his thousands of followers that [[COVID-19]] is a "[[socialist]] agenda"<ref name=cbschicago>[https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/07/29/city-of-des-plaines-alarmed-by-tent-revival-that-violates-executive-order-amid-covid-19-pandemic/ City Of Des Plaines Alarmed By Tent Revival That Violates Executive Order Amid COVID-19 Pandemic] (July 29, 2020 / 6:12 PM) ''CBS Chicago''.</ref> and that "the [[media]] use this to… control us all, put fear in us, to change the laws, to take away our [[freedom]]…" as "it's not about the virus, it's about the [[end times]], it is about control, fear, manipulation, lies, [[fake news]], all of that."<ref name=conant>[https://www.ledgertranscript.com/New-Ipswich-special-select-board-meeting-torben-sondergaard-last-reformation-covid-coronavirus-35533827 New Ipswich Select Board plans special meeting to address controversial evangelist’s week-long traveling tent revival] by Ben Conant (8/3/2020 3:38:46 PM) ''Monadnock Ledger-Transcript''.</ref>

In 2022, Søndergaard was placed in [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] where he was accused of smuggling guns from [[Mexico]], where he had established a Bible school, to the US.<ref name=hurd>[https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2022/july/evangelist-torben-sondergaard-came-to-us-for-asylum-now-hes-been-arrested-accused-of-gun-smuggling Evangelist Torben Søndergaard Came to US for Asylum, Now He's Been Arrested, Accused of Gun Smuggling] by Dale Hurd (07-05-2022) ''Christian Broadcasting Network''.</ref> Søndergaard may face deportation to Denmark. Søndergaard's team later announced that there was a "miscommunication" and Søndergaard was never accused of gun smuggling and was actually detained because of a visa overstay violation. Torben Sondergaard was allegedly sent to detainment until his asylum case is decided by a US immigration judge on the basis that he was a flight risk and the judge did not believe that he would be granted asylum. Søndergaard to this day claims he does not know why he is detained. Søndergaard could dismiss his asylum case at any time and be deported back to Denmark.

On the 16th of December 2022, a US federal immigration judge denied Torben Søndergaard asylum to the USA. He denied it on the grounds that there was no evidence of any past persecution that he endured in Denmark, and therefore there would be no reason to believe there will be future persecution if he was sent back to Denmark. As it seems the US will be deporting Søndergaard shortly, his wife Lene Søndergaard has posted on his Facebook page stating that Søndergaard will be seeking to appeal the judge's decision to deny him asylum. <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/torbenksondergaard/posts/pfbid0fBdd7kWqf9t6ud3PnLTTjD5mNCr1dffUsTCcnSihDQ62GMubrRisKS9pEYydfcUwl Torben's Facebook Post] by Torben Sondergaard (12.16.22).</ref>

The case appeal was dismissed by a US judge, on May 2, 2023. After his appeal was denied, Torben later filed a federal appeal of his asylum case on May 16th, 2023<ref>[https://www.pacermonitor.com/case/48902556/Torben_Soendergaard_v_US_Attorney_General Torben Søndergaard v. U.S. Attorney General] by PacerMonitor (5.16.23).</ref>. Additionally, he filed a ''[[habeas corpus]]'' suit against 6 different government entities including ICE, Homeland Security and the Department of Justice on April 28th, 2023<ref>[https://www.pacermonitor.com/case/48671404/Soendergaard_v_Secretary,_US_Department_of_Homeland_Security_et_al Soendergaard v. Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security et al] by PacerMonitor (4.28.23).</ref>. 

On the 27th of July, 2023, Sondergaard dropped his Habeas Corpus suit by way of voluntary dismissal. As of July 31<sup>st</sup>, 2023, Torben Søndergaard has been denied a stay of removal in his federal appeal court case and is now awaiting the outcome of his federal appeal.

Torben Søndergaard returned to Denmark on August 17, 2023. Despite his prior claims of facing persecution and arrest in Denmark<ref>https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/evangelist-torben-sondergaard-came-us-asylum-now-hes-been-jailed-2-months-few-answers</ref>, he faced no such thing upon his return. It is worth noting that none of his followers and family permanently living in Denmark have faced the claimed persecution either. Hopefully, this stark contrast between his statements and reality will prompt questions from his followers and donors.

==Cult warnings==
The Last Reformation has been described as a [[cult]] by former followers, the press,<ref name="sun">[https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/1164689/cult-whose-leader-says-he-can-cast-out-demons-that-cause-autism-spreads-to-britain/ ‘Cult’ whose leader says he can cast out ‘demons that cause autism’ spreads to Britain] by George Sandeman (7<sup>th</sup> May 2016, 3:24 pm; Updated: 19<sup>th</sup> May 2016, 4:29 am) ''The Sun''.</ref> other churches,<ref>[http://gccsatx.com/torben-sondergaard-last-reformation-cult Is Torben Sondergaard and ‘The Last Reformation’ a Cult?] by James Jennings (April 20, 2016) ''Grace Community Church''.</ref> and professionals. In 2019, a member of the board of the organization spoke out against Søndergaard and stated that the movement had become "extreme" in its methods and leadership.<ref name=anderson>[https://www.tv2nord.dk/artikel/bevaegelsen-er-blevet-ekstrem-og-alarmklokkerne-ringer-siger-medstifter-peter-rasmussen The Last Reformation flytter fra Thy: - Bevægelsen er blevet ekstrem og alarmklokkerne ringer, siger medstifter Peter Rasmussen] by Mick Knive Anderson (30. jan 2019, kl. 09:11) ''TV2 Nord''.</ref> Søndergaard dismissed his critics, such as former members, as bitter, dishonest, angry, or [[evil]], and when Søndergaard is criticized or questioned, he sees himself as being [[persecution complex|wrongfully persecuted]].

For years, the Danish anti-cult organization InsideOut has warned against Sondergaard, for example, the chair of Insideout, Camilla Johnson, said in a statement that:<ref name=smith>[https://bgr.com/2020/08/02/coronavirus-transmission-outdoors-anti-face-mask-cult-tent-chicago/ An anti-mask cult in Illinois might spread coronavirus across the country] by Chris Smith (August 2<sup>nd</sup>, 2020 at 9:02 AM) ''BGR''.</ref>
{{quotebox|We know this particular group led by Torben Sondergaard well, for example, for his disregard for the health of others, violent [[exorcism]]s to ‘purify’ [[sin]]ners, [[children]] and the mentally ill included. Former members have told us stories of TLR leaders and members using their positions of authority to intimidate followers to either comply or be silent when trying to expose this group.}}

Also in 2019, the Danish anti-cult organization, InsideOut, shared a story of how Søndergaard's cult had abused a young handicapped woman causing her to go into deep [[psychosis]] and needing for [[psychiatric]] care 24 hours a day for years following the abuse.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/helpaftercult/photos/a.520480624789166/1062143600622863 InsideOut] (February 24, 2019) ''Facebook''.</ref>

Prior to that, many others have warned against Søndergaard and the Last Reformation, for example:
* A spokesperson from Autism Rights Together has criticised the group as "highly organised, sophisticated and dangerous", and accused them of exploiting vulnerable people and the mentally ill.<ref name="sun"/>
* International Cultic Studies Association has listed Søndergaard and his organization in their news section, calling it a "Danish cult that claims [[demons]] cause autism".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170616004412/https://www.icsahome.com/elibrary/pressnews/newsarchive News Archive], International Cultic Studies Association, 16 June 2017, via Archive.org</ref>
* Associate Professor Kjetil Aano at VID University of Science warned that the form of "exorcism" Søndergaard practices may be classified as abuse.<ref name="vl">[https://www.vl.no/nyhet/drev-ut-demoner-pa-norsk-hotell-1.961311 «Drev ut demoner» på norsk hotell: Dansk predikant utførte «demonutdrivelse» under et arrangement på et hotell i Sandnes. – Dette har ingenting med kristendom å gjøre, sier teologiprofessor.] by Caroline Teinum Gilje (03/05/2017 09:26) ''Vårt Land''.</ref>
* Lars Johan Danbolt, professor at the Faculty of Theology and Head of Religious Psychological Center, stated that specifically Søndergaard's method "has little to do with Christianity, but is a show with strong quasi-religious elements."<ref name="vl"/>
* Bente Boserup, senior consultant in a major Danish child protection organization, Børn Vilkår, says about Søndergaard's way of violently praying for children: "It's abuse. For those who are being pinned down, it’s physical violence, and for those who are watching, it is psychological violence."<ref>[https://nyheder.tv2.dk/2019-01-02-bekymring-hos-red-barnet-og-boerns-vilkaar-dansk-kristen-bevaegelse-kan-traumatisere Bekymring hos Red Barnet og Børns Vilkår: Dansk kristen bevægelse kan traumatisere børn med dæmonuddrivelser] by Karen Munk Ebbesen (2. jan. 2019, 18:53) ''TV 2'' (Denmark).</ref>
* A former follower describes Søndergaard this way:
{{quotebox|I was part of this movement from approximately June 2015 to July 2017. I firmly believe it is a cult. I know Torben personally. I was a "green dot" on the map as a recommended contact. I know what TLR is about in-depth. I left the movement because of the false gospel (works based religion), the cult-like behaviour of his followers (including the strange things they do), and Torben’s cult behaviour towards me… They lean on many [[Jesus-only baptism|oneness Pentecostal]] [[Heresy|heresies]] in many ways… The TLR signs and wonders is very questionable, none can be medically verified. I recommend people stay away from.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180104163640/http://www.spiritoferror.org/2017/07/one-to-watch-torben-sondergaard/6865 One to Watch: Torben Sondergaard] by TLRCULT (December 18<sup>th</sup>, 2017 at 10:02 pm) ''Spirit of Error'' (archived from January 4, 2018).</ref>}}
==USA Asylum Case Denial==
On the 16th of December 2022, a US federal immigration judge denied Torben Søndergaard asylum to the USA. He denied it on the grounds that there was no evidence of any past persecution that he endured in Denmark, and therefore there would be no reason to believe there will be future persecution if he was sent back to Denmark. Søndergaard has secured hundreds of thousands of dollars from his followers using GiveSendGo to finance his legal fees to try to deceive the US government into granting him asylum. <ref>[https://www.givesendgo.com/friendsoftorben Torben's second GiveSendGo fundraiser]</ref> 

Many Christians since the outcome of the trial have gone public claiming Søndergaard desires to stay in the USA because he can bring in donations on a much larger scale than in Denmark. <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ol5FjyDafY Chris Lasala's address of Torben's asylum case] by Chris Lasala .(12.13.22)</ref> Søndergaard has been critized for living in mansions and visiting tourist destinations with his family while presenting himself as a refugee living day to day and dollar to dollar on his YouTube channel called The Last Reformation.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1lIRiuP7O0 Chris Lasala showing Torben's $10,000 USD a month mansion ](11.24.22)</ref>  As it seems the US will be deporting Søndergaard shortly, his wife Lene Søndergaard has posted on his Facebook channel named "Torben Søndergaard" stating that Søndergaard will be seeking to appeal the judges decision to deny him asylum. <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/torbenksondergaard/posts/pfbid0fBdd7kWqf9t6ud3PnLTTjD5mNCr1dffUsTCcnSihDQ62GMubrRisKS9pEYydfcUwl Torben's Facebook Post] by Torben Sondergaard (12.16.22).</ref>

Søndergaard has accused the judge Yon Alberdi of lying about the facts of his case and also failing to address the key points of Søndergaard's defense.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/torbenksondergaard/posts/pfbid0fBdd7kWqf9t6ud3PnLTTjD5mNCr1dffUsTCcnSihDQ62GMubrRisKS9pEYydfcUwl Torben's Facebook Post] by Torben Sondergaard (12.16.22).</ref> The judge did not present any lies and there is significant evidence that they did address Torben's defense. When the final decision was made by the judge, it was clear that the judge read in detail the main points of Søndergaard's persecution case, and deemed that his "fears of returning to Denmark are not reasonable or grounded in reality."

The case appeal was dismissed by a US judge, on May 2, 2023. After his appeal was denied, Torben later filed a federal appeal of his asylum case on May 16th, 2023<ref>[https://www.pacermonitor.com/case/48902556/Torben_Soendergaard_v_US_Attorney_General Torben Soendergaard v. U.S. Attorney General] by PacerMonitor (5.16.23).</ref>. Additionally, he filed a Habeas Corpus suit against 6 different government entities including ICE, Homeland Security and the Department of Justice on April 28th, 2023<ref>[https://www.pacermonitor.com/case/48671404/Soendergaard_v_Secretary,_US_Department_of_Homeland_Security_et_al Soendergaard v. Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security et al] by PacerMonitor (4.28.23).</ref>. On the 27th of July, 2023, Sondergaard dropped his Habeas Corpus suit by way of voluntary dismissal. As of July 31st, 2023, Torben Sondergaard has been denied a stay of removal in his federal appeal court case and is now awaiting the outcome of his federal appeal.

==2019 documentary, ''Guds Bedste Børn''==
In 2019, a documentary series (''Guds Bedste Børn'', "God's best children") in three parts aired on Danish TV.<ref name=guds>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10027572/ Guds Bedste Børn] ''IMDb''.</ref> Prior to the release, Søndergaard hired a lawyer and unsuccessfully tried to block the documentary from airing as he feared how people would react.<ref name="block">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvMlMYbZ1M8 It has been crazy with danish TV and newspapers.] by The Last Reformation (Jan 6, 2019) ''YouTube''.</ref> The programs were sent on the channel TV2 the 2<sup>nd</sup>, 9<sup>th</sup> and 16<sup>th</sup> of January and gave a rare insight into some of the most closed and radical Christian environments in Denmark where children and adults are exposed to traumatizing exorcism and [[Faith healing|dubious healings]]. The documentaries show a world where preachers abuse their power both psychologically and in several cases sexually — without the authorities being able to stop them. In Søndergaard's sect, a man had his leg amputated after a healing session went wrong and several child protection organization are warning against children being traumatized.{{cn}}

Following the documentary, Søndergaard claimed that he experienced 'a call from God', making him move to the [[United States]]. In [[reality]], Søndergaard was thrown out of the facilities hosting his headquarters.<ref name="doku">https://www.dokumentarkompagniet.com/gudsbedsteboern {{Dead}}</ref>{{Dead}} Later, Søndergaard changed his story and stated that he left voluntarily but due to governmental persecution in Denmark. This is debunked by the Danish anti-cult organization,<ref name=smith/> Karsten Nissen, a Danish bishop emeritus and initiator of a [[think tank]] for Christian persecution, as well as the Institute of Human Rights in Denmark.<ref>[https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/dansker-soger-asyl-i-usa "Religiøs forfølgelse" får omstridt dansk præst til at søge asyl i USA] by Evander Pedersen (23.07.19 Kl. 17:00) ''Kristeligt Dagblad''.</ref>

===Torben Søndergaard's complains about the documentary to the Danish Press Board, loses and then lies about it=== 
Torben Søndergaard complained about the documentary to The Danish Press Council.<ref>[https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/kirke-tro/tv-2-om-kritik-af-dokumenar-reformator-var-klar-over-sammenhaengen Prædikant klager over TV 2: Den kontroversielle bevægelse The Last Reformation har klaget til Pressenævnet over, at lederen, Torben Søndergaard, er blevet sidestillet med en dømt forbryder i dokumentaren ”Guds bedste børn”. TV 2’s redaktør Lasse Bjerre afviser kritikken] by Jens From Lyng (18.01.19 Kl. 00:00) ''''Kristeligt Dagblad''.</ref> Søndergaard complained that he had participated in the documentary under the impression that he alone would have screen time. He was therefore not aware that other Danish cults he had worked with or pastors convicted of [[sexual assault]] would also participate in the same documentary. Søndergaard demanded an apology.<ref name=guds/>

The ruling of The Danish Press Council was that they found no reason to criticize the documentary or TV channel who aired it for:<ref name=kendelse>[https://www.pressenaevnet.dk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Anonym-kendelse-0243.pdf Kendelse afsagt den 12. august 2019] ''Presse Nǣvnet''.</ref>
* providing information about children at [[baptism]]al events
* the editing in regard to the information provided about Søndergaard and other mentioned cults
* for not having deleted the clips in which Søndergaard appears

In other words, the documentary was not criticized by The Danish Press Council for its editing or the content itself, and The Danish Press Council found that information about Søndergaard and The Last Reformation has "clear public interest", and that the broadcast should be available to the public.<ref name=kendelse/><ref name=aergerlig>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190826121754/https://sr.tv2.dk/klummer/klumme/news/en-aergerlig-fejl/ En ærgerlig fejl] (22. aug. 2019) ''TV 2'' (archived from August 26, 2019).</ref>

The Danish Press Council only agreed with Søndergaard that, before the publication of the documentary, the production team could have done a little more to ensure that Søndergaard completely understood “the context in which his statements would be included".<ref name=kendelse/>

The TV channel behind the documentary was puzzled by this ruling since Søndergaard was not only presented with the criticism of other religious movements in the actual documentary but he willingly answers the questions regarding the criticism and, during the production, he therefore obviously knew the cults were included in the documentary.<ref name=aergerlig/>

The Danish Press Council's final decision was that ”there are no compelling reasons to believe that the content of the broadcast is of such a nature that it is deemed reasonable to prevent its availability."<ref name=kendelse/>

Søndergaard then went on TV in the US and lied about the above by claiming The Danish Press Council ruled in his favour as Søndergaard was misled by the [[journalist]]s who made the documentary.<ref>[https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2019/september/this-is-going-to-come-to-america-evangelist-forced-to-flee-denmark-and-seek-asylum-in-us-nbsp 'This is Going to Come to America': Evangelist Forced to Flee Denmark and Seek Asylum in US] by Dale Hurd (09-13-2019) ''CBN News'' (The Christian Broadcasting Network).</ref> He completely left out the fact that the Danish Press Board, in reality, ruled against him.

==Søndergaard falsely claims he is persecuted in Denmark==
In a video released in July 2019,<ref>[https://thelastreformation.com/seeking-asylum-in-usa-torben-sondergaard-a-very-emotional-and-special-video/ Seeking Asylum in USA - Torben Søndergaard - A Very Emotional and Special video] by The Last Reformation (Jul 18, 2019) ''YouTube''.</ref> Sondergaard stated that he was seeking asylum in the US because of religious persecution. He feared that the government would imprison him and take away his children if he ever returns to Denmark. Søndergaard claims a new law was passed in Denmark that prohibits him from praying for others and this has caused him to leave the country. These claims are, once again, demonstrably false.

For starters, such as law does not exist. The law that Søndergaard referred to is one that protects children and the mentally ill against repeated psychological abuse — and not based on religion.<ref>[https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=208457 Lov om ændring af straffeloven og forskellige andre love] (30/03/2019) ''Retsinformation''.</ref>

Both Karsten Nissen, a Danish bishop emeritus and initiator of a think tank for Christian persecution, as well as the Institute of Human Rights stated that Søndergaard is ''not'' persecuted in Denmark because of his religious views.<ref>[https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/dansker-soger-asyl-i-usa "Religiøs forfølgelse" får omstridt dansk præst til at søge asyl i USA] by Evander Pedersen (23.07.19 Kl. 17:00) ''Kristeligt Dagblad''.</ref>

The Danish anti-cult organization also "stress that this claim is not true. Instead, we do suspect that Torben Sondergaard fraudulently claims he is entitled to asylum in the US, and he is using his position as a leader to coerce his followers to comply and participate in this scheme".<ref name=smith/>

In reality, Denmark is among the most democratic countries in the world,<ref>{{wpa|Democracy Index}}</ref> as well as countries with the most religious freedom.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/religious-freedom These Countries Have the Most Religious Freedom] ''U.S. News & World Report''.</ref> Even the Danish constitution states that people may not be taken into custody, imprisoned or confined in any way because of their faith and religion: 
{{quotebox|Personal liberty shall be inviolable. No Danish subject shall, in any manner whatsoever, be deprived of his liberty because of his political or religious convictions or because of his descent.<ref>[https://www.thedanishparliament.dk/-/media/pdf/publikationer/english/my_constitutional_act_with_explanations.ashx My Constitutional Act] ''Folketinget''.</ref>}}

There have been no stories or statements from any Christians, churches or denominations in Denmark that persecution has or is taking place.

What really happened was that politicians stated they would be looking into Søndergaard's organization in Denmark and the potentially illegal actions carried out by it as several child protection organizations warned against Søndergaard's practices.<ref>[http://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2019-01-17-politikere-vil-have-praedikant-undersoegt-for-kvaksalveri Politikere vil have prædikant undersøgt for kvaksalveri] by David Buch & Sanne Lau Pedersen (17. jan. 2019, 11:14) ''TV 2''.</ref> Shortly after this, Søndergaard left Denmark and shut down his Danish organization, started a new one in the US by the name "The Last Reformation Inc."<ref>[http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ConvertTiffToPDF?storagePath=COR%5C2019%5C0214%5C70447327.tif&documentNumber=N19000001536 Electronic Articles of Incorporation for The Last Reformation, Inc.] (February 6, 2019) ''Sunbiz.org''.</ref>

In other words, Søndergaard seems to be at odds with the law in his home country and, as a way to explain to his followers why he has moved to the US, he simply claims that he has been wrongly framed and is persecuted.

==Recruitment of physically and mentally ill== 
Søndergaard recruits people through conferences, [[YouTube]] and training schools. He promises “''that for many of you will be the start of a whole new life, that continues afterwards and elsewhere in the world''” as people will "''be trained to healing the sick, preaching the gospel, leading people to [[salvation]] and so on''."<ref>[https://thelastreformation.com/join-the-movement/pioneer-training-school/ Pioneer Training School] ''The Last Reformation''.</ref> The mentally and physically ill are attracted to this promise of a new life and [[supernatural]] abilities but, according to former members of the cult, they are later left unhealed and broken.<ref name=ebbesen>[http://tv.tv2.dk/guds-bedste-boern/2019-01-16-torben-soendergaard-mener-at-han-kan-helbrede-alt-fra-gigt-til-psykisk Torben Søndergaard mener, at han kan helbrede alt fra gigt til psykisk sygdom – er han kvaksalver eller manden med sandheden?] by Karen Munk Ebbesen (16. jan. 2019, 06:38) ''TV 2''.</ref><ref name=anderson/> And a former board member of the formal organisation behind Søndergaards “The Last Reformation” said that Søndergaard’s movement, in reality, is extreme in its methods and leadership.

===Documented attempts to recruit the physically and mentally ill at hospitals===
Søndergaard and his disciples are aggressive in their recruitment. For example, it is well documented that intentional and conscious effort is made by Søndergaard to seek out those in vulnerable situations such as patients at hospitals. 

In 2019, several patients at a Danish hospital reported that they had been sought out by people who promised them divine healing. The media contacted Søndergaard as students of his in the past had gone to hospitals to seek out sick. Søndergaard denied publicly that his students were involved.<ref name=holt>[https://www.avisen.dk/kristne-opsoeger-patienter-paa-sygehus-de-sagde-de-k_535268.aspx Kristne opsøger patienter på sygehus: "Går efter de svageste"] by Julie Steenbuch Holt (24. januar 2019 18:09) ''Avisen.dk''.</ref><ref name=limfjord/><ref name="ment">[https://www.tv2nord.dk/artikel/praedikant-opfordrer-foelgere-til-opsoege-syge-mennesker-paa-hospitaler Prædikant opfordrer følgere til at opsøge syge mennesker på hospitaler] by Mick Knive Anderson (25. jan 2019, kl. 23:18) ''TV 2''.</ref>

A Danish media outlet, TV2 Nord, was subsequently able to demonstrate that it was indeed members of Søndergaard's movement, "The Last Reformation", who had sought to recruit patients at the hospital.<ref name=fauerholdt>[https://nyheder.tv2.dk/samfund/2019-01-25-missionaerer-forsoegte-at-hverve-nye-medlemmer-paa-hospital Missionærer forsøgte at hverve nye medlemmer på hospital] by Casper Fauerholdt (25. jan. 2019, 11:33) ''TV 2''.</ref> They also documented that Søndergaard welcomes and encourages his followers to contact people in hospitals, who have been affected by illness and are in a difficult situation in their lives.<ref name="ment"/>

TV2 Nord documented how Søndergaard, on his open [[Facebook]] profile, had posted several videos in which he praised his followers for going to the hospital, seeking out sick patients and promising them salvation - even the very same hospital Søndergaard denied trying to recruit new members. 

Following articles in several media outlets, Søndergaard tried removing this evidence by deleting the videos on his Facebook profile and then refused to give any further comments to the press.<ref name="ment"/>

'''TV2 Nord has described the videos in the article prior to their deletions. In the videos,'''<ref name="ment"/>
* Søndergaard stands at an airport with a young follower, praising him for, in many cases, have found patients at Aalborg University Hospital and having cured a woman who was hospitalized in Aalborg with blood poisoning.

* Søndergaard's followers walk around among sick patients at Aalborg University Hospital, where they offer to pray for patients.

* Søndergaard explains that “this is in a hospital in Denmark - not in Brazil. We need to go to several hospitals. God wants us to do these things ”and urged more followers to do the same.

* Søndergaard and his followers claim to have cured several patients in a hospital, including a man who had been operated 35 times in his leg, a woman with cancer, a man with diabetes as well as removing pancreatitis in a little girl a hospital in Brazil and so on.

In Hundborg, the Danish city where Søndergaard's headquarters were established after Søndergaard was thrown out of his former facilities, a woman told that Søndergaard's followers could be found outside the local grocery store, where they would offer prayer, as well as at the local medical center, where they promise people healing without medicine.

=== Criticism and response from Søndergaard ===
Lisbeth Kjær Lagoni, who is a nursing director at Aalborg University Hospital, criticized Søndergaard for his practice of visiting patients in hospitals. Afterwards, Aalborg University Hospital has “put an end to religious groups accosting patients in this way, and the hospital management encourages patients and relatives to notify the staff if it should happen again."

A parish priest and church debater, Christian Roar Petersen, called it an abuse of religion as well as "religious fraud" and "compared it to predators who go after the weakest of the flock.<ref name=holt/><ref name=limfjord>[https://www.limfjordupdate.dk/religioese-grupper-opsoeger-patienter-paa-hospitalet Religiøse grupper opsøger patienter på hospitalet] (24. January 2019) ''Limfjord Update''.</ref>

After being exposed, Søndergaard deleted all evidence on his Facebook page, did not want to give any further comments but merely stated "that he has emphasized to his followers that they should not seek out patients at Aalborg University Hospital." <ref name=fauerholdt/>

==The Last Reformation's ironic attempt to recruit at a school==
In a noteworthy incident in 2023, The Last Reformation planned to hold a recruitment event, dubbed 'TLR Kickstart Brisbane,' at Cavendish Road State High School in Brisbane, Australia. This event was ironically slated for a school venue despite the group's controversial reputation for child exorcisms.

The Queensland Department of Education quickly found itself doing damage control when The Last Reformation, with their audacious claim that they can "free" folks from minor inconveniences like autism, cancer, and, apparently, being gay, tried to hold one of their "Kickstart" events at a Brisbane high school.

The Department of Education made a statement saying that The Last Reformation request to use the school premises had not even been accepted before the event was publicly advertised, and that the group was not welcome at the school. 

The event then moved to an undisclosed location:

{{quotebox|1=TLR Kickstart Brisbane, hosted by Jon Bjarnastein, is now set to be at an undisclosed location<ref>https://archive.ph/gv14x</ref>}}

Shortly after, The Last Reformation threw in the towel and canceled their Australian spiritual roadshow. The reason seems to be a mix of visa denials and the canceled bookings due to the groups being a tad too enthusiastic with child exorcisms: 

{{quotebox|1=An update on TLR's Eventbrite page states that the events couldn't go ahead as one of the church's preachers, Jón Bjarnastein, was denied a visa to enter the country, and two venues "cancelled" bookings.<ref>https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-school-blocks-religious-group-that-claims-to-free-children-from-autism-causing-demons-025954470.html</ref>}}

As they packed their bags, The Last Reformation hinted that, in reality, they were not to blame at all but that at a mysterious group was working against their noble cause. The Last Reformation also pretended like it was their choice not to move on with their event, despite the authorities already having cancelled their VISAs and the planned venues had refused to let they use their facilities:

{{quotebox|1="So from all of this, it's very clear that there are people working behind the scenes; and they seem to be working very hard to prevent us from continuing. As a result we have made the decision to cancel the upcoming Kickstarts in Australia." 
 - quote, The Last Reformation<ref>https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-school-blocks-religious-group-that-claims-to-free-children-from-autism-causing-demons-025954470.html</ref>}}

This incident added to the growing controversies surrounding TLR, casting further doubt on its practices and organizational integrity.

==Quackery==
{{main|Quackery}}
Søndergaard believes in supernatural manifestations such as physical healing, claiming "''about 90 percent of all the people, that he or others in his team pray for, are healed"''.<ref>[https://udfordringen.dk/2012/05/110-mennesker-dobt-og-mange-helbredt-pa-gaden/ 110 mennesker døbt og mange helbredt på gaden] by Svend Løbner (2. maj. 2012/18) ''Udfordringen''.</ref> Lack of healing is caused by a lack of faith<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x9e-MnnI8o Kickstart seminar #2 in Ireland - Torben Søndergaard] by The Last Reformation (May 30, 2016) ''YouTube''.</ref> as in classical [[Word of Faith]] Christianity.

Despite having such a high success rate in supernatural healing, in 2008, Søndergaard was thrown out of a Danish music festival for "[[quackery]]" after supposedly convincing a drunk festivalgoer to remove his arm plaster so that he could be cured with prayer.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160917111314/http://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/nibe-smed-evangelist-paa-porten/bbad591c-e11f-4e92-907b-42fd34eb04b6/112/1513 Nibe smed Evangelist på porten] (06. juli 2008 06:00) ''Nordjyske.dk'' (archived from September 17, 2016).</ref> Søndergaard denied this, calling the expulsion a "regrettable misunderstanding" and explaining how it got mixed up with another incident where he made a young woman remove her arm sling.<ref>[http://udfordringen.dk/2008/08/festival-exit-var-en-fejl/ Festival-exit var en fejl] (6. aug. 2008/32) ''Udfordringen''.</ref>

In 2019. a man had his leg amputated after a healing session with Søndergaard went wrong and several child protection organization are warning against children being traumatized.<ref name=ebbesen/>

==COVID-19 and tent "revival" across the US==
{{main|COVID-19 denialism}}
Søndergaard believes calls the pandemic an "overinflated COVID-19 pandemic Trojan horse” and has likened the COVID-19 pandemic to the “end times”. He posts information about COVID-19 related issues on Facebook, for example, the harmful effects of wearing [[Face masks|masks]] – now flagged by Facebook as false information.<ref name=conant/>

At the same time, Søndergaard's 2020 revelation from God is that he was supposed to travel across the USA, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with tent "revival" meetings. He and his followers refused to wear masks and did not practice social distancing at their events. Instead, as part of their rituals they approach and try to recruit people in the local community, among them teenagers in parks, [[Walmart]] and elsewhere.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/religiousfruitcake/comments/i7q5xv/this_is_called_assault_isnt_it_the_last/ This is called assault, isn't it? (The Last Reformation and Torben Sondergaard recruitment attempt at Walmart)] r/religiousfruitcake (c. 2016) ''Reddit''.</ref> Søndergaard also encouraged attendees from out of state to join them and — amidst the pandemic — stay at local hotels, shop locally and eat out in local restaurants. 

In Des Plaines, [[Illinois]], the first stop on Søndergaard's tour, Mayor Matthew Bogusz signed a revised and updated emergency declaration making masks mandatory in public gatherings.<ref name=degrechie>[https://patch.com/illinois/desplaines/city-demands-big-tent-revival-attendees-wear-masks 'Big Tent Revival' Attendees Defy City's Mask Mandate​: Organizer Torben Sondergaard took to social media to request assistance from President Trump as religious event continues through Sunday.] by Eric DeGrechie (Jul 29, 2020 at 10:16 pm CT; Updated Jan 21, 2021 at 6:34 am CT) ''Patch''.</ref>

In New Ipswich, [[New Hampshire]], the second stop, the city's Select Board had a special meeting to address Søndergaard's tent revival.<ref name=degrechie/> The city issued a press release about Søndergaard, warning against his event.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Newipswichtownoffices/photos/a.188913848363158/602934066961132 Town of New Ipswich: Pres Release] (August 11, 2020) ''Facebook''.</ref> Governor Sununu issued an Emergency Order requiring scheduled gatherings of 100+ people to wear masks.<ref>[https://www.nhpr.org/post/sununu-says-tent-revival-new-ipswich-must-follow-new-mask-mandate-large-gatherings Sununu Says Tent Revival In New Ipswich Must Follow New Mask Mandate For Large Gatherings] by Daniela Allee (August 11, 2020 at 4:36 PM EDT ) ''New Hampshire Public Radio''.</ref>

===Lying about a permit and exaggerating numbers of attendees===
On his YouTube channel, Søndergaard showed off a permit he claims gave him permission to have the event in Des Plaines. He said it was “something that could not happen if it was not for God.” The City of Des Plains later stated that they did not issue such an event permit but merely an approved tent permit.<ref name=cbschicago/>

Søndergaard also claimed 400-500 attended each night in Des Plaines but the city and the police did not report any more than upwards of 150 people attending.<ref name=degrechie/>

==Threatening others==
In 2006, Søndergaard was accused of threatening an author when he asked critical questions as part of the research for a book called ‘Sects in Denmark’. The author described the incident by writing:
{{quotebox|Many who have dared to criticize a [[Charismatic movement|charismatic]] leader have experienced threats and getting warned that God would let them drop dead like Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. This also happened to me when I dared to ask critical questions about the notorious Danish evangelist Torben Søndergaard (cast in the television program "Sick with Jesus") in connection with my research for this book.<ref> Birger Langkjæer, Sekter i Danmark - Hizb ut-Tahrir, Faderhuset, Scientology, InJiva-behandling, 2006 p. 83.</ref>}}

==Faking miracles==
In one of his videos, Søndergaard shows the word “real” appearing in the sky and said: 
{{quotebox|A woman prayed for a sign in the heavens and God answered her prayer. Yes, it was a plane (we think – we didn’t actually see it), but for us and everyone there, it didn’t make it any less of a miracle, because it happened right there in that moment…<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxhJhCilGRE&feature=youtu.be ‘REAL’ in the sky – A message from God?] by The Last Reformation (Dec 14, 2017) ''YouTube''.</ref>}}

While “real” did appear in the sky it was not as presented in the video. Instead, the skywriting was from 2014, when an [[Australian]] [[marketing]] company, The Works, ran a campaign for Sunbeam, a company selling electric home appliances. Targeting men with the slogan “''Real men don’t watch football, real men cook''”, they hired a plane to write “'''Real men cook'''”<ref>[https://www.applianceretailer.com.au/2014/09/skywriting/ Message from the heavens (and marketers): Real men cook] by UnderCurrent (15 Sep 2014) ''Appliance Retailer''.</ref> across the sky. In Søndergaard's video, the words “men cook” are conveniently left out.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180211203039/https://freethinker.co.uk/2018/02/11/dangerous-danish-cult-recruits-world-famous-singer-lou-bega/ Dangerous Danish cult recruits ‘world famous’ singer Lou Bega] by Barry Duke (11 Feb 2018) ''The Freethinker'' (archived from February 11, 2018).</ref>

==What Søndergaard believes and teaches you== 
Søndergaard has created a rather strange belief system that is very simplistic and yet confusing.

The main claim of Søndergaard and the cult is that Søndergaard, his organization and followers are tasked with radically transforming individual lives and the entire world; those adhering to the True Gospel are the chosen ones that will start a final and last reformation of the worldwide Christian church before the end of the world, when [[Second Coming|Jesus returns]]. 

Søndergaard claims his teachings and ideas have come through revelation directly from God, such as visions of [[Heaven]]. The teachings are made available on YouTube and in several books. One such book is ''Sound Doctrine'',<ref>''Sound Doctrine: Teaching that Leads to True Fear of the Lord'' by Torben Søndergaard (2013) Laurus Books. ISBN 1938526457.</ref> the title created to underline how Søndergaard has the correct doctrines.

Søndergaard often stresses that other churches, denominations and religious teachers are wrong, instead, he now teaches his followers the "True Gospel". True salvation is achieved through this "True Gospel", a three-step salvation program: real repentance, faith in Jesus, baptism as an adult and receiving the [[Holy Spirit]] proven by [[speaking in tongues]].

As nobody else got it right, according to Søndergaard, he created his belief system by "''taking a little from some different''" denomination,<ref name=freedom/>{{rp|12}} for example, baptismal regeneration from the [[Catholics]], speaking in tongues as the sign of baptism in the Holy Spirit from the [[Pentecostal]]s, believer’s baptism as [[Baptist]]s, and [[Jesus-only baptism|baptism to Jesus Christ not using the Trinitarian formula as Oneness Pentecostals]].<ref name=freedom/>{{rp|12}}<ref>''Rebaptism & Deliverance'' by Torben Søndergaard.</ref>{{rp|6}} It may be the easiest to categorize Søndergaard's teaching as primarily those of the Oneness Pentecostal sect.

Contrary to almost any other Christian denomination, he teaches that salvation for a Christian is completed through baptism in water, not using the [[Trinity|Trinitarian]] formula,<ref name=freedom>[https://irp.cdn-website.com/349bfce4/files/uploaded/Freedom_from_sin-Torben_Sondergaard.pdf ''Freedom From Sin''] by Torben Søndergaard (2016) </ref> as well as through baptism in the Holy Spirit with the manifestation of speaking in tongues, often saying "dadadaadadadaa."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpI599utFO0 Kickstart seminar #4 in Ireland - Torben Søndergaard] by The Last Reformation (May 30, 2016) ''YouTube''.</ref><ref>[https://udfordringen.dk/2014/01/hvordan-bliver-man-egentlig-frelst/ Hvordan bliver man egentlig frelst?] (30. jan. 2014/05) ''Udfordringen''.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in-pNP6xeVI Kickstart seminar #3 in Ireland - Torben Søndergaard] by The Last Reformation (May 30, 2016) ''YouTube''.</ref><ref> "He is moving, he is alive...! »" (in Danish). 2014-12-12.</ref> He also teaches that just as Jesus received the Holy Spirit through water baptism, it is through baptism that a Christian receives the Holy Spirit. Søndergaard regards receiving the Holy Spirit as having substituted receiving Jesus.<ref>The Last Reformation (2016-05-30), Kickstart seminar #4 in Ireland - Torben Søndergaard</ref>

Unsurprisingly, he teaches that children are better at reading and interpreting the [[Bible]] than adults.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdzZv-XMXPU Lesson 1 - Come out of the box - The Pioneer School] by The Last Reformation (Aug 17, 2013) ''YouTube''.</ref> This explains how he got these ideas, but none of his followers seems to question this hotchpotch of nonsense.

Søndergaard also encourages and teaches excessive [[fasting]] (for up to 40 days), long prayer, chanting in tongues and what professionals have described as [[hypnosis]].

==Visions and receiving a book from God==
Søndergaard claims to receive visions of Heaven and [[Hell]] directly from God. According to Søndergaard, God made him [[time travel]] back to before he was born as a confirmation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160913124421/https://thelastreformation.com/i-was-in-heaven/ I was in Heaven] ''The Last Reformation'' (archived from September 13, 2016).</ref>

After fasting for 40 days Søndergaard also believes that God revealed a [[self-help]] book for him,<ref name=aboutus>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150824194335/https://thelastreformation.com/about-us/ About The Last Reformation] ''The Last Reformation'' (archived from August 24, 2015).</ref> saying "I will give you one chapter each day".<ref name=aboutus/>

==Baptisms==
{{main|Baptism}}
[[File:Wheelie Bin.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Søndergaard [https://youtu.be/PpfF_d9GAHk?t=2831 endorses wheelie bin baptism] if you can't find a rainwater barrel]]
The Last Reformation holds indoor baptisms in plastic rainwater barrels filled up under a shower.<ref>[https://youtu.be/PpfF_d9GAHk?t=2727 19. Lesson. Now is the time to do it - The Pioneer School] by The Last Reformation (May 8, 2014) ''YouTube''. Time=45:27.</ref> At a 2016 event in [[Ireland]], more than 40 people were baptised on stage in plastic wheelie bins.<ref name=quinn/> When the Last Reformation hosts a baptism event, people are approached on the street by Last Reformation followers, asked if they are ill and encouraged to attend events to be baptised.<ref name=quinn/>

The Last Reformation's baptism process can involve speaking in tongues.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rYZBNdUYXE Wow! "We got set free and are speaking in tongues"] by The Last Reformation (May 19, 2016) ''YouTube''.</ref> During the baptisms, exorcism is often performed on the baptized, also on children.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4bWx1TOgJE Café talk: Rebaptism - teaching with Torben Søndergaard] The Last Reformation (Feb 6, 2016) ''YouTube''.</ref>

==Todd Bentley and Torben Søndergaard==
In 2003, Søndergaard invited the controversial [[televangelist]] and faith healer [[Todd Bentley]] to Denmark.<ref>[https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/kirke-tro/håb-om-helbredelse-i-herning Håb om helbredelse i Herning] by Kirke & Tro (03.09.03 Kl. 01:00) ''Kristeligt Dagblad''.</ref> According to people present, Bentley said:
{{quotebox|In the Bible, in John 5 provides a healing outpouring – the Pool of Bethesda, which means an outpouring of grace. The Bible says that a quantity of sick, blind, lame and crippled came to this place, the pool of Bethesda…<ref name="cults co nz">[http://www.cults.co.nz/_printable.php?listing=sondergaardt Søndergaard, Torben] ''Cults.co.nz''.</ref><ref>[http://udfordringen.dk/2015/01/danmark-kendt-som-betesda-dam/ Danmark, kendt som Betesda Dam?] by Torben Søndergaard	(22. jan. 2015/04) ''Udfordringen''.</ref>}}

In 2015, Søndergaard quoted this as a prediction of his work in Denmark:
{{quotebox|10 years ago, a man came from the US to Denmark with a prophetic word to us our country. The word was that Denmark would become known as the Pool of Bethesda. That is a place where the sick could experience salvation and healing. He said that it would not only be one or two places, but it would be all over the country. Yes, no matter where you came in Denmark, there would be people who would ask for one and set one free… Yes, I believe we are seeing the fulfillment of the word that sounded over Denmark.<ref name="cults co nz"/>}}

==See also==
* [[Snåsamannen]], [[Norway]]'s faith healer

==External links==
*See also the Danish Wikipedia article on {{wplang|da|Torben_Søndergaard|Torben Søndergaard}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Søndergaard, Torben}}
[[Category:Autism woo]]
[[Category:Cancer woo]]
[[Category:Christian clergy]]
[[Category:Christian fundamentalism]]
[[Category:COVID-19 denialists]]
[[Category:Cult leaders]]
[[Category:Denmark]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:We're on a mission from God]]

Categories: Autism woo, Cancer woo, Christian clergy, Christian fundamentalism, COVID-19 denialists, Cult leaders, Denmark, Living people, We're on a mission from God