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'''Destiny Church''' is a New Zealand Evangelical church; the church has over 20,000 members in congregations across the country.  It believes in the unchanging Word of God as in the Bible, and although [[New Zealand]] has become an increasingly [[liberal]] and [[atheism|atheistic]] society, Destiny Church has attempted to protect New Zealand's standing as a Christian country.  

'''Destiny Church''' is a New Zealand Evangelical church; the church has over 20,000 members in congregations across the country.  It believes in the unchanging Word of God as in the Bible, and although [[New Zealand]] has become an increasingly [[liberal]] and [[atheism|atheistic]] society, Destiny Church has attempted to protect New Zealand's standing as a Christian country.  

The Church is led by (self appointed) Bishop Brian Tamaki, who is the spiritual father of the church.  Brian Tamaki takes a stand on all matters of immorality, particularly in leading the "Enough is Enough campaign", protesting against a government pursuing a [[homosexual agenda]]. He believes that the increasingly secular attitude to education and society has had disasterous effect on values and standards.  Tamaki has patriarchal views and believes in prosperity theology.<ref>http://www.ubishops.ca/baudrillardstudies/vol3_1/grimshawpf.htm</ref>

The Church is led by (self appointed) Bishop Brian Tamaki, who is the spiritual father of the church.  Brian Tamaki takes a stand on all matters of immorality, particularly in leading the "Enough is Enough campaign", protesting against a government pursuing a [[homosexual agenda]]. He believes that the increasingly secular attitude to education and society has had disastrous effect on values and standards.  Tamaki has patriarchal views and believes in prosperity theology.<ref>http://www.ubishops.ca/baudrillardstudies/vol3_1/grimshawpf.htm</ref>

The Destiny Church has received criticism for actions deemed to go beyond the realm of [[Christianity]] and into [[Occultism]]. A notable case is a 2009 event in which 700 male church members allegedly swore an oath of loyalty, requiring them to submit to Brian Tamaki as [[God|God's]] chosen one on earth. <ref>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10605956&pnum=0</ref> Further to this, concern has been raised about the structure of the Destiny Church, placing more emphasis on Bishop Tamaki than [[Jesus Christ]]. <ref>http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3012558/Destinys-Brian-Tamaki-answers-cult-accusations</ref>

The Destiny Church has received criticism for actions deemed to go beyond the realm of [[Christianity]] and into [[Occultism]]. A notable case is a 2009 event in which 700 male church members allegedly swore an oath of loyalty, requiring them to submit to Brian Tamaki as [[God|God's]] chosen one on earth. <ref>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10605956&pnum=0</ref> Further to this, concern has been raised about the structure of the Destiny Church, placing more emphasis on Bishop Tamaki than [[Jesus Christ]]. <ref>http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3012558/Destinys-Brian-Tamaki-answers-cult-accusations</ref>