The Christian sect Faderhuset has decided to close due to negative media and an alleged smear campaign, it states on its website.
The sect was established by Ruth and Knut Evensen in 1990 and currently operates a church and business on the island of Lolland.
Faderhuset has battled controversy for years and former members have accused it of abuse, manipulation and neglect, particularly of young children, though no member has ever been convicted of any crime.
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Intense and racist campaign
“[The closure] arrives following the recent intense and racist campaign of hate that was started after Ruth Evensen decided to run in the local election for the party Det Frie Lolland,” the sect states on its website, adding that “lies and gossip” about the sect were being spread on Facebook.
“The church exists in peaceful co-existence with its surroundings and is well-liked by many. The campaign of hate now threatens to destroy the peaceful relationship between free people.”
Faderhuset is most well known for its 2001 decision to buy a building that was occupied by far-left activists and run as a cultural centre called Ungdomshuset.
Tore down Ungdomshuset
Faderhuset bought the building from the City Council in 2001 and in 2006 won a court case to evict the residents, despite their attempts to buy back the building.
After Ungdomshuset was cleared by police special forces in March 2007, the building was subsequently demolished and promptly put back on the market.
The decision to clear the house resulted in some of the worst riots – which occurred sporadically between winter 2006 and summer 2007 – in living memory.
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