The Order of the Ancient Way

The Order of the Ancient Way believes there will be no single day of armageddon, but that mankind will gradually wipe itself out - and within the next few years.

In an interview with leader Bob Crosbie, aged 60, and follower Denis McGowan, we were told the world as we know it will end due to man's actions on earth. Members carry cards, wear pentacles around their necks, live their lives in a similar fashion and help each other out. They refuse to see the group as a cult saying they do not follow a God. But there are spiritual and religious elements to the organisation. The Way claims to have possession of the fourth original bible, with the only other three being owned by the Vatican.

"There are people who devote their lives to protecting it," said Bob. There are said to be Way 'chapters' in every county in Ireland with members subscribing up to £40 a year 'for overheads.' They follow 12 rules, similar to the commandments, although one against homosexuality does say 'death shall visit those who break this law.' Today Bob Crosbie, whose wife and son also follow The Way, makes a living as a psychiatrist.

He also hypnotises and says he heals many ailments without charge, but says he does not try to spread his message through his work.

"If I can do something for someone then I can," he said. Crosbie claims to have stigmata similar to that of Capuchine monk Padre Pio, but there the similarity ends as Crosbie has no belief in God. The story of The Way and of Crosbie's life has been published in a book called 'The Seven Signs, The Seven Seals and The Seven Veils.' Crosbie told us he put it together in a bid to spread what he sees as his important message.

"There is misery, disease, debauchery, homosexuality and all these things and they mean that man is coming to the end of his days. "It is all prophesy. I can't put my hand on my heart and say there is no way he could be wrong, but when you look around you can see that it's a fair bet.

"It's going to be painful, its going be miserable, its going to be stupid and above all its going to be useless, absolutely useless. "And we want nothing to do with it."

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