As we shared in an earlier blog post, Arizona Daily Star Investigation Uncovers Abuse, Cover-Ups and Manipulation at Golden Dawn Tabernacle, the Arizona Daily Star and Lee Enterprises collaborated on a year-long investigation into Golden Dawn Tabernacle, also known as Tabernaculo Emanuel, a Tucson church. In this follow on blog post, we examine the contradictions, lies and hypocrisy uncovered by this investigation.

    Contradictions, Denials and Lies by Pastor Isaac Noriega & GDT Church Officials

    Child Sexual Abuse: Despite multiple allegations of child sexual abuse within the church, Noriega initially denied any knowledge of them but later admitted to being aware of "two cases". He downplayed the incidents and failed to report them to the authorities, claiming he was not familiar with the mandatory reporting law. He has also made contradictory statements about his knowledge of specific incidents and his actions in response to them. Noriega bristled at a reporter when asked why he wouldn’t report such serious allegations to law enforcement.

    Excommunication: Noriega denied that the church excommunicates members, despite numerous former members reporting being shunned and cut off from their families. This was a clear example of Pastor Isaac Noriega lying as anyone who has attended this church regularly has witnessed the excommunication events called "taking out from under the blood." Even Tucson Tabernacle pastor Dan Evans called out and condemned these lies in a sermon where he responded to the articles.

    Control over Women: Noriega claimed that women in his church make their own decisions and are not required to stay in their parents' homes until marriage, but this contradicts the experiences of many former female members.

    Mandatory Tithing: Noriega denied mandating tithes, but former members said he enforced tithing and even checked with employers to ensure members were paying the full 10%. See former blog post for more details.

    Internet and Email Hypocrisy by GDT Church Officials

    Use of Internet and Email: Noriega and church officials used email to communicate with the reporters which is in stark contrast with Noriega's long held anti-internet position. We will explore this further below.

    As we previously shared in this article, Noriega has preached against the internet for decades. He claims that he does not have the internet or a smartphone and has claimed that no one in the church leadership team uses

    Here is a recording of Pastor Isaac Noriega's anti-internet position. He equates internet usage to be no different than television usage which is generally banned in message churches, per William Branham's teachings.

    The Arizona Daily Start investigation article excerpts below clearly show that Pastor Isaac Noriega and the church officials do not follow his internet prohibition when he strongly claimed otherwise. The investigation into Golden Dawn Tabernacle involved email correspondence with Noriega and church officials. Here are the specific instances where email was used by Noriega and the church officials.

    Tucson church ignored health officials as COVID spread through congregation

    "Noriega stated via email that members were free to make their own choices about attending services and taking precautions and that he encouraged masking."

    Tucson’s Golden Dawn church blocks former members from attending family funerals

    "Noriega stated in an email that families "make their own decisions on who they want to be in attendance for funeral services.""

    Tucson church a controlling ‘cult within a cult,’ ex-members say

    "Asked about Jacques’ account by email, Noriega said “That is not true. She could do what she wanted to do just like anyone else.”"

    Culture of cover-ups: Tucson church has ignored child sexual abuse allegations for decades

    "Noriega initially denied any knowledge of those events in a July email. Asked whether he took any action to investigate claims that two men in church sexually abused minors, Noriega wrote that "these alleged events, if they happened, were not presented to me. Alleged victims of these allegations have never told me of the events.""

    "Asked if he remembered a woman telling him during pre-marriage counseling that Stephen kissed her when she was 12, Noriega said, “I don't remember anything like that.” But in a follow-up email, Noriega correctly identified the woman by her first and last name — information that Lee Enterprises never revealed to him."

    He admitted to molesting a boy. And his Tucson church protected him for years.

    "Asked about the child sexual abuse allegations against Mora and another man, Noriega initially denied any knowledge of them in an email but then said in a phone call that he was aware of “two cases." He characterized them as “sexual harassment,” but later described situations of sexual abuse. He denied any cover-up."

    "Mora said he shared that information with the pastor "in confidence." Noriega clarified in a follow-up email that he found out about Philip’s allegations against Mora during a marriage counseling session with Philip’s father and mother about a year ago." Note: this allegation is being actively investigated by the Tucson Police Department. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact TPD at TPDChildCrimes@tucsonaz.gov.

    Tucson church manipulates members’ finances, acts as ‘bank,’ critics say

    "Noriega denied doing this and said in an interview and email that how much members tithe is up to them."

    "In interviews and emailed questions and responses, Noriega and other church leaders denied any financial wrongdoing, arguing instead that Golden Dawn has been helping members thrive."

    "Noriega said in an email he didn’t recall saying those words, but church leaders acknowledged the broad outline of what Joel Chacon said. “We assisted Jacob Chacon when he lost his job and then lost another job. His sons then began using their money incorrectly after we had assisted their father,” they said in an email. “We asked Jacob to repay the loan and to ask his sons to help him with the payments since they were using their money incorrectly. Jacob agreed to repay the loan.”"

    In addition to the above evidence that GDT church officials are actively using email (and therefore the internet), we recently uncovered additional information of church officials also using email for other church business. Specifically, the example we uncovered was GDT church officials using an email for communicating with and paying invoices to their printing supplier.

    The official email addresses (that we know of) being used by GDT Church Officials are the following:

    Tabernaculo.Emanuel.Tucson@gmail.com

    GoldenDawnPrinting@gmail.com

    Conclusion

    Based on the Arizona Daily Star investigation, it is clear that Isaac Noriega and Golden Dawn Tabernacle church officials exhibited contradictory public statements and actions and resorted to lying in some cases. The majority of their denial statements were in direct conflict with the experiences of former members. These discrepancies reveal a pattern of denying or minimizing practices that former members describe as controlling, manipulative, and harmful.

    To make matters worse, Pastor Isaac Noriega and church officials publicly made themselves appear as hypocrites, given the strong anti-internet stance that is forced upon the church members. This behavior by the church leadership can summed up by the classic hypocritical elitism rule "Rules for thee, but not for me."

    While there is nothing wrong with using email, the fact that the church strongly discourages, prohibits and punishes internet use while church officials use it freely should be a wake up call to church members. The use of email and internet are essential tools that are needed in today's technological age. Yet the church pressures members to avoid using these tools at all costs, despite this potentially affecting their livelihood. In fact, there are several known incidents where church members were pressured to quit their jobs because these jobs required internet use. The church's hypocrisy here is mind boggling and serves as a stark reminder that they don't care about the members, they just want them to be mindlessly obedient, pay their tithes and not have access to critical information from the internet (so they don't start asking questions or thinking for themselves).

    We ask our readers to ask themselves this question: what other rules are the church elite secretly breaking while hypocritically and mercilessly enforcing them on helpless church members?

    Do you have any information you'd like to share about this topic? Feel free to comment below, or you can contact us directly at our Contact Us page or via our social media accounts below.

      Archived Comments#

      15 comment(s) imported from the original site:

      Richard — February 17, 2025#

      Sorry if I don’t respond to your question promptly, I’m not in your area, but we do experience similar things.

      Not long ago I began to notice patterns, given the circumstances I saw and experienced in my environment, in my family, in the families of friends and relatives, and in various churches I have been to, dark patterns from dark forces. Why dark? Because they are not spoken of clearly, because they are not exposed to the light to see what is really going on, because we have become accustomed to it working that way.

      And these dark forces operate from the most basic and fundamental institution (the family), through the churches we attend, and I don’t even want to think about the governmental level, where there is much, much power and privileges. If we cannot see, identify, expose, and talk about these things within our own families, I don’t know if we can do anything about it in a larger, more complex institution like a church.

      I will expose a common situation that most of us have likely experienced within our own families: Privileges.

      A traditional family, a married couple with three children, with strong family traditions (gatherings, birthdays, gifts, support, visits, etc.), traditions that are not questioned because they are imposed within the family. That family functions that way, and those traditions help keep the family together and present it to others as a “happy” family.

      How many of us have experienced the obligation to attend a mandatory family dinner?

      How many of us have seen privileges given to one child over another because they have more grandchildren, because they are more indulgent with the grandparents, or have witnessed competitions among siblings, in-laws, jealousy, envy—all things we all know because we experience them daily?

      How many of us see hidden mechanisms of favoritism and the need for control and dominance from one family member over others, yet we cannot speak clearly about it or expose it because “all hell would break loose”?

      Seeing, bringing to light, and exposing these mechanisms—these dynamics of power, dominance, privilege, and control is traumatic. Most people choose not to see or address these issues within their own families because it would destabilize the family. That’s just how the family functions.

      Untangling and clearly exposing these mechanisms of power, privilege, and control is very difficult, deeply emotionally traumatic, and slippery—because they have always operated in secret within the framework of traditions, customs, and family beliefs.

      Now imagine an institution like the Church, where there are countless rules, beliefs, and traditions in the name of God, and questioning them is unthinkable because it would be like questioning God Himself.

      That machine of power, dominance, privilege, and control is even stronger and more powerful. And everyone, absolutely everyone, has to be functional to that machinery.

      To expose it is to confront the power of the machine itself, to face all its fears, all its insecurities, all its privileges, all its unquestionable customs and traditions that have always been imposed in the name of God.

      On top of all that, you also have to face yourself, your own emotions and strong feelings such as jealousy, envy, insecurities, lies, denial, fears, indifference, anger, and more. For a long time, all those emotions and feelings have been there, hidden, unable to come to light.

      They are monsters that have been created, that have grown in darkness, in the shadows, and one day, we will have to face them. Face our own demons and the demons of our loved ones or those who have influence over us.

      That is why many choose never to face them. There are too many monsters to confront. They choose to remain part of that machine because it gives them a sense of belonging. And maybe, one day, when they have enough strength and the right words, they will finally be able to face everything they never dared to before.

      Yes, being able to describe, having the right words, knowing how to pinpoint things with language, this is almost fundamental. Understanding everything that is happening, laying it all out on the “table” and seeing it clearly is already 50% of the solution. The rest is taking action and doing something about it.

      I remember a young woman from the church I used to attend. She continued wearing skirts in her daily life, even though she knew it was an imposition by men who needed to feel they had control and dominance over us. She knew in her heart that God did not require that of her.

      So, I asked her, “Why do you keep wearing skirts if you know it’s not something God demands?” And she responded, “It’s just that I don’t know what to say, I don’t know how to argue the topic if a brother from church questions me.”

      Knowing how to argue, how to defend yourself with words, is wonderful. But there is an even more wonderful and liberating word: BOUNDARIES, setting boundaries. I only recently became familiar with and started using that word. I don’t remember hearing anyone use it in primary school. In secondary school, maybe a few.

      People didn’t talk about setting boundaries. Most of us lived according to our traditions, customs, and beliefs. In the Christian home where I grew up, I never heard anyone use that word. I only began to hear it and see it in action relatively recently. The first time, someone set a boundary for me. It took me a few seconds to process it, to process that boundary, and I realized they were right, I needed that boundary in that situation. It was beneficial for everyone. It felt strange, but it was necessary, and I accepted it.

      For most of us, it’s good to have boundaries set for us from time to time. They make us question ourselves and realign our actions.

      But some people (the dangerous ones) cannot tolerate being given boundaries. They spend their entire lives avoiding boundaries and needing to exert dominance and control over others. They don’t know how to relate to others in any other way. They always have to have control, no matter where they are. That is what they are used to. And it’s an emotional issue, the monster appears when they feel insecure or when someone tries to set a boundary for them or question them.

      I have also recently started hearing the phrase: “Your well-being is a priority.” Before, we prioritized traditions, customs, and beliefs. Not anymore. We have learned that, in the face of pressure, manipulation, and doubt, OUR WELL-BEING IS A PRIORITY, and we must be respected.

      Learning to set boundaries can be a challenge if we were never taught to do so from a young age. However, it is never too late to learn, and it is an important step toward personal well-being. Over time, practicing boundary-setting can make a huge difference in relationships and in how you feel.

      Setting boundaries is not always pleasant, I often feel bad about how I set them. Sometimes I do it emotionally, and later realize that I should have done it more calmly. But it was necessary to set them.

      Our parents and pastors wanted to limit us using fear and threats.

      The key difference between setting boundaries and limiting someone lies in the intention and impact on the person:

      Setting Boundaries:It is an act of self-care and mutual respect.It defines what you accept or do not accept in your life, without imposing your will on others.It involves saying, “This is good for me, this is not,” without manipulation or fear.It helps create healthier, more balanced relationships.Example: “I don’t want to talk about this right now because it makes me feel bad.”Limiting Someone:It is an external imposition, usually with the intention of controlling, subjugating, or preventing someone’s growth.It uses fear, guilt, or manipulation to restrict freedom of thought or action.It does not seek the person’s well-being but rather their obedience or submission.Example: “If you doubt this, you are in sin and your life will go badly.”Our parents and pastors limited us, using the Bible as a tool for control rather than as a guide for wisdom. They didn’t teach us to set our own boundaries; instead, they imposed restrictions through threats and fear. Now, setting boundaries in our lives means that we decide what is good for us without fear, without external manipulation.

      Setting boundaries is healthy and necessary. Limiting someone is about imposing and stunting their growth.

      TGBTG — February 17, 2025#

      I know Joseph lozas old boss he got fired for looking at porn of course there gonna say that he don’t use the internet that whole place is corrupt the whole ministry are pieces of shit they put rules for everyone else but they bend and break every rule

      The bride — February 18, 2025#

      Joseph loza currently uses the Internet, as he receives countless packages in his home from Amazon and different origins. Mateo Noriega Sharon Noriega Rene Aguirre Rey Aguirre,
      Reina aguirre They uses a lot, And 80% of the assembly hides their smartphone!! Hypocrisy in its splendor.

      Davina — February 18, 2025#

      Issac Noriega no ayuda a nadie, el te ofrece casa, carro, pareja, empleos dentro de la mismas empresas de hnos. …posicion en la iglesia, oficios desde gente para limpiar el interior y exterior del edificio, el tiene personal que le lavan su carro, le cortan el pelo, tiene gente que le mantiene su casa de todo a todo!! sin gastar un centavo,cocineras para el y su familia , para los eventos, oficios para la gente mas despreciable que buscan agradarlo, … el te ofrece cualquier dadiva como un acto de bondad y compacion , cuando detrâs está la verdad mas obscura…EL TE COMPRA TU ALMA CUERPO Y ESPIRITU…. Una vez que te angaña y aceptes cualquier de sus " dadivas" te va a demandar todo de ti y tu familia. Y te lo arrojara a tu cara cada vez que quieras llevarle la contraria a sus ordenes,… Y en la posicion mas miserable se encuentran aquellos miembros de la asamblea que por cometer delitos penales, han sido comprados por pagar sus fianzas, y asi de por vida quedan encadenados a el y a este sistema de muerte. Que quede claro al mundo entero ISACC NORIEGA NO AYUDA A NADIE, EL COMPRA TU ALMA. TU FAMILIA Y TUS PERTENECIAS. Y nadie , puede negarlo!!! Si le das la espalda , tratará de quitarte Todo lo que puede, familia, casa, carro, trabajo…Todo!!!…..es un patetico miserable, padre de mentira. Y los que lo apoyan igual, hijos de su padre engendros de mentira desprecio de la sociedad, acomplejados, vanagloriosos, soberbios, aborrecedores del bien, blasfemos, infieles, y lo peor de Todo se dicen " La novia de jesucristo" nombre blasfemos Dan lastima, su miseria la traen en sus caras donde quieran que van . Los atormenta el hecho que no pueden salir de Alli, ( para algunos Alli quedense ni afuera los quieren, toxidad andando) Tiene lo que se merecen, a su pastor de cabras Isaac noriega. Fanfarrones, gordos y excomunicados de la verdad…. es lo que son.

      No balance ministry — February 18, 2025#

      No balance huh?

      goldendawnprinting@gmail.com tabernaculo.emanuel.tucson@gmail.com

      Gabriel cordova — February 22, 2025#

      To use there own words there the blind leading the blind

      Nods and cods — March 21, 2025#

      We all know that REINA AGUIRRE, is disgusting. Why doesn’t she marry yet, because shes a gross psychopath who enjoys watching nasty PORN 24/7. No man would accept a whor* like that, hope she stays single forever.

      The " little nurse" — March 27, 2025#

      Finally a fat woman got married, Michelin girl, you have hope, even so there’s no happiness in arranged marriages. Now wait until you are in yours 40… See if he find you a partner. I doubt it with that demon possessed mother.

      Solo la verdad. — March 27, 2025#

      Issac Noriega, siempre a sabido de los abusos sexuales multiples que se han cometido en la asambleas, su hijo Steven Noriega, uno de los mas peligrosos Alli dentro y sin embargo lo tiene viviendo en residencia de lujo y carro de lujo, investigen y vean que Este hombre no trabaja lo sufficient para sostenerse en ese estilo de vida, lo mismo sus yernos, Issac Jaques y Jose Torres, ninguno hace sufficient dinero para tener tanta riqueza, y que del millonario Mateo Noriega, ? De donde tiene Todo esos viernes,? Del dinero de la asamblea, ISSAC, TODOS LOS QUE TE RODEAN, QUIEREN TU DINERO Y PODER… NO A TI, QUITASELOS Y VERAZ CUANTO TE APOYAN, ESTAS MISERABLEMENTE SOLO, SON HIPOCRITAS COMO TU. El hno, Peter Baquera abuelos de una de las victims de Jose Mora, tiene el descaro y la hipocrecia de ir a casa de Mora a comer muy contento, sabiendo lo que le hizó a su nieto, pero para el es mas urgent agradar a Issac que ser hombre y pararse por lo honesto. Por cualquier angulo que mires está iglesia, es hipocrecia y mentira desde su comienzo, y los que rodean a Issac y le buscan agradar son los peores hombres y mujeres, siempre hay un interest obscuros atrás de Todo. Es porque viven oprimidos, asustados, enfermos, temerosos, y escondiendo su doble vida… Lo mas triste y tragico, cuando esten en su lecho de muerte y realicen que no estaban sirviendo nunca a Dios, sino a un enfermo mental, a un mentiroso abusador, tal como le paso a el hno.peter Zuñiga y Al hno Refugio Lopez, Juan chacon, en su lecho de muerte lucharon para no morir y quedaron deformes de sus rostros.

      Ojos que ven… — April 10, 2025#

      Jose Mora: " Brilla en la esquina donde estas, brilla en la esquina donde estas…

      anonimo — June 19, 2025#

      mejor preocuparse por USD mismos por cada uno sus hijos y nietos

      anonimo — June 19, 2025#

      preocupe se por us mismos y sean felices

      anonimo — June 19, 2025#

      pero porque por otros medios hablan si quieren ayudar mejor hablen directo eso es más eficaz…y sean felices

      anonimo — June 19, 2025#

      sean felices cada uno responderemos por nosotros mismos vivan felices un

      anonimo — June 19, 2025#

      las expresiones como uno se expresa se conoce como es reflexione