‘Real Housewives’ star ran a cult-like church, family members claim

Actuality star Mary Cosby’s TV fame is now dealing with severe accusations in a brand new TLC docuseries that explores claims of cult-like habits throughout the church she leads along with her husband.

The three-part sequence ‘The Cult of the Actual Housewife’ examines the Religion Temple Pentecostal Church and investigates claims of religious manipulation, monetary strain and emotional management that former members say passed off behind closed doorways.

The docuseries traces the roots of Religion Temple to its founding by Rosemary “Mama” Cosby, Mary’s grandmother, who was extensively revered throughout the congregation.

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A former church member took out a $300,000 second mortgage on his dwelling and gave the cash to Mary Cosby, highlighting the alleged monetary entanglements. (Koury Angelo/Bravo by way of Getty Photographs)

After “Mama” Cosby’s loss of life, management of the church handed to her husband, Robert Cosby Sr. – Mary’s step-grandfather – whose later marriage to Mary sparked controversy and marked what critics described as a dramatic shift within the tradition of the church.

Fox Information Digital has reached out to Mary Cosby for remark.

Mary’s cousin Dan Cosby informed Fox Information Digital that what he noticed at Religion Temple basically modified his confidence within the church’s management.

“How he would do it, how he would use his model of authoritarian management fashion and the way he would discuss to different brethren within the church … flip them in opposition to me or in opposition to different members,” Dan stated, referring to Robert Cosby Sr. “I wasn’t the one one. There are others who left as a result of they noticed the writing on the wall.”

Dan stated the habits felt unpredictable and really disturbing, particularly as a result of it typically appeared calculated.

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“There are two sides of Robert…virtually a twin persona,” Dan stated. “You simply see his true kind popping out – a complete Jekyll-and-Hyde… He was truly preaching and calling out folks in church and making enjoyable of them… it was simply embarrassing.”

Over time, Dan famous, the habits escalated to public humiliation throughout church providers.

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Mary married her step-grandfather Robert Cosby Sr. in 1998. (Charles Sykes/Bravo by way of Getty Photographs)

“You had been simply afraid to go away. Folks had been afraid to go away,” he stated. “That is dangerous to folks.”

For Dan, his time at Religion Temple revealed what he describes as a disturbing sample of abuse masked as religious steering. He stated church leaders typically exploited the religion of their members to pressure obedience and loyalty.

“You had been simply afraid to go away. Folks had been afraid to go away. That is dangerous to folks.”

–Dan Cosby

Within the docuseries, Dan claimed that as a toddler he suffered bodily punishment and witnessed abuse, together with kneeling on pins and needles and watching one other baby being overwhelmed. Robert Cosby Sr., a army veteran, is accused of pushing Dan throughout a prayer session, which Dan says grew to become a turning level that prompted him to go away the church.

“To know it, I believe ‘The Cult of the Actual Housewife’ factors out that trauma is actual and folks will manipulate that and make you assume God is a sure approach,” he informed Fox Information Digital. “They’ll put their very own righteousness into what they consider.”

He warned that such manipulation may be delicate, making it troublesome for members to acknowledge that they’re being exploited.

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“I believe this sheds gentle on, folks may be in a cult and never even understand they’re in it,” he stated.

Monetary strain was central to the alleged management, Dan stated, with members shamed for not giving.

“Folks may be in a cult and never even understand they’re a part of it.”

– Dan Cosby

“It wasn’t essentially what was going to occur to you… however the strain the place you understand you needed to give extra [being told] “You are low cost,” he stated.

Scripture was used to bolster emotions of guilt, inflicting members to really feel condemned.

In “The Cult of the Actual Housewife,” ex-members opened up in regards to the alleged emotional toll taken by church teachings that required inconceivable selections. (Natalie Cass/Bravo by way of Getty Photographs)

“They utilized all types of strain associated to the Scriptures,” he stated, including that members felt convicted. “However if you happen to convey your religion into it and if you happen to assume you are doing the proper factor, and so they make you’re feeling responsible that you’ll hell, rattling you, if you happen to’re not going to provide.”

Dan described one of the vital damaging techniques as invoking the legacy of “Mama,” the church’s beloved founder, whose teachings emphasised private religion and ethical company.

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“Considered one of Mother’s messages was, ‘Know God for your self,’” Dan stated. “However then they started to worship this man and this girl as their God.”

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Throughout season two of “The Actual Housewives of Salt Lake Metropolis,” a former church member named Cameron was launched in what the docuseries describes as a deliberate try to reveal Mary by exhibiting viewers “who she actually is and what she stands for.”

He stated he took out a $300,000 second mortgage on his dwelling and gave the cash to Mary, highlighting the alleged monetary entanglements.

Mary Cosby and Robert Cosby Sr. showing on the reunion of “The Actual Housewives of Salt Lake Metropolis.” (Heidi Gutman/Bravo/NBCU Photograph Financial institution by way of Getty Photographs)

This storyline performed a key function in revealing tensions and controversies surrounding Mary’s character and her dealings throughout the social circle depicted within the present.

Dan’s spouse, Kim Cosby, informed Fox Information Digital that she has additionally endured a fancy journey marked by religion, household struggles and painful divisions inside her spiritual group.

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In “The Cult of the Actual Housewife,” she opened up in regards to the emotional toll taken by church teachings that required inconceivable selections — even between her husband and God.

“Excessive,” Kim informed Fox Information Digital when requested how damaging it was to be informed she had to decide on between her husband and God. “If I say I am going dwelling to cook dinner… I am placing him above God.”

“It was at all times a contest… if I did not do what they stated, I put my husband earlier than God.”

—Kim Cosby

She added: “It was at all times a contest… if I did not do what they stated, I put my husband above God.”

“Mama” Cosby’s method, Kim stated, was one in all unity and help — a stark distinction to the divisive techniques she stated emerged following management adjustments throughout the church.

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Meredith Marks, Mary Cosby, Bronwyn Newport, Angie Katsanevas, Lisa Barlow, Heather Homosexual and Whitney Rose are pictured in Season 6 of ‘The Actual Housewives of Salt Lake Metropolis.’ (Koury Angelo/Bravo by way of Getty Photographs)

Regardless of how painful the previous has been, Dan and Kim see indicators of therapeutic and hope within the current.

Reflecting on twenty years marked by turmoil, Dan stated, “After twenty years… this yr, 2025, and with the assistance of ‘The Cult of the Actual Housewife’… my household – Kim, my daughters, my grandchildren – I’m of their lives, and we’re stronger than ever earlier than.”

Nonetheless, therapeutic is not simple or fast, Dan identified.

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“It doesn’t suggest the ache is not there… Our previous, these occasions come again to our minds, and that ache – that solely takes God to forgive,” he stated.

TLC’s “The Cult of the Actual Housewife” is accessible to stream on HBO Max and Discovery+.