The Foundation Faith of God (1975-1983)
Organizational Restructuring
In 1975, the remaining Process Church officially reorganized as the Foundation Faith of God. This wasn’t merely a name change but represented a fundamental transformation in identity, mission, and theology.
Theological Evolution
The Four Gods doctrine was gradually abandoned:
- Satan was removed entirely from theology
- Jehovah became less prominent
- Christ became increasingly central
The new theology emphasized:
- Traditional Christian love and compassion
- Service to all creatures
- Practical spirituality over apocalyptic prophecy
- Animal welfare as spiritual practice
Aesthetic Changes
The dramatic black robes and silver crosses disappeared. Members adopted more conventional dress. The gothic, apocalyptic imagery gave way to images of nature and animals.
Mission Reorientation
The Foundation Faith shifted focus from preparing for endtimes to:
- Animal rescue and rehabilitation
- Operating no-kill shelters
- Community education about compassion for animals
From Religion to Animal Welfare (1984)
The Final Transformation
In 1984, the Foundation Faith of God made its ultimate transformation: abandoning religious identity entirely to become the Best Friends Animal Society.
Location: Kanab, Utah
The organization relocated to Kanab, Utah, establishing a large-scale animal sanctuary in the dramatic landscape of southern Utah. The location was remote, allowing large-scale animal rescue operations while maintaining some intentional community aspects.
Best Friends Animal Society
The Best Friends Animal Society emerged as:
- One of America’s largest no-kill animal sanctuaries
- A leader in animal welfare advocacy
- An organization with national reach and influence
- A respected non-profit with mainstream credibility
Operational Mission
Best Friends focused on:
- Rescuing animals from euthanasia
- Operating a sanctuary for thousands of animals
- Promoting no-kill policies nationally
- Providing adoption services
- Educating public about animal welfare
- Supporting other animal welfare organizations
Complete Separation from Religious Past
The transformation was complete:
- No religious teachings or practices
- Secular organizational structure
- Mainstream animal welfare mission
- Professional non-profit operations
Mary Ann MacLean’s Role
Mary Ann continued leading the organization through its transformation, ultimately creating something entirely different from what she and Robert had founded years earlier.
Understanding the Transformation
Why Did It Happen?
Several factors drove this remarkable transformation:
Practical Necessity: The Process Church’s controversial reputation made operation increasingly difficult. Transformation offered survival.
Theological Evolution: Mary Ann’s genuine spiritual evolution led her toward emphasizing compassion over apocalyptic prophecy.
Member Interests: Many members found animal welfare more fulfilling than waiting for endtimes.
Cultural Context: The 1970s-80s saw declining interest in apocalyptic spirituality and increasing concern for animal welfare.
Legal/Financial: Operating as a secular non-profit provided advantages over religious organization status.
Was It Betrayal or Growth?
Perspectives differ:
Betrayal View: The transformation abandoned the original vision, expelled the founder, and erased the theological insights that made the Process unique.
Growth View: The organization evolved from apocalyptic delusion to practical compassion, channeling spiritual energy into genuinely helpful work.
Pragmatic View: The transformation ensured survival and allowed former members to continue working together toward a shared mission.
Legacy of the Process Church
What Was Preserved
Despite complete transformation, certain continuities remained:
- Communal living and working
- Intense dedication to mission
- Disciplined lifestyle
- Service orientation
What Was Lost
The transformation meant abandoning:
- The Four Gods theology
- Process cosmology and eschatology
- Distinctive ritual practices
- Apocalyptic mission
- Robert de Grimston’s teachings
- Connection to countercultural spirituality
The Process-Best Friends Connection
For decades, Best Friends did not publicly acknowledge its Process Church origins. This changed gradually in the 21st century as:
- Former members wrote memoirs
- Historians documented the connection
- The Process Church became a historical subject rather than a contemporary controversy
- Best Friends gained confidence in its mainstream identity
Today, Best Friends acknowledges its origins while emphasizing its complete transformation and current secular mission.
Next: The Relevance of Process Church of the Final Judgment