Forgotten Cults #10

Jed Dye

This crooked cult leader started "The Church of Silence" in the early 50's and had his own television broadcast for six silent months. He would stare into the cameras and try to communicate by "mental waves of glory". He never spoke, nor did his 76 member congregation. It seems he never wanted to be misquoted. Everything preached, taught or communicated was through writing on blank music paper.

When Jed Dye was growing up in Noisey, Idaho, he was known as the still-life of the party. He was voted "The Man Most Worthy of Listening To" by the Toastmasters of Sonic Boom, Nevada in 1956.

Jed believed that "religion should be seen and not heard." Each member took a vow of silence to join the church. A vow that lasted 23 hours of each day. The only hour acceptable was the midnight hour. Jed Dye was also known as "Silent Knight".

Some of his beliefs were written on the walls of his church in Cattle Call, Indiana. Here are a few of his doctrines:

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  Silence is Heaven calling.
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  We need to be men and women of letters.
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  Be careful to entertain mimes. For many are angels in disguise.
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  Live for the moment - and let that moment be a moment of silence.
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  You have a right to remain silent!
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  Shut up and practice telepathy daily.
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  Even hiccups should be done in silence.
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  The church of silence is the only church in Heaven
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  Silent movies are sacred.
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  Silent auctions are too.
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  Homes should be equipped with silent alarms.
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  Racquet ball is of the devil.

Jed Dye was eternally silenced, when lightning struck him as he left the theater where "Run Silent Run Deep" was playing. His assistant pastor, Ken Tawk, broke his vow and sang "Twist and Shout" as the yellow coffin was lowered into the ground. In an interview with the local NBC (Nothing But Cults) station in Chatterville, West Virginia, Mr. Tawk said, "Silence isn't always golden, sometimes it's just plain yellow!" Then he jumped out a thirty story window and crashed through the roof of an eighteen-wheeler loaded with Pop Rocks. He was never heard from again.