Pillars of the Community

Pillars of the Community is a faction based in the Charles View Amphitheater in The Commonwealth.

Background
The Pillars of the Community are a new, cult-like, movement based in the Charles View Amphitheater. Its leader, (whose name varies between platforms) claims to have discovered a path back to the prosperity of a prewar Commonwealth, and he's managed to gather a small flock of followers. Members must detach themselves from material possessions, which means giving everything they own to the leader. When challenged in private, the leader is open about the cynical scam he is pulling.

The Pillars of the Community aren't initially hostile, but they're easily provoked.

Interactions with the player character
Upon approach, Brother James will initiate the Sole Survivor in dialogue. Whether you accept to be initiated or not, at the end of his dialogue he will ask you to follow him to his office. In his office, Brother James will tell you to give him all of your belongings. At this point you can give them to him, or opt not to.

On non-compliance, Brother James will drop the act and inform the player that their belongings can either be given voluntarily or be taken by force. Opting not to will result in being attacked by the group (about 10 of them). Kill them all and leave the area. Optionally, you can pass a red Speech challenge, which will result in being allowed to leave without any further conflict. He will claim that you're not worth the time to deal with.

Sometimes will spontaneously die.

If you agree to hand over your possessions, Brother James will take every item from your inventory (but not your companions) and will hold them on his. You are free to go, but the only way to retrieve your items is to pickpocket or kill him.

Emogene Takes a Lover
The Pillars of the Community are part of the quest Emogene Takes a Lover. You are told by Magnolia at The Third Rail that Emogene Cabot has gone to join the Pillars. If you have killed Brother James you will have a chance to threaten Brother Thomas by mentioning that you killed the last leader of this scam. You can completely avoid this confrontation by picking the lock to Emogene's room.

You can also complete this quest simply by having a high Charisma and convincing Brother Thomas that it isn't worth the trouble, so to speak.

Appearances
Pillars of the Community appears only in Fallout 4.