=== Aum Shinrikyo
1. Don't forget Tokyo subway gas attack: survivors and bereaved families
2. Subway staff remember victims of 1995 AUM gassing

=== Scientology
3. Tom Cruise Ends another Affair
4. Update: Cruise Still With Scientology
5. Cruise Dumps Scientology - NOT!
6. [harassment has become so commonplace that it is no longer newsworthy]
7. A Thorn in the MPAA's Side

=== Buddhism
8. 'Vietnam Buddhist burns herself to death'
9. Vietnam sect leader allowed home, status unclear

=== Islam
10. Cows slaughtered over delay in Buddha statues destruction
11. Taliban Explains Buddha Demolition
12. Muslim destroyers reach for the heart of Jewish holy sites

=== Mormonism
13. Visiting Reporters Complain Venues Tour Turned Into a Pitch for Church, State
14. Mormons under pressure on drink

=== Hate Groups
15. More teens buying white power music
16. Speakers with anti-Semitic ties coming to B.C. rally
17. Klan Highway Sign Isn't Welcome, Say Potosi, Mo., Residents

=== House of Prayer (Atlanta)
18. Church disputes claims of abuse
19. DFCS to take 10 more kids from members of Atlanta church in wake of abuse probe

=== Other News
20. French Sect Members Tried for Baby-Killing
21. Ex-dean of BU chapel on leave for illness
22. Families seek help from dangers of cults
23. 'Volatile' Prophetic Writings Set to Stir Further Controversy (Rick
Joyner)

=== Noted
24. False Prophets in Poland
25. Christian ministers to embrace Rainbow
26. The Work, the FBI and a habit of silence (Opus Dei)

=== Books
27. Religion researcher's 40-year quest to tabulate every believer on earth



=== House of Prayer (Atlanta)

18. Church disputes claims of abuse
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mar. 18, 2002
http://www.accessatlanta.com/
[Story no longer online? Read this]
Ask members of the House of Prayer how they're doing, and they immediately give a one-word answer: ''Blessed.''

Even in a time of adversity, as authorities investigate reports of widespread child abuse by members of the northwest Atlanta church, the congregation is sticking to its beliefs --- and sticking with its pastor, the Rev. Arthur Allen.

When the 68-year-old minister arrived at the church Friday evening, about 75 of the congregation's 130 members crowded around him and his white Lincoln Town Car as he spoke to reporters about the abuse allegations. He opened his remarks by noting he had left his other car, a Jaguar, at home.

''You have to understand what this church does for us,'' said member Tabitha Houston, 18. ''The church bought me and my family a home, two cars.''

Houston and others who belong to the nondenominational church on Hollywood Road said they look to Allen not just for guidance, but for approval. Allen plays a pivotal role in the lives of his congregation, granting permission for everything from choosing a home to choosing a spouse. And church members would agree to interviews only when Allen was present.

Atlanta police and state social workers are looking into whether Allen's control extends into discipline of children so severe it may constitute abuse. A 10-year-old boy told police that an adult beat him at the church as three others held him. The boy said Allen was ''watching and telling them when to stop.'' The 10-year-old and another boy, 7, had welts and bruises on their bodies, according to a police report.

Already, social workers have removed 19 children from the homes of three church members. The investigation continued Saturday but no charges had been filed, said Renee Huie, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Resources. Officials say the abuse case could involve as many as 60 children.

Allen acknowledged Friday that he encourages ''whippings'' for ''unruly'' children. But Allen --- who was sentenced to 30 days in jail for child abuse in 1993 after ordering the beating of a church member's daughter --- denied that children from the church had been abused.
[...more...]   [Need the full story? Read this]

More about abusive churches

19. DFCS to take 10 more kids from members of Atlanta church in wake of abuse probe
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mar. 20, 2001
http://www.accessatlanta.com/
[Story no longer online? Read this]
State child welfare officials said Monday they plan to remove at least 10 more youngsters from their home because of the risk of abuse as their investigation into the discipline practices of members of an Atlanta church widens.

Department of Human Resources spokesman Andy Boisseau said a Fulton County Juvenile Court judge ordered the children taken into state custody after their mother refused to stop disciplining them for two days or to turn them over to authorities.

The 10 were expected to be picked up some time Monday night Boisseau said, adding that additional children from at least one other family also may be taken into state custody.

During the past two weeks, the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services has removed 19 children ranging in age from 10 years to 5 months from three different families who attend the independent House of Prayer church in northwest Atlanta.
(...)

DHR spokeswoman Renee Huie said the investigation into possible abuse has expanded since initial reports became public last week.

''Based on reports we've received since we took the original 19 into custody, a lot of people familiar with the church have called. We have investigated their reports and substantiated a lot of actions and we have petitioned the court to take more children,'' Huie said.

Atlanta police also are investigating reports of abuse at the church on Hollywood Road, but no charges had been filed as of Monday night.
(...)

Boisseau said information obtained from the children and other church members by DFCS investigators indicate that the children who misbehave are called on to ''confess their sins'' in front of the congregation.

''As I understand it, a few members will then hold the child down and a whipping is administered,'' Boisseau said.

Huie said that Georgia law interprets abuse as any punishment that leaves ''marks, bruises or welts on a child.''
[...more...]   [Need the full story? Read this]


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