Related
Advertisements *
Elsewhere
Subscribe: RSS
RNB's RSS feed What is this? |
Subscribe: Email
![]() |
![]() Subscribe by Email What is this? |
Most Popular
- Where is the evidence supporting Todd Bentley’s miracle claims?
- Oprah’s unorthodox gospel comes under scrutiny
- France rejects Muslim woman over radical practice of Islam
- Mormon missionary calendar-maker excommunicated
- Raelian lesbians attack Pope and Catholic Church
- Los Angeles Church of Scientology Commits PR Blunders
- Kenneth Copeland challenges probe into televangelist finances
- Protests against compassionate release of Susan Atkins expand
- Antonie Dixon: God told me to behead women
- Man who says he is Jesus brings his controversial message back to Houston
Families Claim Religious Club’s Cult-Like Practices Injured Teens
(AgapePress) - Two families have filed a negligence lawsuit against a religious club at a Nashville high school, alleging that their teenage daughters suffered physical and emotional injuries as a result of their involvement in the so-called “Victory Club.”
Parents of two female students at Hillsboro High School have filed a negligence suit against the school and the “Victory Club,” a group sponsored by the Bethel World Outreach Center. The two Nashville families involved in the suit are accusing the Victory Club and Bethel of brainwashing their teenaged daughters with bizarre, cult-like teachings.
The plaintiffs’ attorney, David Lyons, says one of the girls attempted suicide after Bethel and Victory Club leaders pressured her into speaking in tongues and told her to stop taking her medication. “She felt intimidated by it,” he says, “and so she said she started to speak in a language that was just gibberish.”
At this, Lyons says the club leaders reportedly “all fell back and said, ‘Praise God! You’ve been touched by the Holy Spirit. You’re speaking in tongues.’” He says the girl, however, maintains that she made up what she said and that “she was just speaking gibberish to get them away from her.”
Also, the counsel for the plaintiffs notes, Victory Club and Bethel leaders told one of the teens she had to fast for several days in order to strengthen her walk with God. But the lawyer contends this led to the girl’s falling “out of touch with reality,” and her behavior became increasingly alarming.
“She wasn’t eating, she wasn’t sleeping, and she was talking in tongues 24-7,” Lyons notes. “During class she would get up and begin to speak in tongues” and would “preach and quote scripture all day long.” And, in addition to her other erratic behavior, the girl would not bathe. “Her mother had to watch her 24 hours a day,” the attorney says, “to ensure that she would take care of her personal hygiene and wouldn’t harm herself.”
The teen eventually had to be hospitalized for severe hydration and malnourishment. After being admitted to the hospital’s psychiatric unit, she was diagnosed as suffering from “religious indoctrination.” Bethel spokesman Michael Swain declined to comment on the suit against the church and the Victory Club.
Bethel World Outreach Center is a member of the Every Nation family of churches, which is part of “The New Order of the Latter Rain.” The “New Order” is a cult movement that covertly believes its leaders are the collective reincarnation of Jesus Christ.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
Share this
To share this page simply copy and paste one of these URL's:
Article and Site Tools
» PermaLink to: Families Claim Religious Club’s Cult-Like Practices Injured Teens Need a shorter link? You can remove everything after the final / » More news articles + news archive on Bethel World Outreach Center » More religion and cult news Subscribe (RSS / Email) [What is RSS?] » RSS News Feed - All Topics: Religion News Blog RSS Feed » RSS News Feed - Single Topic: Bethel World Outreach Center » Headlines by Email: Daily Religion News Blog Headlines |
More Article Tools
Bookmark / Tag: Del.icio.us Bookmark / Tag: Furl Save this article Email this article Print this article [Temporarily out of order] More Information Books about Bethel World Outreach Center Relevant books (and other goodies) |
About Religion News Blog
Religion News Blog (RNB), published by Apologetics Index, highlights news items and other resources on world religions, cults, religious sects, alternative religions and related issues. RNB's non-profit news clipping service is used by - among others - Christian apologists, countercult professionals, anticult organizations, cult experts, teachers, religion professionals, reporters and other researchers.



