Religion News Blog

Followers of Traditionalist Catholic apocalyptic sect in Mexico divided

Religion News Blog — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:13:48 +0000

New Jerusalem is a theocracy where soccer balls are illegal, John F. Kennedy is a saint, freedom of religion doesn't exist and the end of the world is just around the corner.

It is the largest and longest surviving of a string of traditionalist Catholic colonies that have sprung up around the world.

But now, 35 years after its founding, things have gone terribly wrong in New Jerusalem, many residents say. Palace intrigues, purges and the deaths of the sect's spiritual leaders this year have left followers divided and confused.

The dogma has become increasingly bizarre, with apocalyptic deadlines that come and go and mysterious "seers" who order one monolithic construction project after another.

Religious cult returns €250,000 to donors

Religion News Blog — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:28:41 +0000

A Garda investigation into a prophetic religious cult accused of duping followers out of donations is winding down after the House of Prayer returned €250,000 to aggrieved donors.

Complaints flooded in earlier this year after publicised claims of a €4m mansion at Ms Gallagher's disposal and a property portfolio.

Online messages detail plot to kill girl’s family

Religion News Blog — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:54:40 +0000

In the weeks leading up to the slaughter of a Medicine Hat family, Jeremy Steinke exchanged e-mails planning the murders not only with his underage girlfriend - whom he describes as the mastermind of the plot - but also with two unnamed friends, an Alberta court was told yesterday.

Many of the Internet musings and exchanges were presented during the girl's trial last year, when she was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder. But new e-mails were made public yesterday at the Court of Queen's Bench in Calgary, where Mr. Steinke is facing the same set of charges.

Lawyers for cult leader Warren Jeffs will question Texas lawmen

Religion News Blog — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:43:17 +0000

Lawyers for Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs have scheduled interviews with Texas authorities involved in the raid on the polygamous sect's YFZ Ranch.

A judge has ordered the men to give interviews to Jeffs' criminal defense team, which wants to know what information and evidence from the raid was shared with Arizona authorities.

Yoga encourages blasphemy, say Muslims

Religion News Blog — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:00:12 +0000

A top Islamic council in mostly Muslim Malaysia has told Muslims to avoid yoga because it uses Hindu prayers and encourages a union with God that is blasphemous.

The latest edict from the National Fatwa Council reflects a growing swing towards a conservative brand of Islam in the multi-ethnic country that has prompted worries among non-Muslims.

Police decline to lay charges in Grenville Christian College abuse allegations

Religion News Blog — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:49:19 +0000

After a 14-month investigation, the Ontario Provincial Police said yesterday it had decided not to lay charges in response to allegations of physical and sexual abuse at a former private school run by Anglican priests.

A series of articles in The Globe and Mail - revealing harsh, cult-like religious activities and the abuse of students from the 1970s to the 1990s - led first to an investigation by the bishop of the Anglican diocese of eastern Ontario and then a criminal investigation by the OPP.

Tony Alamo church members speak out; Judge tells parents of 2 girls to sever some ties to the church

Religion News Blog — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:28:12 +0000

Two girls taken from Tony Alamo’s religious compound in southwest Arkansas can eventually be reunited with their parents if the parents sever some of their ties with the church, a judge ruled Friday.

Meanwhile, two days after their children were taken from them in a sweep of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries properties, church members opened the church to reporters, denying that they had ever abused their children and saying the government is trying to destroy their church.

Germany drops its attempt to ban the Scientology cult

Religion News Blog — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:57:26 +0000

Germany is dropping its pursuit of a ban on Scientology after finding insufficient evidence of illegal activity, security officials said Friday.

Domestic intelligence services will continue to monitor the group, officials said.

Moonies peace group to hold biggest UK event

Religion News Blog — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:12:30 +0000

A peace group involved with the controversial Unification Church, who are often given the name of Moonies, is tomorrow staging its biggest ever event in Britain.

Anti-cult activists fear it could mark a British renaissance for the group, which experienced a growth in numbers during the 1970s and 80s.

Texas wants to perform DNA tests on FLDS girl and her baby

Religion News Blog — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:23:56 +0000

Court documents do not list the exact age of the girl, nor do documents released in the course of the seven-month case provide any immediate indication of how old she is or reference to her parents, Sarah Barlow and Joseph Steed.

According to the motion filed Nov. 14 by CPS' new lead attorney for the case, John R. Dolezal, the girl is still younger than 18 and was married at 14. The girl "has a child," Dolezal said in court Thursday.