Warren Jeffs’ appeal is rejected by Texas state court

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:32:36 +0000

In August, 2011, a Texas jury convicted polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs of child sexual assault in a case stemming from two young followers he took as brides in what his church calls “spiritual marriages.”

Jeffs has appealed his conviction with 'revelations' in which Jesus Christ allegedly demands his release, but the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has turned down the appeal.

Police: Boy, 13, Tortured And Abused In Front Of Bible Study Group

Wed, 16 May 2012 19:39:26 +0000

A California pastor's assault on a 13-year-old boy took place during a Bible study session as a circle of men watched, newly released court records say.

The pastor has other legal problems as well.

Religion News Briefing: Widow of first televangelist dies

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:03:33 +0000

In today's issue: The widow of Rex Humbard, the world's first televangelist, dies. An Agape Ministries cult member gets his ammunition back. A court orders gated communities in Puerto Rico to provide access to Jehovah's Witnesses.

Plus a short, but though-provoking documentary on the Westboro Baptist Church -- a hate group that masquerades as a Christian church.

Faith-healing parents acquitted of murder charge

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:19:25 +0000

Gregory and Garnet JaLea Swezey have been found not guilty of second-degree murder in the death of their 17-year-old son.

They had been accused of relying on faith healing instead of getting their son proper medical attention

Court affirms rejection of insanity defense in “exorcism” murder

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:55:04 +0000

The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a jury's rejection of an insanity defense in the case of a woman who suffocated her 3-year-old son by forcing him to drink oil and vinegar because he was possessed by a demon.

In June 2011 Latisha Lawson was sentenced to 62 years in prison.

Church sues ex-members for defamation over blog criticizing church’s practices

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:55:04 +0000

Pastor Charles O'Neal of Beaverton Grace Bible Church in Oregon is trying to silence critics by filing lawsuits against them -- even though the Bible teaches that Christians should not file lawsuits against other Christians.

The family being sued says it was shunned after leaving the church a few years ago.

‘Holy Ghost’ cult leader sentenced to six years to life in rape of daughter

Sat, 12 May 2012 12:11:16 +0000

A religious cult leader has been sentenced to six years to life for raping his daughter and allowing his friend to rape her as well.

Terrill Dalton, who called himself the 'Holy Ghost,' promised the girl "great blessings" if she had sex with him.

‘This was not a faith healing death,’ lawyer tells jury

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:43:14 +0000

Gregory and Garnet Swezey of Carlton, Washington are on trial on charges of second-degree murder in the death of their 17-year-old son.

Their lawyer: if you ask the Swezeys what they would have done if they knew it was a ruptured appendix, and that their son was dying, “They both say, they don’t know."

Conviction upheld in FLDS sexual assault case

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:03:07 +0000

In his appeal, Abram Harker Jeffs claimed that the state had insufficient evidence to prove that a sexual relationship had occurred between him and his wife, whom he married when she was 14 years old.

He was one of 12 men indicted after a 2008 law enforcement raid on the sect's Texas-based ranch.

Faith Healing trial begins for Church of the First Born members

Wed, 09 May 2012 22:35:41 +0000

The second-degree murder trial of a faith healing couple whose teenage son died of a burst appendix is underway.

17-year-old Zachary Swezey died of a burst appendix while his parents and other members of the Church of the First Born prayed for his recovery, and failed to call a doctor or ambulance.