FindLaw
May 1, 2008
By MARCI HAMILTON
The Rescue of Children from the FLDS Compound in Texas: Why the Arguments Claiming Due Process Violations and Religious Freedom Infringement Have No Merit
Recently, Texas authorities entered the Yearning for Zion (YFZ) Ranch, which is one of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) compounds, with a warrant based on calls from a person who alleged that she was an underage girl being subjected to physical and sexual abuse, including rape, at the Ranch. Once the authorities entered, though, they discovered pregnant underage girls, girls with more than one child, papers indicating that rampant polygamy was occurring at YFZ, and even a document involving cyanide poisoning. The authorities then intelligently made the decision that they had to remove all of the children from a situation that posed obvious and serious danger to them.
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In: Cult News
Top 10 List
December 6, 2009
Posted by top10contributor
Top Ten Fraudulent Religious Leaders
Sadly but not surprisingly, researchers find no shortage of candidates for this list. Compiling this list, researchers defined “fraud” in reasonably strict legal terms, setting aside all questions of doctrine and faith. In most cases, religious leaders duped their followers into believing in their righteousness; and they subsequently were exposed as pious hypocrites. Fraudulent leaders’ sexual exploits typically were the source of their undoing. Some faced criminal charges; all endured severe public humiliation, and none ever rebuilt a ministry after his exposure.
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In: 2000-2009, Cult News, News Blogs & Forums
The Salt Lake Tribune
December 4, 2009
By Pamela Manson
Psychiatrist: Smart is best witness to Mitchell’s mental state
Courts » Michael Welner says the defendant manipulates situations to his advantage.
A psychiatrist who concluded that Brian David Mitchell is competent to stand trial in the abduction of Elizabeth Smart testified Friday that interviews with lay witnesses helped him reach his determination.
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In: Cult News
New York Times
November 6, 2009
By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.
Polygamist Sect Leader Convicted of Sexual Assault
ELDORADO, Tex. — One of the leaders of a polygamist sect was convicted Thursday night of sexually assaulting an under-age girl whom the church elders had assigned to him as one of his nine wives.
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In: 2000-2009, Breaking News, Cult News
Yahoo News
October 26, 2009
By MICHELLE ROBERTS, Associated Press Writer
Jury selection continues in first polygamist trial
ELDORADO, Texas – More than 150 potential jurors, including 10 women in prairie dresses and braids, crammed into a makeshift courtroom Monday as jury selection began in the first criminal trial stemming from the raid of a polygamist sect’s ranch last year.
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In: Cult News
AOL News
October 2, 2009
By ELIOTT C. McLAUGHLIN, CNN
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In: Cult News
Press Release of Senator Reid
REID CALLS FOR FEDERAL TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGATE CHILD ABUSE AND POLYGAMY Letter to Attorney General Urges Support For Local Prosecutions
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
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In: Cult News
In 1978, more than 900 Americans in a group called Peoples Temple, led by Rev. Jim Jones, were poisoned by cyanide-laced punch in Jonestown, Guyana. Many drank cyanide-laced Flavor-Aid; others who tried to resist the mass suicide were shot..
Tonight, MSNBC will be showing, “Witness to Jonestown” at 9PM ET. View some of the previews below and click HERE to be directed to MSNBC’s site for details.
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In: Cult News
