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ISSN: 2710-4028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.54208/0003 37
Religion and State Authority: Control of the Child
Kate Brannum
American Public University System
Nicole Drumhiller
American Public University System
Abstract: This article focuses on the extent to which interactions between religious communities and the State can
leave children vulnerable to physical abuse. In recent history, there have been numerous challenges to State control
and authority from both new and nontraditional religious movements (Urban, 2006 Richardson &Bellanger,
2014 Doherty, 2016). In comparison, one can argue that insufficient attention has been paid to how religious
groups seek to constrain or evade government authority to protect children. As part of their “monopoly of violence”
(Gallaher &Froehling, 2002), governments in democratic societies are expected to protect the physical security of
citizens. Despite this expectation, it is arguable that, when it comes to concerns over the bodies of minors, governing
officials have been more limited and certainly more inconsistent in their actions to provide protection. This reality
leads to a dangerous situation in which children’s well-being is subsumed to the rights of religious communities.
Keywords: Religious freedom, child abuse, State power, Quiverfull, Twelve Tribes
One of the most challenging policy areas when it
comes to violence involves accusations of child abuse,
particularly when religious practices are involved. Even
discussing the issue leads to questions of bias against
religious groups, particularly new religious groups.
However, understanding the interplay between the
State and religious groups when it comes to the well-
being of children is a crucial topic. In this article we
discuss the conflict between two religious movements
and State actors.
Background on the Twelve Tribes and the Quiverfull
Movement
The Twelve Tribes and the Quiverfull religious
movements have child-rearing practices that include
beating children. With communities in Europe, Asia,
and the Americas, Twelve Tribes members live on
communal farms or in group homes in what they view
as an authentic biblical lifestyle. As the group notes
on its website, Acts 4:32 says, “The congregation of
believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed
that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared
everything they owned” (Twelve Tribes, 2020a).
The group estimates that it has between two and
three thousand members. The Twelve Tribes has also
been called the Vine Christian Community Church,
Northeast Kingdom Community Church, the Messianic
Communities, and the Community Apostolic Order.
Its founder, Eugene Spriggs, died in January of 2021.
The Twelve Tribes’ belief system first emerged in 1972
from the Jesus Movement. Spriggs said that he saw a
lack of spiritual commitment in many within the Jesus
movement, and he wanted to offer something more
authentic (Twelve Tribes, 2021a).
One major tenet of The Twelve Tribes is the importance
of corporal discipline of children. The leadership
encourages adults to strike children with rods, the act
they refer to as “spanking.” Beyond that, frequent and
consistent accusations of severe beatings, including
what the group has referred to as “scourging,” have been
made about the group. For example, Kate Wiseman,
daughter of one of the leaders, Eddie Wiseman, reports
being scourged for the first time when she was a
preschooler. Scourging consists of beating a child from
head to toe (Jenkins, 2019). Wiseman’s accounts are
supported by other former members who have reported
the scourging and striking of children as young as a
doi.org/10.54208/1000/0003/002