Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 101
Latter Day Church of Christ/Kingston Clan
Woman Sues Whole Polygamous "Clan"
Mary Ann Kingston, 22, has filed a suit against the 1,000-member polygamous Kingston
clan, members of the Utah-based Latter Day Church of Christ, alleging that she was
physically and sexually abused in the group before escaping at the age of 16. She is asking
$110 million from what she terms ―a secretive religious society and economic organization‖
that teaches and promotes sexual abuse of girls through illegal and underage marriages,
incest, and polygamy. Her father was recently sentenced to 28 weeks in jail for beating her
when she tried to flee an arranged marriage, and her husband (also her uncle) was not long
ago released after serving four years in prison for incest and unlawful sexual conduct with
her. (Debbie Hummel, AP, Internet, 8/28/03)
Life Space
Leader’s Sentence Shortened
Chiba, Japan District Court has cut by eight years the 15-year sentence of Life Space
leader Koji Takahashi who was convicted of removing an intravenous drip being used on a
follower who had suffered a stroke, thinking it was endangering the man‘s life. Takahashi
then ordered the man‘s family to remove him from the hospital and care for him at a hotel,
where they only patted his head until he died. The judge said that Takahashi ―didn‘t
particularly want the victim to die and it is not possible to say that he acted with malicious
intent.‖ (Mainichi Shimbun, Internet, 6/27/03)
Lord’s Resistance Army
Abducted Children Rescued
Uganda government troops have freed more than 50 children from the Lord‘s Resistance
Army following a battle with the rebel group, north of Seroti. [The Lord‘s Resistance Army
kidnaps children and turns them into armed anti-government fighters.] (Nathaniel Etungu,
New Vision, Internet, 7/2/03)
Campaign to End "Conspiracy of Silence"
The Church Missionary Society (CMS), founded 200 years ago in Britain to abolish slavery,
says it will launch a campaign to end what it calls ―an international conspiracy of silence‖
about the depredations of Uganda‘s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The CMS says that the
LRA, a rebel movement that the Uganda government has been unable to control, is a cult
that has abducted more than 20,000 children for use as soldiers, pack animals, and sex
slaves. (East African/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX, Internet, 8/11/03)
Magnificat Meal Movement
Former Irish PM’s Nephew Joins Movement
Niall Haughey, the nephew of former Irish prime minister Charles Haughey, has given up his
business and home and moved to Australia to live with the Magnificat Meal Movement
(MMM). Sources say Haughey has handed over most of his money to MMM leader Debra
Burslem, and will now live simply, working the group‘s land, in Queensland. Burslem, who
claims she has visions of the Virgin Mary, owns property worth several million dollars.
Irish cult expert Mike Garde says the group ―brainwashes‖ members, adding that some have
sold their homes near the property and given 30 percent to Burslem, who tells them the
Virgin Mary wishes them to do so. It is said that Burslem owns four Mercedes cars and is a
director of at least 10 companies.
Latter Day Church of Christ/Kingston Clan
Woman Sues Whole Polygamous "Clan"
Mary Ann Kingston, 22, has filed a suit against the 1,000-member polygamous Kingston
clan, members of the Utah-based Latter Day Church of Christ, alleging that she was
physically and sexually abused in the group before escaping at the age of 16. She is asking
$110 million from what she terms ―a secretive religious society and economic organization‖
that teaches and promotes sexual abuse of girls through illegal and underage marriages,
incest, and polygamy. Her father was recently sentenced to 28 weeks in jail for beating her
when she tried to flee an arranged marriage, and her husband (also her uncle) was not long
ago released after serving four years in prison for incest and unlawful sexual conduct with
her. (Debbie Hummel, AP, Internet, 8/28/03)
Life Space
Leader’s Sentence Shortened
Chiba, Japan District Court has cut by eight years the 15-year sentence of Life Space
leader Koji Takahashi who was convicted of removing an intravenous drip being used on a
follower who had suffered a stroke, thinking it was endangering the man‘s life. Takahashi
then ordered the man‘s family to remove him from the hospital and care for him at a hotel,
where they only patted his head until he died. The judge said that Takahashi ―didn‘t
particularly want the victim to die and it is not possible to say that he acted with malicious
intent.‖ (Mainichi Shimbun, Internet, 6/27/03)
Lord’s Resistance Army
Abducted Children Rescued
Uganda government troops have freed more than 50 children from the Lord‘s Resistance
Army following a battle with the rebel group, north of Seroti. [The Lord‘s Resistance Army
kidnaps children and turns them into armed anti-government fighters.] (Nathaniel Etungu,
New Vision, Internet, 7/2/03)
Campaign to End "Conspiracy of Silence"
The Church Missionary Society (CMS), founded 200 years ago in Britain to abolish slavery,
says it will launch a campaign to end what it calls ―an international conspiracy of silence‖
about the depredations of Uganda‘s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The CMS says that the
LRA, a rebel movement that the Uganda government has been unable to control, is a cult
that has abducted more than 20,000 children for use as soldiers, pack animals, and sex
slaves. (East African/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX, Internet, 8/11/03)
Magnificat Meal Movement
Former Irish PM’s Nephew Joins Movement
Niall Haughey, the nephew of former Irish prime minister Charles Haughey, has given up his
business and home and moved to Australia to live with the Magnificat Meal Movement
(MMM). Sources say Haughey has handed over most of his money to MMM leader Debra
Burslem, and will now live simply, working the group‘s land, in Queensland. Burslem, who
claims she has visions of the Virgin Mary, owns property worth several million dollars.
Irish cult expert Mike Garde says the group ―brainwashes‖ members, adding that some have
sold their homes near the property and given 30 percent to Burslem, who tells them the
Virgin Mary wishes them to do so. It is said that Burslem owns four Mercedes cars and is a
director of at least 10 companies.
