Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 45
to work. He added that those who deny health care to people who then die are committing
murder. (Jonathan Ancer, The Star, Internet, 6/26/03)
Black Hebrews
New Status in Israel
The Black Hebrews, vegetarian polygamists from the U.S. who settled here more than 30
years ago, were recently granted permanent residence status in Israel. The 1,500 strong
community, living in the southern desert town of Dimona, began with 350 followers of Ben
Carter — now Ammi Ben-Israel — a Chicago bus driver who says the angel Gabriel told
him that he was God‘s representative on earth.
Believing that African-Americans are one of the 10 lost tribes of Israel, the Black Hebrews
established businesses in crafts and tailoring, started a tofu ice cream factory, and set up
several vegetarian restaurants. They were given temporary resident status in 1990 on
condition that no more followers come to Israel. (AP, Internet, 7/29/03)
Child Abuse
Children Kept in Cells at Islamic School
Police raided an Islamic School in Lusaka, Zambia, and charged two directors with unlawful
confinement and abuse of 280 students. The children, all boys between the ages of four and
ten dressed in robes and Muslim caps and housed in a warren of small rooms, said that they
wanted to leave because they were sometimes fed on rotten food kept in a sewer manhole.
They claimed that they were not allowed to speak any local language in school, and that ―a
breach of the rule attracted capital punishment.‖
Sports and Child Development Minister Gladys Nyrongo said that the children were
reportedly to be sent out of Zambia when they had been educated in Islam and learned an
Eastern Language. ―We don‘t want to have another al-Qaeda network in Zambia,‖ she
added. (Bob Sianjalika and Kaiko Namusa, Times of Zambia, Internet, 7/3/03)
Church of God in Upland
Couple Sentenced in Faith Healing Death
Richard and Agnes Wiebe, members of the Church of God in Upland, have been
sentenced to a year in jail and five years‘ probation by San Bernardino (CA) County Judge
Gerard Brown for allowing their sick baby to die of bacterial meningitis. The couple chose
prayer alone to deal with the illness because their church shuns medical treatment. The
Wiebes had pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child abuse.
Their probation requires they attend parenting classes and refrain from associating with any
convicted felons except Daniel Layne, the reformed heroin addict who leads their church.
(AP, Internet, 9/15/03)
Creffield, Franz
Franz Creffield “Lured” Women
University of Toronto professors Jim Phillips and Rosemary Gartner have written a book
about Franz Creffield, who in the early 20th century ―lured‖ a group of deeply religious
persons, mostly women, away from their churches in Oregon to follow his brand of
Christianity, which included simple living, belief he was the next Joshua (that is, the
successor of Moses), and had the power to intercede between them and heaven.
Followers lay on the floor for hours hoping to bring in the Holy Spirit. Many burned their
possessions and lived communally. A group of local men eventually tarred and feathered
Creffield before driving him out of Corvallis to Seattle, but he continued to meet with his
to work. He added that those who deny health care to people who then die are committing
murder. (Jonathan Ancer, The Star, Internet, 6/26/03)
Black Hebrews
New Status in Israel
The Black Hebrews, vegetarian polygamists from the U.S. who settled here more than 30
years ago, were recently granted permanent residence status in Israel. The 1,500 strong
community, living in the southern desert town of Dimona, began with 350 followers of Ben
Carter — now Ammi Ben-Israel — a Chicago bus driver who says the angel Gabriel told
him that he was God‘s representative on earth.
Believing that African-Americans are one of the 10 lost tribes of Israel, the Black Hebrews
established businesses in crafts and tailoring, started a tofu ice cream factory, and set up
several vegetarian restaurants. They were given temporary resident status in 1990 on
condition that no more followers come to Israel. (AP, Internet, 7/29/03)
Child Abuse
Children Kept in Cells at Islamic School
Police raided an Islamic School in Lusaka, Zambia, and charged two directors with unlawful
confinement and abuse of 280 students. The children, all boys between the ages of four and
ten dressed in robes and Muslim caps and housed in a warren of small rooms, said that they
wanted to leave because they were sometimes fed on rotten food kept in a sewer manhole.
They claimed that they were not allowed to speak any local language in school, and that ―a
breach of the rule attracted capital punishment.‖
Sports and Child Development Minister Gladys Nyrongo said that the children were
reportedly to be sent out of Zambia when they had been educated in Islam and learned an
Eastern Language. ―We don‘t want to have another al-Qaeda network in Zambia,‖ she
added. (Bob Sianjalika and Kaiko Namusa, Times of Zambia, Internet, 7/3/03)
Church of God in Upland
Couple Sentenced in Faith Healing Death
Richard and Agnes Wiebe, members of the Church of God in Upland, have been
sentenced to a year in jail and five years‘ probation by San Bernardino (CA) County Judge
Gerard Brown for allowing their sick baby to die of bacterial meningitis. The couple chose
prayer alone to deal with the illness because their church shuns medical treatment. The
Wiebes had pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child abuse.
Their probation requires they attend parenting classes and refrain from associating with any
convicted felons except Daniel Layne, the reformed heroin addict who leads their church.
(AP, Internet, 9/15/03)
Creffield, Franz
Franz Creffield “Lured” Women
University of Toronto professors Jim Phillips and Rosemary Gartner have written a book
about Franz Creffield, who in the early 20th century ―lured‖ a group of deeply religious
persons, mostly women, away from their churches in Oregon to follow his brand of
Christianity, which included simple living, belief he was the next Joshua (that is, the
successor of Moses), and had the power to intercede between them and heaven.
Followers lay on the floor for hours hoping to bring in the Holy Spirit. Many burned their
possessions and lived communally. A group of local men eventually tarred and feathered
Creffield before driving him out of Corvallis to Seattle, but he continued to meet with his
