Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 53
One Love Family
Nigerian Group in Britain
The Lagos, Nigeria-based One Love Family of Satguru Maharajji, a 55-year-old Nigerian
who has adopted the look of an Indian holy man, is being investigated after a follower said
the group practices child sacrifice. Joyce Osagiede, who says that she and her husband had
established British branches of the group, contends the headless torso found recently in the
Thames was one such victim, and that her husband has committed a number of ―black
magic killings‖ of followers‘ children. She has since denied the black magic charges, saying
she made them up to gain asylum in Britain. Sam Osagiede is now in a Dubin jail contesting
extradition to Germany on charges of ―human trafficking.‖
A former devotee says that Maharajji, acquitted in 2000 of murdering a Ghanaian who had
accused him of holding his sister against her will, said five people have died in One Love
Family initiation rites. Generally, he said, the heart, liver, and kidneys are removed from the
dead and made into a drink taken during initiations. Ritual killings to ensure good fortune
are said to be common in parts of Nigeria, and the body found in the river is allegedly the
product of the human traffickers‘ wish for luck in their endeavors.
An Elder from Benin City, Nigeria, the One Love Family headquarters, said: ―Ritual killings
have nothing to do with our religion or beliefs. They are about greed and power.‖ (The
Telegraph, London, Internet, 8/31/03)
Pathways Church
Ex-Pastor Mounts Takeover
Bob Allen, recently expelled founder of Pathways Church, in Brentwood, CA, recently took
over a service at the church, apparently trying to regain control of the congregation, many
of whom got up and walked out. Allen and the church faction that opposes him are now in
civil litigation over control.
The area‘s Delta Ministerial Association began in mid-2001 investigating allegations of
manipulation and emotional abuse by Allen and other leaders of the Pathways Church.
(Rowena Coetsee and Melissa Moy, Contra Costa Times, Internet, 1/14/04)
Polygamy
Belief but Not Practice Allowed
The Utah Supreme Court has ruled that polygamist Tom Green, now serving a prison
sentence for felony bigamy and rape, has the right to hold his religious beliefs in plural
marriage but he cannot practice them.
Utah Assistant Attorney General Laura Dupaix, acknowledging Green‘s right, remarked: ―But
there‘s a point where religious beliefs do not justify you engaging in socially harmful
conduct,‖ even though ―the defendant is saying, ‗Because I believe as part of my religion I
should practice polygamy, I should be exempt from the bigamy statute.‘ ‖ She added that
the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against that position in 1878 and ―it is still good law.‖
Dupaix said the state has an interest in discouraging relationships that encourage
dependence on public funding. The state‘s brief in the case contends that a
―disproportionately high percentage of polygamous families in both Utah and Arizona rely on
government benefits for support.‖ (AP, Internet, 6/13/03)
“Polyamory” Among Unitarian Universalists
The Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory, claiming 72 members in the U.S., recently held
a workshop in Boston to promote ―responsible non-monogamy,‖ or the potential for loving
One Love Family
Nigerian Group in Britain
The Lagos, Nigeria-based One Love Family of Satguru Maharajji, a 55-year-old Nigerian
who has adopted the look of an Indian holy man, is being investigated after a follower said
the group practices child sacrifice. Joyce Osagiede, who says that she and her husband had
established British branches of the group, contends the headless torso found recently in the
Thames was one such victim, and that her husband has committed a number of ―black
magic killings‖ of followers‘ children. She has since denied the black magic charges, saying
she made them up to gain asylum in Britain. Sam Osagiede is now in a Dubin jail contesting
extradition to Germany on charges of ―human trafficking.‖
A former devotee says that Maharajji, acquitted in 2000 of murdering a Ghanaian who had
accused him of holding his sister against her will, said five people have died in One Love
Family initiation rites. Generally, he said, the heart, liver, and kidneys are removed from the
dead and made into a drink taken during initiations. Ritual killings to ensure good fortune
are said to be common in parts of Nigeria, and the body found in the river is allegedly the
product of the human traffickers‘ wish for luck in their endeavors.
An Elder from Benin City, Nigeria, the One Love Family headquarters, said: ―Ritual killings
have nothing to do with our religion or beliefs. They are about greed and power.‖ (The
Telegraph, London, Internet, 8/31/03)
Pathways Church
Ex-Pastor Mounts Takeover
Bob Allen, recently expelled founder of Pathways Church, in Brentwood, CA, recently took
over a service at the church, apparently trying to regain control of the congregation, many
of whom got up and walked out. Allen and the church faction that opposes him are now in
civil litigation over control.
The area‘s Delta Ministerial Association began in mid-2001 investigating allegations of
manipulation and emotional abuse by Allen and other leaders of the Pathways Church.
(Rowena Coetsee and Melissa Moy, Contra Costa Times, Internet, 1/14/04)
Polygamy
Belief but Not Practice Allowed
The Utah Supreme Court has ruled that polygamist Tom Green, now serving a prison
sentence for felony bigamy and rape, has the right to hold his religious beliefs in plural
marriage but he cannot practice them.
Utah Assistant Attorney General Laura Dupaix, acknowledging Green‘s right, remarked: ―But
there‘s a point where religious beliefs do not justify you engaging in socially harmful
conduct,‖ even though ―the defendant is saying, ‗Because I believe as part of my religion I
should practice polygamy, I should be exempt from the bigamy statute.‘ ‖ She added that
the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against that position in 1878 and ―it is still good law.‖
Dupaix said the state has an interest in discouraging relationships that encourage
dependence on public funding. The state‘s brief in the case contends that a
―disproportionately high percentage of polygamous families in both Utah and Arizona rely on
government benefits for support.‖ (AP, Internet, 6/13/03)
“Polyamory” Among Unitarian Universalists
The Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory, claiming 72 members in the U.S., recently held
a workshop in Boston to promote ―responsible non-monogamy,‖ or the potential for loving
