Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 61
York asked that the charges be dismissed because publicity surrounding his earlier guilty
plea — subsequently rejected by a judge — will prevent him from getting a fair trial.
A federal judge ruled that York supporters would not be allowed to demonstrate outside the
courthouse during the trial, but said anyone could watch it on closed-circuit TV on a
separate floor of the building. (AP in 11 Alive News, Internet, 12/31/01)
Claiming $1 Billion
Using documents based on ―common law,‖ frequently used by anti-government militias to
harass public officials, supporters of the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors have sued
Putnam County, GA, officials for $1.069 billion. Nuwaubian leader Dwight York was
recently sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted on 200 counts of child
molestation. A colony of Nuwaubians until earlier this year lived on a 476-acre compound
west of Eadenton where, while battling continuously with local officials and regulations, they
erected pyramids, a sphinx, and other Egyptian-style structures. (Rob Peecher, Macon
Telegraph, Internet, 10/23/03)
Leader Says He’s Not Subject to Federal Law
United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors leader Malichi York said at a recent hearing on his
child molestation and fraud conviction that he is a sovereign Indian Chief — a ―Moorish
Cherokee‖ — and therefore not subject to federal law. Some 200 of his followers supported
the claim by appearing in American Indian-looking clothing. York‘s organization has in the
past claimed heritage from or religious affinities to Egyptians, Christians, Jews, Muslims,
Shriners, and Masons. Once, the Nuwaubians dressed like cowboys and York declared that
he was from outer space.
U.S. District Court Judge Hugh Lawson has refused to accept York‘s agreement with a lower
court that calls for a 15-year prison term in return for a guilty plea. The judge said that
York‘s post-plea behavior has not indicated acceptance of his guilt or consideration of the
effect of his conduct on the victims. (Rob Peecher, Macon Telegraph, Georgia, Internet,
7/1/03)
Word of Faith Fellowship
Suing Social Services for Taking Children
Nineteen members of the Spindale, NC-based Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), have
filed a federal lawsuit against the Rutherford County Department of Social Services (DSS)
for harassment and conspiracy. The suit is a response to the Department‘s taking into
custody several children of a former member who says the church family with whom she
had temporarily left the children is involved in psychologically damaging religious practices.
A local judge ruled the DSS action justified, saying the WOFF environment was abusive to
children.
The plaintiffs claim that DSS, in pursuing its goal to ―shut the church down,‖ has
investigated the church because of its ―Biblically-based and non-violent practice of ‗strong‘
or ‗blasting‘ prayer, and on the peaceful practice of ‗discipleship,‘ consisting of quiet
religious study, and have threatened to remove the children of (church) members from their
parents because of these religious practices.‖
The suit also says the DSS has forced church parents to sign ―Safety Assessments‖ limiting
parents‘ use of strong prayer, attempted to turn children against their parents so they can
be deprogrammed, ―engaged in highly intimidating and psychologically traumatizing
‗interviews‘ in which defendants attacked and ridiculed (WOFF) religious beliefs and
practices,‖ and conspired with the ―anti-cult movement.‖
York asked that the charges be dismissed because publicity surrounding his earlier guilty
plea — subsequently rejected by a judge — will prevent him from getting a fair trial.
A federal judge ruled that York supporters would not be allowed to demonstrate outside the
courthouse during the trial, but said anyone could watch it on closed-circuit TV on a
separate floor of the building. (AP in 11 Alive News, Internet, 12/31/01)
Claiming $1 Billion
Using documents based on ―common law,‖ frequently used by anti-government militias to
harass public officials, supporters of the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors have sued
Putnam County, GA, officials for $1.069 billion. Nuwaubian leader Dwight York was
recently sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted on 200 counts of child
molestation. A colony of Nuwaubians until earlier this year lived on a 476-acre compound
west of Eadenton where, while battling continuously with local officials and regulations, they
erected pyramids, a sphinx, and other Egyptian-style structures. (Rob Peecher, Macon
Telegraph, Internet, 10/23/03)
Leader Says He’s Not Subject to Federal Law
United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors leader Malichi York said at a recent hearing on his
child molestation and fraud conviction that he is a sovereign Indian Chief — a ―Moorish
Cherokee‖ — and therefore not subject to federal law. Some 200 of his followers supported
the claim by appearing in American Indian-looking clothing. York‘s organization has in the
past claimed heritage from or religious affinities to Egyptians, Christians, Jews, Muslims,
Shriners, and Masons. Once, the Nuwaubians dressed like cowboys and York declared that
he was from outer space.
U.S. District Court Judge Hugh Lawson has refused to accept York‘s agreement with a lower
court that calls for a 15-year prison term in return for a guilty plea. The judge said that
York‘s post-plea behavior has not indicated acceptance of his guilt or consideration of the
effect of his conduct on the victims. (Rob Peecher, Macon Telegraph, Georgia, Internet,
7/1/03)
Word of Faith Fellowship
Suing Social Services for Taking Children
Nineteen members of the Spindale, NC-based Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), have
filed a federal lawsuit against the Rutherford County Department of Social Services (DSS)
for harassment and conspiracy. The suit is a response to the Department‘s taking into
custody several children of a former member who says the church family with whom she
had temporarily left the children is involved in psychologically damaging religious practices.
A local judge ruled the DSS action justified, saying the WOFF environment was abusive to
children.
The plaintiffs claim that DSS, in pursuing its goal to ―shut the church down,‖ has
investigated the church because of its ―Biblically-based and non-violent practice of ‗strong‘
or ‗blasting‘ prayer, and on the peaceful practice of ‗discipleship,‘ consisting of quiet
religious study, and have threatened to remove the children of (church) members from their
parents because of these religious practices.‖
The suit also says the DSS has forced church parents to sign ―Safety Assessments‖ limiting
parents‘ use of strong prayer, attempted to turn children against their parents so they can
be deprogrammed, ―engaged in highly intimidating and psychologically traumatizing
‗interviews‘ in which defendants attacked and ridiculed (WOFF) religious beliefs and
practices,‖ and conspired with the ―anti-cult movement.‖
