Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 91
News Summaries
All Stars Project/Social Therapy
Call for Bank to Cease Involvement
The co-chairman of the ―Save the Independence Party Voter Coalition‖ of New York City has
called on the Wachovia Bank to drop an $8.5 million bond issue for the non-profit All Stars
Project, Inc. Mike Niebauer says that the leaders of the theater program for inner-city
youth, Lenora Fulani and Fred Newman, practice ―social therapy,‖ which New Jersey expert
Rick Ross calls cult-like.
Ross says that social therapy — which encourages political activism to cure depression and
other problems — has ―devastated‖ some former members who ―compare it to
brainwashing. They lost their ability to think independently.‖
The Anti-Defamation League lists anti-Semitic remarks made by Fulani and Newman and
expresses concern about companies that deal with the All Stars Project. (Rick Rothacker,
Charlotte Observer, Internet, 5/26/03)
Allen Harrod/Child Abuse
Case Suspended for Psychiatric Exam
A Superior Court judge has temporarily suspended the child molestation case against Allan
Harrod, in Sacramento, so his sanity and competence to stand trial can be determined.
Harrod, who has claimed to be the prophetic leader of a Mormon sect, is accused of ritually
abusing his own children sexually over more than two decades.
In additon, he is charged with the statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl sent to live with his
family by a friend. Harrod allegedly told her that she had to engage in sex with him as part
of her religious training and in order to get closer to God. Harrods wife is charged with
joining her husband in sex with a six-year-old. (Mareva Brown, Sacramento Bee, Internet,
8/21/03)
Amish
Appeal to Keep Horses on Property Denied
Walker Township, PA, officials have rejected the request of two Amish men, Daniel Kind and
Daniel Beiler, to change an ordinance and allow them to keep horses on their property. They
face $100-per-day fines if they continue to defy the zoning ordinance that allows horses
only on plots larger than 2 acres and prohibits them in villages or areas zoned for residential
use. The men, whose religion prohibits the use of cars, say that the horses are essential for
pulling their buggies and that land where they might keep their horses is not suitable or too
expensive. The ordinance aims to prevent the build up of animal waste. (AP in the New York
Times, Internet, 6/5/03)
Amish-Mennonite
Reject Photos on Driver's Licenses
Leaders of the 200-member Amish-Mennonite community in Kentucky are asking the
state not to require pictures on their drivers‘ licenses because the photographs would be
unscriptural symbols of self-admiration and pride, tantamount to the sin of creating graven
images. For years, some circuit court clerks have quietly exempted people who had such
religious concerns, but in light of the needs of homeland security, state Transportation
Cabinet officials have ordered clerks not to continue the practice. (Joe Biesk, AP, Internet,
8/21/03)
News Summaries
All Stars Project/Social Therapy
Call for Bank to Cease Involvement
The co-chairman of the ―Save the Independence Party Voter Coalition‖ of New York City has
called on the Wachovia Bank to drop an $8.5 million bond issue for the non-profit All Stars
Project, Inc. Mike Niebauer says that the leaders of the theater program for inner-city
youth, Lenora Fulani and Fred Newman, practice ―social therapy,‖ which New Jersey expert
Rick Ross calls cult-like.
Ross says that social therapy — which encourages political activism to cure depression and
other problems — has ―devastated‖ some former members who ―compare it to
brainwashing. They lost their ability to think independently.‖
The Anti-Defamation League lists anti-Semitic remarks made by Fulani and Newman and
expresses concern about companies that deal with the All Stars Project. (Rick Rothacker,
Charlotte Observer, Internet, 5/26/03)
Allen Harrod/Child Abuse
Case Suspended for Psychiatric Exam
A Superior Court judge has temporarily suspended the child molestation case against Allan
Harrod, in Sacramento, so his sanity and competence to stand trial can be determined.
Harrod, who has claimed to be the prophetic leader of a Mormon sect, is accused of ritually
abusing his own children sexually over more than two decades.
In additon, he is charged with the statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl sent to live with his
family by a friend. Harrod allegedly told her that she had to engage in sex with him as part
of her religious training and in order to get closer to God. Harrods wife is charged with
joining her husband in sex with a six-year-old. (Mareva Brown, Sacramento Bee, Internet,
8/21/03)
Amish
Appeal to Keep Horses on Property Denied
Walker Township, PA, officials have rejected the request of two Amish men, Daniel Kind and
Daniel Beiler, to change an ordinance and allow them to keep horses on their property. They
face $100-per-day fines if they continue to defy the zoning ordinance that allows horses
only on plots larger than 2 acres and prohibits them in villages or areas zoned for residential
use. The men, whose religion prohibits the use of cars, say that the horses are essential for
pulling their buggies and that land where they might keep their horses is not suitable or too
expensive. The ordinance aims to prevent the build up of animal waste. (AP in the New York
Times, Internet, 6/5/03)
Amish-Mennonite
Reject Photos on Driver's Licenses
Leaders of the 200-member Amish-Mennonite community in Kentucky are asking the
state not to require pictures on their drivers‘ licenses because the photographs would be
unscriptural symbols of self-admiration and pride, tantamount to the sin of creating graven
images. For years, some circuit court clerks have quietly exempted people who had such
religious concerns, but in light of the needs of homeland security, state Transportation
Cabinet officials have ordered clerks not to continue the practice. (Joe Biesk, AP, Internet,
8/21/03)
