Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 94
Christian Zionists
Refuse Immunization
Christian Zionists in Swaziland are refusing on religious grounds to have their children
immunized in the midst of a national measles epidemic. The denomination‘s children
account for about two percent of the children in the entire country. The Zionists refuse both
modern and traditional medical treatment. (IRIN, Internet, 10/24/03)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Group Says Mental Illness Not Result of "Sin"
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Utah is working, with the authorization of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to persuade pastors that conditions like
major depression and schizophrenia are not the result of sinfulness or lack of faith and
ought to be treated by psychiatry and drug therapy. The Alliance wants to help clergy whose
congregants turn to them for help with undiagnosed mental illnesses. (Jacob Santini, Salt
Lake Tribune, Internet, 12/6/03)
Church of the Firstborn
Faith Healing Linked to Several Deaths
The Morgan County (IN) coroner wants to change state law in light of the deaths of several
people whose caregivers in the Church of the Firstborn relied on faith alone to cure them
of illness. Although the deaths have involved people of all ages, Coroner Dan Downing says
he‘d like to see prosecutors at least move against parents who fail to seek medical help for
children who would otherwise die. (WISH TV, Internet, 8/27/03)
Community of Free Spirits
Conman Blames Psychological Pressure
Glenn Rycroft, 27, who has admitted to conning friends and family out of more than a
quarter-million dollars to help treat a nonexistent cancer — he even shaved his head to
pretend he was receiving chemotherapy — says he carried out his deceptions because of
pressure from a group called The Community of Free Spirits. His attorney said a woman
in the group had been the most important person to Rycroft for most of his life and he felt
threatened by rejection. Rycroft, now out on bail, attempted suicide when his fraud was
revealed. (BBC News, Internet, 12/4/03)
Davis, Henry/Child Abuse
Leader Pleads Guilty to Leading Teen Sex Ring
Henry Davis, of Chicago, has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct in
connection with a prostitution ring he set up involving teenage girls in Detroit and several
other cities. Davis has admitted kidnapping the girls and forcing them to ―sell jewelry by day
and their bodies by night.‖ Davis faces between 18 and 40 years in prison. (WDI TV Local
4, Internet, 8/28/03)
Deeper Life Christian Church
The Cost of Redemption
Melvin B Jefferson, self-proclaimed Bishop of Deeper Life Christian Church, is
prospering at the expense of the poor and drug addicted whom he takes off the streets
of Tampa. Jefferson and his wife use Scripture and tough love to indoctrinate and
control the lives of the down-and-out people whom he places in dilapidated church-
owned housing. He feeds them chicken necks, rice, and beans, and says they must pay
Christian Zionists
Refuse Immunization
Christian Zionists in Swaziland are refusing on religious grounds to have their children
immunized in the midst of a national measles epidemic. The denomination‘s children
account for about two percent of the children in the entire country. The Zionists refuse both
modern and traditional medical treatment. (IRIN, Internet, 10/24/03)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Group Says Mental Illness Not Result of "Sin"
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Utah is working, with the authorization of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to persuade pastors that conditions like
major depression and schizophrenia are not the result of sinfulness or lack of faith and
ought to be treated by psychiatry and drug therapy. The Alliance wants to help clergy whose
congregants turn to them for help with undiagnosed mental illnesses. (Jacob Santini, Salt
Lake Tribune, Internet, 12/6/03)
Church of the Firstborn
Faith Healing Linked to Several Deaths
The Morgan County (IN) coroner wants to change state law in light of the deaths of several
people whose caregivers in the Church of the Firstborn relied on faith alone to cure them
of illness. Although the deaths have involved people of all ages, Coroner Dan Downing says
he‘d like to see prosecutors at least move against parents who fail to seek medical help for
children who would otherwise die. (WISH TV, Internet, 8/27/03)
Community of Free Spirits
Conman Blames Psychological Pressure
Glenn Rycroft, 27, who has admitted to conning friends and family out of more than a
quarter-million dollars to help treat a nonexistent cancer — he even shaved his head to
pretend he was receiving chemotherapy — says he carried out his deceptions because of
pressure from a group called The Community of Free Spirits. His attorney said a woman
in the group had been the most important person to Rycroft for most of his life and he felt
threatened by rejection. Rycroft, now out on bail, attempted suicide when his fraud was
revealed. (BBC News, Internet, 12/4/03)
Davis, Henry/Child Abuse
Leader Pleads Guilty to Leading Teen Sex Ring
Henry Davis, of Chicago, has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct in
connection with a prostitution ring he set up involving teenage girls in Detroit and several
other cities. Davis has admitted kidnapping the girls and forcing them to ―sell jewelry by day
and their bodies by night.‖ Davis faces between 18 and 40 years in prison. (WDI TV Local
4, Internet, 8/28/03)
Deeper Life Christian Church
The Cost of Redemption
Melvin B Jefferson, self-proclaimed Bishop of Deeper Life Christian Church, is
prospering at the expense of the poor and drug addicted whom he takes off the streets
of Tampa. Jefferson and his wife use Scripture and tough love to indoctrinate and
control the lives of the down-and-out people whom he places in dilapidated church-
owned housing. He feeds them chicken necks, rice, and beans, and says they must pay
