Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 117
for medical treatment, but that some followers believe seeking such help betrays weakness
of faith. It is ―felony neglect‖ in Indiana to deprive a child of medical care except when the
inaction stems from religious belief. (Michael W. Hoskins, Daily Journal, Internet, 7/2/04)
Gentle Wind Project
Mind Control Alleged
Former members of a Portsmouth, NH, non-profit called the Gentle Wind Project have
alleged that the organization was involved in group sex, mind control, extortion, child
neglect, and misappropriation of funds. Gentle Wind has replied by suing its accusers, Judy
Garvey and James Bergin, of Blue Hill, ME, who have taken out a mortgage on their home
to defend themselves while they continue to ―tell their stories‖ online. Garvey says alleged
―sexual rituals were primarily used to enforce the power and control of the cult leader over
participants.‖ Burgin said the group manipulated his family until they ended their
involvement four years ago.
Gentle Wind Project member Mary Miller says the organization is dedicated to education and
research aimed at ―alleviating human suffering and trauma‖ through what it calls ―healing
instruments.‖ These include a device that looks like a set of tuning forks, called a ―Puck-
Puck.‖ Says Miller: ―I know [it sounds a bit far-fetched], but we really have good research
evidence that shows the technology works well for some people — not all people. We‘re not
New Age wackos.‖
Other defendants in the Gentle Wind Project suit include Rick Ross and Steve Hassan [well-
know cult observers]. (Elizabeth Dinan, Portsmouth Herald, Internet, 7/23/04)
Gilbert Deya
Extradition of “Miracle Baby” Clergyman Sought
Kenya has asked Britain to extradite Gilbert Deya, a Kenyan minister of religion resident in
Britain who has been implicated in a ―child trafficking‖ scheme that apparently provides
kidnapped or ―lost‖ Kenyan infants to couples in England. Deya, claiming a following of
30,000 in major British cities, and more in Africa and Asia, says the ―miracle babies‖ were
produced by the power of prayer.
But the mothers do not seem to have given birth in British hospitals, or indeed anywhere.
Rather, their unrelated babies were delivered to them by third parties. One couple, Mr. and
Mrs. Odera, held a press conference to introduce 11 children between the ages of five and
two months who, they said, had been born to Mrs. Odera, 56, without sexual intercourse.
DNA tests on the children indicate, however, that not one is the biological offspring of the
Oderas.
Deya‘s wife, meanwhile, has been arrested in Nairobi for stealing a child from a Nairobi
maternity hospital. Police subsequently found nine more children at her home, although she
claims that they are her own.
Deya, who gained early note in Kenya as an exorcist-ritual healer, has defied Kenyan
authorities, warning President Kibaki and Attorney General Wako that their ―children and
grandchildren will die in the streets, the way you have left these holy children of Almighty
God to suffer and be humiliated throughout the streets of Kenya.‖
Kenyan journalist Gitau wa Nejnga says Deya inspires awe-struck belief in his mainly African
followers in Britain. ―They are brainwashed. He is a charismatic preacher. Most of the
communities in Kenya believe in witchcraft and miracles. You go to his website and you see
him with the Queen [of England] and you believe him.‖
for medical treatment, but that some followers believe seeking such help betrays weakness
of faith. It is ―felony neglect‖ in Indiana to deprive a child of medical care except when the
inaction stems from religious belief. (Michael W. Hoskins, Daily Journal, Internet, 7/2/04)
Gentle Wind Project
Mind Control Alleged
Former members of a Portsmouth, NH, non-profit called the Gentle Wind Project have
alleged that the organization was involved in group sex, mind control, extortion, child
neglect, and misappropriation of funds. Gentle Wind has replied by suing its accusers, Judy
Garvey and James Bergin, of Blue Hill, ME, who have taken out a mortgage on their home
to defend themselves while they continue to ―tell their stories‖ online. Garvey says alleged
―sexual rituals were primarily used to enforce the power and control of the cult leader over
participants.‖ Burgin said the group manipulated his family until they ended their
involvement four years ago.
Gentle Wind Project member Mary Miller says the organization is dedicated to education and
research aimed at ―alleviating human suffering and trauma‖ through what it calls ―healing
instruments.‖ These include a device that looks like a set of tuning forks, called a ―Puck-
Puck.‖ Says Miller: ―I know [it sounds a bit far-fetched], but we really have good research
evidence that shows the technology works well for some people — not all people. We‘re not
New Age wackos.‖
Other defendants in the Gentle Wind Project suit include Rick Ross and Steve Hassan [well-
know cult observers]. (Elizabeth Dinan, Portsmouth Herald, Internet, 7/23/04)
Gilbert Deya
Extradition of “Miracle Baby” Clergyman Sought
Kenya has asked Britain to extradite Gilbert Deya, a Kenyan minister of religion resident in
Britain who has been implicated in a ―child trafficking‖ scheme that apparently provides
kidnapped or ―lost‖ Kenyan infants to couples in England. Deya, claiming a following of
30,000 in major British cities, and more in Africa and Asia, says the ―miracle babies‖ were
produced by the power of prayer.
But the mothers do not seem to have given birth in British hospitals, or indeed anywhere.
Rather, their unrelated babies were delivered to them by third parties. One couple, Mr. and
Mrs. Odera, held a press conference to introduce 11 children between the ages of five and
two months who, they said, had been born to Mrs. Odera, 56, without sexual intercourse.
DNA tests on the children indicate, however, that not one is the biological offspring of the
Oderas.
Deya‘s wife, meanwhile, has been arrested in Nairobi for stealing a child from a Nairobi
maternity hospital. Police subsequently found nine more children at her home, although she
claims that they are her own.
Deya, who gained early note in Kenya as an exorcist-ritual healer, has defied Kenyan
authorities, warning President Kibaki and Attorney General Wako that their ―children and
grandchildren will die in the streets, the way you have left these holy children of Almighty
God to suffer and be humiliated throughout the streets of Kenya.‖
Kenyan journalist Gitau wa Nejnga says Deya inspires awe-struck belief in his mainly African
followers in Britain. ―They are brainwashed. He is a charismatic preacher. Most of the
communities in Kenya believe in witchcraft and miracles. You go to his website and you see
him with the Queen [of England] and you believe him.‖
