Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 167
Johane Church of God
Refuses Immunization from “Pharaoh’s” Government
Four families of the Johane Church of God, in Botswana, have been summoned to court
for refusing to allow their children to be immunized against polio. They say they rely on
prayer to avoid illness, and for healing.
Church elder Meshack Tsheriwa said the present government was like Pharaoh‘s and that
―God may bring wars to this relatively peaceful country, or something catastrophic (like
drought) that will affect innocent people in this country (if it penalizes people for refusing
immunization). He referred to a 1994 church prophecy that the government and the Johane
Church of God would clash this year ―if we did not pray hard to avert it.‖ (The Reporter,
Internet, 5/27/04)
Latter-day Church of God/The Order
Alleged Child Abuse in Polygamous Clan Detailed
John Daniel Kingston, and Heidi Foster, one of his wives, are in court defending
themselves against charges of abuse brought by two of his daughters, 13 and 15, who say
their parents systematically beat and psychologically abused them. The Kingstons are
members of Utah‘s Latter Day Church of God, or The Order, some 1,200 adherents
who believe in and practice polygamy.
The children, now in state custody after running away from home, spoke on tape about
the abuse. Kingston — who operates a $150 million business ―empire‖ with operations in
six states, and who has 106 children by 14 wives living in a number of separate
households — denies the charges and believes the proceeding is ―a fishing expedition‖ for
information about the increasingly condemned practice of polygamy. He maintains his
daughters‘ testimony was ―coached,‖ pointing out that they had been out of the home for
90 days when first questioned.
The 13-year-old says her father forced children to eat rotten food he dug out of the
garbage and drink spoiled milk. Then, ―he let them throw up and (made) them drink it. ..
Arrest my dad and have him be in jail forever, or else do to him what he‘s done to us,‖
said the girl. She called police when Kingston allegedly threatened them for piercing their
ears. He says: ―We believe we should keep our bodies complete. If the Lord wanted us to
have holes in our ears, he would have put them there.‖
Kingston allegedly once dragged a pregnant Heidi Foster down a set of stairs by the hair,
according to the 13-year-old, and when confronted later about the incident said, ―Oh, are
you sure it wasn‘t a dream?‖ A complaint filed by the state guardian office says Foster is
culpable for failing to protect the girls.
The state could try to remove all of Kingston‘s children if it is determined he abused the
two now in custody. The 13-year old doesn‘t want the other children removed from
Kingston‘s households. ―Just take my dad away. Either you can get 100 kids or get one
guy. Which one is easier? I think it‘s right to take my dad instead ...of making the kids
and the moms suffer.‖ (KSL TV News, Internet, 5/25/04 Leigh Dethman, Deseret Morning
News, Internet, 5/26/04)
Lord’s Resistance Army
Ritual Indoctrination
The international Christian relief organization World Vision says the Lord’s Resistance
Army, of Northern Uganda, subjects abducted children [who form an important part of its
military wing] to repeated ―spiritual rituals‖ that ―make many of them believe in [leader
Johane Church of God
Refuses Immunization from “Pharaoh’s” Government
Four families of the Johane Church of God, in Botswana, have been summoned to court
for refusing to allow their children to be immunized against polio. They say they rely on
prayer to avoid illness, and for healing.
Church elder Meshack Tsheriwa said the present government was like Pharaoh‘s and that
―God may bring wars to this relatively peaceful country, or something catastrophic (like
drought) that will affect innocent people in this country (if it penalizes people for refusing
immunization). He referred to a 1994 church prophecy that the government and the Johane
Church of God would clash this year ―if we did not pray hard to avert it.‖ (The Reporter,
Internet, 5/27/04)
Latter-day Church of God/The Order
Alleged Child Abuse in Polygamous Clan Detailed
John Daniel Kingston, and Heidi Foster, one of his wives, are in court defending
themselves against charges of abuse brought by two of his daughters, 13 and 15, who say
their parents systematically beat and psychologically abused them. The Kingstons are
members of Utah‘s Latter Day Church of God, or The Order, some 1,200 adherents
who believe in and practice polygamy.
The children, now in state custody after running away from home, spoke on tape about
the abuse. Kingston — who operates a $150 million business ―empire‖ with operations in
six states, and who has 106 children by 14 wives living in a number of separate
households — denies the charges and believes the proceeding is ―a fishing expedition‖ for
information about the increasingly condemned practice of polygamy. He maintains his
daughters‘ testimony was ―coached,‖ pointing out that they had been out of the home for
90 days when first questioned.
The 13-year-old says her father forced children to eat rotten food he dug out of the
garbage and drink spoiled milk. Then, ―he let them throw up and (made) them drink it. ..
Arrest my dad and have him be in jail forever, or else do to him what he‘s done to us,‖
said the girl. She called police when Kingston allegedly threatened them for piercing their
ears. He says: ―We believe we should keep our bodies complete. If the Lord wanted us to
have holes in our ears, he would have put them there.‖
Kingston allegedly once dragged a pregnant Heidi Foster down a set of stairs by the hair,
according to the 13-year-old, and when confronted later about the incident said, ―Oh, are
you sure it wasn‘t a dream?‖ A complaint filed by the state guardian office says Foster is
culpable for failing to protect the girls.
The state could try to remove all of Kingston‘s children if it is determined he abused the
two now in custody. The 13-year old doesn‘t want the other children removed from
Kingston‘s households. ―Just take my dad away. Either you can get 100 kids or get one
guy. Which one is easier? I think it‘s right to take my dad instead ...of making the kids
and the moms suffer.‖ (KSL TV News, Internet, 5/25/04 Leigh Dethman, Deseret Morning
News, Internet, 5/26/04)
Lord’s Resistance Army
Ritual Indoctrination
The international Christian relief organization World Vision says the Lord’s Resistance
Army, of Northern Uganda, subjects abducted children [who form an important part of its
military wing] to repeated ―spiritual rituals‖ that ―make many of them believe in [leader
