Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2005, Page 114
Cult-Like Characteristics Alleged
An expert associated with an Ohio facility that helps rehabilitate former cult members says
that followers of an Apostolic Faith Church Body of Jesus Christ of the Newborn
Assembly congregation in Ashtabula County, OH, believe that ―their bishop, Charles Keyes,
is a prophet of God, that he is the voice of God telling them what to do in every detail of their
lives. The children are in fear of being hit — but also have the fear of going to hell if they
don‘t work hard or do exactly what they‘re told.‖ Liz Shaw, who has tracked the church since
1999, from her base at the Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center, was speaking in the
context of the recent murder of Carolyn Clark, a former member and church critic, whose
husband has been arrested and charged with the crime.
Former members, including a relative of Keyes, say that he uses fear, intimidation, and
beatings to manipulate parishioners and micro-manage their lives, including their sexual
practices. Six weeks before she was murdered, Carolyn Clark alleged in a court document that
her husband was under Keyes‘ ―mind control.‖ She said she was concerned for her safety and
for the safety of her children simply because she had expressed the wish to leave what she
called the ―cult.‖
Shaw says the church is a time bomb, and she‘s concerned that Ashtabula authorities might
not act in time to protect church members. The head of the local branch of the NAACP
declared: ―We need a special prosecutor, we need special prosecutors. This is a very serious
matter.‖ (Michael Scott, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Internet, 6/13/05 MSNBC News in
NewsNet5.com, Internet, 6/15/05)
Michael Balfe
“Unspeakable” Abuse
Self-described Internet evangelist Michael Balfe, of Deland, FL, arrested on charges of
sexual battery of his children and domestic violence, is a ―controlling personality‖ whose
actions arose from ―his interpretation of the Bible,‖ according to police official Randel [sic]
Henderson.
Arrest affidavits indicate that Balfe ruled by fear and humiliation and enforced his will though
sexual abuse and physical violence, sodomizing his children, forcing them to perform oral sex,
and beating his wife — who teaches special needs first-graders at an elementary school —
when she objected. He told his family that he had Mafia connections, and could eliminate
them if they told any outsiders what was going on. He kept five rifles and 20 handguns, and
used surveillance cameras inside the house to keep track of everyone. (Lyda Longa, Daytona
Beach News-Journal, Internet, 4/29/05 Daytona Beach News-Journal, Internet, 4/30/05)
Bountiful/Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
(FLDS)
Call to Expel Group that Banishes Boys and “Traffics” in Girls
―Horrifying, that boys — like male animals exiled from the pride because they threaten the
alpha male— are dumped on city streets and left to fend for themselves [by the Bountiful
community so that they don‘t compete with older men for wives.] They usually end up living
on the streets. ..
―B.C.‘s (soon to be retired) attorney general has refused to even investigate the allegations
of child trafficking [of young potential wives among Fundamentalist Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints communities] and the admitted practice of polygamy. Our
federal justice minister, Irwin Cotler ...was very explicit in speaking about trafficking:
Canada‘s policy is, and I quote, ‗Protection, prosecution, prevention.‘
Cult-Like Characteristics Alleged
An expert associated with an Ohio facility that helps rehabilitate former cult members says
that followers of an Apostolic Faith Church Body of Jesus Christ of the Newborn
Assembly congregation in Ashtabula County, OH, believe that ―their bishop, Charles Keyes,
is a prophet of God, that he is the voice of God telling them what to do in every detail of their
lives. The children are in fear of being hit — but also have the fear of going to hell if they
don‘t work hard or do exactly what they‘re told.‖ Liz Shaw, who has tracked the church since
1999, from her base at the Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center, was speaking in the
context of the recent murder of Carolyn Clark, a former member and church critic, whose
husband has been arrested and charged with the crime.
Former members, including a relative of Keyes, say that he uses fear, intimidation, and
beatings to manipulate parishioners and micro-manage their lives, including their sexual
practices. Six weeks before she was murdered, Carolyn Clark alleged in a court document that
her husband was under Keyes‘ ―mind control.‖ She said she was concerned for her safety and
for the safety of her children simply because she had expressed the wish to leave what she
called the ―cult.‖
Shaw says the church is a time bomb, and she‘s concerned that Ashtabula authorities might
not act in time to protect church members. The head of the local branch of the NAACP
declared: ―We need a special prosecutor, we need special prosecutors. This is a very serious
matter.‖ (Michael Scott, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Internet, 6/13/05 MSNBC News in
NewsNet5.com, Internet, 6/15/05)
Michael Balfe
“Unspeakable” Abuse
Self-described Internet evangelist Michael Balfe, of Deland, FL, arrested on charges of
sexual battery of his children and domestic violence, is a ―controlling personality‖ whose
actions arose from ―his interpretation of the Bible,‖ according to police official Randel [sic]
Henderson.
Arrest affidavits indicate that Balfe ruled by fear and humiliation and enforced his will though
sexual abuse and physical violence, sodomizing his children, forcing them to perform oral sex,
and beating his wife — who teaches special needs first-graders at an elementary school —
when she objected. He told his family that he had Mafia connections, and could eliminate
them if they told any outsiders what was going on. He kept five rifles and 20 handguns, and
used surveillance cameras inside the house to keep track of everyone. (Lyda Longa, Daytona
Beach News-Journal, Internet, 4/29/05 Daytona Beach News-Journal, Internet, 4/30/05)
Bountiful/Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
(FLDS)
Call to Expel Group that Banishes Boys and “Traffics” in Girls
―Horrifying, that boys — like male animals exiled from the pride because they threaten the
alpha male— are dumped on city streets and left to fend for themselves [by the Bountiful
community so that they don‘t compete with older men for wives.] They usually end up living
on the streets. ..
―B.C.‘s (soon to be retired) attorney general has refused to even investigate the allegations
of child trafficking [of young potential wives among Fundamentalist Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints communities] and the admitted practice of polygamy. Our
federal justice minister, Irwin Cotler ...was very explicit in speaking about trafficking:
Canada‘s policy is, and I quote, ‗Protection, prosecution, prevention.‘
