Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2005, Page 50
who has himself been charged with sexual assault and sexual conduct with a minor. (Justin
Hill, Salt Lake Tribune, Internet, 6/11/05)
General Assembly and Church of the First Born
Religious Beliefs Defense Denied
Dewayne and Maleta Schmidt, members of the General Assembly and Church of the
Firstborn, have been found guilty of reckless homicide by a Johnson County (IN) jury in
connection with the death of their newborn daughter two years ago. They relied on faith
healing rather than medical intervention to help the struggling infant. Three other children
from the church have died since 1999 for want of medical treatment.
Superior Court 2 Judge Cynthia Emkes refused to allow the couple to present a defense
based on religious beliefs. She restricted both the prosecutors‘ presentation of evidence
about the couple‘s religion and witnesses‘ testimony about the Schmidt‘s beliefs. But
attorneys were allowed to quiz potential jurors about their general religious views the
defense apparently hoped to get a sense of how jurors might evaluate the defendants and
the evidence. The Indiana State Supreme Court ruled in 1986 that ―The legislature has
distinguished between child neglect, which results in serious bodily injury, and neglect which
results in the child‘s death. Prayer is not permitted as a defense when a caretaker engages
in omissive conduct which results in a child‘s death.‖
The Schmidts say that during their newborn‘s 31 hours of life, the child seemed at times to
respond to their prayers, sometimes looking pink and lively rather than always sick and
gray. (Michael W. Hoskins, Daily Journal, Internet, 5/7, 11, 12/05)
Grigory Grabovoy
Cult Leader Running for President
Grigory Gravoboy, a quack healer who ―raises people from the dead‖ — for money — and
claims to be the second coming of Christ, is planning to run for president of Russia.
Psychologists warn that attending Grabovoy‘s lectures is bad for both the pocket book and
mental health. (Pravda, Internet, 6/6/05)
International
FECRIS Recommended for Consultative Status with Council of Europe
The European Federation of Research and Information Centers on Sectarianism
(FECRIS) [a confederation of organizations in Europe dedicated to doing research and
providing information on cultic groups] has been recommended for ―consultative or
participatory status, as appropriate,‖ by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe. The recommendation comes only after several years‘ consideration of allegations,
made by several parliamentarians, that FECRIS has been responsible for ―falsely creating
situations of public panic or hysteria.‖ The Assembly concluded that the allegations ―have
not been substantiated.‖ FAIR News, May, 2005, pp. 1–2, 11)
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Recognition in Germany
The Berlin administrative court has ruled that the Jehovah’s Witnesses church is entitled
to the privileges enjoyed by major Catholic and Protestant churches in its jurisdiction. The
court rejected arguments that the group should be declared illegal because it refuses to
allow children to get blood transfusions. The court also said it was unable to find evidence to
support the contention that the Jehovah‘s Witnesses educational system is bad for children
or that membership harms family relationships. In addition, the court declared that critical
who has himself been charged with sexual assault and sexual conduct with a minor. (Justin
Hill, Salt Lake Tribune, Internet, 6/11/05)
General Assembly and Church of the First Born
Religious Beliefs Defense Denied
Dewayne and Maleta Schmidt, members of the General Assembly and Church of the
Firstborn, have been found guilty of reckless homicide by a Johnson County (IN) jury in
connection with the death of their newborn daughter two years ago. They relied on faith
healing rather than medical intervention to help the struggling infant. Three other children
from the church have died since 1999 for want of medical treatment.
Superior Court 2 Judge Cynthia Emkes refused to allow the couple to present a defense
based on religious beliefs. She restricted both the prosecutors‘ presentation of evidence
about the couple‘s religion and witnesses‘ testimony about the Schmidt‘s beliefs. But
attorneys were allowed to quiz potential jurors about their general religious views the
defense apparently hoped to get a sense of how jurors might evaluate the defendants and
the evidence. The Indiana State Supreme Court ruled in 1986 that ―The legislature has
distinguished between child neglect, which results in serious bodily injury, and neglect which
results in the child‘s death. Prayer is not permitted as a defense when a caretaker engages
in omissive conduct which results in a child‘s death.‖
The Schmidts say that during their newborn‘s 31 hours of life, the child seemed at times to
respond to their prayers, sometimes looking pink and lively rather than always sick and
gray. (Michael W. Hoskins, Daily Journal, Internet, 5/7, 11, 12/05)
Grigory Grabovoy
Cult Leader Running for President
Grigory Gravoboy, a quack healer who ―raises people from the dead‖ — for money — and
claims to be the second coming of Christ, is planning to run for president of Russia.
Psychologists warn that attending Grabovoy‘s lectures is bad for both the pocket book and
mental health. (Pravda, Internet, 6/6/05)
International
FECRIS Recommended for Consultative Status with Council of Europe
The European Federation of Research and Information Centers on Sectarianism
(FECRIS) [a confederation of organizations in Europe dedicated to doing research and
providing information on cultic groups] has been recommended for ―consultative or
participatory status, as appropriate,‖ by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe. The recommendation comes only after several years‘ consideration of allegations,
made by several parliamentarians, that FECRIS has been responsible for ―falsely creating
situations of public panic or hysteria.‖ The Assembly concluded that the allegations ―have
not been substantiated.‖ FAIR News, May, 2005, pp. 1–2, 11)
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Recognition in Germany
The Berlin administrative court has ruled that the Jehovah’s Witnesses church is entitled
to the privileges enjoyed by major Catholic and Protestant churches in its jurisdiction. The
court rejected arguments that the group should be declared illegal because it refuses to
allow children to get blood transfusions. The court also said it was unable to find evidence to
support the contention that the Jehovah‘s Witnesses educational system is bad for children
or that membership harms family relationships. In addition, the court declared that critical
