Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 5, No. 6, 2006, Page 42
foreign hiker and decided he was a Russian spy. ..Chile‘s Supreme Court has rejected a
judge‘s request that five former Colonia Dignidad officials be extradited from Argentina,
whence they fled [with the fall of leader Paul Schaefer].
At least 22 dissidents who disappeared during the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile were killed
at the Colonia Dignidad commune run by Paul Schaefer, according to Gerhard Mucke, a
former commune leader testifying before a judge investigating human rights abuses. The
colony has been accused for many years of allowing the Pinochet security service to use it
for detention, torture, and execution of dissidents.
Former Colonia Dignidad leader Paul Schaefer, 84, extradited from Argentina, where he
had fled with the fall of his cultic commune, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in
Chile for sexually abusing minors. He still faces charges of human rights abuses, including
allegations he allowed the dictator Pinochet‘s secret police to torture and kill prisoners at
the remote Colonia Dignidad.
The population of Colonia Dignidad is dropping, down to 198 residents from a high of
some 1,000 — mostly German immigrants — at its height, with 116 adults, 64 retirees, and
18 small children remaining. A spokesman said many have left for fear they‘ll be prosecuted
for the crimes committed by now-jailed leader Paul Schaefer. The spokesman added, ―The
residents of Villa Bavaria have to integrate themselves more with Chileans and stop being
so racist.‖ Colony residents earlier this year sent a letter to the Chilean president detailing
the crimes that took place over the years and how Schaefer maintained his control using
brainwashing, electric shock, tranquilizers, and isolation.
Communities in Harmony
Communities in Harmony, a fundamentalist Mormon group in Utah, has distributed a
guide to issues and candidates on this fall‘s ballot in Utah, telling readers that the various
Mormon fundamentalist groups in the state should work together, and that ―we can make a
difference.‖ The fundamentalist Mormons feel that the challenge to their lifestyle is a civil
rights battle. They have picketed outside court buildings, begun conversations with state
social service providers, and promote a pro-polygamy message to news media around the
nation. The newsletter surveyed and reported on the voting records and views of elected
officials in regard both to polygamy-related legislation and judges‘ legal decisions in such
matters. ―Surprisingly,‖ said Carlene Cannon, a member of the polygamous Kingston
family, who is associated with Communities in Harmony, ―There is a lot of support out there.
A lot of candidates are simply scared to speak up. Many of them stated that they knew a lot
of people from polygamous groups personally and that they are good, hardworking people.‖
Creation Science Evangelism Ministry
Tax protesters Kent and Jo Hovind, who lead the Creation Science Evangelism
Ministry, in Pensacola, FL, have been found guilty of income tax evasion, including failure
to pay almost a half-million dollars in employee-related taxes while earning almost $2
million selling Christian merchandise. Hovind believes he and his employees work for God,
who pays them, so they‘re exempt from taxation. His attorney maintained that the IRS
came after Hovind — whose mission is to debunk the theory of evolution — because of his
religious beliefs. ―There‘s a difference between wrong and committing a crime,‖ the lawyer
said. ―You can do all the wrong things you want and still not commit a crime.‖
Cresciendo en Gracia
Followers of flamboyant Cresciendo en Gracia (Growing in Grace) leader José Luis Jesus
Miranda believe the Miami-based preacher, with followings in 52 countries, and 225 radio
programs, is Christ incarnate — an image he cultivates. But critics of the movement, whose
members demonstrate, sometimes violently, against other Christian churches — is a cult. A
foreign hiker and decided he was a Russian spy. ..Chile‘s Supreme Court has rejected a
judge‘s request that five former Colonia Dignidad officials be extradited from Argentina,
whence they fled [with the fall of leader Paul Schaefer].
At least 22 dissidents who disappeared during the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile were killed
at the Colonia Dignidad commune run by Paul Schaefer, according to Gerhard Mucke, a
former commune leader testifying before a judge investigating human rights abuses. The
colony has been accused for many years of allowing the Pinochet security service to use it
for detention, torture, and execution of dissidents.
Former Colonia Dignidad leader Paul Schaefer, 84, extradited from Argentina, where he
had fled with the fall of his cultic commune, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in
Chile for sexually abusing minors. He still faces charges of human rights abuses, including
allegations he allowed the dictator Pinochet‘s secret police to torture and kill prisoners at
the remote Colonia Dignidad.
The population of Colonia Dignidad is dropping, down to 198 residents from a high of
some 1,000 — mostly German immigrants — at its height, with 116 adults, 64 retirees, and
18 small children remaining. A spokesman said many have left for fear they‘ll be prosecuted
for the crimes committed by now-jailed leader Paul Schaefer. The spokesman added, ―The
residents of Villa Bavaria have to integrate themselves more with Chileans and stop being
so racist.‖ Colony residents earlier this year sent a letter to the Chilean president detailing
the crimes that took place over the years and how Schaefer maintained his control using
brainwashing, electric shock, tranquilizers, and isolation.
Communities in Harmony
Communities in Harmony, a fundamentalist Mormon group in Utah, has distributed a
guide to issues and candidates on this fall‘s ballot in Utah, telling readers that the various
Mormon fundamentalist groups in the state should work together, and that ―we can make a
difference.‖ The fundamentalist Mormons feel that the challenge to their lifestyle is a civil
rights battle. They have picketed outside court buildings, begun conversations with state
social service providers, and promote a pro-polygamy message to news media around the
nation. The newsletter surveyed and reported on the voting records and views of elected
officials in regard both to polygamy-related legislation and judges‘ legal decisions in such
matters. ―Surprisingly,‖ said Carlene Cannon, a member of the polygamous Kingston
family, who is associated with Communities in Harmony, ―There is a lot of support out there.
A lot of candidates are simply scared to speak up. Many of them stated that they knew a lot
of people from polygamous groups personally and that they are good, hardworking people.‖
Creation Science Evangelism Ministry
Tax protesters Kent and Jo Hovind, who lead the Creation Science Evangelism
Ministry, in Pensacola, FL, have been found guilty of income tax evasion, including failure
to pay almost a half-million dollars in employee-related taxes while earning almost $2
million selling Christian merchandise. Hovind believes he and his employees work for God,
who pays them, so they‘re exempt from taxation. His attorney maintained that the IRS
came after Hovind — whose mission is to debunk the theory of evolution — because of his
religious beliefs. ―There‘s a difference between wrong and committing a crime,‖ the lawyer
said. ―You can do all the wrong things you want and still not commit a crime.‖
Cresciendo en Gracia
Followers of flamboyant Cresciendo en Gracia (Growing in Grace) leader José Luis Jesus
Miranda believe the Miami-based preacher, with followings in 52 countries, and 225 radio
programs, is Christ incarnate — an image he cultivates. But critics of the movement, whose
members demonstrate, sometimes violently, against other Christian churches — is a cult. A
