Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 5, No. 6, 2006, Page 44
things.‖ Medical psychologist Dr. John Butler, of King‘s College London, says it is ―more than
fair‖ to call Educo a cult.
Enlightenment Society
Lynn David Lindsey recently founded the 40-member Enlightenment Society, in
Brownsville, TX, based on the idea of ―Trilogy,‖ the reunification of science, philosophy, and
theology into one holistic science. He believes that existence is in different planes. Insects,
for example, are on one plane and oblivious to humans, while humans are on another plane
but unaware of angels and other beings. Above the 10 planes he recognizes lies the Trinity.
Exclusive Brethren
The Exclusive Brethren, said to have 18,000 members in Australia, is likely once again to
spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to influence a national election. Representatives of
the organization led by ―Elect Vessel‖ Bruce Hales — whose members don‘t vote, believing
that governments are chosen by God — often shares it‘s views with conservative politicians
it supports in elections. ..Prime Minister John Howard has refused to disclose what he said
in talks with Brethren members on the grounds that such discussions are confidential. ..A
40-year member who fled the Brethren six years ago, with her children, has told TV
reporters that she knows of many cases of sexual abuse that the Brethren have covered up
and dealt with internally. ..Senator Bob Brown said the Prime Minister has criticized
extreme Muslims for repressing women but not the Brethren for repressing women in the
workplace, in church, and in the home.
Faith Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith
The 1st District Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of Faith Temple Church of the
Apostolic Faith leader Ray Hemphill for the exorcism death of a child in Milwaukee in
2003. Hemphill lay on the chest of an 8-year-old autistic boy in an attempt to release
Terrence Cottrell, Jr.‘s demons. The charge was ―physical abuse of a child by recklessly
causing great bodily harm.‖ Hemphill‘s attorney argued that his client was trying to help the
boy, that Hemphill‘s actions were an ―honest error,‖ and that the anti-psychotic medication
ziprasidone in the boy‘s body was the primary cause of death. Hemphill is serving a
sentence of 29 months in prison for the crime.
Falun Gong
Taiwan Vice President Annett Lu, citing the tremendous growth of organ transplants in China
— the organs allegedly harvested from unwilling Falun Gong prisoners — has proposed
creation of a commission to address the issue and suggest solutions. She noted that many
Taiwanese go to China to receive transplants.
China has told Australia that it must deal with Falun Gong protestors who are damaging
the ―dignity‖ of the Chinese mission in Canberra when they demonstrate against Chinese
treatment of Falun Gong practitioners. Australia recently relaxed restrictions on protests but
says it‘s making sure the dignity of embassies is not violated. Australia has expressed
concerns about allegations that Chinese authorities have arrested and executed thousands
of dissidents and harvested their vital organs for sale. ..Former Canadian MP David Kilgore
and his law partner David Matas say in their recent report that the Chinese government has,
―in effect, murdered [Falun Gong dissidents] for their organs,‖ noting that the source of
some 41,000 transplants in China between 2000 and 2005 remains unexplained. The
Chinese, calling the report groundless and biased, recently announced a new law that would
ban sales of human organs and require donors to give written permission for the transplants
...Human rights activist Harry Wu agrees that organs taken from prisoners are being sold,
but says there is no evidence that Falun Gong practitioners are being executed en masse to
provide the organs.
things.‖ Medical psychologist Dr. John Butler, of King‘s College London, says it is ―more than
fair‖ to call Educo a cult.
Enlightenment Society
Lynn David Lindsey recently founded the 40-member Enlightenment Society, in
Brownsville, TX, based on the idea of ―Trilogy,‖ the reunification of science, philosophy, and
theology into one holistic science. He believes that existence is in different planes. Insects,
for example, are on one plane and oblivious to humans, while humans are on another plane
but unaware of angels and other beings. Above the 10 planes he recognizes lies the Trinity.
Exclusive Brethren
The Exclusive Brethren, said to have 18,000 members in Australia, is likely once again to
spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to influence a national election. Representatives of
the organization led by ―Elect Vessel‖ Bruce Hales — whose members don‘t vote, believing
that governments are chosen by God — often shares it‘s views with conservative politicians
it supports in elections. ..Prime Minister John Howard has refused to disclose what he said
in talks with Brethren members on the grounds that such discussions are confidential. ..A
40-year member who fled the Brethren six years ago, with her children, has told TV
reporters that she knows of many cases of sexual abuse that the Brethren have covered up
and dealt with internally. ..Senator Bob Brown said the Prime Minister has criticized
extreme Muslims for repressing women but not the Brethren for repressing women in the
workplace, in church, and in the home.
Faith Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith
The 1st District Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of Faith Temple Church of the
Apostolic Faith leader Ray Hemphill for the exorcism death of a child in Milwaukee in
2003. Hemphill lay on the chest of an 8-year-old autistic boy in an attempt to release
Terrence Cottrell, Jr.‘s demons. The charge was ―physical abuse of a child by recklessly
causing great bodily harm.‖ Hemphill‘s attorney argued that his client was trying to help the
boy, that Hemphill‘s actions were an ―honest error,‖ and that the anti-psychotic medication
ziprasidone in the boy‘s body was the primary cause of death. Hemphill is serving a
sentence of 29 months in prison for the crime.
Falun Gong
Taiwan Vice President Annett Lu, citing the tremendous growth of organ transplants in China
— the organs allegedly harvested from unwilling Falun Gong prisoners — has proposed
creation of a commission to address the issue and suggest solutions. She noted that many
Taiwanese go to China to receive transplants.
China has told Australia that it must deal with Falun Gong protestors who are damaging
the ―dignity‖ of the Chinese mission in Canberra when they demonstrate against Chinese
treatment of Falun Gong practitioners. Australia recently relaxed restrictions on protests but
says it‘s making sure the dignity of embassies is not violated. Australia has expressed
concerns about allegations that Chinese authorities have arrested and executed thousands
of dissidents and harvested their vital organs for sale. ..Former Canadian MP David Kilgore
and his law partner David Matas say in their recent report that the Chinese government has,
―in effect, murdered [Falun Gong dissidents] for their organs,‖ noting that the source of
some 41,000 transplants in China between 2000 and 2005 remains unexplained. The
Chinese, calling the report groundless and biased, recently announced a new law that would
ban sales of human organs and require donors to give written permission for the transplants
...Human rights activist Harry Wu agrees that organs taken from prisoners are being sold,
but says there is no evidence that Falun Gong practitioners are being executed en masse to
provide the organs.
