Religion News Blog

Eddie Long apologizes for Torah ceremony in which he was crowned ‘King’

Religion News Blog — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:38:05 +0000

Megachurch pastor Eddie Long has apologized to the Anti-Defamation League over an incident in which he was wrapped in a Torah scroll and crowned "king."

The stunt was the idea of visiting speaker 'Rabbi' Ralph Messer.

Missionary Couple Slain in Mexico; Peace Pact in Puebla

Religion News Blog — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:13:08 +0000

A married couple who had served for 28 years as Baptist missionaries in Mexico were murdered on last week Tueday at their home near Monterrey in El Cercado, Santiago, Nuevo Leon.

The area has suffered heavily from attacks by drug cartels in recent weeks, including the murder of the mayor of El Cercado, leading to the tentative conclusion that the crime was committed by people serving narcotics traffickers.

Polygamous sect leaders make tax payments; avoid evictions

Religion News Blog — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:59:03 +0000

Leaders of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the polygamous sect led by Warren Jeffs, have paid Arizona county treasurers about $930,000 in back taxes.

In making the partial payment they avoided possible evictions of sect members.

Japanese security agency inspects AUM cult splinter group’s facilities

Religion News Blog — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:16:59 +0000

The Public Security Intelligence Agency in Japan on Friday inspected several properties of Hikari no Wa -- a splinter group of the notorious Aum Shinrikyo cult.

Security officials believe the group is still under the influence of cult founder Shoko Asahara, who is on death row for a series of AUM crimes.

Unique construction project under way at FLDS ranch

Religion News Blog — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:20:31 +0000

An unusual building is under construction on the FLDS compound in Eldorado, Texas.

Speculations regarding its purpose range from a place to house a statue of FLDS leader Warren Jeffs to a new temple.

Polygamist prophet Warren Jeffs controlling sect from behind bars

Religion News Blog — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:29:27 +0000

Six months after he was jailed for life plus 20 years for his so-called 'spiritual marriages' to two teenage girls it's clear Jeffs continues to pull the strings, call the shots and rule with an iron fist in the twin border towns of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona.

Mike Watkiss reports.

French Court Upholds Scientology Fraud Conviction

Religion News Blog — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:04:24 +0000

Updated A French appeals court on Thursday upheld the Church of Scientology's 2009 fraud conviction on charges it pressured members into paying large sums for questionable remedies.

The case centered on the complaints of several people who spent huge amounts of money for the cult's 'purification packs' and other alleged 'cures.'

‘Rabbi’ declares Eddie Long ‘King’

Religion News Blog — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:15:05 +0000

The story of embattled megachurch pastor Eddie Long is growing ever stranger.

In a service last Sunday at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, in Atlanta, Georgia, a visiting 'rabbi' declared Long 'king.'

Muslim teenager attacked by brother and sisters for kissing white man

Religion News Blog — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:08:46 +0000

A Muslim teenager in England was kidnapped, beaten and threatened with hammers and knives by her brother and sisters after kissing a white man, a court heard yesterday.

The barbarians deny kidnap, actual bodily harm and false imprisonment charges.

Ex-Aum Shinrikyo cultist faces fresh arrest warrant over bombing

Religion News Blog — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:06:44 +0000

Former AUM Shinrikyo cult member Makoto Hirata, 46, arrested for kidnapping, will be served a fresh arrest warrant as early as Jan. 31 for alleged involvement in a 1995 bombing in Tokyo.

Meanwhile another former Aum Shinikyo cult member was charged with harboring Hirata while knowing he was a fugitive.