Here's an example of what I'm worried about....
Quote:
Donovan King Live
April 17, 2021
Donovan King: Lighthouse Apostolic Church, Huber Heights Ohio. Child Protective Services has taken action against a congregation in Ohio. The children have been removed from their parents and placed into state custody. The parents of this congregation appear to be under the cult-like control of their pastor Rev. Donald Scott. The Reverend Scott teaches that women are forbidden to wear makeup, cut their hair, wear pants, short sleeves, or open toed shoes. Parents are expected to home school their children to keep them from what they call a 'godless' public school system. This Reverend Donald Scott also teaches that homosexuality is an abomination worthy of death in God's sight. Investigations began after extended family members, who are not members of the church, became concerned about young girls being FORCED to wear skirts and dresses during freezing cold weather. One young girl reportedly told her grandmother that she was cold and wanted to wear pants but her parents would become angry. Apparently families in this cult are also admonished to use corporal punishment in the name of 'not sparing the rod'. Some kids have admitted to being spanked or disciplined with paddles, switches, or belts. Young boys are forbidden to participate in sporting events unless they are playing on a church team sanctioned by their 'prophet' Rev. Scott. Parents are also commanded to not only home school their children but to also deprive their children of television, secular music and media. One family suffered from a bitter divorce when their cult leader discovered that the husband had homosexual feelings and commanded that the man 'repent'. The husband and wife divorced soon after Rev. Scott admonished the wife that she divorce her 'unrepentant' husband. The 'prophet' Scott also commanded that the children not be allowed to visit their father or even speak to him without the mother being present. Members of this cult are also required to give at least 10% of their income to the church in addition to giving regular offerings and contributing to 'church projects'. The church is currently preparing to build a $700,000 multipurpose building that will serve as a school and activity center. Besides the 4 cases of confirmed physical abuse in the name of spanking there has been one unverified accusation of possible sexual abuse. ALL the children have been placed in child protective custody until the authorities complete a full investigation.
We have Richard Allen with us. Richard is a licensed child psychologist and cult expert. Richard, thank you for joining us tonight. How do you feel about Child Protective Services taking action against the families of this church?
Richard Allen: Why thank you Donovan, it's nice to be here. First and foremost we have to remember that we have a responsibility to take actions that are in best interest of these children.......
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Perception is reality. Often what is perceived as abuse isn't abusive in it's context.
I might be wrong, if I am, and I might be, I'm open to reconsidering what I'm about to say...
In the case of the FLDS community I can see those specific cases of abuse calling for removal of those specific children from their parents with a full investigation following. But what we're seeing is the government rounding up
all their children and separating them from
all their parents, even in cases where there hasn't been any confirmed or alleged abuse. Certainly not all the children involved have been abused, in addition certainly not every parent has arranged an underage marriage. I can see investigating and taking action in those confirmed cases of abuse...but to take every child in the community from their parents is just crazy to me.
It appears like they are taking what might have been a fake report of abuse to justify their raid. And they are now taking those confirmed cases of abuse as justification to take every child in the community from their parents rather abuse was reportedly taking place or not. I'm hearing wild charges of baby graveyards and even possible murders. I imagine these things may have happened...but it rings of Roman accusations that Christians were cannibals.
Why not only take those individuals and children involved in the confirmed abuse cases and leave those children and parents where no abuse is present alone? Imagine the children of an entire church being rounded up and the government taking them from their parents over one case of abuse. It's just heavy handed to me. Are they really trying to protect these kids or using this as an excuse to break up this religious community? And how far do we want to go in empowering the government to do this kind of thing?
Just some questions and concerns I have. God bless.
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