In the News

Same Name, Different God…

In attempting to prove they are Christians, Mormons will often appeal to the fact that the name of their church contains Jesus’ name. In the closing address at the recent 172nd Annual General Conference of the Mormon Church, LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley reaffirmed this, stating that the LDS church, "is the work of God, presided over and directed by Jesus Christ, whose holy name it bears."

However, Christians would argue that the Mormon Jesus is a different Jesus and thus they do not fit into historical/Biblical Christianity. It seems that at least on this point President Hinckley would agree.

The LDS news agency Deseret News reports,

“Claims by critics who say Latter-day Saints do not believe in the ‘traditional Christ’ have some substance,” said President Hinckley, because the church's knowledge of the Savior is not based “on ancient traditions,” some of them created by men. “Our faith, our knowledge, comes of the witness of a prophet in this dispensation who saw before him the great God of the universe and his beloved Son, the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.” Joseph Smith's vision of the Father and Son provided “certain and unequivocating” knowledge that is the basis of LDS faith, he said. (04-10-02, http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,380011238,00.html)

Mormons believe that God and Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith to set him apart to establish the one true church. Among the things God reportedly told him during this meeting is that all the churches were wrong and all their creeds were an abomination. (Joseph Smith History 1:19) This was in particular reference to the Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.

Man from Planet Rizq Arrested by Federal Authorities…

The Associated Press reports that the leader of the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors located near Macon, GA was arrested last month by the FBI and has been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of minors. This alleged activity is to have begun in 1993 when the group first moved from New York to Georgia.

According to the AP report, FBI agent Jaline Ward said witnesses told investigators, “30 to 35 children ages 4 to 18 were molested.” Ward further stated,

York brought some children to the compound from New York. He also took 15 to 20 trips to Disney World in Florida over the past four years, taking minors with him and abusing them there. (http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA3Q04U61D.html)

Each count carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Arrested with York and charged with one count was long time associate, Kathy Johnson.

More charges may yet be forthcoming. According to the Augusta Chronicle, “A grand jury has yet to convene in Eatonton to consider bringing state charges of child molestation, which is not covered under federal law.” (http://www.augustachronicle.com/stories/051102/met_MNS-6158.001.shtml)

In reporting on the case, WXIA-TV in Atlanta noted a number of prior concerns that had been raised over this group in past years:

Members of The United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors have sparred with Putnam officials for years concerning building and zoning permits—and have even sued Putnam Sheriff Howard Sills over the matter . . . Last year, the Putnam sheriff's department investigated alleged threats by Nuwaubians against officials in the department, but did not find any criminal violations . . . A voting controversy also involved the group two years ago. The Nuwaubians filed a federal lawsuit against the county after officials there removed more than 120 members from the voting rolls. The group claimed the move was racially-motivated, but county officials said the Nuwaubians were trying to stack the voter rolls with members from outside the county to boost their clout in local elections. (http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.asp?storyid=16994)

The Nuwaubian Nation are a predominantly African-American group whose leader claims to be an extraterrestrial from the planet Rizq. The group has an ancient Egyptian flavor to it, with several pyramids on the grounds of their compound. While less than 200 people live at the compound, the group has a far-reaching effect with adherents and bookstores in a number of states and an active presence on the Internet.

Marrying Moon…

Unification Church leader Sun Myung Moon’s latest attempt at wedding himself to Christian leaders is, literally, through weddings. On April 27th he presided over a mass wedding ceremony in which some 700 clergy and their wives renewed their wedding vows. The Washington Times, reporting on the event, stated,

In a “marriage blessing and renewal ceremony” presided over by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the group of mostly Christian pastors exchanged rings and declared that despite differing theologies a lifelong family commitment is the common thread of all religions. (The Washington Times, April 28, 2002)

The ceremony was broadcast to all fifty states and other countries. Clergy meetings were also held in other cities across the country, including Mobile, AL. A similar meeting was held in Birmingham on April 13th (see the article “Unholy Matrimony” in this issue).

Rev. Michael Jenkins, a Unification Church minister, “said the general aim of the ‘blessing’ was to include 144,000 clergy worldwide to fulfill a biblical image of the faithful ‘being sealed’ by God and representing ‘all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues.’” (The Washington Times, April 28, 2002) While there is certainly nothing wrong with clergy renewing their wedding vows and affirming their commitment to family, it is troubling that they would do so under the auspices of the false god and the false messiah of the Unification Church or its affiliates.

For example, in the course of the wedding ceremony Moon, “declared that the couples were ‘committed to becoming true husbands and wives.’“ (The Washington Times, April 28, 2002) In Moon’s theology one can only become a “true” husband and wife through being associated with the “True Parents” (Moon and his wife). It is through that connection that salvation comes. Thus, while this may be a renewal of wedding vows to those clergy who participate, to Moon it is an affirmation and acknowledgement of his messiahship.

Lama Seagal Sued…

Actor Steven Seagal is best known for his action packed martial arts movies which are generally filled with violence galore. He is also a longtime practicing Buddhist and in1997 was recognized by Penor Rinpoche, the Supreme Head of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, as a reincarnated lama and sacred vessel of Tibetan Buddhism.

Now he is being sued by Julius Nasso, his business partner of the past 15 years, for failing to honor their film production agreement. Nasso alleges the breach was due to advice from Seagal’s Buddhist guru, claiming he “convinced Seagal to cut ties with his business partners and family, or he would not get to keep his coveted status as a reincarnated lama, or ‘Tulka,’ which makes him a sacred vessel of Tibetan Buddhism.” (http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,9696,00.html)

Just a few months after filing this suit, Nasso was one of 17 alleged members of the Gambino crime family arrested. He was accused of trying to extort money from Seagal. E! Online reports that the, “indictment did not name Seagal directly, but Nasso's attorney told reporters that ‘it's definitely Steven Seagal’ and that the 50-year-old actor testified to a grand jury in retaliation for Nasso's lawsuit.” (http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/Pf/0,1527,10052,00.html)

Nasso has entered a plea of not guilty.

Scientology Pays 8.67 million dollars…

After almost twenty-two years of litigation, ex-Scientologist, Larry Wollersheim has finally collected from the Church of Scientology. In 1980 Wollersheim filed suit against the Church claiming its policies had injured his mental health. In 1986 a jury found in his favor and granted a 30 million dollar award. Scientology then began a series of appeals that initially reduced the award to 2.5 million. The case went to the Supreme Court where the judgment was upheld in 1994. Since then the legal maneuverings have continued without any payment being made.

The Washington Post reports that legal ordeal ended on May 9 when the Church of Scientology wrote a check to Wollersheim for 8.67 million dollars to settle the lawsuit.

In an exclusive interview with Factnet, a group that monitors cult and mind control activities, Wollersheim stated,

I promise that everything that Scientology sought to hide from public scrutiny in my case (by stopping the hearings with their $8,760,000 payment to the court) will go to the proper government authorities. Everything in my case that can be made available to other new cases suing Scientology will be made available as soon as possible. It is quite a paradox that the cult that vowed it would never pay me one thin dime has now paid over 86 million thin dimes not even including the $500,000 they paid earlier. (http://www.factnet.org/letters/FACTNewsMay2002Wollersheim.html?FACTNet)

Pillsbury Dough Boy Beware…

According to the BBC News, followers of a Hindu cult devoted to the Kamakhya Temple have reinstituted human sacrifices to the Mother Goddess Shakti. According to the BBC, “The Kamakhya Temple attracts some 10,000 devotees per day, but certain aspects of the temple's ceremonies—including sacrifices—have been kept closely-guarded secrets”.

There have been some problems reviving this practice that reportedly ended sometime between 1780 and 1796. First, "A willing human being is difficult to find these days," said Dr Pradeep Sharmah, director of the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture. And when trying to substitute animals, Sharmah said they received heavy criticism from animal rights groups.

The solution decided upon was to use “six-foot effigies made of flour for the rite.” So, Pillsbury Dough Boy be warned: stay out of India, because you’re just the fellow they’re looking for!

Lawyer claims Cleo Is A Real Shaman…

As reported in past Updates, television psychic Miss Cleo is in definite need of a new crystal ball as the company she represents faces lawsuits and charges of violating consumer laws in nine states now. Cleo (real name, Youree Dell Harris) claims to be a shaman from Jamaica. Investigators for the Florida Attorney General say she was actually born in Los Angeles County Hospital to parents from California and Texas. (Consumer Health Digest 3/29/02)

Her attorney, William Cone, maintains she is the real deal. Cone said in a released statement, “It does not take a crystal ball to see that the allegations against Miss Cleo may be politically motivated.” (South Florida Sun-Sentinel, April 24, 2002)

Addressing the claims of her birth Cone stated, “Does it make her any less Jamaican because she may or may not have been born in the U.S.?” Cone then offered several scenarios in which a person could be born in the US and still be a shaman from Jamaica. He did not state which of these scenarios might be accurate.

Though it has been revealed that Ms. Harris was also once an actress in Seattle, Cone dismisses the idea that she is simply an actress playing a part.

“’Is she a psychic? Is she a shaman? Can she really see the future? Yes, on all counts,’ Cone said. ‘To prove that . . . would be a legal impossibility,’ he said.” (South Florida Sun-Sentinel, April 24, 2002)

Might we offer a suggestion: How about seeing if her predictions come true? This method seems to have worked pretty well since God first gave it to His people several thousand years ago as the test for determining if a prophet is true or false. (Deut. 18:20-22)

No doubt this issue will be with us for some time to come. However, there are some who obviously wish it would just go away. According to the Sentinel, “The Jamaican government has said it wants to wash its hands of Miss Cleo—a spokesman noting there is no such thing as a shaman in his country.” (South Florida Sun-Sentinel, April 24, 2002)

Playing Mind Games With Your Pet…

Without question, all things psychic are big business today. As proof, all one has to do is look at the success of the various call-a-psychic infomercials, or watch John Edward’s Crossing Over television show, where he supposedly communicates with the “dearly departed.”

As bad as it is that there are some who really believe the shaman with the fruit bowl on her head can see the future or that Edward actually speaks with the dead, it has surely gone way beyond that with the recent release of Is Your Pet Psychic: Developing Psychic Communication with Your Pet, by Richard Webster. http://www.amazon.com/ describes the book with the following paragraph:

In Is Your Pet Psychic? Richard Webster offers specific exercises to enhance interspecies connection. Communication might begin with loving stroking and then wander into telepathic questions, such as "What do you want?" The trick is to be receptive to your pet's messages, either through body language or images in your mind. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0738701939/ref=mk_del_284380)

This will certainly add a whole new dimension to mind control. You can imagine the headlines: “Man steals truck load of Kibbles and Bits; claims his pet used mind control on him.”