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October-December 1998
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FACTNET FEATURE My Experience with Children of God/The Family FACTNet presents an ongoing series by a former member of the Children of God cult, also known as The Family. Parts I-IV currently appear on the FACTNet web site. See Part I at http://www.factnet.org/cults/ children_of_god/experience_i.html Children Found Dead in Colombia The grim discovery of the bound bodies of 23 children and youths, almost all skeletons, were recently recovered in the western city of Pereira in Colombia. With a population of approximately 700,000 people some 110 miles from the country's capital, Bogota, Pereira is also home to a movement called "Satan's Youth" that has become increasingly active. Cult activity is suspected, but police have not ruled out extreme paramilitary groups or even organ smugglers. Authorities have been unable to make arrests in 250 cases filed by families in Pereira who have reported children missing over the past year. Police are investigating potential motives, from "social cleansing" of suspected juvenile delinquents by vigilante squads to cult members abducting victims to fulfill deadly rituals. Pereira Mayor Luis Alberto Duque stated, "It's a chilling thing. The big concern is we don't know what it's all about." State prosecutor Elena Osorio added, "It's a city where Satanism is widely practiced, and there's a lot of talk that children are used in rituals." Twelve victims were located this week in a riverbed by workers fixing electrical lines, who originally believed the remains were animal bones. Other remains were found last week in underbrush by a child. Liquor bottles were found beside many of the victims, two of whom had been tied to trees, having apparently been tortured. Experts estimate the oldest of the victims was 16, but many were 10 or younger. Cult’s Ban on Medical Care Causes Children’s Deaths In June 1970, Darren, born more than a month premature, died just four days after birth. His 20-year-old father, Russ Briggs, stood over the body of his firstborn son and wept. Midwives from his church tried to save the baby solely by feeding him with an eyedropper and praying for him. Briggs never questioned why they didn't do more. A life-long member of the Followers of Christ Church, Briggs accepted that conventional medical care was forbidden. He was raised to believe God would protect those who deserved to live. When his second son died with no medical attention the next year, Briggs began to question his faith. He discovered that dozens of Oregon City families in the church lost children who were also denied medical care. Dr. Larry Lewman, state medical examiner, said that in the past two decades as many as 25 children from the church have died of common medical problems. "This is child abuse -- neglect," Lewman said, according to The Oregonian [April 26, 1998]. "The stark reality here is that we have a whole slew of kids who, without question, would have survived with basic medical care." The church's president, Dale Morris, would not comment to The Oregonian, saying only, "I don't expect you to understand. A lot of people won't understand. "It's a captive society," Briggs told the Oregonian. "One man was interpreting God's word, and the rest of the people were going along with whatever he said. That's David Koresh. That's Jim Jones. That's any cult that ever existed." Before his first daughter was born in 1972, Briggs left the church. "They're not fully aware of the personal pain, agony and suffering that's being caused," he said. Time dwindling for Scientology refunds? Former members of Scientology may have only a few days left to retrieve their money from Scientology. After December 31, 1998, Scientology's tax-exempt status will have no more scheduled reviews by the IRS. Thus, any inappropriate actions Scientology has taken should be presented to the IRS before then. This includes Scientology's noncompliance with its IRS deal to refund members' donations if members are dissatisfied with results. Now is the time to request your donations back from Scientology, along with any unpaid back wages for your labor as a staff member. FACTNet encourages you not to delay in filing your refund request. For instructions and information, see www.factnet.org/Scientology/refund_request.html. Please also send FACTNet a copy of your refund request and any response you receive from Scientology. Before the end of the year, FACTNet is going to take all refund requests and bring an administrative action to the commissioner of the IRS, revealing all information regarding Scientology's refusal to comply with its agreement with the IRS. This action will be in addition to the class action suit being brought by another entity (For information, see www.factnet.org/Scientology/refund_request2.html). |
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