Post by Logan on Mar 3, 2017 2:02:08 GMT -6
N.C. church urged congregants to 'beat the devils out' of babies, members say
Allegations of "ungodly abuse" inflicted at the behest of a small-town church in North Carolina were brought to light this week after a yearlong investigation by The Associated Press.
Congregants of the Word of Faith Fellowship in tiny Spindale were regularly, severely and violently beaten in an effort to "purify" sinners by beating out devils, 43 former members told AP in separate, exclusive interviews.
Victims included pre-teens and toddlers, which included crying babies, who would be shaken, screamed at and sometimes smacked to banish demons. The church also practiced "blasting," which is an ear-piercing verbal onslaught often conducted in hours-long sessions meant to cast out devils.
Preacher Jane Whaley and other church leaders have denied for years the church ever abused its members. She said she is relying on the First Amendment's freedom of religion tenets.
Read more: www.dallasnews.com/news/us-news/2017/03/01/nc-church-urged-congregants-beat-devils-babies-members-say
Allegations of "ungodly abuse" inflicted at the behest of a small-town church in North Carolina were brought to light this week after a yearlong investigation by The Associated Press.
Congregants of the Word of Faith Fellowship in tiny Spindale were regularly, severely and violently beaten in an effort to "purify" sinners by beating out devils, 43 former members told AP in separate, exclusive interviews.
Victims included pre-teens and toddlers, which included crying babies, who would be shaken, screamed at and sometimes smacked to banish demons. The church also practiced "blasting," which is an ear-piercing verbal onslaught often conducted in hours-long sessions meant to cast out devils.
Preacher Jane Whaley and other church leaders have denied for years the church ever abused its members. She said she is relying on the First Amendment's freedom of religion tenets.
Read more: www.dallasnews.com/news/us-news/2017/03/01/nc-church-urged-congregants-beat-devils-babies-members-say