Whipping Children in Church -- The Update

[Precious2theT]

Hello,
This is my first time posting on this board. I'm from Atlanta and actually knew some of the indiviuals who were taken from their parents. Just to clarify there were 41 children taken. I remember back when I was in the 9th grade in High school, I attended school with some of the people who attend this church, and these two sisters dropped out in the 9th grade to get married to these older guys, and now they have from 3 to 5 children. Something had to be done, for the sake of the children.

[12dn94dst]

from www.cbsatlanta.com

October 17, 2002
House of Prayer Pastor Found Guilty

The Reverend Arthur Allen Junior and four House of Prayer church members were found guilty today of aggravated assault and cruelty to children for whipping two boys in front of the entire congregation.

The 150 members of the independent Atlanta church repeatedly had said they have the right to beat their children and that the church is being persecuted for its beliefs.

The jury deliberated for more than two days before convicting Allen, Emanuel Hardeman, Charles Ogletree, David Duncan Senior and Sharon Duncan. They all face up to 20 years in prison. The Duncans are the parents of two boys, aged seven and ten, who told authorities they were restrained by church members and beaten during services in February. Both were badly bruised on their backs and torsos.

They were removed from their parent's home by state authorities after one of the boys reported the abuse to a teacher. The state Division of Family and Children Services ultimately took 49 children of House of Prayer members, though all but six have been returned.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Patricia Jackson said Ogletree beat the children while Hardeman held them and Allen and the parents watched.

Hardeman was found not guilty of cruelty to children and aggravated assault against one child, but guilty on both charges against the other boy.

Allen, representing himself, told the jury that the extent of the injuries was not as severe as prosecutors portrayed, and that he would not condone excessive beatings in his church. He said corporal punishment is sometimes necessary and can prevent violent behavior later in life.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)