Exorcism Salem Pardons Data

Refere Link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/669548078 See target: Do you agree that Exorcism should be protected by First Amendment? Poll Results: http://www.freeratio.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=255837 Target: Should US Supreme Court over turn case NO. 05-0916 Protecting Church Exorcism Rights? Poll Results: http://www.freeratio.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=255594 Sponsored by: www.freeratio.org/

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Consider the following: Are all other religious doctrine protected by the 1st Amendment too? What happens when several different religious doctrines clash? What happens to all the court & legal cases to date which can now be over turned by this ruling? How do individuals protect themselves from involuntary impressments, physical & mental abuse in the name of religious doctrine(s)? Should religious groups that practice involuntary be categorized as terrorists? REF: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/terrorism ter·ror·ism n. The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. Since Al-kida is following their religious doctrine should they be removed from the FBI terrorist list or should the Exorcisms performing religious groups be added? How many different religious groups are there in the USA? Does a religious group need to be legally recognized by the US government in order to be protected or are all religious groups covered? Background info/data:

Salem witch trials data: http://salemwitchmuseum.com/education/ Witch Hunt! -- 10/24/2007 By Kara Rockwell, CRRL Staff http://www.teenspoint.org/fyi/columns2.asp? column_id=1083&column_type=teenspoint For those who had been convicted and executed, exoneration took some time. A general amnesty, declared in 1711, cleared the convicted witches and offered monetary compensation to those whose relatives came forward. In 1957, the Massachusetts legislature cleared the remaining convicted, mentioning Ann Pudeator by name and "certain other persons." However, it was not until 2001 that all of the convicted witches were pardoned by name. On October 31, 2001, acting governor of Massachusetts, Jane Swift, signed a law that formally pardoned Susannah Martin, Bridget Bishop, Alice Parker, Margaret Scott, and Wilmot Redd. What caused this hysteria? One theory says that it was ergot poisoning from bad wheat. Perhaps it was mass hysteria, perhaps revenge. Maybe it was just village politics. Historians continue to debate the causes. Explore the theories for yourself by examining our library materials and Web sites. Susanna Martin - Salem Witch Trial Created by ldrew 17 Oct 2007. http://www.footnote.com/page/1810_susanna_martin_salem_witch_trial/ “Prior to the Salem witch trials, over one hundred individuals were accused of being witches in America. Nineteen of them were executed. Then came Salem where over two hundred more were accused. Three quarters of the accused were women, one of whom was my ancestress, Susanna Martin. Here is the story of the foolishness of false accusations, lies, rumors and associated lack of intelligent thought that led to her execution as a convicted 'witch'. The story unfolds in the documents of the court....” “Susanna Martin and Government Top of Form PrevNext ~~Author Unknown~~ “In 1692, the Massachusetts Bay Colony was the site of a major historical event. This infamous event, the Salem Witch Trials, was a major injustice in America's history. Once the accusations started, all Hell broke lose. By the time the trials were over, nineteen people and two dogs were hanged, and one man was pressed. Of the 150 people imprisoned, fifty-five of them had confessed to witchcraft.

To begin to understand how civilized people could act in such barbaric ways, one needs to know some background information about the village and its citizens. The people who lived in Salem Village were Puritans. They followed and interpreted the Bible literally, and without question. As many people know, the Bible states, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (Exodus 22.18). To the Puritans, this meant that if there was a witch, they had an obligation to kill him/her. Also, the people of Salem, like the people of Europe, believed that witches existed and that many of them were evil. People believed in witchcraft, even when it contradicted scientific evidence proving that it did not exist. It is important to note that the magic that was "evil" was black magic, or magic that was used maliciously against another. Black magic witches were The girls all had the same symptoms (which ranged from becoming mute and blind to having "fits"). On top of that, it was so long ago that their mistakes seem so foreign to us; we can't really relate to what happened back then. In 1697, the General court proclaimed a fast day, and many of the jurors and judges that convicted "witches" publicly apologized. Many of the accused were easy targets of blame. During Bridget Bishop's trial, Mercy Lewis screamed, "Oh goody Bishop did you not come to our house the last night?". Lewis was obviously referring to Bishop's specter, for Bishop was in jail the whole time. As far as the trials having an impact on our lives today, I don't think it really has one. The adults that led the witch hunts, namely the Putnams, wanted to regain control of Salem Village, and many of the people that were accused were ones standing in the Putnams' way. If it didn't happen, we'd still have the McCarthy era, so we didn't really learn anything from it. Before that though, in May 1692, the governor appointed the Special Court of Oyer and Terminer, which was comprised of seven judges. By the end of October, he disassembled the court of Oyer and Terminer. After Bridget Bishop was convicted, on June 2, Nathaniel Saltonstall resigned his seat as judge. This is what is believed the girls were doing. Another woman accused, though she admitted to being a witch, was Tituba, who was an easy target. One family, the Porters, who were against the Putnams from the beginning, were staunch objectors to witch trials.” Pardon 31 Oct 2001 | Boston, Massachusetts Top of Form PrevNext “ On October 31, 2001, acting governor of Massachusetts, Jane Swift, signed a law that formally pardoned Susanna Martin, Bridget Bishop, Alice Parker, Margaret Scott, and Wilmot Redd.” Salem Witch Hysteria: Aftermath 114 Accused, 19 Hanged, 1 Crushed to Death, 4 Died in Prison…. © Jill Stefko Sep 30, 2008 http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/article.cfm/salem_witch_hysteria_aftermath The mass frenzy had to end. People lived in fear of being accused as a witch, in addition to anxiety of the alleged practitioners. Some good came out of the horror.... There was a lot of spectral evidence in the trials. Witnesses testified the accuseds’ ghosts visited them to do harm. The colony’s ministers were skeptical of this testimony and took action. Finally, the horror would end…. Death Knell for the Hysteria Cotton Mather, Boston minister, told judges witches could take on spectral shape in order to torment their victims. He warned them they and the Devil were attacking the colony. He admitted Satan might try to confuse people by making the virtuous appear to be witches, but Mather urged them to continue the search. By September’s end, many who held silence began to condemn the rapid convictions and uncertainty of spectral evidence. Prominent ministers convinced Increase Mather, Cotton’s father, the most respected minister in the colony, to write a paper about the dangers of accepting spectral evidence. He denounced ghostly visitations, arguing they might be the Devil’s ploy to fool people. Governor Phips gave an order that this evidence would no longer be admitted. He dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer, banned further arrests and released many accused witches. Aftermath • Trials were reconvened. Spectral evidence wasn’t allowed. • Judge William Stoughton ordered executions of witches who were exempted by pregnancy. Phips rescinded this. Stoughton, the most committed to the trials, resigned his commission, furious that he couldn’t finish his work of ridding Salem of witches. • Cotton Mather, other ministers, and Judge Samuel Sewall asked public pardon for their roles. Only Stoughton refused to admit error. • There were more accusations of witchcraft, but ministers and judges refused to recognize them. • Although people still believed in witchcraft, these men learned from Salem’s mistakes to be cautious of these allegations.

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Before the Rev. Samuel Parris was forced to leave Salem, he admitted he gave too much credibility to spectral evidence. Joseph Green replaced him as minister. To help heal the community, he seated the accusers with the accused, which appeared to help. • Philip English, accused of witchcraft along with his wife, never forgave his persecutors for losing his property and reputation. In order to sever ties with Puritanism, he helped found St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. • Little is known about what happened to The Afflicted. It’s believed Abigail Williams never recovered and died young. Betty Parris married and had five children, one of whom died insane. Ann Putnam, Jr. raised her siblings after her parents died. She asked for her church’s forgiveness, claiming she hadn’t acted from malice, but was deluded by Satan into denouncing innocent people. • Someone, name unknown, bought Tituba, releasing her from jail. • The General Court ruled that there would be a Fast Day to remember the evil that happened in Salem. • The colony passed a legislative bill restoring the rights and good names of the accused and granted reparation to their heirs. • Salem Village was renamed Danvers. • In 1957, Massachusetts formally apologized for the persecutions. • On the 300th anniversary of the trials, a witchcraft memorial designed by James Cutler was dedicated. • The Danvers Tercentennial Committee persuaded the Massachusetts House of Representatives to issue a resolution to honor those who died was finally enacted on October 31, 2001, exonerating all. Epilogue “Humans weren’t the only ones to pay the toll for the persecutions. Land was affected. Fields were left untended; the planting season, interrupted. Those that were planted weren’t harvested. Crop failures and epidemics plagued Salem for years. Puritans felt that these happened because God was punishing them for innocent people’s deaths. Salem’s final legacy is that it was the last of religious witch hunts. There were no more witchcraft trials in Massachusetts and no further executions in the colonies. Related articles: Salem's Witch Hunts and Mass Hysteria Salem: More Witch Hunts & Accusations Salem Witch Persecutions: Who Was Who Sources: The Dark World of Witches, Eric Maple, (Castle Books, 1964) The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, (Facts on File, Inc., 1999) The copyright of the article Salem Witch Hysteria: Aftermath in Paganism/Wicca is owned by Jill Stefko . Permission to republish Salem Witch Hysteria: Aftermath in print or online must be granted by the author in writing. Salem Witch Hunt: Tituba's Confession Slave Was the First to Be Accused of Practicing Witchcraft © Jill Stefko Sep 23, 2008 http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/article.cfm/salem_witch_hunt_titubas_confession “Girls played at fortune telling, a Puritan sin, then showed signs of bewitchment. They named three witches, ushering in Massachusetts persecutions and mass hysteria. Tituba was a member of the Arawak tribe, not black, a common misconception. She was from a village in South America where she was captured as a child, taken to Barbados and sold into slavery. Samuel Parris, then a merchant, bought her. When the Parris family moved to the Colonies so he could serve as a minister, Tituba and another AmerIndian, John, accompanied them. They married. It’s believed Tituba had one child, Violet, who remained in Parris's household until he died. Fortune Telling and Accusations Parris’ daughter Betty, niece Abigail Williams and Ann Putnam Jr. learned about divination and secretly practiced it by putting egg whites in a glass of water, which the Puritans considered a sin. Tituba joined them and also told them about Voodoo and other mystical things from Barbados. Betty was the first to exhibit bizarre behavior which was diagnosed as being bewitched. She and the others accused Tituba, Sara Good and Sarah Osborne of practicing witchcraft. Mary Sibley asked Tituba to make a witch cake to feed to a dog in order to try to remove the spell. When Parris discovered this, he beat Tituba.

Confession Both Sara Good and Sarah Osborne denied the accusations, but Tituba confessed to practicing witchcraft. Why she confessed is a matter of speculation. She might have thought she was guilty since she practiced fortune telling, which she believed was white magic. She may have thought the judges would be lenient if she confessed. It’s unlikely her confession was obtained by torture. Although pain was used in Europe to elicit confessions from accused witches, there are no confirmed cases of it being used in Colonial America. New England law did not condone it. In her confession she apologized for hurting Betty, claimed she never wanted to do this, and professed her love for the child. She said nothing about the fortune telling gatherings. Her confession, in modern times, sounds like fantasies. • She rode a pole to witch meetings accompanied by Good who rode a yellow bird with a woman’s head and Osborn riding a hairy long-nosed creature. • A black dog threatened her and commanded her to hurt the girls. • A black cat and a red one forced her to serve them. • The other women made her to attack Ann Jr. with a knife, which the girl corroborated. • There was a coven led by a tall white-haired man dressed in black who visited her many times and forced her to sign his devil’s book. Good, Osborne and others whose names she couldn’t read also signed it. Aftermath When Tituba finished her confession, she, Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne were taken to jail. Good and Osborne were bound in chains to prevent their phantoms from traveling to torment the girls. By confessing, Tituba avoided going to trial. She became a witness for The Afflicted, providing key evidence against the other accused witches. Her husband, John, fell into fits, becoming one of The Afflicted. Eventually, public sentiment towards the accusers and trials changed. Tituba recanted her confession, which enraged Parris. He refused to pay the jailer's fee to release her. After she spent 13 months in jail, someone, name unknown, paid the fee and bought her. Related articles: Salem's Witch Hunts and Mass Hysteria Salem Witch Persecutions: Who Was Who Sources: Dictionary of Witchcraft, David Pickering, (Cassel, 1996) The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, (Facts on File, Inc., 1999) The copyright of the article Salem Witch Hunt: Tituba's Confession in Paganism/Wicca is owned by Jill Stefko . Permission to republish Salem Witch Hunt: Tituba's Confession in print or online must be granted by the author in writing. Salem Witchcraft: The Events and Causes of the Salem Witch Trials http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/salemwitchcraft.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_of_the_Salem_Witch_Trials#Found_guilty_and_pardoned Contents • 1 The accused o 1.1 Found guilty and executed o 1.2 Found guilty and pardoned o 1.3 Found guilty and escaped o 1.4 Pled guilty and pardoned o 1.5 Refused to enter a plea and pressed to death o 1.6 Found not guilty o 1.7 Arrested, but never tried  1.7.1 Died in custody  1.7.2 Escaped  1.7.3 Indicted by a grand jury, but never tried  1.7.4 Not indicted by a grand jury  1.7.5 Released on bond o 1.8 Evaded arrest, never tried o 1.9 Named, but no arrest warrant issued

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2 Magistrates of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, 1692[1] 3 Justices of the Superior Court of Judicature, 1693[2] 4 Clergy 5 Public figures and politicians 6 Accusers o 6.1 The "Afflicted Girls" o 6.2 Others • 7 References Campaign to pardon the last witch, jailed as a threat to Britain at war Salem experts support appeal to overturn 'ludicrous' conviction • Severin Carrell, Scotland correspondent • The Guardian, • Saturday January 13 2007 • Article history http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/jan/13/secondworldwar.world Salem may pardon accused witches of 1692 By Associated Press | November 1, 2004 http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2004/11/01/salem_may_pardon_accu sed_witches_of_1692/ SALEM -- Pardoning those who were persecuted during the witch hysteria in this city in the 17th century ''sounds like a good idea," the mayor said. Stanley Usovicz was intrigued by a Scottish township's plan to pardon 81 people who were executed for witchcraft there, The Salem News reported. The township of Prestonpans will pardon people and their cats who were executed during a wave of hysteria and religious ferment in the 16th and 17th centuries. The pardons were expected to be granted under ancient feudal powers due to be abolished within weeks. More than 3,500 Scots, mainly women and children, and their cats were killed in witch hunts. Many were condemned on flimsy evidence, such as owning a black cat or brewing homemade remedies. During Salem's witch scare in 1692, 19 people were hanged, and one was pressed to death with heavy stones for allegedly practicing witchcraft. By the end of that year, 200 people were jailed under charges of witchcraft. In 1957, many of the accused Salem witches were exonerated by the Massachusetts Legislature. Usovicz said one of the judges apologized for his role in the trials about eight years after they concluded, but he was not sure there had ever been an official declaration by the city. A good date for such a pardon might be in 2007, Usovicz said, the 315th anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials. ''But I would suggest that any time is a good time." © Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company. Europe - UK/Ireland - Occult "Halloween pardon sought for executed British witches" ("CNN", October 31, 2008) http://wwrn.org/article.php?idd=29441 London, UK – “Campaigners in London planned to petition the British government Friday for a posthumous pardon for the hundreds of people executed for witchcraft between the 16th and 18th centuries. They said Halloween is a good time to highlight the "grave miscarriage of justice" suffered by the men and women falsely accused of being witches. Their petition asks Justice Minister Jack Straw to recommend that Queen Elizabeth II issue a pardon.” Were the witches of Salem ever posthumously pardoned? By Wulfweard Asked Oct 4 2008 11:02AM http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1007049 by mrbuddhafreak29 on Oct 4, 2008 at 11:09 am Permalink Most were exonerated within twenty years after a petition on their behalf. And compensation was paid to the survivors and relatives. A few who had not been mentioned in the earlier petition were not cleared until 1957 Granddaughter of last jailed 'witch' seeks pardon Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jan 21, 2007 by Sue Leeman Associated Press http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_/ai_n17147632 “LONDON -- She's 72 and a great-grandmother, but she still remembers how her classmates labeled her "witch-spawn" and "evil eye" -- because her grandmother was one of the last people jailed in Britain over witchcraft charges.”

Whatever happened to the accusers from the Salem witch trials? June 15, 2007 Dear Cecil: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2711/whatever-happened-to-the-accusers-from-the-salem-witchtrials The new Puritan, New England Two Hundred Years Ago. Some account of the life of Robert Pike the puritan who defended the Quakers, Resisted clerical domination , and opposed the witchcraft prosecution. -By James S. Pike http://books.google.com/books?id=7rRgmc7YF2cC&pg=RA1-PA197&lpg=RA1PA197&dq=%22richard+ormsby%22++witch&source=web&ots=AVWG4Svvd&sig=EFvsdOY_yJiOjvxVh9upr6mYM5A&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=20&ct=result #PPA1,M1 A Brief History Of The Salem Witch Trials Smitsonian ^ | 10-24-2007 | Jess Blumberg Posted on Friday, October 26, 2007 2:40:54 PM by blam A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials One town's strange journey from paranoia to pardon By Jess Blumberg Smithsonian.com, October 24, 2007 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1916888/posts Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth-Century New England {A Documentary History, 1638-1692} by David D. Hall – 1991 Page updated: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 http://www.hampton.lib.nh.us/HAMPTON/biog/hall.htm Richard Ormsby and others on what they saw when Eunice Cole was whipped – “The deposition of Richard Ormsby constable of Salisbury. That being about to strip Eunice Cole to be whipped (by the judgment of the court at Salisbury) looking upon her breasts under one of her breasts (I think her left breast) I saw a blue thing like unto a teat hanging downward about three quarters of an inch long not very thick, and having a great suspicion in my mind about it (she being suspected for a witch) [I] desired the court to send some women to look of it and presently hereupon she pulled or scratched it of[f] in a violent manner, and some blood with other moistness did appear clearly to my apprehension and she said it was a sore. John Goddard doth testify that he saw her with her hand violently scratch it away. Sworn in the court at Salisbury. 12th, 2d. month 1656, Thomas Bradbury Vera Copia per me Thomas Bradbury recorder. Sworn in the court September 4, 1656. Edward Rawson affirmed I stood by and saw the constable rip her shift down and saw the place raw and fresh blood where Good[y] Cole [ends abruptly]. The court presently stepping to her saw a place raw with some fresh blood but no appearance of any old sore: Thomas Bradbury recorder in the name of the court. Sworn in court September 4, 1656 Richard Ormsby Edward Rawson Secretary. Also Abraham Perkins and John Redman affirmed on oath that they stood by and saw the constable tear down her shift and saw the place raw and where she had [tore?] of[f?] her teat and fresh blood come from it and saw her [ ] her hand to tear of[f] it was torn off. Sworn in court September 4, 1656 Edward Rawson Secretary. Source: MA 135:3.” The Court summarizes actions concerning Eunice Cole In the case of Eunice Cole “1. Take out a warrant from the secretary for Jonathan Thing and for Mrs. Pearson and for Captain Hutchinson's wife. 2. Take out of the records of the Court of Assistants a copy of the evidence of Richard Ormsby constable of Salisbury and Samuel Winslow's evidence concerning her pulling off her teat at Salisbury when she was going to be whipped which doth concur with Ephraim Winslow's evidence now in the case. Thirdly. Concerning the evidence of Alice Perkins and Alice Dunsten if it be objected that it is old evidence it may be such unfounded that though it speaks of what was done many years since yet it was never brought in against her before: Secondly. When she was examined about it at Salisbury Court last being demanded who she spake to she said that she spake to God in prayer: which answer was inconsistent with truth, because they testified that she went up and down the house and clapped the door after her which was not a prayer [gesture?]. Thirdly. The voice that spake to her was strange-like and speaking out of the earth, which showeth that if her God answered her it was the devil as appears John 29:4: As one that hath a familiar, spirit out of the ground. Fourthly. Concerning the evidence of Ann Smith Ann Huggins Brigit and Sarah Clifford: the sum of what they testify is that Eunice Cole did appear to the said Ann Smith in sundry forms sometimes like a woman then like a dog and afterward like an eagle and lastly like [a] grey cat and all tending to entice her to live with her: and it was her design formed to insinuate herself into young ones as was testified by Ruth Roby when she was upon her last trial how many ways and in how many forms she did appear to her and that have been her [ ] from time to time which caused John Clifford to complain of her to the grand jury for enticing away of a child which was committed to his jurisdiction. Fifthly. The [concurrence?] of the evidence of Mary Perkins senior and that of Elizabeth Shaw and the wife of Jacob Perkins[:] the first testifieth that she found a place in her leg which was provable where she had

been sucked by imps or the like, the second testifieth that they heard the whining of puppies or such like under her coats as though she had a desire to suck. Source: MA 135:15.” Ephraim Winslow on seeing Eunice Cole whipped “The deposition of Ephraim Winslow who sayeth that at that time when Goodwife Cole was whipped at Salisbury in Captain Higgins's time Richard Ormsby being constable as he was taking off her clothes when she was naked about her, breasts Richard Ormsby spake after this manner is there no good woman will come hither -- she turning her about from the magistrates and did take hold of something about her breast and with her fingers did wring off something and it did bleed and drop blood I saw it when she was a whipping so bled there and her breast was illcolored as it had been beaten black and blueish[.] Some years after in Captain Higgins's time I saw her whipped at Hampton by John Huggins and I did take good notice of her breast and then it was not of that color but there as the other or the rest of her body that was naked: farther when she pulled it of[f] her breast she said it was an old sore. Sworn before the court held at Salisbury April 29, 1673 second session: Thomas Bradbury recorder. Sworn in Cambridge September 3, 1673 attest Edward Rawson Secretary. Source: Suffolk County Court Files, 13: 1228 (MA).” Abraham Perkins Sen. confirms the testimony of Goodman Ormsby “The deposition of Abraham Perkins senior age 60[.] This deponent witnesseth that divers [cases times?] being at Salisbury Court when Eunice Cole had her trial when Goodman Ormsby was constable and saw her teat plucked off as h e saith and myself saw the blood run down where the said constable saw the teat and called others to see it and at the same time Eunice Cole being whipped the next night after as Goodman Ormsby was in bed as he saith something like a cat leaped upon his face and very much changed him[.] The next morning coming to court Captain Wiggins asked him how his face came to be so scared he said something in the night came and scared him and told the court all the story and they all wondered at it[.] And further saith that about nine or ten years ago he had several of his lambs lying dead Eunice Cole coming by and would hem and when the deponent looking up said what do you there and she would say it is so and shall be so do what you will. Also about the same time he had 3 or 4 swine a fatting that at first they fed on the corn well but after a time would eat no corn meal pease or [else?] but [ ] [ ] which I killed them and being opening of them myself and wife found the[re] nothing but [ ] in them [ ][ ][ ] Goody Eunice Cole coming by [ ] [ ] [ ] said it must be so it shall be so do what you will[.] And further saith that his wife and family was present [and] heard th[ese] words of [ ] etc. Deposed in court September 5, 1673 attests Edward Rawson Secretary. Source: Suffolk County Court Files, 13:1228 (MA).” Excerpts from THE DEVIL IN THE SHAPE OF A WOMAN: WITCHCRAFT IN COLONIAL NEW ENGLAND by Carol F. Karlsen, pp. 52-57, 282-287. Copyright (c) 1987 by Carol F. Karlsen. Used by permission of W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. All rights reserved. This book is an excellent overview of witchcraft in colonial New England and can be purchased through Amazon.com. Page updated: Friday, September 03, 1999 http://www.hampton.lib.nh.us/HAMPTON/biog/karlsen.htm “Eunice Cole was first tried for witchcraft crimes in Boston in the fall of 1656. It was not her first court appearance; she had been brought before local magistrates in Essex and Norfolk counties on several occasions for lesser crimes, the first time in 1645, when she was charged with making "slanderous speeches."(19) Her reckless speech also figured strongly in the evidence presented in her witchcraft trial. Goodwife Marston and Susanna Palmer testified "that goodwife Cole said shee was sure there was a witche in the towne, and she knew where hee dwelt" and that Cole had also said that she had known somebody years before who was "bewitched as good-wife marston's childe was." Thomas Philbrick, who had lost two calves, deposed that Goody Cole had let him know that if his calves ate "any of hir grass she wished it might poyson them or choke them." Richard Ormsby, constable of Salisbury, said that when he had stripped Cole for whipping he saw "under one of hir brests... a bleu thing like unto a teate hanging downeward about thre quarters of an inche longe ... [with] some blood with other moystness [which she said] was a sore." (20) “ “(20) These depositions are in Massachusetts Archives 135:2-3. Additional testimony presented against Eunice Cole at this time can be found in Suffolk Court Files 2:256a; Trials for Witchcraft in New-England (unpaged), dated 5 September 1656 (manuscript volume, Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.).” Texas Issues: Court: Exorcism is protected by law Texas justices throw out jury award after teenager alleged church ordeal updated 5:21 a.m. ET, Sat., June. 28, 2008 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25423465

Exorcising Free Exercise: Texas Supreme Court Rules That Church Can Injure Minors During Exorcisms Published 1, June 28, 2008 http://jonathanturley.org/2008/06/28/exorcising-free-exercise-texas-supreme-courtrules-that-church-can-injure-minors-during-exorcisms/ Texas high court rules exorcism protected by law Updated: June 28, 2008 09:30 AM EDT http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=8572444 Court reduces sum that jury gave woman Star-Telegram, USA June 15, 2005 Darren Barbee http://www.religionnewsblog.com/16058/exorcism-suite-laura-schubert “FORT WORTH - The jury award for a woman who sued a Colleyville church saying she was subjected to bruising exorcism attempts shrank to $178,000 after a ruling last week by the 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth. In 2002, a Tarrant County jury awarded Laura Schubert $300,000 for mental anguish, past physical pain, medical expenses and loss of future income for injuries she received at the Pleasant Glade Assembly of God Church.” Pastor indicted on rape under guise of exorcism AP, via the Star-Telegram.com, USA Aug. 30, 2006 Melody McDonald www.dfw.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/15778 “FORT WORTH — A 63-year-old pastor accused of raping a church member last year during a ceremony to cast out demons has been indicted by a Tarrant County grand jury. Leonard Ray Owens, who is free on $25,000 bail, is now awaiting trial on a charge of sexual assault — a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison.” Man says devil killed his wife during exorcism 05:41 PM CST on Sunday, February 3, 2008 http://www.kvue.com/news/state/stories/020308kvueexorcism-mm.889bbee9.html “Associated Press ODESSA, Texas -- A man accused of killing his wife said he was holding her facedown on the floor during an exorcism when the devil entered his body and caused her to die, according to a probable cause statement. Jan David Clark, 60, of Odessa was arrested Friday after authorities went to his home and found Susan Kay Clark’s body wrapped in a bed sheet with a cross and sword on top of it. Sgt. Gary Duesler said the Ector County Sheriff’s Office went to the home before dawn Friday after being told that David Clark had called a friend and said his 59-year-old wife was dead. Clark told investigators he had his wife pinned on the floor of their carpeted master bathroom when she died. Clark was charged with murder and remained in the Ector County jail on Sunday on $300,000 bond. He has declined comment at the jail. It was unclear whether he had an attorney. The woman’s body was taken to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Taryn Beck, 29, said she was once related to Susan Clark when Clark was married to Beck’s grandfather before his death. She said was in shock when she heard of the death because the couple seemed so close. “They were like an old married couple,” Beck said. “They would just roll their eyes at each other, but I never thought something like this would’ve happened.” Texas Man Claims Wife Died During Exorcism Feb 3, 2008 12:30 pm US/Central http://wcco.com/national/texas.exoricism.death.2.644726.html “ CBS News Interactive: Eye On Religion CBS News Interactive: Crime Beat “ODESSA, Texas (AP) ― A man accused of killing his wife says he was trying to exorcise a demon from her when the devil entered his body and caused her to die, according to a police probable cause statement. Jan David Clark, 60, was arrested Friday after authorities went to his home and found Susan Kay Clark's body wrapped in a bed sheet with a cross and sword on top of it. Officers had gone to the home after being told that Clark had called a friend and said his 59-year-old wife was dead, said Sgt. Gary Duesler said the Ector County Sheriff's Office. Clark told investigators he had his wife pinned face down on a carpeted floor when she died. Clark was charged with murder and remained in the Ector County jail on Sunday in lieu of $300,000 bail. He had declined to comment at the jail and it was unclear whether he had an attorney to speak for him. The woman's body was taken to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy. Taryn Beck said the couple had seemed to be close. "They were like an old married couple," said Beck, 29, whose late grandfather was married to Susan Clark. "They would just roll their eyes at each other, but I never thought something like this would've happened." Exorcist casting the devil out of Tulsa Sunday, March 26, 2006 http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/2006/03/exorcist-casting-devil-out-oftulsa.html "Deliverance", involuntary exorcisms, and abuse” by dogemperor Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 09:50:07 AM PST http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/7/17/11272/3341

Texas exorcists: Jay Bartlett’s International ministry of evangelistic and exorcism http://www.jaybartlett.org/events.php [email protected] http://www.jaybartlett.org/biography.php Exorcist God called Jay soon after his conversion to Christ to a ministry of casting out of demons. Jay has conducted numerous private and public exorcisms throughout the world resulting in hundreds of free individuals. This ministry of exorcism has come with a cost as Jay has endured a number of horrific events, including, numerous death threats, overseas detention, actual attempts on his life, and demonic assaults. http://www.jaybartlett.org/deliverance_books.php Books and Booklets - Jay Bartlett has written over twenty books and booklets that are aimed at equipping the saints and winning people to Jesus Christ. The following books are available through any of his public meetings and through the worldwide web. That Way of Jesus Christ Ministries http://www.jesusthedeliverer.org/files/contact.html “Your contribution to “That Way of Jesus Christ Ministries” for helping the teaching and ministry of deliverance is welcome. “That Way of Jesus Christ Ministries” is a non-profit evangelistic organization registered with the State of Texas” Deliverance Ministry Important Information http://www.jesusthedeliverer.org/files/importantinfo.html “We are ministry that emphasizes deliverance and how to live a holy life--a life approved by God--that closes doors to the entry of demons. We believe that deliverance is not a one-time event. We believe that deliverance is a process requiring a change of lifestyle. When someone receives deliverance but does not change the lifestyle and/or thought-life that gave the "legal rights" for those demons to enter, the demons will re-enter that person. The minister's time and work is wasted, as is the time and work of the one ministered to.” Mitsi Burton, P. O. Box 2854 Sugar Land, Texas 77478-2854 Faith Warrior Ministries, 4506 Vulcan Avenue # 109, El Paso, Texas 79904-3728 http://www.faithwarrior.net/warfare.html Spiritual Warfare A Demon's Nightmare http://www.faithwarrior.net/deliverance_or_exorcism.html Deliverance or Exorcism Theme: Matt . 20:25 Prayer Requests at PrayAbout.com http://www.prayabout.com/requests/44912/PRAY-FOR-MY GloriaMayes Dallas Texas PRAY FOR MY NEICE SHE'S DEMON POSSESSED created 8 months ago Email Mitsi at: [email protected] Email Mandy at: [email protected] Brother Carlos Exorcist - Revivalist - Prayer Warrior http://theexorcistorg.blogspot.com/ Can't get a Catholic exorcism in Kansas City? James Vivian is here to help By Peter Rugg Published on April 15, 2008 at 5:00pm http://www.pitch.com/2008-04-17/news/can-t-get-a-catholic-exorcism-inkansas-city-james-vivian-is-here-to-help “Vivian is Larson's man in the Midwest. "If someone calls us, we try to refer them to the team closest to them," says Pam Bracken, a staffer with the ministry. Bracken says there are no qualified ministers in Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska or Arkansas; there are, however, ministers in Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas. Vivian is the only one in Missouri. Other USA exorcisms: Mom Charged in 'Possessed' Girls' Deaths Police: D.C. Mom Charged With Murdering 4 Daughters Said They Were Possessed by Demons By SARAH KARUSH Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON January 11, 2008 (AP) http://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/wireStory?id=4114949 Conviction upheld of man who suffocated boy during ‘exorcism’ AP, via The Pioneer Press, USA Aug. 16, 2006 Scott Bauer www.twincities.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/15685/convictionupheld-of-man-who-suffocated-boy-during-exorcism “MADISON � A self-described minister had his conviction upheld by an appeals court Tuesday for abusing an 8-year-old autistic boy who died in what prosecutors called an exorcism at a storefront church. Prosecutors said Ray Hemphill, 48, laid on Terrance Cottrell Jr.’s chest while trying to release “demons” from him before the boy died Aug. 22, 2003. Hemphill was found guilty in 2004 of a felony charge of physical abuse of a child by recklessly causing great bodily harm. The youngster died at the Faith Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith in Milwaukee of what the medical examiner ruled was suffocation.” Mom fatally slashes daughter she thought was possessed by the devil ABC News, USA Apr. 11, 2008 David Schoetz abclocal.go.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/21158/nelly-vasquez-salazar “A young

mother has confessed to brutally slashing her daughter to death because she believed the child — who had a history of sleepwalking — was possessed by the devil, authorities in Illinois said this week. Nelly Vasquez-Salazar, 25, is being held on $5 million bond after appearing in court Tuesday to face a first-degree murder charge. Authorities found the body of Vasquez-Salazar’s 6-year-old daughter, Evelyn Vasquez, early Monday morning in the family’s Waukegan, Ill., apartment. The child, who died of multiple stab wounds to her neck and upper chest, according to the coroner, was found on the floor of her bedroom.” Landmark murder trial of priest to start Monday Toledo Blade, USA Apr. 15, 2006 David Yonke, Blade Religion Editor toledoblade.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/14328/landmark-murder-trial-of-priest-to-start-monday “Toledo nun was killed day before Easter 80 It is believed to be the first time a priest has faced a murder trial for the death of a nun, and it’s happening in Toledo on Monday. On a cold April morning in 1980, the day before Easter, an elderly nun was strangled and stabbed in the room next door to Mercy Hospital’s chapel. Another nun found the body of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl on the marble floor of the sacristy, where she had gone to prepare the chapel for Holy Saturday Mass. The 71-year-old nun, a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Union, had been strangled, then stabbed between 27 and 32 times in the chest and neck. Her undergarments had been pulled down over an ankle. The brutal killing shocked Toledo and the nation, but despite months of intensive media coverage and police work, no killer was found. Homicide detectives eventually packed up their reports, boxed the evidence, and put everything on the shelf. Until December, 2003. That month, a Toledo cold-case squad, acting on new information, dusted off the evidence and reopened the investigation. On April 23, 2004, they announced that they were charging a local priest, the Rev. Gerald Robinson, in the murder of Sister Margaret Ann. Father Robinson pleaded innocent and posted $200,000 bond, with relatives and supporters putting their homes up as bond equity.” Neighbors wonder what prompted exorcism of tot 08:38 PM CDT on Monday, July 30, 2007 http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/073107dntxexorcism.2cfd477 .html Associated Press “PHOENIX – The questions about Ronald Marquez haven't stopped since police said officers burst into his sweltering cinderblock home and tried to stop a bloody exorcism of his granddaughter. Cops: Parents tried to exorcise teen’s ‘demons’ Orlando Sentinel, USA July 14, 2007 www.orlandosentinel.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/18744/exorcism “EDGEWATER - - Authorities were investigating an unusual case after police found the daughter of an Edgewater city councilwoman screaming, bruised and claiming her parents tried to perform an exorcism on her, according to police papers released Friday. Danielle Rogers’ shirt and bra were partially torn off and she was covered in olive oil after the incident, which took place June 27 about 8 p.m.” Court to review case of pastor convicted of fondling woman at exorcism ritual Macomb Daily, USA Oct. 3, 2007 Jameson Cook www.macombdaily.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/19570/gennaropiscopo “The Michigan Supreme Court will listen to oral arguments today about whether to order a new trial for a pastor who was convicted of groping a woman in Roseville during a form of exorcism. Exorcism death sparks debate The Charlotte Observer, USA Aug. 29, 2003 Monica Davey, New York Times www.charlotte.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/4206/exorcismdeath-sparks-debate “MILWAUKEE - Terrance Cottrell Jr. died on the floor of a hot storefront church in a strip mall. His shirt was drenched in sweat when the church members who were holding him down, saying they wanted to rid him of demons, finally noticed that he was dead. He had urinated on himself, and his small brown face had a bluish cast.” Police discount exorcism, but girl’s slaying murky The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, USA Jan. 21, 2004 Craig Schneider and Milo Ippolito http://www.religionnewsblog.com/5777/police-discount-exorcism-but-girlsslaying-murky “Pages ripped from Bible were scattered on body Atlanta police are downplaying the possibility that the murder of a young girl occurred during an exorcism, but they were still struggling Tuesday to untangle the details of her death.”

M O R O N S I N T H E N E W S : R E L I G I O U S E X T R E M I S T S K I L L C H I L D W I T H E X O R C I S M http://beta.morons.org/tallyho/article/read/4465 “A couple has been charged with murder after a 6-year-old child was found badly beaten and stabbed in their motel room, an apparent victim of an exorcism...Posted by spatula on Jan. 20, 2004 08:51 UTC” 34 comments from readers. Join the discussion! Factual Exorcism Book Evokes Past Pain The Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT, USA Oct. 14, 2007 Melissa Pionzio www.courant.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/19688/the-devil-in-connecticut “Having a younger brother who suffered from delusions and seizures was hard enough for Carl Glatzel Jr., but then came the priests and a well-known ghost-hunting couple who deemed then-11year-old David Glatzel to be possessed by demons.” Reference links: Exorcism: Ancient Art or Hocus Pocus? ABC News, USA May 16, 2006 Heather Nauert www.abcnews.go.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/14664/exorcism-ancient-artor-hocus-pocus “More Than 500 Non-Catholic Groups Perform Exorcisms in the U.S. May 16, 2006 � - Exorcism is an ancient tradition within the Catholic Church going back to biblical times. While the practice is rare, the Vatican is now sponsoring an exorcism class for priests. Federal appeals court sides with Westboro ‘Baptist Church’ ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 22889 • Posted: Monday November 3, 2008 hate group Pagans: Exorcisms more dangerous than Pagan beliefs The Courier-Mail, Australia Feb. 18, 2008 www.news.com.au http://www.religionnewsblog.com/20701/exorcism-20 Pagans have hit out at the Catholic Church after a church spokesman blamed an increase in exorcisms on people dabbling in paganism. Polygamist group issues voter guide ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 22887 • Posted: Monday November 3, 2008 http://www.religionnewsblog.com/22887/polygamist-voting-guide Cult members disappointed that Judgement Day failed to arrive ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 22886 • Posted: Monday November 3, 2008 http://www.religionnewsblog.com/22886/lord-our-righeousnesschurch NM cult leader arrested for failure to appear Associated Press - October 31, 2008 7:55 AM ET http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=9271503&nav=AbC0 “LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) - The leader of an apocalyptic sect who is accused of sex crimes against underage female followers has been arrested for failing to appear in court.” Jack Straw: Muslim courts will ALWAYS remain subservient to English law By James Slack Last updated at 1:44 AM on 30th October 2008 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1081613/JackStraw-Muslim-courts-ALWAYS-remain-subservient-English-law.html In memoir, daughter of CUT leader comes to grips with where church went wrong By SUSAN OLP Of The Gazette Staff http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/10/28/news/local/18-memoir.txt Demonic Possession & Oppression; Exorcism Validity; Schizophrenia; News http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_exor3.htm Topics covered in this essay: Is possession and exorcism still valid today? Demonic possession, demonic oppression and Schizophrenia Recent developments Jesus and the Demons in the Gospel of Mark https://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.php? loc=kb&view=v&id=3579&printerfriendly=Y&lang= The Power of Christ Compels Him Posted by J.D. Dunn on 06.29.2008 Why an obscure court ruling in Texas might derail Bobby Jindal's chances of being McCain's veep. http://www.411mania.com/politics/columns/79029/The-Power-of-Christ-Compels-Him.htm Professor sues Texas A&M, claiming religious persecution 05:52 PM CDT on Monday, October 27, 2008

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou081027_tnt_aggie-professor-muslim.154eef1ba.html Churches blamed for exorcism growth The Observer, UK June 5, 2005 Tony Thompson observer.guardian.co.uk http://www.religionnewsblog.com/11351/churches-blamed-for-exorcism-growth “An Old Bailey case has highlighted growing worries about the links between child abuse and religion, reports Tony Thompson.” Exorcist Sentenced to Death for Killing 6 Followers Kyodo News Service, Japan Nov. 22, 2005 home.kyodo.co.jp http://www.religionnewsblog.com/12897/exorcist-sentenced-to-death-for-killing-6followers “, Nov. 22–(Kyodo) - The Sendai High Court on Tuesday upheld a death sentence against a woman calling herself an exorcist for killing six of her followers by repeatedly beating them on the pretext of exorcising evil spirits. The ruling at the Fukushima District Court said Sachiko Eto, 58, beat followers with drumsticks in her house in Sukagawa, Fukushima Prefecture, where she lived with them, between January and June 1995 as a way to force demons from their bodies. As a result, six followers died and one was injured, according to the ruling. Her defense lawyers had argued during the high court hearings that Eto was not mentally competent to take responsibility for her actions as she had believed she was possessed at the time of the beatings, while prosecutors said she had repeatedly violated the followers on her own volition.” Satanic curses The Scotsman, UK Nov. 12, 2005 Stephen Applebaum news.scotsman.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/12827/satanic-curses In September this year, a woman in Guyana was convicted of bludgeoning a friend to death. Her friend, she explained, was possessed, and she was trying to beat the Devil out. In Romania, meanwhile, a priest and four nuns from the Romanian Orthodox Church are on trial, accused of murdering a 23-year-old novice. In his defence, the priest who led the exorcism has claimed his approach was better than the medical treatment she had been receiving for her schizophrenia. Couple in drug case say marijuana is sacrament AP, via AZCentral.com, USA Aug. 25, 2006 www.azcentral.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/15731/couple-in-drug-case-say-marijuana-issacrament “ALBUQUERQUE - A couple from Pima, Ariz., arrested in a car that contained 172 pounds of marijuana say the drug is a sacrament in their religion. The U.S. attorney’s office contends they’re trying to use religion as a cover for a drug organization…The Quaintances contend they have a right to marijuana as the central focus of the Church of Cognizance, founded by Danuel Quaintance in 1991 and registered as a religious organization in Arizona in 1994. The couple say the church, which has about 130 adherents nationwide, functions largely through “individual orthodox member monasteries.” They cited a February ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in a case involving a small Santa Fe-based church to bolster their arguments. In that case, the court ruled that O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal may use a hallucinogenic tea as part of a four-hour ritual intended to connect with God. Hoasca tea, which contains an illegal drug known as DMT, is considered sacred to the Brazilian-based religion. Danuel Quaintance testified the Church of Cognizance is based on his research and interpretation of religious texts and is a form of neo-Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion that holds as sacred a drink made from a mountain plant called haoma. In the teachings of Zoroaster, the plant, the drink and the god are the same. The Quaintances believe cannabis, hemp or marijuana is haoma. Deborah Pruitt, a cultural anthropologist and college professor in Oakland, Calif., testified for the defense that mainstream religions typically view new religious forms as cults or charlatans, but said they are no less genuine.” Robert Hale sentenced to 14 years; denies assaulting kids Anchorage Daily News, USA Nov. 28, 2007 Tom Kizzia www.adn.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/19988/papa-pilgrim-2 “For three hours Tuesday, Robert Hale blamed his wife and family for his troubles, denied ever assaulting his children, and said he only “gave corrections” out of biblical duty and a father’s love. Then the judge cut him off, called him a liar, and sent him to prison on a 14-year sentence for rape, coercion and incest. Thus did Papa Pilgrim’s long journey end this week in an Anchorage courtroom.”

Kirk plans to tackle taboo of possession by evil spirits Campaigners feel church could add to stigma over mental illness The Glasgow Herald (Scotland), Mar. 4, 2003 http://www.religionnewsblog.com/2561/kirk-plans-to-tackle-taboo-of-possession-by-evil-spirits Texas city of Euless offers settlement in Santeria case The Dallas Morning News, USA Mar. 20, 2007 Michael Grabell www.dallasnews.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/17781/euless-santeria-ok “A Santeria priest who is suing Euless over his religious practice of animal sacrifice would be allowed to kill chickens and hold small weekly gatherings at his home under a settlement offered by city attorneys. But the proposal would continue to prohibit the sacrifice of goats – a practice that Jose Merced says is as essential to Santeria as communion is to Catholics. And it would limit the gatherings to 25 people. Mr. Merced said he will reject the city’s offer as a restriction on his religious freedom. “You cannot do initiations without an animal with four legs. You cannot do it with just chickens,” he said. “Without that, the religion ceases to exist.” Euless’ attorney, William McKamie, did not return a call for comment. But the settlement letter said the remedies had been made to remove any substantial burden on Mr. Merced’s free exercise of religion….” Westboro Baptist Church: Protesters fail to stir outrage Rocky Mountain News, USA Mar. 27, 2006 Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News www.rockymountainnews.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/14132/westboro-baptist-church-protesters-fail-to-stir-outrage “Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church members have outraged citizens and lawmakers nationwide with in-your-face flag stomping and taunting at the funerals of American troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their goal is to promote the idea that God is punishing the United States because the nation condones homosexuality….It was odd that Phelps group targeted Bear Valley, another Baptist congregation that, as Walters put it, does not “condone (homosexual) behavior as a lifestyle compatible with Christianity.” On its Web site, the Kansas rabble-rousers blasted the Lakewood church for being “tolerant and accepting” and for preaching that “God loves everyone!” ” ‘God loves everyone’ is a lie from the pit of Hell, and all who subscribe to such lies are servants of sin and Satan,” the Web site declares. Bear Valley Church members said they just feel sorry that Phelps followers don’t recognize the Bible’s message of God’s loving salvation….Outside the church, a Kansas woman protester with an American flag wrapped around her like a skirt sang, “God hates America, the heretic Southern Baptist church,” to the tune of God Bless America. “This gives Christianity a bad name,” said Bear Valley member Allan Gonzales. “This to me is hate. You can tell by the people’s faces out there. “God’s not hate, he’s love. Jesus wouldn’t be out there protesting like that,” he added.” Closing arguments in suit against Westboro Baptist Church emotional McClathy Newspapers, via Kansas.com, USA Oct. 31, 2007 Rob Hotakainen www.kansas.com http://www.religionnewsblog.com/19795/hate-group-4 courtroom “...in Baltimore, jurors heard emotional closing arguments Tuesday before beginning to deliberate whether to award Albert Snyder financial damages. The jury will continue deliberating this morning. Snyder contends that church members invaded his privacy and caused him severe emotional distress. His lawyers said he couldn’t grieve properly and became depressed after protesters showed up at his son’s funeral in Maryland in March 2006. You can punish them for what they did,” Sean Summers, Snyder’s attorney, told the nine jurors. Snyder is seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages. Summers said the behavior of the Fred Phelps Sr. family, which founded the fundamentalist evangelical church, is “offensive, shocking, extreme and outrageous in any context, but especially at a funeral.” He described them as a “71-person cult” that terrorized the Snyder family. Jonathan Katz, an attorney for the Phelpses, said the funeral was a public event. He reminded jurors that the First Amendment protects unpopular speech and religious groups. “If they’re not permitted to have their views, where’s it stop?” he asked. The Phelpses said they protested at Snyder’s funeral because he was a member of the military, defending a country that they said has institutionalized sodomy. Church members preach an anti-gay message, saying homosexuals will go to hell because they’re not following the word of God. They referred to the Roman Catholic Church, of which the Snyders are members, as a “pedophile machine.” Katz noted that Snyder had given media interviews regarding his son’s death and the funeral procession route included supportive schoolchildren. He said there was a “competition for the cameras,” adding: “This is a media event. This is a very public funeral.”

The Phelpses have picketed at more than 30,000 events in the last 17 years. The Snyder case marks the first lawsuit involving their activities at a military funeral to go to trial.” Federal appeals court sides with Westboro ‘Baptist Church’ hate group ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 22889 • Posted: Monday November 3, 2008 http://www.religionnewsblog.com/22889/westboro-baptistchurch-12 Hate group can continue its despicable behavior for now ST. LOUIS — A federal appeals court panel said Friday that Missouri should be barred from enforcing a state law limiting protests near funerals until it can be determined if the law is constitutional. The same three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis reached the same conclusion last December. But the state of Missouri appealed, saying the judges had used the wrong legal standard. The court on Friday said Westboro Baptist Church member Shirley Phelps-Roper had met the higher standard and was entitled to an injunction barring the state from enforcing the law….The panel emphasized it is not considering whether the Missouri law is unconstitutional, only that Phelps-Roper is entitled to a preliminary injunction while Gaitan considers the constitutionality question.” http://ag.org/top/church_directory/index.cfm