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MP calls for state registration of religious groups

-08/06/05

The row over diagnoses of demonic possession and practices of forced exorcism in some fundamentalist-style churches deepened yesterday, when a leading black MP called for state registration of churches and religions, singling out those of African origin.

Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney, made the proposal in an article for the London Evening Standard newspaper yesterday entitled ìBan these witchcraft churchesî.

The call comes in the aftermath of a high profile Old Bailey court case last week, where three people from Angola were convicted of practicing or abetting child cruelty. An eight-year-old known only as Child B was beaten, cut and attacked because they believed she was a witch.

Ms Abbott, no stranger to controversy, wrote: ìMulticulturalism is one thing, but I draw the line at being asked to respect the views of people who believe in demonic possession.î

Of the attackers she declared: ìThey were not merely sadists or under the influence of drink or drugs. They were devout Christians… Remarkably, one of the women involved was still insisting that the child was demonically possessed, even after a long trial and conviction.î

The MP described the case as ìthe tip of an icebergî. According to The Independent Newspaper police are currently investigating 30 cases of child abuse involving so-called ‘black magic’. Scotland Yard has set up a special investigation unit called Project Violet.

Diane Abbott continued: ìThese churches have to be made accountable. One answer is to bring in registration for religious organisations. The purpose would not be to interfere in the teaching or internal workings of established faith groups. It could begin as a pilot scheme in London boroughs where these fringe churches… are a serious problem.î

Ms Abbott explained: ìUpon registration, ëpastorsí could be told that, although they could preach about demonic possession, the minute any child connected to their congregation is abused because they say that the child is possessed by demons their church will be shut down.î

However expert Dr Richard Hoskins of Kings College London has stressed that cases of exorcism involving violence are small in number, and commentators such as black theologian Robert Beckford have warned against stereotyping African religion in the midst of raising legitimate concerns.

Said Simon Barrow of the UK Christian think tank Ekklesia: ìIt is vital that swift action is taken against abuse, but it is also important that we do not get swept away by sensationalised media reporting, superficial analysis, and instant, ill-thought out recommendations.î

He added: ìState registration of civil society groups raises serious legal and human rights issues. A far better solution would be to combine an inter-disciplinary enquiry with appropriate police investigation, better coordination of response by the different public services, and more work by churches on child protection legislation.î

He went on: ìIt would be wrong to deny that there is no problem with the extreme views and practices of some churches, especially independent ones where pastors or healers hold great psychological power. This is an issue that the churches themselves have to be encouraged to investigate and reflect on.î

Ms Abbott highlighted the malign influence of American fundamentalist churches and the tendency of manipulative religious groups to target the vulnerable, including asylum seekers and other ostracised groups, points which Simon Barrow concurred with.

ìA government-backed task force needs to involve people directly connected with communities involved, as well as external experts,î said Mr Barrow. ìProtecting those in danger of abuse must naturally be a priority. There also needs to be theological work by Christians on the roots of abusive religion and the alternatives to it.î


Find books now:

MP calls for state registration of religious groups

-08/06/05

The row over diagnoses of demonic possession and practices of forced exorcism in some fundamentalist-style churches deepened yesterday, when a leading black MP called for state registration of churches and religions, singling out those of African origin.

Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney, made the proposal in an article for the London Evening Standard newspaper yesterday entitled ‘Ban these witchcraft churches’.

The call comes in the aftermath of a high profile Old Bailey court case last week, where three people from Angola were convicted of practicing or abetting child cruelty. An eight-year-old known only as Child B was beaten, cut and attacked because they believed she was a witch.

Ms Abbott, no stranger to controversy, wrote: ‘Multiculturalism is one thing, but I draw the line at being asked to respect the views of people who believe in demonic possession.’

Of the attackers she declared: ‘They were not merely sadists or under the influence of drink or drugs. They were devout Christians… Remarkably, one of the women involved was still insisting that the child was demonically possessed, even after a long trial and conviction.’

The MP described the case as ‘the tip of an iceberg’. According to The Independent Newspaper police are currently investigating 30 cases of child abuse involving so-called ‘black magic’. Scotland Yard has set up a special investigation unit called Project Violet.

Diane Abbott continued: ‘These churches have to be made accountable. One answer is to bring in registration for religious organisations. The purpose would not be to interfere in the teaching or internal workings of established faith groups. It could begin as a pilot scheme in London boroughs where these fringe churches… are a serious problem.’

Ms Abbott explained: ‘Upon registration, ëpastors’ could be told that, although they could preach about demonic possession, the minute any child connected to their congregation is abused because they say that the child is possessed by demons their church will be shut down.’

However expert Dr Richard Hoskins of Kings College London has stressed that cases of exorcism involving violence are small in number, and commentators such as black theologian Robert Beckford have warned against stereotyping African religion in the midst of raising legitimate concerns.

Said Simon Barrow of the UK Christian think tank Ekklesia: ‘It is vital that swift action is taken against abuse, but it is also important that we do not get swept away by sensationalised media reporting, superficial analysis, and instant, ill-thought out recommendations.’

He added: ‘State registration of civil society groups raises serious legal and human rights issues. A far better solution would be to combine an inter-disciplinary enquiry with appropriate police investigation, better coordination of response by the different public services, and more work by churches on child protection legislation.’

He went on: ‘It would be wrong to deny that there is no problem with the extreme views and practices of some churches, especially independent ones where pastors or healers hold great psychological power. This is an issue that the churches themselves have to be encouraged to investigate and reflect on.’

Ms Abbott highlighted the malign influence of American fundamentalist churches and the tendency of manipulative religious groups to target the vulnerable, including asylum seekers and other ostracised groups, points which Simon Barrow concurred with.

‘A government-backed task force needs to involve people directly connected with communities involved, as well as external experts,’ said Mr Barrow. ‘Protecting those in danger of abuse must naturally be a priority. There also needs to be theological work by Christians on the roots of abusive religion and the alternatives to it.’