Woman beats teenage girl: "You are a disgrace to God!!"

[Bluebear]

A Plymouth woman has been charged with a hate crime for allegedly punching a 14-year-old girl in the head after she saw the teenager walking on a town sidewalk in the traditional clothing of her religious group, police said.

Erin Monaghan, 25, was arraigned Tuesday in Plymouth District Court on charges of assault and battery, a civil rights violation, and marijuana possession, police said.....

Monaghan then allegedly left her car, approached the girl, and asked where she was going, police said. The girl responded that they were walking home, and Monaghan allegedly began punching her in the side of the head, leaving bruises on her ear, said police.

The girl, identified by WHDH-TV as Aremah Delabreure, told the station yesterday that her attacker said, " 'You are a disgrace to God' and then just started punching me. And then, so, I was, like, trying to beat back, but I couldn't. She was really big. Maybe she thought we were part of some cult or something."



http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/06/02/woman_faces_hate_crime_charge_in_alleged_assault_on_girl_14/

[brainshrub]

1. No Aremah, Ms. Monaghan is the member of a cult.

[Steel City Slim]

2. She Must Be A "Christian"

[walldude]

4. I doubt it if she had a bag of dope on her.... n/t

[Swamp Rat]

3. I wonder who or what is Monaghan's "God?"

[Bluebear]

5. ooooooooooooh

You captured her perfectly!

[Straight Shooter]

12. No, he didn't. Her face isn't quite shiny enough as in the original pic.

:P

Great job, rat!

[Swamp Rat]

40. Thanks. Here's the original for comparison:

Scary any way you look at "IT." :D

[fujiyama]

33. LOL

The original pic is scary enough.

You capture these Christo-Zombies perfectly.

[Swamp Rat]

47. I been working on the "Gumbys" too.

:D

[Occulus]

51. Your work is awesome, swampy.

Really. You made my favorite photo even better. Thanks! :toast:

[Solly Mack]

6. and Monaghan brought honor to her God, no doubt.

sheesh

[CarefullyLiberal]

7. How ironic!

Plymouth, Mass??? The same town that the so called "Pilgrims" came to escape religious persecution?

Oh the irony!

S>

[smirkymonkey]

9. Yep!

this country is so fucked.

[mongo]

24. No the Pilgrims came to religiously oppress as they saw fit. n/t

[Big Kahuna]

27. Actually..

The Pilgrims got along great with the Indians. Their only comlaint was to implore the Pilgrims to "please take a bath". The Puritains, who arrived later, were the bad guys.

[mongo]

31. You're right. my bad

[Art_from_Ark]

28. The Pilgrims didn't come to escape religious persecution

They had been living in religiously tolerant Holland for 11 years before they came to the New World. They left Holland because they did not want to become assimilated in Dutch culture.

http://www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/pilgrims.htm

[HawkerHurricane]

8. Interesting group...

http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/tribes.html

Sounds like a variation on the Messiahnic(sp) Jews. Sounds like Ms. Monaghan can't stand the idea of a Christian group worshiping the 'wrong' way. I notice she went after the 14 year old... probably too much of a coward to go after a adult.

It's starting. They started out after the Athiests and Agnostics, the Muslims and others... now it will spread to the Jews and the small 'wrong way' Christian groups... before it ends, the targets will include Catholics and Mormons...
Unless we end it sooner.

[Bluebear]

11. "It's starting".

Never have two words rang so true.

[FreedomAngel82]

16. Of course

That's how they do. They get the young and innocent and bully them or brainwash them. If they go against it like this young girl in ANY forum they attack. It's disgusting.

[fishwax]

29. I don't doubt that it's starting

but in this case it was a member of an extremely conservative christian group that was attacked. I couldn't find any mention in the article of the religion of the attacker. This incident may not fit the profile.

[HawkerHurricane]

35. The words said by the attacker...

"You are a disgrace to God" don't sound like something a secularist or liberal Christian would say... more like a member of the Religious Reich, don't you think?

The fact they're turning on a conservative Christian group who doesn't match thier own narrow beliefs is what I was pointing out.

[fishwax]

39. I'm just saying it's an assumption not really supported by the evidence.

We don't really know who "they" is. I've said of folks like Falwell that they're a disgrace to god, and I'm certainly no conservative christian. And I know plenty of people who aren't really particularly religious, but do use "god" language. Maybe she is a conservative Christian, I don't know. Perhaps more info on the story will come out.

[fishwax]

41. Also, the attacker was charged with marijuana possession

she's innocent until proven guilty, of course, but marijuana possession is pretty Un-fundie behavior.

[tnlefty]

49. Aah, but how many fundies secretly do the things they're all too

happy to publicly tell you that you're gonna burn in hell for? I know a bunch who will publicly state that cheating on your spouse, drinking, smoking, drugs, sex before marriage, using porn and all sorts of things are gonna send you straight to hell on the express elevator, BUT they're participating in these behaviors.

I honestly think that this is part of why a lot of them are so fucked in the head.

[fishwax]

53. I don't doubt that

plenty of them are hypocritical to the core. Still, (and I have no data to back this up), but I'd suspect that pornography is a bigger trap to hypocritical fundies than drugs, based on the insistent repression of sexuality.

Anyway, the poster I was responding to was convinced that the attacker was a fundie based on the "disgrace to God" comment. I think the marijuana posession charge is stronger evidence that she wasn't a fundie than that comment. She may still have been a fundie. But we don't know.

[proud2BlibKansan]

38. I spent the weekend

reading a book about the Mormons. And I am surprised they aren't a target. Talk about freaks.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

10. I was interested in this Twelve Tribes group

Rick Ross, an expert in cult phenomenom has a page of links on his web site pertaining to the group:

http://www.rickross.com/groups/tribes.html

Not that that justifies the assault - it absolutely does NOT. But the group has some pretty interesting stuff written about them.

As for the "Christian" woman who beat the 14 year old girl: I hope she gets the maximum sentence and spends some time in a hard facility where the women fight back.

[WillowTree]

21. I guess...

....I missed the part where the story said anything about the woman being a Christian, or anything about what her religious beliefs are at all, for that matter.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

46. It doesn't take a huge leap of logic

to see that the woman is Christian. She told the girl that she's a "disgrace to God."

Does that sound like something a Jewish or Hindu or Buddhist person would say? A Muslim would use the word Allah instead of God, so the woman probably isn't Muslim. Using the term "disgrace to God" sounds exactly like something a fundie nut-case Christian would say.

If she's not Christian, then what religion would she be?

[fishwax]

30. How do you know the attacker was a "Christian" woman

I don't see that in the article. :shrug:

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Some interesting info on Twelve Tribes

This is how they feel about disciplining children:

When there is a stubborn child you should shorten the child's life. It limits the family.
-Training Up Our Children In The Way They Should Go.

Yesterday I was down at the river and Yochanan (Haggai's son) was swimming and I saw that he had stripes on his bottom. I thought that if there were other people there and they saw those marks, they should know that he has a father who loves him.
-Breaking of bread 7/15/89

From the cradle to the grave you must discipline your children. From the age of 6 months you would start disciplining them with a rod on the palm of their hands and then you would stop when they are about one year old. From there you would discipline the children with a rod on their buttocks until they submit...
-Elbert Spriggs (Yoneq)

Our children need to fear the rod. The severity of our discipline should cause them to never want to be disciplined again. Don't be afraid of your "baby". That he is going to be more than you can handle if you confront his bad attitudes or deal with his disobedience. For we have no other purpose than to deal with our children.. So, take action and "beat the tar out of him".
-Letter From Abel 4/6/85

The method needs to be controlled, slow and hard. He should never want another wippen (sic) as long as he lives.
-Elders Meeting 2/11/78

Reproof gives wisdom to the child. Submission comes only through reverent submission (fear) of the Lord. Execute judgment and draw blood.
-Elders Meeting 2/11/78

A six month old baby can be trained what no means. Lightly use the rod not your hand. When the baby is wiggling when their diaper is changed, spank them to stop wiggling.
-AWM 3/16/88

A man who beats his son frequently will reap the benefits. He will be proud of him among his acquaintances.
-Letter From Abel 4/6/85

Bend his neck and bruise his ribs while he is young. Allow him no independence in childhood, or he will hurt you very deeply. Be strict with your son and persevere if not then you will nurture his insolence.
-Letter From Abel 4/6/85

http://www.twelvetribes-ex.org/

And apparently some believe it's a cult:

Twelve Tribes-EX

The Purpose of this web site is to help Parents and others affected by the Twelve Tribe's Cult. As a former member, I was devastated emotionally, financially, spiritually, physically and psychologically. I lived with the Twelve Tribes for almost three years, and during this time my parents suffered because they didn't know where to find information about the Twelve Tribes from a former member's vantage point. For those parents whose children are caught in the cult I seek to give them accurate information right from Elbert Eugene Spriggs' own teachings. This material is the result of many hours of research, which has been compiled for the readers.

http://www.twelvetribes-ex.org/

[FreedomAngel82]

17. What is wrong with these people??

This is disgusting and clearly child abuse.

[NuttyFluffers]

26. they are followers of evil. that is what is wrong.

one day it WILL be either us or them. get comfortable with that fact now.

make your peace now, it's starting.

ps: though this time it was the twelve triber who was the victim, i don't believe for a second they are beyond abusing and controlling those who are not them. she didn't deserve a beating, and the other lady was wrong to do so, but i'm just waiting 'til the cult goes off, as all cults do.

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. I think I am in favor of

letting them beat the shit out of each other.

[bloom]

22. Here's a quote from their "authority" page:

Sheep either submit to authority or they don't know God. If they don't recognize authority they're not sheep.

-Elders Part II

---


Sounds like something Bush would say. :P

[proud2BlibKansan]

36. I have always loved that saying:

"Back when men were men and sheep were nervous"

Makes me think of * these days. LOL

[FreedomAngel82]

14. And people wonder why

religion and government shouldn't be involved?! This is outrageous!

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

48. Twelve Tribes Faith-Based Daycare Center

And the great ideas from the Bush Administration just keep on coming!

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. Please understand I am not saying it was okay to beat this kid up

but maybe this woman had a good reason to be angry with Twelve Tribes.

[maveric]

18. Who gives a shit if she did! It doesnt give her the right to beat someone

who happens to prescribe to a religion that pisses her off!
Fuck her!

[havocmom]

19. So I can't clobber Falwell?

Damn x(

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. Yes please do

and can I watch?

[lonestarnot]

43. Feel free to do a take down on the whole 700 club while you're at it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

44. Here is where we can start

[lonestarnot]

45. I'd post a few more but don't know how and don't have the energy tonight.

[bloom]

20. She might be mentally ill

and need of help - that's about the only excuse I can think of.


Prisons are becoming our defacto mental institutions. Not that the old system was great - but this one sure isn't either.

[maveric]

23. ALL fundies are mentally ill!

She should be charged with a hate-crime also!

[fishwax]

32. How do you know she's a fundie?

Aren't you assuming facts not in evidence? The 12 tribes are the ones that sound like fundies, to me. Of course, that doesn't justify the assault.

[Jamison]

55. That's what I think.

She can't be a fundie b/c teh ganja is the Devil's herb ya know.:evilgrin:

[mongo]

25. more on the twelve tribes

Only community members can preach the "true gospel." They say "the sheep will obediently receive, hear and obey a 'sent one' giving up wealth, jobs, friends, relatives and inheritance to enter the one sheepfold." To join the community "sheep" must donate their time and free labor. "Saved" means calling upon Yahshua (Jesus is a demon) and consenting to outdoor baptism even in the middle of winter. Within the communities, opportunities abound for a member to "die to themselves" and "crucify their flesh." Believing Jesus' death insufficient to save a person, they render community members totally dependent upon the group.

E. Spriggs refers to the Bible as "the most dangerous book." The tribes also say "In order to understand the Scriptures one must connect himself to the vine (the tribes). And in another teaching Spriggs says "The Bible is written to confound the wise and meant to be misunderstood unless you are under the anointing." (Spriggs' interpretation) Stone IV 6/18/89

Filling their members with fear and dread, the community makes it difficult for devastated members to depart. As they are leaving, defectors may hear "Whoever has the Holy Spirit and leaves the body is turned over to death. You will not live long." In another teaching Spriggs says, "If a person even thinks about returning to Egypt, our Father will provide them an opportunity to return. ..If you go back, you will drown." These damaged people can no longer trust God, themselves or others, and are unable to receive 'help from the world."

By inhibiting critical thinking among community members, a "group think" mentality prevails. Accordingly, followers surrender their right to make value judgments. (They cannot reason ). All female members must wear dresses or hideous clown-type pants. Men must grow their hair long enough to tie their hair in a short pony tail. Unity means "we perfectly agree about everything." We do not agree to disagree like Christianity with all their denominations." We are one as Yahshua commanded." They always rid themselves of those who cause division.

Bowel movements and how you have them are critical. During bathroom visits, members squat on small unstable wooden stools. A difficult feat it is! They say "toilets are killing Americans, because as you sit not enough crap comes out. This causes colon cancer."

Awakened and frightened by the boring religious service, a crying 2 year old child refused to sit like a miniature adult. In response, the parents rolled their son in a sheet to prevent him from moving his arms or legs. The parents repeated this "discipline" over several weeks.

One of my shepherds approached me and said, "I don't like the behavior of your two year old son. You need to hit him." I felt like telling Al Jayne "Ne'eman", "Too damn bad, look at your own children." If I didn't hit my son, I felt like Al Jayne would have enjoyed the task in my place. The tribes expect too much from small children. Burdened with the goal of raising up three successive generations of increasingly pure and perfect children, community members constantly "beat the tar out of their babies." Spriggs also says, "If our children can't learn obedience, Yahshua will not return."

Many parents "in the world" punish their children as a last resort. In the tribes, parents punish their children as a first resort. Walloping their children provides some adults with an excuse to leave a gathering. Instructed to remove their "disobedient" children far from the listening ears of visitors, the parents strike their children on outstretched palms or bare buttocks with long thin flexible sticks. Foolishness, joke telling, laughing or making faces often results in "discipline" for these young children.

# The community routinely removes children from their parents, if the parents cannot raise them according to Spriggs' standards. One young child moved into my communal home, and shortly thereafter his "teacher" thrashed him with a balloon stick.

# Within the community, parents routinely deny their children immunizations and medical care. They don't want doctors to discover the many scars on their children's buttocks. The community hates to spend money on "worldly medical care."

# The daughter of one shepherd told me, "Growing up in the Edah is difficult. As a young child, I endured constant "discipline." Currently, I am busy with never ending work, but when I marry I will have even more work, and my husband will rule over me. I know Yahshua loves me. I need to trust Him and give up my life."

# If the young children engage in imaginary play, pretend, fantasy or imaginary friends, their parents beat them. In one commune, small boys could not push blocks of wood, or make truck noises. Community children possess few if any toys, and cannot play unless an adult "covers" them. In defense of their views, they say, "we want our children to deal with real life, such as learning a trade or helping their mothers in the kitchen." A commune house may own one ball or bicycle, which, the children may play with provided they don't have too much fun. Sadly, the children enjoy little play time, because the adults must continue working "so that the sheep have a home to come to, food to eat and clothes to wear."

# Within the communities, tightly swaddled babies, toddlers and small children are a common sight. Unable to move their arms or legs, the poor children are wrapped in a cloth or blanket like little mummies. They are made helpless and often must sit for long periods, while their mothers work. One member explained, "swaddling helps to break their will without breaking their spirit." I often pitied a frightened little black baby wrapped in this way. She wanted to move but couldn't.


It goes on and on http://www.twelvetribes-ex.org/

look under bizarre.

The above does not mean that I believe the woman had any right to beat up the girl. But these people are in a bizarre cult. She may have had a personal reason to go off on her.

[Must_B_Free]

42. The only Twelve Tribes I know are Rastafarian

My bredren is a Twelve Tribes - I don't think its the same one.

[elehhhhna]

50. Jesus says :Bow to your sensei! (FYI He had lotsa sweet ninja moves)

[lateo]

52. "We didn't land on Plymouth Rock"

[NMMNG]

54. Outrageous

But typical I'm afraid. I read of a similar incident on a Buddhist messageboard I frequent. One of the members, who wears Buddhist robes, was thrown onto subway tracks by total strangers and called a "freak".

And the religious right is whining about "anti-Christian bigotry". :wtf: