Md. Cult Members' Trial In Boy's Death Postponed

BALTIMORE (AP) ― The trial of three religious cult members accused of starving a toddler to death has been postponed until Jan. 27.

A fourth cult member will have his case heard on Friday — a possible sign that he intends to plead guilty. Prosecutors obtained a new indictment against Marcus Cobbs last week charging him with accessory after the fact.

Authorities say the cult members starved 1-year-old Javon Thompson because the boy did not say "Amen" after meals. Javon's mother was also part of the cult and pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death. She is expected to testify against the other members.

Two cult members, Queen Antoinette and Trevia Williams, are representing themselves, and prosecutors are asking to have the case specially assigned to a single judge.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Santeria priest in Euless Texas can resume goat sacrifices

CHERYL DIAZ MEYER/DMN

Santeria priest Jose Merced sued Euless in December, saying the city's ban on killing animals infringed on his religious rights.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a district court’s ruling, paving the way for a Santeria priest in Euless to resume goat sacrifices as part of religious ceremonies.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty comments on the case (March 27, 2009)

City officials had attempted to ban the sacrifices, an action that Jose Merced, a Santeria priest and Puerto Rico native, challenged in federal court as a restriction on his constitutional right to free exercise of religion.
U.S. District Judge John McBryde sided with the city last year and dismissed Merced’s claims. The case went to the federal appeals court in New Orleans in April.
Merced’s lawyer, Eric Rassbach, said it was a great day for religious freedom in Texas. But Euless’ attorney, William “Mick” McKamie, said he plans to file a motion for a rehearing.
City officials have said animal sacrifices jeopardize public health and violate Euless’ slaughterhouse and animal-cruelty ordinances.
“It’s repulsive, and it has no business in an urban environment,” McKamie said after the April hearing in New Orleans.

Music Review: Geneviève Pasquier

Geneviève Pasquier * Le Cabaret Moi (cd 2009)

Browse: Thorofon
Category: cabaret, electropop, industrial

The female half of Thorofon / The Musick Wreckers is back. It is only recently that I got to know Geneviève Pasquier (about a year ago) and I have to admit that I pulled her three earlier releases off the internet. I like some of the songs on these albums. Pasquier has a nice mix between oldstyle industrial and electropop, but the result is less predictable than this description suggests. On “Le Cabaret Moi” Pasquier has a little bit more of a ‘cabaretesk’ sound, the lyrics are now mostly in French and Pasquier incorporated a few new sounds. Still the new album is recognisable in song structure and style. Poppy songs with strange distorted industrial sounds or simply rhythmical industrial with Pasquier’s singing, most of the time nicely catchy. Yep, an original style and I happen to like this relatively more accessible current in the extreme electronics scene and this album is a very nice one in this direction.
Links: Geneviève Pasquier, Ant-Zen

Santeria, A Practical Guide to Afro-Caribbean Magic.

Santeria is not an archaic religion. It is a vibrant force with five hundred years of continuous history in the Western Hemisphere. Its African roots go back at least as far as Christianity's.

Santeria has millions of followers spread across the United States, the Caribbean, Central, and South America. There is Voodoo in Haiti, Macumba in Brazil and Candomble in the Northern coasts of South America. Its adherents come from all walks o f life; doctors, lawyers, politicians, thieves and pimps. All those who seek the power to control their own lives and want to lead them in accord with the deepest parts of their beings are candidates for initiation into Santeria. As the traditional belief systems of the Western world cease to provide a direct emotional involvement with the mysteries of life, more and more people are turning to the throbbing of the Santeria drums. It is a religion of trance, mystery, posse ssion, blood and sex. What follows is a brief glimpse into Santeria. If you want to know more, go to the ceremonies, burn the candles and dance to the drums. Skin color or language are no barriers. The ancient gods will recognize their own.

(source)