Today's Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports that on Nov. 25, two former members of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries filed a federal court lawsuit against Alamo charging that as teenagers they were beaten and subjected to abuse by the church. On Tuesday Alamo's lawyers filed a Motion to Dismiss or Strike References to Religion (full text), objecting to various of the charges that they say will involve the court in deciding theological matters. They claim that some of the alleged beatings were in fact spankings of unruly children that are authorized by the Bible and were consented to by the children's parents. They say that withholding of food is justified by references to fasting throughout the Bible. Alamo's marrying of young girls, that allegedly caused distress to plaintiffs, attorneys argue also follows examples in the Bible. In September, Alamo was arrested on federal charges. (See prior posting.)
UPDATE: AP on Tuesday reported plaintiffs' response, arguing against Alamo's free exercise defenses.
