Cult News

Stewart Unholtz, the Illinois County State’s Attorney says he has “looked over the statutes, which should be applicable” to Neo-Nazi Matt Hale listing himself as an “attorney.” without any official status to practice law in Illinois.

In a phone message left yesterday Umholtz said, “A person who falsely represents himself to be an attorney not authorized to practice law for the purpose of compensation or consideration commits a criminal act.”

However, Umholtz thinks the critical words are “compensation or consideration.” He seems to think a “criminal act” must involve billing clients and/or receiving something for legal work done.

Why did Matt Hale list and/or represent himself as an “attorney” if he did not intend to do any work? Didn’t Hale hope that Illinois residents who found his name listed as an “attorney” would call him for services, or was this just a gesture to indulge his ego?

Umholtz says this matter will continue to be “looked at.”

Note: To see the original article regarding Matt Hale click here

Ariel Ben Sherman the leader of a group called “New Life Tabernacle” now faces criminal charges due to medical neglect, allegedly caused through his influence. A 15-year-old girl with a tumor the size of a basketball did not receive proper medical attention, reported WBIR TV in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Additionally, according to an official report filed in court, children were physically abused within the sect’s compound. The group meted out extreme punishments such as hanging children bound with ropes from the ceiling for hours and dousing them with cold water in an empty pool for soiling themselves.

Again and again, cases have come to court in recent years involving the gross abuse of children in cults. But unlike their parents, children in cults never make a decision to join. Instead, they are brought in, often almost like so much baggage.

Though cult members may believe whatever they wish, they may not legally do whatever they want. And it seems this must especially apply to the protection of the most vulnerable members of any cult, which are its children. Religious freedom should not be invoked to offer child abusers immunity from prosecution.

Gurus are a burgeoning growth industry. The Observer in Great Britain reports that the guru craze, which includes everything from a “Life Coach” to a “Yoga” teacher is a booming business.

It seems like some people are so lonely and/or lost they are willing to pay for a friend, sycophant or supposed “seer” to answer life’s questions or simply tell them what to do.

There is even a “blow job” guru, who instructs housewives, how to keep husbands happy, which apparently is not a spiritual approach.

Celebrity guru Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa has her own guru, “Yogi Bhajan” leader of 3HO, which has been called a “cult.” So does this mean Bhajan has a guru franchise, or are Khalsa’s students getting two gurus for the price of one?

One thing is for sure; there is money to be made in Guruland.

A list of books that included the ever-popular Harry Potter were compared to “heroin” in Hartford by a group of irate parents, according to the Middletown Press.

The Connecticut group of concerned citizens insists that books, which include and/or mention magic and witchcraft, are a means “Satan” uses to get kids. One parent explained, “Witchcraft is of the devil, and the devil is very powerful.”

So it seems in Hartford the road to Hell has widened through children’s books.

The activist group said even books with specious titles should be banned such as “Cast no Spell,” which is actually only about spelling. Never mind they were rolling with an apparent “scorched earth” and “take no prisoners” strategy. Maybe a good old-fashioned book burning is just around the corner?

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that after a spate of bad publicity, Target department stores pulled a Neo-Nazi sportswear line.

It seems that ignorant buyers for Target did not realize they were stocking the store’s shelves with “hatewear,” when they bought caps and clothes with the logo “88.” Amongst Neo-Nazis “88” is code for “HH” or “Heil Hitler.” Two eights, which represent the eighth letter of alphabet “H” repeated twice.

A spokesperson for Target now says, “We certainly apologize that this was out there.”

Forest Gump said, “Stupid is as stupid does.” Someone was certainly pretty stupid at Target.

The Peoria Journal Star picked up today on the story about “attorney” Matt Hale. They report that County State’s Attorney Stewart Umholtz says he is now following-up on a second complaint he received about Hale two weeks ago.

But the Peoria newspaper neglected to mention that Umholtz and the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission actually received their first complaint two months ago.

The second complaint involves an associate of Hale’s now in prison. He wrote the inmate and on the envelope listed himself as an “attorney.” Interesting, and why is it not surprising that this “attorney” has an associate in prison, rather than in a law office?

Hale claims that listings of him as a lawyer were done when he thought Illinois would let him practice law. Good cover story, maybe it’s true. But the US Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal to practice law in Illinois, so that time will never come.

The Neo-Nazi Hale then offered this analogy, “Abe Lincoln didn’t have a law license but he was an attorney.” Excuse me Mr. Hale, but you’re no “Abe Lincoln.”

Associated Press reports that once prominent “militia” leader Norman Olson has decided to pack it in and leave his home state of Michigan. Olson says, “I can’t live here any longer.” But actually Norm just can’t seem to win an election as local “militia commander” and appears to be a sore loser. Now he wants to stew in colder weather and is on his way to Alaska. Norm claims, “Alaska is a state that offers some hope.” Well, hopefully Mr. Olson will find somewhere to settle there, as remote as possible.

Another “militia” man doesn’t have travel options. Charles Pucket, former “Commander of the Kentucky State Militia,” plead guilty to two weapons charges and one count of intimidating a witness. He was then sentenced to 2.5 years in prison, reports Associated Press.

It seems “militias” have slumped since their pre-Timothy McVeigh peak in the 90s. McVeigh’s execution for the Oklahoma bombing, “militia” arrests and convictions, largely ended their fervor. And the mythology that these groups promoted about their supposed “militia” status today seems fairly ridiculous.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with some guys getting together to play army. That is, as long as no laws are broken. But for many “militia” types this seems impossible. Perhaps other disgruntled “militia” members will soon join Norm for winter war games in Alaska. As Olson says, there might be “some hope.”

According to an Illinois State’s Attorney, Matthew Hale can publicly list himself as an attorney, despite repeated court rulings that deny him the right to practice law in Illinois.

Stewart J. Umholtz, the designated County State’s Attorney responsible for Peoria spoke today by phone from his office in Pekin, Illinois. Mr. Umholtz explained why he has taken no action against Matthew Hale concerning the Neo-Nazi’s published promotion of himself as an “attorney.” Umholtz said, “If he does not charge and/or collect fees, it’s not criminal.”

However, Umholtz’s assessment seems to contradict a previous statement made by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) of the Supreme Court of Illinois. The ARDC said, “In Illinois, a person who falsely represents him or her self to be an attorney has committed a criminal offense.” When advised of the ARDC statement Mr. Umholtz replied, “I will call the ARDC and check on that.”

Mr. Umholtz acknowledged receiving a complaint about Mr. Hale some time ago regarding this matter from a Peoria resident. But he insisted that his office had more pressing and important matters to attend to, such as “burglaries.”

Matthew Hale, founder of “World Church of the Creator” was linked to Benjamin Smith. Smith murdered two people and wounded nine, during a three-day rampage of hate in 1999. He was a member of Hale’s church. Hale said that the Illinois refusal to let him practice law likely led to Smith’s rage. Whatever the reason, he was a pivotal influence in Smith’s life.

Matthew Hale continues to test the law, some might say he flaunts it. But according to State’s Attorney Umholtz he can do that.

Note: According to the Peoria resident who originally filed a complaint with County State’s Attorney Stewart Umholtz, he knew the ARDC stated that Hale had committed a “criminal offense” from the beginning. The Peopria resident says Umholtz received forwarded email from the ARDC, which specifically stated that opinion. This seems to contradict Umholtz inference that he somehow didn’t know what the ARDC said and/or needs to “check on that.”

Matt Hale, leader of the so-called “World Church of the Creator,” may have graduated from law school and passed the Illinois State Bar, but he seems to be ignoring its courts.

Hale tried to become a practicing attorney in Illinois, but a state panel that evaluates the character and fitness of prospective lawyers turned down the hate group leader.

Subsequently Hale appealed that decision to a state court and lost. Not deterred he appealed once more in federal court, but lost again. At Wrigley Field after three strikes you’re out. But Mr. Hale if nothing else is persistent, the ardent Neo-Nazi just couldn’t accept three adverse decisions. So despite the calls against him, Hale decided to hang out his shingle anyway. He listed himself as an attorney at Lycos, Yahoo and his own hometown Yellow Pages in Peoria.

But a concerned Peoria resident found out and in June contacted the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) of the Supreme Court of Illinois. The ARDC advised, “In Illinois, a person who falsely represents him or her self to be an attorney has committed a criminal offense. Such matters are under the jurisdiction of County State’s Attorney’s Offices.” Dutifully the Peoria resident then reported the matter to that office.

However, after more than two months and repeated contacts with the County State’s Attorney’s Office and its investigator, who said in July that he was “waiting for an opinion from the US Attorney’s Office,” nothing appears to have been effectively done.

The Peoria resident also contacted the regional counsel for the Anti-Defamation League and the Illinois Attorney General’s Criminal Enforcement Division, who referred the Peoria resident back to the County State’s Attorney’s Office again.

And so what happened after this bureaucratic process? Matt Hale’s shingle is still hanging.

When contacted the State’s Attorney’s Office Investigator Dave Frank refused to comment. Stewart J. Umholtz, State’s Attorney and David Barkey, Midwest Civil Rights Counsel for the Anti-Defamation League, did not return calls.

What now compounds the situation is that Mr. Hale is running for City Commissioner of East Peoria, Illinois. Hale’s campaign platform includes the following statement; “Whether people like it or not, there is a direct link between race and criminal activity [sic].” Well, there appears to be at least a “direct link” between Matt Hale and “criminal activity,” which should exclude him from public office.

Interestingly, according to the “World Church of Creator Membership Manual, 3rd Edition,” under “Grounds for Revocation of Membership” the first cause is listed as; “Committing illegal acts or encouraging others to do the same.” Does this mean that Matt Hale may soon have his membership revoked? Something tells me an exception might be made.

Note: Hale hates Jews and has posted the video of Daniel Pearl, Wall Street Journal reporter, being murdered by terrorists at his website message board. One visitor commented, “Nothing like a dead Jew!”
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A very interesting article about meditation is now featured within San Francisco Weekly. The article cites research results, which demonstrate that in some situations meditation regimes may cause serious problems.

Many groups that have been called “cults” seem to use “meditation” to make their members more suggestible and thus easier to manipulate, by inducing a hypnotic trance state. Such techniques appear common within many Neo Eastern groups, which may also use “yoga” exercises in the same manner.