Bible study, group sex, rape and murder – this amazing story of religious excess sounds like Hollywood fiction rather than something out of a Midwestern American Christianity. It is instead, the story of the birth of a new Christian cult based in personal charisma and group sex that eventually led to rape and murder. Tyler Deaton has a lot to explain.
While Deaton spoke in calm and assuring tones, at least one of his closest inner circle apparently was starting to come undone.
Three days later, investigators say, 23-year-old Micah Moore would go to police and uncork the terrible secrets that allegedly occurred over several months at a Grandview home where Deaton and other members of his religious group lived.
Witnesses told of a clan of young adults making sex part of their religious experience, of men in the group sexually assaulting Bethany over months, and of Deaton’s role as their “spiritual leader.”
Read more here: Secrets of Tyler Deaton's prayer group emerge
I’m speechless. Religion can be used for evil by anyone. I see it on the pages of this blog every week.
Deaton is linked to IHOP.
Deaton’s group came from Texas to be part of the International House of Prayer, based in south Kansas City.
On Monday, Allen Hood, the president of the International House of Prayer, said in a statement that Deaton led his group independently and operated under a “veil of secrecy,” though members attended a school operated by IHOP. The statement also made reference to the group’s “disturbing religious practices.”
Read more here: Tyler Deaton’s role at the International House of Prayer becomes clearer
Since when is it a good idea to let anybody run a group under a “veil of secrecy?” By now we all know this to be dumb. IHOP is simply distancing themselves from yet another controversy. Deaton has been listed as a division coordinator on IHOP’s website until the charges came to light. Now… well, you know the story.
