Daily Archives: June 29, 2022

Described as a hard-hitting but compelling watch, the new Netflix documentary Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, about the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), delves into the charismatic and cult-like leadership of its head, Warren Jeffs, who presided over years of abuse in the secretive organisation.

The church, which has been called a polygamous cult, made national headlines in the early 2000s, when its illegal practice of polygamy, as well as incest and marrying female children to much older men came to light after Jeffss arrest for sexual assault on a minor.

By the time US law enforcement caught up with the man who had become one of the FBIs most wanted, Jeffs had more than 78 wives, the youngest being 12.

Young girls in the church are groomed from birth to 'Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey'. They wear old-fashioned clothing and are married off while in their teens to much older men. Photo: Netflix

The church is a fundamentalist Mormon organisation that emerged as a splinter in the early 20th century.

It split from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) after a row over plural marriage, which the LDS renounced, but some members wanted to continue.

Followers believe that a man should have a minimum of three wives in order to get to heaven.

The FLDS is led by a succession of men who regard themselves as prophets, and who have convinced their followers that they have been ordained by God to lead them.

The Southern Poverty Law Centre has designated the church a hate group, and a white supremacist, homophobic, anti-government, totalitarian cult, quoting Jeffss disturbing views on women, ethnic minorities, law enforcement and the apocalypse, which he previously insisted would come in 2012.

Jeffs, 66, is serving a life sentence at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Louis C Powledge Unit and is ineligible for parole until 2038.

Despite being imprisoned, many in the FLDS still regard him as their president and prophet.

Having been accused by numerous women and men of rape and sexual assault, including family members and his own children, Jeffs was found guilty on August 9, 2011, on two counts of sexual assault of a child and sentenced to life in prison.

Warren Jeffs made the FBI's 'Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives' list, and when arrested, he was found with several disguises and mobile phones. Photo: FBI

In June 2005, Jeffs was charged with sexual assault on a minor and with conspiracy to commit sexual misconduct with a minor.

The following month, the Arizona Attorney Generals office released wanted posters offering $10,000 for information leading to his arrest.

In April 2006, Utah issued an arrest warrant on him for accomplice rape of a teenage girl aged between 14 and 18 years old, and on May 6, the FBI put Jeffs on its Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, offering a $60,000 reward.

In June 2006, Jeffs travelled to Colorado City in Arizona to oversee some child-bride marriages. On August 28, his car was pulled over because of number plate issues, with a highway trooper discovering him inside, along with one of his wives and his brother Isaac.

Also found in the car were four computers, 16 mobile phones, wigs and sunglasses to be used as disguises, and more than $55,000 in cash.

Members of the FLDS, who have spoken to the media, claim Warren Jeffs is still their leader and they believe the claims against him are fabricated. Photo: Netflix

As shown in the four-episode Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, the church remains active despite Jeffss incarceration.

Many members claim he is still running the organisation from behind bars and exerting influence over his remaining congregation.

In the documentary, former members claim they have become estranged from their families over their decision to leave.

Three of us are out, says Lola Barlow, who was in the group as a child. The rest of everybodys still in. I could just drive to their house and talk to them but they wont talk to me.

Amazon has announced 41 new titles spanning several genres and Indian languages to be launched over the next two years. Photo: Amazon Prime Video

Updated: June 28, 2022, 5:22 AM

Read this article:

What happened to Warren Jeffs? Netflix's 'Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey' highlights 'cult' - The National

Courtesy of Leon Brown/Instagram; Inset: Puddle Monkey Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

Unveiling their truest self!Leon Brown, the child of Sister Wives stars Kody and Meri Brown, has come out as transgender.

Someone recently told me that I didnt have to have all of my st figured out in order for me to share myself with the world,Leon, 26,wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, June 28, alongside a photo of themselves posing for the camera. So heres me, definitely not having almost any of my st figured out, to let you know that I am trans. My name is Leon or Leo (i love both) and my pronouns are they/them.

The TLC personality went on to detail their journey towardfiguring out their identity, revealinghow long theyve known who they are.

I was pretty young & unfortunately I grew up in a context that was incredibly gendered & restrictive,Leon explained. So I continued to be socialized as a girl & later a woman. and heres the thing, Im finally ready to share my favorite self with the world. and that self is incredibly genderqueer, trans, and unapologetic.

The Utah native called being queer and trans some of theirfavorite parts of myself.However,admitted that there are so many things that I am learning to love about myself through the process as they continually evolve to be themost authentic version of themselves.

Leon concluded the post by setting important boundaries.If you choose to not use my correct name or pronouns, then you do not need to speak to or about me, they said. My name is Leo or Leon, and my pronouns are they/them.Please only refer to me in that way.

Kody, 53, has yet to react to the announcement and the two are not currently following each other on the social media platform. Meri, 51, however, shared Leons post via her Instagram Story on Tuesday.

You are my sunshine, she wrote at the time.

Kody and Meris only childpreviously came out as a lesbian to their polygamous family during an episode of Sister Wives in 2017.Leonhas been engaged to partner Audrey Kriss since January 2019 after the program manager proposed during the Womens March in Washington, D.C.

During a March 2020 episode of the TLC series, Leon shared someintimate details of their personal life anddescribedthe support they received from their fiance. In my teens, I felt very devoted to the church that I was raised in, they explained. I wanted to live polygamy. I think it was a way to protect myself from, like, coming out to myself, really.

Leon continued, Religious institutions are spaces where theres rules and if you are not following these rules or guidelines you can feel pretty marginalized and I did feel that way with my church. But with my family, I found so much comfort and they love me anyway. They love me and they love Audrey, and they love our love.

Kriss, for their part, came out as transgender in December 2021.I just wanted to let you know that I am transgender, and my pronouns are they/them. Im still going by Audrey, they wrote via Instagram at the time. I dont want to hide myself from the world anymore. I am so incredibly excited! I am also scared. I am scared of the hate Ill receive, the things people I care about will say about me, and violence. As a white, masculine presenting person comes a lot of privilege, and I am still scared.

Read the original:

Sister Wives Star Leon Brown Comes Out as Transgender: Im Finally Ready to Share My Favorite Self With the World - Us Weekly

Per a new report from Gallup, the percentage of Americans now saying they believe in God is the lowest since they first started doing the survey.

In 2022, 81% of Americans say they believe in God.

When Gallup first asked this question in 1944, 96% said they believed, and in the early 1950s, it was up to 98%.

It remained over 90% until 2013, when it dipped down to 87%.

The current 81% is a six-point drop from the last time Gallup asked the question in 2017.

Digging down into the data, we get a mixed message about what it tells us about the future.

On the one hand, the age group with the lowest percentage saying they believe in God is the youngest 18 to 29.

Only 68% say they believe.

Given that these young people reflect our future, we must assume that, with no change in their views, the country will continue its purge of religion from our lives.

On the other hand, the ethnic cross section with the highest percentage saying they believe is what Gallup defines as people of color.

I assume this means Blacks and Hispanics. This group registers 88% belief, 9 points higher than white, who register 79%.

Given that that the demographic people of coloris growing faster than white, and becoming each year a larger percentage of our population, this could point to a strengthening of faith, on average, in our population as we move into the future.

Why should we care about this?

From a practical point of view, faith translates into behavior, and as faith diminishes, the incidence of behaviors that once were viewed as morally unacceptable increases.

In 2001, the percentage of Americans saying the following behaviors are morally acceptable was as follows: birth to unwed mother 45%; gay/lesbian relations 40%; abortion 42%. In 2003, polygamy was deemed morally acceptable by 7%; in 2011, pornography was deemed morally acceptable by 30%; and in 2013, teenage sex was deemed morally acceptable by 32%.

Here are the percentages of Americans saying in 2022 these same behaviors are morally acceptable: birth to unwed mother 70%; gay/lesbian relations 71%; pornography 41%; abortion 52%; teenage sex 45%; polygamy 23%.

Again, we can ask, So, what?

The vision of the founders of the country was freedom. The point was to keep government intrusion at a minimum and permit individual freedom at a maximum.

The preamble to the U.S. Constitution notes that it was put forth to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

The Constitution was designed to limit government power to very specific defined areas that were deemed essential and appropriate for government.

For this to work, we must assume we have a population of free individuals who manage their own personal affairs in a responsible way.

It is worth recalling, once again, George Washingtons famous observation in his farewell address, which first appeared in print Sept. 19, 1796:

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable support reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

Clearly, we have departed in a major way from this.

Supreme Court decisions over the years have reinterpreted the Constitution to grant far more authority to the federal government than the founders had in mind.

And along with this, as we see in Gallup polling, we see major deterioration in faith and significantly higher acceptance of many behaviors that were once deemed morally unacceptable.

Hence, we find where we stand today.

Again, per Gallup, only 16% are satisfied with the way things are going in the country.

Government is in our lives in a major way, with trillion-dollar deficits and debt the size of our entire economy.

And now inflation, which reflects all this.

Is there a way out without restoration of religious principle and personal responsibility, as George Washington warned?

I think not.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and a Creators Syndicate opinion writer.

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Excerpt from:

Faith and freedom go together | News, Sports, Jobs - The Express - Lock Haven Express

Per a new report from Gallup, the percentage of Americans now saying they believe in God is the lowest since they first started doing the survey.

In 2022, 81% of Americans say they believe in God.

When Gallup first asked this question in 1944, 96% said they believed, and in the early 1950s, it was up to 98%. It remained over 90% until 2013, when it dipped down to 87%.

The current 81% is a 6-point drop from the last time Gallup asked the question in 2017.

Digging down into the data, we get a mixed message about what it tells us about the future.

On the one hand, the age group with the lowest percentage saying they believe in God is the youngest 18 to 29. Only 68% say they believe. Given that these young people reflect our future, we must assume that, with no change in their views, the country will continue its purge of religion from our lives.

On the other hand, the ethnic cross section with the highest percentage saying they believe is what Gallup defines as people of color. I assume this means Blacks and Hispanics. This group registers 88% belief, 9 points higher than white, who register 79%.

Given that that the demographic people of color is growing faster than white, and becoming each year a larger percentage of our population, this could point to a strengthening of faith, on average, in our population as we move into the future.

Why should we care about this?

From a practical point of view, faith translates into behavior, and as faith diminishes, the incidence of behaviors that once were viewed as morally unacceptable increases.

In 2001, the percentage of Americans saying the following behaviors are morally acceptable was as follows: birth to unwed mother 45%; gay/lesbian relations 40%; abortion 42%. In 2003, polygamy was deemed morally acceptable by 7%; in 2011, pornography was deemed morally acceptable by 30%; and in 2013, teenage sex was deemed morally acceptable by 32%.

Here are the percentages of Americans saying in 2022 these same behaviors are morally acceptable: birth to unwed mother 70%; gay/lesbian relations 71%; pornography 41%; abortion 52%; teenage sex 45%; polygamy 23%.

Again, we can ask, So, what?.

The vision of the founders of the country was freedom. The point was to keep government intrusion at a minimum and permit individual freedom at a maximum.

The preamble to the U.S. Constitution notes that it was put forth to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. The Constitution was designed to limit government power to very specific defined areas that were deemed essential and appropriate for government.

For this to work, we must assume we have a population of free individuals who manage their own personal affairs in a responsible way.

It is worth recalling, once again, George Washingtons famous observation in his farewell address, which first appeared in print Sept. 19, 1796:

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable support ... reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

Clearly, we have departed in a major way from this.

Supreme Court decisions over the years have reinterpreted the Constitution to grant far more authority to the federal government than the founders had in mind.

And along with this, as we see in Gallup polling, we see major deterioration in faith and significantly higher acceptance of many behaviors that were once deemed morally unacceptable.

Hence, we find where we stand today.

Again, per Gallup, only 16% are satisfied with the way things are going in the country.

Government is in our lives in a major way, with trillion-dollar deficits and debt the size of our entire economy. And now inflation, which reflects all this.

Is there a way out without restoration of religious principle and personal responsibility, as George Washington warned?

I think not.

More here:

Parker: Faith and freedom go together | Opinion | news-journal.com - Longview News-Journal

Many know him for his role as the hunky and successful businessman, Phenyo on Generations. Even after he left in 2013 to join Imbewu: The Seed, people still called him Phenyo even offscreen.

A few years later he made headlines for over poor health and marital issues, which did not bother him, and he ignored them.

He had a couple of other roles after Imbewu: The Seed, before going on a short hiatus from the small screen.

Actor Melusi Yeni makes a return to the TV screens to play the role of a businessman Sibonelo in the new Mzansi Magic drama, Isifiso, alongside Nelisa Mchunu, Sjava, Zinhle Mabena, and Ntando Mncube, Duduzile Ngcobo, Bandile Maphalala, and Nkosinathi Kheswa.

Filled with shocking twists, betrayal, and greed,Isifisois the story of Bazothini, a woman who only wants the approval of her mother and those around her and will stop at almost nothing to get it. After a tragedy, Bazothini can now live her dream life. The new drama explores sibling rivalry, jealousy, and murder. It is about a woman living under her younger sisters shadow, envying her seemingly-perfect life but not all is what it seems, as she quickly and tragically learns.

Read more lConnie Ferguson wins Favourite Personality award as Mzansi stars honoured at this years #DStvMVCA

He is thrilled to be back playing a major role after being away from the small screen for so long.

Sibonelo comes from a rural background, he was always extremely driven in preserving culture. He is a family guy and worked hard as an entrepreneur. He owns a chain of butcheries. He is a well-to-do business guy, Melusi says.

For every role he chooses, Melusi does extensive research on the character.

Sibonelo is married but there is an element of infidelity. He is a prim and proper, alpha Zulu male, but not hardcore, he has been to school. What is popular now is polygamy. I had a look into Mr. Musa Mselekus life, who is the face of polygamy. He is a business guy,a farm guy, and not too modern but also not too rural. My character has more than one woman in the story. He is also from KZN. Sibonelo lived in Mzumbe and moved to Potchefstroom and has two kids and a beautiful wife. As we unpack him, he is regal, we get to see layers of his life and things dont look as prim as they did in the beginning and that is what excites me.

Read more lCape Flats-born muso on coping with depression and growing as a creative in 2022 and beyond

He had a short stint on KwaZulu Natal medical show Durban Gen, where he played Andile who went to medical school and went into banking.

It was not for long, but I enjoyed the role. He was doing well in his career, confident and extremely well-to-do. Once you start unpacking the layers you see there are flaws and he is not perfect. I enjoyed that, he says.

Before Durban Gen, he was playing in the movie space and serving corporate clients in industrial theatre and working at grooming young filmmakers in KwaZulu Natal.

When people dont see you on a SABC show or a soapie, they assume you are not busy. I havent been on a big SABC show for a long time, probably since Generations, I think and people have said they miss seeing me play Melusi. He was a ladys favourite, he chuckles.

But without saying he would never go back to Generations, Melusi says those days are gone. For the first time, he is excited to be working on a Mzansi Magic production.

I havent worked with Mzansi Magic and its the first time we embark on a big project, its a great challenge," he says.

I have been called into established shows to come in as a character. Its nice to get a brand-new show and fresh show where every role gets established at the same time. If the show flops, we are at the same table together. Thats the interest.

He was approached by a few companies, but he is picky.

I was tired of playing the good-looking guy in a suit, who is romantic. I wanted something more challenging, he says. Melusi no longer wanted to be type-cast.

You end up doing the same thing over and over, just change costumes, he adds.

I try to look for work where the producer can put me in a different light and allow me to shape shift. I like to look at the content and find flawed characters. In Durban Gen, the storylinewas about substance abuse. My character was a huge guy who is successful but is flawed; he abused alcohol and drugs. Even Sibonelo, people will eventually see his flaws. He has a darker side; it is challenging and exciting for an actor. We are actors and we are versatile. You dont want to get into a space where you are too comfortable. I long for something new, a serial killer or rapist. Today we have issues of Gender-based violence, and I want to tap into uncomfortable spaces like those.

Read more lInnocent Masuku who played Bobo on Yizo Yizo on how drugs ruined his career

When he took a break from the small screen, many assumed he was running away from fame and the limelight. But Melusi loves meeting people who appreciate his work.

At the end of the day, Im an actor. I still appreciate being recognised in the street. That is when Im most alive. Acting for me is healing. I can express myself and tap into emotions. I am a healer. I dont ever see myself not acting, he says.

But its also important to sometimes step away to regroup. I wont lie, I have missed playing the male lead. I am excited about the group of vibrant and talented crew and cast I will be working with. They challenge me. They take what appears to be a small role and make it so big. I love the way they view things, he says.

There is more to be expected for Melusi. He has shot two other upcoming productions.

"I worked on another show coming up soon called Umbali. I shot that before this Isifiso. I worked with award-winning director Zuko Nodada on a story about a young Maskandi guy who comes to Durban. but the shows will be revealed with time, for now, I am focusing on building Sibonelo and hoping that everyone enjoys and appreciates the show.

Isifiso, will play on Mondays at 8pm on Mzansi Magic (DStv Channel 161), premiering on 4 July.

View original post here:

I dont see myself not acting. That is when Im most alive - Melusi Yeni happy to be on new lead role - News24

In Bangladesh's refugee camps, communities are working together to empower women and reduce gender-based violence -- through the creation of Safe Spaces for women and girls, and gender transformative training for men and boys.

During times of protracted crisis, women and girls are at heightened risk of discrimination, abuse and violence. When communities break down, whether because of conflict, famine, natural disaster, or lack of economic opportunities, it is usually women and girls who suffer the most.

But in Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh, where almost one million Rohingya refugees live, women and men are working together to change this.

At the Safe Spaces for women and girls, built by Relief International and run by refugee volunteers and host community staff, refugee women and girls come together to talk about their experiences and are offered support and training opportunities.

In addition, men lead sessions for other men on the importance of empowering women in the camps and preventing violence in their community.

Creating a support network

Taslima is a Gender Based Violence (GBV) Program Associate for RI. Her job focuses on empowering women and girls and trying to prevent and mitigate the risk of GBV in the camps. She runs regular meet ups and structured awareness raising modules at the Safe Spaces, so that women and girls to come, learn, and discuss their lives and concerns with others.

"Given the COVID-19 situation, we normally try to keep to a 15-participant maximum in each session... but the number of participants often increases because the women and girls in this camp are very enthusiastic."

These women and girls come together to support one another, and to learn about the issues other women are facing.

"Unfortunately, physical abuse is a big issue here. There is also a high prevalence of emotional abuse too. On top of this, since the start of COVID-19, polygamy has drastically increased in this community," states Taslima solemnly.

The Safe Spaces offer refugee women and girls an opportunity to talk about these issues, and plan how they can take action to support each other, and others in the camps.

Since creating the Safe Spaces, Taslima says "we have prevented a lot of child marriages in this camp... In fact, it is the women of the community who have prevented those child marriages."

Providing New Opportunities

Beyond providing opportunities for discussions, these spaces also offer numerous classes for women to attend that can help improve their home lives, or even provide a source of income. The sewing classes and gardening lessons provided at the spaces are particularly popular.

"Poverty is a factor behind GBV here, so the money these women earn can help reduce conflict in their families," says Taslima.

Hasina regularly comes to the Safe Space. "I can come here in my leisure time, spend time with other women, and also learn how to sew clothes," she says.

Among other items, Hasina makes Bajus [Rohingya dresses] for herself. "I use painted blocks to paint the fabric... [then] I take the measurement. Next, I cut off the body and arms' lengths from the fabric. Finally, I sew them together."

Amina, another woman who regularly comes to the Safe Space makes Katha [thin blankets] that can be used for numerous different purposes; "I don't sell these products. We use them in our family."

Amina continues, "[At the Safe Spaces] we can discuss our problems and share our concerns and feel protected.... Everyone at the Safe Space listens to my concerns... And, we also learn sewing and handicrafts here too."

Training the Whole Community

Men in this community are also playing an important role in empowering women and reducing violence and abuse. RI has empowered 84 male local leaders including imans, majhis [local leaders] and teachers to act as "Change Makers" in the community, where they disseminate messaging promoting ideas of gender equality.

Mohammed is one of these Change Makers. "The *bhais *[brothers] from RI taught us about the impact of Gender-Based Violence issues in our community."

"These issues are a serious problem my community is facing. I think the mothers and sisters of my community can be safe through better awareness [from men]."

Mohammed takes the information he learned from RI trainers and from other men in the training and uses it to talk to men in his community.

"I lead [informal] sessions to raise awareness among men and boys. Wherever I find them, be it an open field or a tea-stall, I talk to them about the harmfulness of GBV."

"I feel good knowing that I am doing something necessary and important for my community."

Looking to the future

Taslima is hopeful that between the Change Makers Program and the Women and Girls Safe Spaces, with women and men working together for gender equality, things will slowly improve for everyone in the community.

"I think together we are leaving a very positive impact on this community!"

The Women and Girls Safe Spaces and the Change Makers activity in Bangladesh's refugee camps are implemented in partnership with UNHCR.

Link:

Empowering Women in the Rohingya Refugee Camps, Bangladesh - Bangladesh - ReliefWeb