Wolrd Religion

Canadians are as good at religious tolerance as they are at hockey, a lawyer for members of a branch of The Church of the Universe argued Tuesday.

Lawyer Paul Lewin said based on that Canadian tolerance, if marijuana is religious to some — as he feels the defence has proven — Toronto's G-13 Mission of God should be shut out of Canada's marijuana laws.

It isn't clear yet if that argument has scored with the judge presiding over the charter challenge by two members of the Church of the Universe busted for drug charges back in 2006.

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When Lynn's son Bryce went to the annual Harvest Crusade, a Christian music and evangelism event, she had no way of knowing he would be lured into a cultic group known as the Twelve Tribes.

As Lynn discovered to her dismay, behind the quaint "freepapers" and homespun clothing is a religious system marked by exclusivism, racism, manipulation, and the spiritual domination of a man who calls himself "Yoneq."

Seventh-day Adventists are among the other groups that chase down Crusade attendees.

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The Muslim parents of Christian convert Rifqa Bary have had their request to order their daughter to continue chemotherapy for uterine cancer rejected in court.

Bary's doctor disputed faith healer allegation, saying Bary had attended a prayer conference after which she continued with surgeries and other treatment.

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Runaway Agape Ministries cult leader Rocco Leo has offered to "refund" a profoundly disabled woman $290,000 as "a sign of good faith".

In documents filed with the District Court, Leo denies defrauding $420,000 from Silvia Melchiorre, saying any monies received from her were a gift.

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A judge praised a young mother for great strides in her treatment after she starved her 1-year-old son to death while part of the 1 Mind Ministries religious cult.

The woman's attorney said Wednesday she is breaking free of the belief that her son will be resurrected.

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