North Carolina's demon blasters
• Superstitious Folly
A nutty, noisy church here in the Tarheel State is suing the local Department of Social Services. The church claims that the Rutherford County DSS's investigation is harassment.
At the heart of the controversy are two church practices and their application to children. One is "strong" or "blasting" prayer, a high-volume form of prayer that Word of Faith members say is based on numerous biblical references.
Former church members have described blasting as a practice in which church members stand in a circle around an individual while praying loudly in an effort to drive demonic spirits from the subject.
The other is "discipleship," in which church members and children spend time in isolation, praying, reading Scriptures and listening to tapes of religious teachings.
Critics of the church and its practices argue that blasting prayer is a form of abuse and that discipleship training involves isolating children from friends and family.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and an order declaring that blasting prayer and discipleship are religious practices that are protected from government interference and do not constitute abuse.
And you thought most crazy Christians were loud enough already.
Tim Whitmire, AP: Controversial church sues N.C. social services agency