Evry, France [Press Release BIA, CD- EUDNews]. Friday October 11, four defendants are before the Court of Assizes in Room 3 of the High Court of Evry. They are accused of bodily harm suffered by a young Cameroonian woman in an apartment in the Paris suburbs, in Grigny on the night of 5 to 6 May 2011.
These people of Caribbean origin, present them selves as members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (Adventists), the rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, France; but they were excluded from the church before committing their offense. The problem is that they still use the name "Adventist" as a label when they were no longer in the church for several years.
During his journey and his spiritual growth, a member can easily evolve renounce his faith and abandon his commitment. Adventist organization clearly states in its rules:
"We recognize that true religion is based on conscience and conviction. It is therefore our constant purpose that no selfish interest or temporal advantage shall draw any person to our communion and that no tie shall hold any member save the belief and conviction that in this way the true connection with Christ is found. If a change of conviction leads a member of our church to feel no longer in harmony with Seventh-day Adventist faith and practice, we recognize not only the right but also the responsibility of that member to change, without opprobrium, religious affiliation in accord with beliefs. We expect other religious bodies to respond in the same spirit of religious liberty.
(GC Working Policy, 2012-2013, p. 521 ).
As stated by the President of the Assize Court Friday, October 11 at 11am, 45 jurors must reflect and answer these questions :
- Is there had sequestration?
- This sequestration has it been accompanied you barbaric acts?
The jury went out to deliberate. The Court rose. The room gradually emptied. The general attorney claimed 8-12 years in prison.
Upon reopening, the Court pronounced the sentence. She retained sequestration but not the charge of torture or barbarity. The heaviest sentence was pronounced against Eric Derond, considered the leader of this case. He declared himself "prophet". Philip Greco and Lise- Michelle Babin, mother of Eric Derond, were sentenced to five years in prison with one year suspended. Lionel Fremor, meanwhile was sentenced to three years of arrest. The accused have already spent two years and five months on preventive detention.
"I wish that what the general attorney had asked be executed, because I think they are dangerous people, especially Eric Derond," said the young sequestered immediately after the verdict. "This is a poor decision in terms of what I expected. To not retain torture bothers me a lot, " added Mr. Christophe René, the victim family’s lawyer.
The Adventist Church does not practice such acts even if the stories of the Gospels show that Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons. In special cases and in some areas, missionaries are invited to discover specific possessions situations. In his pastoral approach, the pastor is called to pray for the person in the presence of two or three witnesses, often elders members of the local church. Meanwhile, members of the parish are encouraged to intercede in prayer and sometimes fasting. But in any case the laity are called to replace this act so special.
Adventists do not have the reputation to use or have the gift of casting out demons. This orientation is not listed in their Church Manual or in the Pastoral Manual and is not taught in theiruniversities or their theological faculties in the world.