Been a long while between posts, but I've been in the middle of a few days of intense research to expose a front group for a former religious right bogeyman from the 80s operating on my alma mater.
For those who don't remember, I have, through individual and collaborative research, obtained uncontestable evidence that Maranatha Campus Ministries, one of the most infamous campus cults of the 80s, is alive and well despite its supposed dissolution in 1989-90. In reality, it engaged in a massive corporate shell game that culminated in its reemergence as Morning Star International. One of their key churches, King's Park International Church is based not too far from Carolina--I got burned by them through their campus outreach over there.
Well, folks, a Christian fraternity recently in the news over their status as a recognized organization there is in reality a front group for Morning Star. More after the jump ...
At the start of the current school year, Carolina cancelled all student funding for
Alpha Iota Omega Christian Fraternity. Like most schools, Carolina requires student organizations to agree in writing not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, etc. in order to receive funding.
There are a few exceptions, of course, for religious and political organizations--but AIO refused to spell out why it fell under them.
Nonetheless, AIO filed suit against Carolina, claiming its First Amendment rights were violated. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education and the Alliance Defense Fund, two prominent right-wing legal groups, came to AIO's aid. And the federal Department of Education is investigating as well--at the behest of Walter "Freedom Fries" Jones. There was a hearing in federal district court on Wednesday, and the judge all but ordered them to come to a settlement by the 28th.
I found out about this legal mess by accident while surfing for information on Morning Star, since I remembered AIO was founded in my junior year at Carolina by several members of KPIC's outreach over there. But contrary to my previous assumptions, they don't spell out anywhere that they're connected to Morning Star. I have evidence that they're a front organization for Morning Star's campus ministry arm, Victory Campus Ministries.
There is no way AIO can credibly deny a connection with Morning Star. It was not only founded by members of a Morning Star campus outreach, but their first spiritual advisor was the lead campus minister for that outreach. The board of directors is, as far as I know, comprised entirely of former members of that campus ministry who are now members of KPIC. I went to Carolina with four of them--chairman Reggie Roberson, secretary Chris Faison, treasurer Chuck White and director Dave Cooke. So even if I'm wrong about the other two directors, Morning Star effectively controls the board because all members of their churches sign covenants with them. Those covenants require you to submit all major decisions to your discipler or pastor for approval.
What's more, Roberson and Cooke head major ministries at KPIC. Roberson heads the VCM chapters at Duke and N. C. Central, and Cooke heads a youth center run by the church. Not coincidentally, N.C. Central is home to AIO's only other chapter. But the most damning piece of evidence comes from the brief they filed in court. It includes excerpts from AIO's manual--and it is strongly implied that AIO is a way to funnel members of regular frats into a VCM chapter on campus, and from there to a Morning Star church.
The level of deceit in this case would take anyone's breath away. We've already contacted several members of the press, as well as Carolina officials. But we need this to get legs. Anyone who wants documentation of this--email me!