Children in care over church abuse allegations

An Atlanta court has ruled 41 children should stay in foster care as authorities investigate alleged child abuse at a church.

Juvenile court judges have been hearing that around 60 children were seriously beaten by their parents under the supervision of Reverend Arthur Allen at his House of Prayer.

It has also been claimed several 14 and 15-year-old girls had been forced into marriage for having sex or getting pregnant.

The weddings were performed in Alabama where girls can marry at 14.

Chief Judge Sanford Jones said the children in foster care were being jeopardised by a cult. Parents refused her request that they only spank their children with their hands and do it at home, and do not allow girls younger than 16 to marry.

Reverend Allen said in his testimony that parents had a right to discipline their children, and that he advised members of his congregation on beatings.

The pastor also said it was better for young teenage girls to be married than to become "whores". He said if they were going to have sex it should be with their husbands.

Reverend Allen and four church leaders have been charged with cruelty to children and released on bail.