House of Prayer pastor to meet with judge about parole conditions

Atlanta Journal-Constitution/January 29, 3003

Atlanta -- The Reverend Arthur Allen Junior, who was convicted of aggravated assault and cruelty to children for whipping two boys in front of his congregation, is scheduled to meet with a judge Wednesday to discuss the conditions of his parole.

The Reverend Arthur Allen Junior, was released from jail over the weekend after serving a 90-day sentence.

Allen and four members of the House of Prayer church were found guilty in October and sentenced to short jail terms ranging from 20 to 90 days.

They also must pay fines, serve probation and attend parenting classes.

The 150 members of the independent Atlanta church repeatedly have said they have the right to beat their children and that the church is being persecuted for its beliefs.

The state Division of Family and Children Services took 49 children of House of Prayer members in 2001.

Allen hired prominent Atlanta defense attorney Ed Garland to represent him and the others in an appeal of their convictions.