ATLANTA - A church pastor and four other church members go to trial this week in a child abuse case that has raised questions about when corporal punishment goes too far. <br>
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The Reverend Arthur Allen Junior and his parishioners at the independent House of Prayer church in northwest Atlanta are accused of violently beating their children with belts in front of the congregation. <br>
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The 130 church members have repeatedly said they have the right to beat their children when they misbehave and that the church is being persecuted for its religious beliefs. <br>
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Church members typically marry their daughters as young as 14 and believe women should cover their legs and hair in public. <br>
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Jury selection began Monday in the case, with the five church members choosing to defend themselves on charges of cruelty to children and aggravated assault. <br>
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The charges stem from the February 2001 beatings of two boys, then 7 and 10, who were allegedly held in the air and beaten with belts during a church service. The boys' school teachers noticed bruises on their backs and called police. <br>
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Six other church members face similar charges, with their trial set for late this year.
