Massachusetts Religious Sect Accused of Breaking Child Labor Laws

In August of 2025, a Christian sect in Massachusetts was accused of breaking child labor laws in a lawsuit filed by an 18-year-old. The Christian sect operates in the Cape Cod Bay area, and it has existed since the 1970s. Now, the organization finds itself under the spotlight – as numerous sources report on the allegations made by the teen plaintiff. What can this lawsuit teach us about the intersection between religion and US labor laws?

Christian Sect Accused of Forcing Children to Work in Unsafe Conditions

The plaintiff claims that this religious sect forced children to work under unsafe conditions. The plaintiff also claims that these activities served only to enrich the upper echelons of the organization’s hierarchy. The lawsuit specifically states that two structures on the sect’s 14-acre compound were built “on the backs of children” who received no pay. This child workforce allegedly included boys from ages 9 to 16. Some were tasked with carrying 90-pound bags of concrete, while others were allegedly ordered to lay rebar or construct framing. 

The plaintiff states that he began working for the organization at the age of 11, and he did not have a choice in the matter. He also describes a locked work area with barbed wire, claiming the child workers were not allowed to leave until the work day was over. Finally, the plaintiff states that this unpaid child labor probably saved the organization millions of dollars in construction expenses.  

At least four individuals have corroborated the plaintiff’s claims, stating that they were also forced to work unwillingly by the organization when they were still very young. Images of the structures in the compound show an elaborate performing arts center, complete with towering columns and arches one might expect to find in a European cathedral or basilica. 

The Christian Sect Dismisses the Lawsuit as “Borderline Fraudulent”

The Christian sect contends that all of the plaintiff’s claims are untrue. Legal representatives of the organization point out that the plaintiff’s father was the principal foreman for these projects. Their strategy appears to involve shifting blame onto the father, and they state that this is essentially an internal family dispute that does not concern the organization. The boy’s mother was also allegedly tasked with gathering up volunteer labor from the sect’s members. 

The organization is no stranger to lawsuits. In 2020, the sect was connected with a lawsuit involving child abuse and humiliation at a school in Canada. However, the sect attempted to distance itself from this school and claimed that there was no relationship. A judge in Canada wrote that the school was used to “mold students” to follow the teachings of the sect.  

Religious Organizations Are Not Exempt From Child Labor Laws

Although religious organizations enjoy many special rights and privileges, they are not exempt from child labor laws. This is something this sect obviously understands, and the plaintiff accuses the organization of hiding child workers whenever government inspectors arrive at the construction site. 

This also might explain the sect’s apparent defense strategy of shifting the blame onto the father. This is because children employed in “family businesses” may not be subject to the same child labor laws as private organizations. 

The Goal of the Universal Life Church’s Blog

Each month, various lawsuits test the nature of religious rights in this country. While the basis for many religious rights is the United States Constitution, there are still countless cases that question the exact nature of these rights. The Universal Life Church’s blog is focused on documenting the most noteworthy of these cases in an objective manner that can be easily understood by readers.