ADDENDUM::Former member of World of Life Christian Church speaks out about culture of violence - CBS News

Ames says problems at World of Life began when the late founder, Pastor Jerry Irwin, and his family began to exert total control over their congregation and fear that if people left the church, they would no longer be "under God's will - then you can go to hell."

He says adults, including the aunt he lived with for a short time, were instructed to discipline their children if they misbehaved or did poorly on tests by whipping them.

"The year and a half I lived there, I went through complete hell," Ames said. "When I didn't pass a test or when I didn't get my homework done on time. Daily."

Ames equated the church to a cult.

"See, I was young and I thought that was normal. It took me many, many years to get out of that mindset," he said. When he was 13, his family was kicked out of the church. The Leonard boys, he said, were not so fortunate.

As for the victims' parents allegedly taking part in the beatings, Ames said it was all part of the church culture.

"They did whatever was told to them," Ames said. "These are people who got misled ... and it went too far."

Former member of World of Life Christian Church speaks out about culture of violence - CBS News