Christian chiropractor's 'commune' of women part of discount massage 'cult,' parents say

Parents and friends of college-age women in Michigan believe that a local chiropractor uses his business as a front for a doomsday cult.

WJBK-TV's Problem Solvers unit investigated Dr. Craig Stasio and his Agape Massage Therapy and Chiropractic center in Clinton Township, Michigan and found it populated with young women, none of whom were trained masseuses, offering hour-long massages for $17.50.

In addition to working for Craig Stasio, the women also live together in an environment that WJBK-TV characterized as "commune-like." The parents of some of the women claim that their estranged daughters refer to Stasio as "the prophet," and that he teaches about a coming "tribulation" that "will last for 3 years" and end in a great "fire."

Many of the women who work at the clinic dropped out of college to do so. The parent of one, Rich Fisher, told the station that his "big concern came when all of the sudden my daughter dropped out of Wayne State University. She’s giving — like most of the other people — massages, because that apparently is what he teaches."

On Facebook, a woman named Jessie Chapman who "fellowships" with Stasio and claims to attend Wayne State University called WJBK-TV's report "ridiculous."

"I am a 26 year old intelligent, independent, mature woman. Last time I checked, in this country, I have the right to decide where I live, where I work, what I do with my life and what religion I follow. The ridiculous story about me and the other Christians I fellowship with is nothing but that, a ridiculous story," she wrote. "I do not desire a life filled with Irish dance, I don't want to live at home with my parents and I don't appreciate peoples attempts to control me and my life by saying they care for me and are praying for me. If any of my apparent friends or concerned relatives would like to sit down and have coffee, let me know. But be advised that I am fed up with ridiculous, misguided attempts at unnecessary interventions."

But when a WJBK-TV producer went into the clinic for a $17.50 massage, she spoke to a woman named "Natasha" who claimed that she dropped out of law school to provide discounted massages. When asked why, "Natasha" responded that "sometimes it's like you just know the path you're supposed to go."

She was later observed outside the clinic, dancing alone and praising Jesus.

When confronted by a WJBK-TV reporter, Stasio would only say that the station should talk to his lawyer.

Watch the entire report from WJBK-TV below.