The Children of God/The Family

The Children of God/The Family By: Robin Ross & Brittany Salak

Founder: David Berg • Berg was born in 1919 in California. • Born into a family of ministers and evangelists, Berg devoted his life to Christian service. • Founded in 1968, During the hippie and sex revolution period. • There were 10,000 to 12,000 members in the group, around its peek.

Founder’s History • For 27 years he served as a youth leader and pastor in numerous evangelistic services. • In 1970 -1971, Berg and his people moved around a lot. It seemed where ever they went trouble and controversy followed. • Fred Jordan a radio evangelist in TX heard about the movement and invited David and his congregation to live on his land. • After being charged with kidnapping, brainwashing, and fraud. Jordan asked the movement to leave his property.

Group Expansion • After being discharged from Jordan’s property, about 2,100 members scattered to 40 other colonies. • Around this time the group merged with the “Jesus people army”. Which embraced communal living and the hippie movement. • This increased sexual promiscuity (due to communal living) and social disease/ rape reports/child abuse became known to the media. • Hearing that the media discovered the group’s personal agenda, Berg furiously moved him and his people from the US to England in 1972.

Literature and Fundraising • In 1972-1976 publications grew 3 million to 7 million units. • Each member was required to sell 2,000 pieces of their literature for 10 cents per copy. This process was called “Litnessing.” • Through this process they used “fake” causes to make prophets. • Ex: Going up to businessmen requesting free taxes for their religious organization. Using fake tactics like, helping the poor, drug addictions, medical conditions, etc.

“Mo Letters” • Around 1975 “Mo Letters” began. • They were a continuous publication of father David’s word of God. • Members were required to write two letters for one to two hours per day. One letter to their parents and the other to close relatives that are garneted to send money or supplies. • Since there were no set income for the group they had to use whatever they could to feed, clothe, and house their congregation.

Sex And Evangelism • Flirty fishing began In London, 1970. • Women in the group sold themselves to lure men to join their ministry. • After the Law Enforcement in England emerged Maria, Berg’s mistress moved the women to Tenerife island off he Northwest coast of Africa.

Flirty Fishing and One Wife • One wife was a engaged group marriage, stating that all group members were married to each other. • Flirty fishing went on for ten years. Soon was put to an end after a scare with HIV and AIDS. • Women would go to various social locations to find men and lure them into the group in a sensual manor. • Berg felt that he found a new method of ministry because of this.

“My Little Fish” • “My Little fish or Flirty little fish was a daily article showing children in sexual poses with each other and with adults. “sex for salvation” • Children of god became known as “Family of Love” • My Little fish, a published pamphlet , became religious Prostitution. • Berg was charged doing unethical practices while in Tenerife island, and fled the case before his trial. Leaving his female disciples behind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUAvrp_eEYA

The Doctrine • Berg thought he was a prophet. • His “Mo Letters” were the words of God for today and the Bible was the word of God yesterday. • He rejects the holy trinity: the father, son, and holy ghost. • Believes Jesus enjoyed sexual relations with Mary and Martha. In his holy visions he saw things happen. • The holy spirit was the goddess of love/sensual mother.

Charismatic Leadership • Spoke with compassion • Members believed he was God on earth. • Moved his congregation multiple times. • Doctrines were changed annually. • He tested their loyalty. • If anyone wanted to leave he’s threaten them, by telling them demons would destroy their souls.

Apocalyptic Beliefs • “The End Times” • Believes that communism would take over the west. • This will lead to the coming of the Anti-Christ. • Christians will show true colors and get “mark at beast”. • COG will stand firm as God’s faithful and will enter heaven as 1 of the 144,000. • Believed in 70’s Anti-Christ would appear • That rapture will occur in 1993. • Anti-Christ will be defeated. • Christ will come establish new kingdom in Jerusalem with COG serving as rulers for next 1,000 years.

“The Family International” • As time passed by Berg soon became ill due to demonic nightmares. • His followers soon stopped believing in his word. • There was a case between COG and Una McManus for child custody. Which McManus won. • After about 20 years, having changed their name multiple times. From Children of God, Family of Love, Heavenly Magic, Music with Meaning and today, The Family International. • Members are now active in over 90 countries but there has been a significant number decrease in their NRM.

Bibliography • Bainbridge, William Sims. The End time Family Children of God. Albany: State University of the New York Press, 2002) • Boeri,Williams Miriam. Women After the Utopia: The Gendered Lives of Former Cult Members: Journal of Contemporary Ethnography,2002 • Lattin, Don. Jesus Freaks, Harper One, A Division of Harper Collins Publishers. January 2005 • Richardson T. James, Definitions of Cult: From Sociological-Technical To Popular- Negative,Uninversity of Nevada, Reno, Volume 34, No.4 (June, 1993) • Tucker, A. Ruth. Another Gospel: Alternative Religions and the New Age Movement: Academic Books Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan • Williams, Miriam. Heaven's Harlots. William Morrow and Company, Inc. New York,1998 • "The Family International." The Family International. 29 July 2009 <http://www.thefamily.org>. • "The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication." The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. 29 July 2009 <http://cronkite.asu.edu>.

The Children of God/The Family