Children of God

The leader was David Berg[?], who called himself Moses David. Members of the Children of God founded communes, which they called "colonies", in various cities around the world. They would witness in the streets, and distribute literature. New converts who joined the movement had to memorize scripture verses, and there was a manual called Revolution for Jesus -- how to do it, which rejected church buildings.

As time passed Moses David became a more authoritarian leader, and the literature distributed began to be characterised by sexual innuendo, and a technique of proselytizing called "flirty fishing" was developed, in which women were encouraged to prostitute themselves in order to win male converts. These and other questionable practices caused many to leave the movement. In the 1990s numerous allegations of pedophilia and sexual abuse were laid against the Family in different locations worldwide.

Child actor River Phoenix was a prominent member of the cult.

External link

• Stephen A. Kent, Ph.D.; Deana Hall, M.A.: Brainwashing and Re-Indoctrination Programs in the Children of God/The Family (http://nospank.net/kent.htm). University of Alberta, published in Cultic Studies Journal Volume 17 (2000): 56-78. Reproduced on an anti-spanking website.