CHILDREN OF GOD/ FAMILY OF LOVE
NAME: CHILDREN OF GOD AKA FAMILY OF LOVE
FOUNDER: DAVID BERG
FOUNDED: Circa 1968
SCRIPTURES: Mo Letters, Bible
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE: One Prophet leads the
movement. beneath the prophet is a pyramidal structure of
leadership, but all these are in complete subjection to the
prophet.
UNIQUE TERMS: Father (Berg); Systemites (Those outside
the movement); Egypt (The world and its governments); Flirty
Fishing (Winning followers through religious prostitution);
Litnessing (The distribution of CoG literature to the public) Old
Bottles (Those who find it hard to accept the teachings of the
Prophet)
OTHER NAMES: Children of God or CoG; The Family; The
Family of LOVE; Heaven's Magic.
HISTORY
Berg was born 18th February 1919: in Oakland, California. In
1954 he began a 13yr working relationship with radio & TV
evangelist Fred Jordan obtaining air-time for Jordan's
"Church in the Home" programme. At the behest of his
mother Berg moves to Huntington Beach, California, with his wife
and four children in 1967, to set up a ministry amongst the
hippies. In 1969 the group left California and divided into
smaller groups which moved to Tucson, Arizona; Florida; and El
Paso, Texas. Whilst in Tucson Berg began an affair with Karen
Zerby (known as Maria in the group). Karen Zerby was to be
exalted as 'queen' of the group and, following Berg's death in
1994 it is she who now leads the movement worldwide. Eventually
these groups would reunite in Laurentides, near Montreal, Canada
where the movement would begin proper. It was here in Laurentides
that Berg would receive several prophecies. God himself would
speak via Berg announcing what would become known as the
"Old Church, New Church Prophecy". Basically this
prophecy announced that God had now totally rejected all the
Christian churches for his "New Church" viz the CoG. In
1973 Berg introduced "Litnessing" as a tool of outreach
and fundraising The following year, 1974 "Flirty
Fishing", became the primary evangelistic strategy and the
world Headquarters was moved from London to Rome, Italy. The CoG
were to adopt the name "Family of Love" in 1978. This
year would witness a major restructuring of the CoG. Many would
leave and Berg, himself, would sack some 300 leaders including
his daughter Linda and her husband John Treadwell. (Linda had
been crowned 'Queen Deborah" in an elaborate coronation
ceremony back in 1972 in Bromiley, Kent. Replicas of the British
crown jewels were used in the ceremony) The world headquarters
would move to Zurich, Switzerland. From 1979 until today the
'Family' (as they are now known) has undergone various changes,
particularly in checking some of the sexual excesses of the
movement (but not in renouncing the them ).
DOCTRINES
- David Berg is considered God's End-Time Prophet and that
he is the literal fulfilment of prophecies concerning
David in Ezekiel chapters 34 & 37, also Hosea 3:5.
- This David is so important that even the devils can be
rebuked in his name!
- 'Mo Letters' are God's word for today and, as such, take
preeminence over the Bible which was God's word for
yesterday.
- CoG are the only true people of God, the 144,000 of
Revelation of Revelation chapters 7 & 14. CoG
followers are the Latter Israel' and heirs of God's
promises to Israel.
- Revelations are received from the spirits of former men
and women of God. Alcohol consumption helps to make a
person more receptive to these spirits .
- Astrological Sun-Signs can help us to understand a
person's personality, and palm reading can also reveal
much about a person.
- The Holy Spirit is female, "The Holy Queen Of
Love" and is often depicted in CoG literature as a
nubile naked woman.
- Jesus Christ had sexual relations with women and probably
contracted V.D.
- Spirits of the dead often reincarnate themselves in us,
and we should endeavour to discover who they are. Berg's
list of these "Spirit Helpers" includes such
names as; Rasputin, William Jennings Bryan, Martin
Luther, Tyndale, John Calvin, Knox and The Pied Piper of
Hamelin.
- The Second coming of Christ was expected in 1993.
- There are Goddesses in the 'Spirit World". Berg
himself would often indulge in sexual activity with
several of these Goddesses; These included Diana/Artemis
and Mocumba.
- Parents are enemies of God.
- Promiscuity, Profanity, Lying and Deception are all
encouraged by Berg, including law breaking, begging and
absolute blind obedience to leaders.
THE CHRISTIANS
A religious group from Australia is operating on the streets
of Britain. They call themselves simply "Christians".
They are a breakoff from the Children of God.
On the surface they appear to be a group of young people who
are simply trying to live according to the pattern of the early
church,and disseminating the Gospel through the use of
literature. Their literature comes in the form of booklets and
comic books which they exchange for a few pence to "cover
the cost of printing".
The teaching contained in these booklets is radical and
uncompromising in its nature, attacking and condemning what they
see as the hypocrisy of organised religion and a society greedy
for material gain.
However what most people are unaware of is that much of the
material contained in these booklets are either reprints of,or
are based on the literature of the infamous religious cult the
"Children of God/Family of Love"
The story of "Christians" begins in Australia with
David McKay who was at one time national public relations officer
of the Bible Society(Australia); he was also a lay preacher and
youth worker in the Methodist church; later became active in the
Assemblies of God Pentecostal movement; and a one time member of
the Children of God/Family of Love cult. This background may
explain the reason for some of his distorted interpretations of
Christian doctrine, and some of their bizarre publicity seeking
activities.
Like the COG/FOL,and numerous other cults and extreme groups
the McKays actively encourage young people to leave their homes
and families; to discontinue college and university, leave
employment; and join their "family" and become
itinerant "preachers"
For years the McKays have been telling people to quit working
for money and "trust God to provide their needs", yet
in 1989 the group clashed with the Australian authorities over
their members receiving unemployment benefits!
Their enthusiasm, daring and apparent sincerity are obviously
impressive to a lot of idealistic young people, however, this is
a group which demands total loyalty under the threat of God's
judgment. To leave the group is perceived as leaving the will of
God. This type of emotional blackmail is typical of all
destructive cults.
RESOURCES:
"THE CHILDREN OF GOD-The Inside Story" by Deborah
(Linda Berg) Davis (Daughter of David Berg)
"DAVID BERG'S SPIRIT WORLD" by David Hiebert and
Edward Priebe
"DAVID-The Prophet?" No Longer Children
"CHILD ABUSE??" by Samuel Ajemian
BIBLICAL RESPONSE:
As would be expected from a false prophet, such as David
'Moses' Berg, their teachings blatantly contradict Scripture. It
is of little use to argue on these points with a member of CoG or
the Christians since they believe that Scripture has been
effectively replaced by the revelations from 'God's Prophet' -
David Berg. It is, however, vital for us to know the truth, and
understand that anyone who claims to be from God would not
contradict Him. Therefore these passages provide us with ample
reason to reject David Berg as a prophet of God - and brand him a
false prophet.
DAVID of EZEKIEL AND HOSEA: The David of these scriptures
refers to the coming Messiah. (John 5:39)
SPIRIT HELPERS & GODDESSES Deuteronomy 18:10 (NIV) Let no
one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the
fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens,
engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or
spiritist or who consults the dead. <R>
THE HOLY SPIRIT FEMALE John 14:16-17 (NIV) And I will ask the
Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you
forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him,
because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you
know him for he lives with you and will be in you.
SPIRITS OF THE DEAD SPEAKING THROUGH BERG: Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face
judgment...
WINE ENDUCED TRANCES AND REVELATIONS: Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit. "
SEXUAL PROMISCUITY: Romans 13:12-14 (NIV) The night is nearly
over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of
darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently,
as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual
immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not
think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Jude
1:4 (NIV) For certain men whose condemnation was written about
long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless
men, who change the grace of our God into a license for
immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
AN EX-MEMBER'S STORY
I joined the "Children of God" in the Spring of
1973. I had recently become a Christian and was attracted by the
lifestyle and obvious commitment that I witnessed. I joined there
and then. Little did I know it then, but my decision to join them
would lead me down a path of evil which almost wrecked my life
At first, in the commune ('Colonies' we called them), I
learned some important discipline I had been lacking. As time
went on I was gently indoctrinated into accepting that we were
then only group truly following God.
Although the subject of sex was mentioned in the Mo letters,
gradually the sexual content became more and more overt and
sexual promiscuity was openly advocated. More and more we were
being encouraged to use sex to entice people into the group.
Inevitably VD became a common problem. I eventually contracted
Syphilis. By 1979 I had become physically and emotionally
drained. I was an absolute mess. It was November I left the group
and returned to England with a pregnant wife and a one year old
son in tow.
After six and a half years of communal living I had no idea of
how to cope with normal family life. Eventually I hit a crisis
point. I couldn't cope with life, I would frequently lose my
temper at home. Things were very difficult.
It took me a good twelve years to come to terms with my life.
I've struggled with guilt and depression, but with the help of
God and the support of Christian people gradually both my wife
and I have felt the wounds being healed.
I am getting over my problems and my wife is coming to terms
with the anger she felt at being used by the 'Children of God'
Things seemed so attractive to begin with. It is easy to get
sucked in! My advise to people is to be on their guard when met
with attractive offers.
-John (an ex-member)
|