The Judgment of Lord Justice Ward 7. Change

7. Change

Both the expert evidence and the oral evidence satisfy me that The Family are always willing to change and do change. They do not always perceive how harmfully they embrace one experiment in child care after another. Some of their changes have been totally unforseen, the most bizarre example being the Flirty Fishing Ministry. Significantly, as Maria has gradually eased control from Berg, the original "one man band dictatorship" has become more democratic, arriving at decisions after consultation and by consensus. This is a healthy development and leads me to conclude, not without anxiety, that there is some hope for future progress in directions which will be generally acceptable enough within the wide bounds of freedom and tolerance we extend to many to choose to live a religious life, even an extreme form of religious life like The Family's. The difficulty in making any decision about The Family is the difficulty of taking a snapshot view of them which freezes them at this moment of time. In this judgment I have to do that but I am very conscious that the cameras continue to turn to the order of the great Director in the Sky. He knows the script - I do not. Berg's death is the most dramatic event in this real-life soap opera. At times I thought The Family would collapse without him. I now conclude that it will survive. Its survival will depend upon the selection by Maria, Peter Amsterdam and World Services of those parts of the theology which strengthen the essential beliefs which inform the actions of all those Family members to whom I listened. All of them profess sincerely to dedicate their lives to serving Jesus in a ministry which is uniquely theirs. If that energy can be harnessed the charisma will remain. There was much denial of and little support for the conduct I have been describing because Family members individually and collectively know in their heart of hearts that is was inappropriate and indefensible. World Services have a unique opportunity to re-assess The Family, to re-set its goals and aspirations and quietly, but authoritatively to denounce that which was wrong, honestly yet boldly declaring that it was wrong, not just mistaken. They need faith and courage in themselves to do so even if it means, as it has to mean, that they must speak ill of the dead.

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