The Family International, formerly known as the Children of God, is a millenarian Christian communal group with a global presence. Emerging from the late 1960s hippie movement in Huntington Beach, California, the group’s foundation lies in the ministry of David Berg. His teachings, blending Christian scripture with his own prophecies, emphasized a message of Christian love. However, The Family International gained notoriety early on, becoming the initial focus of anticult activism due to allegations of sexual and child abuse, particularly stemming from their controversial use of sex in missionary practices. While the group has since distanced itself from some of its more extreme sexual behaviors, it has persisted as a movement with a notable international footprint.
In 1969, driven by Berg’s prediction of an earthquake, the group, then named Teens for Christ, relocated from California. They subsequently reorganized and adopted the name Children of God (COG), with Berg taking on the moniker Moses David. Initially perceived as part of the Jesus People revival popular within hippie communities, the Children of God distinguished themselves through the belief in Berg as God’s “endtime” messenger. Fueled by his apocalyptic vision in the early 1970s, sect members engaged in demonstrations, often clad in sackcloth, to condemn what they saw as America’s abandonment of God.
By 1974, aligning with Berg’s vision of a fully missionary organization, most COG members dispersed globally, living communally to disseminate Berg’s teachings. His doctrines were communicated through “Mo Letters,” later compiled into the periodical The New Good News. A significant shift occurred in 1978 when Berg initiated a reorganization, leading to the dissolution of the Children of God and its reformation as The Family. This period also marked a phase where Berg encouraged followers to shed sexual inhibitions and taboos. This philosophy manifested in practices like “flirty fishing,” where female members were encouraged to use their “feminine charms” to share God’s love with men, often leading to sexual encounters. Sexual “sharing” among adult members was also promoted within The Family.
These sexual practices led to significant problems in the early 1980s, most notably the spread of herpes within the group and instances of child sexual abuse by pedophiles. Starting in 1983 and continuing over several years, The Family began to curb these sexual activities. Child protection protocols were established, and in 1987, “flirty fishing” was officially discontinued. However, the practice of adult partner sharing within the group has persisted, remaining a distinctive and contentious aspect of The Family International.
The early 1990s saw government agencies in various countries conducting raids on Family members’ residences due to concerns about child welfare. Despite extensive investigations, no substantiated cases of abuse were found, suggesting The Family had effectively eliminated these problematic activities.
Following Berg’s death in 1994, his wife Maria assumed leadership. In 1995, she introduced the Love Charter, establishing a constitution outlining the rights and responsibilities of Family members. The organization officially adopted its current name, The Family International, in 2004. As the 21st century began, The Family International comprised approximately 10,000 members across more than 90 countries, marking it as one of the most enduring and successful communal groups to emerge from the counterculture of the 1960s.
