The Family International (TFI) is a cult that was founded in Huntington Beach, California, US in 1968.
about TFI by former first-generation members. The Family International 1968 establishments in California Christian new religious movements Christian organizations established in the 20th century Intentional communities Jesus movement Religious organizations established in 1968
In 1971, an organization called FREECOG was founded by concerned parents and others, including deprogrammer Ted Patrick, to "free" members of the COG from their involvement in the group.
In a letter written in January 1972, Berg stated that he was God's prophet for the contemporary world, attempting to further solidify his spiritual authority within the group.
Berg's letters also contained public acknowledgement of his own failings and weaknesses. By 1972, COG had 130 communities around the world. The Children of God was abolished in February 1978.
This book is used by the organization RAINN as a reference for child sexual abuse victims. Juliana Buhring: first woman to bicycle around the world and co-author of Not Without My Sister. Rose McGowan: film actress, described her TFI childhood in interviews with Howard Stern, People magazine and later in her book "Brave". River Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Rain Phoenix, and Summer Phoenix: actors, were members of the group (with their sister Liberty Phoenix) from 1972 to 1978.
Flirty Fishing was practiced by members of Berg's inner circle starting in 1973, and was introduced to the general membership in 1976 and became common practice within the group.
In 1976, it began a method of evangelism called Flirty Fishing that used sex to "show God's love and mercy" and win converts, resulting in controversy.
The majority of the group's beliefs remained the same. === The Family of Love (1978–1981) === The Family of Love era was characterized by international expansion. In 1976, before the dissolution of The Children of God, David Berg had introduced a new proselytizing method called Flirty Fishing (or FFing), which encouraged female members to "show God's love" through sexual relationships with potential converts.
Flirty Fishing was practiced by members of Berg's inner circle starting in 1973, and was introduced to the general membership in 1976 and became common practice within the group.
Berg's letters also contained public acknowledgement of his own failings and weaknesses. By 1972, COG had 130 communities around the world. The Children of God was abolished in February 1978.
In January 2005, Claire Borowik, a spokesperson for TFI, stated:Due to the fact that our current zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual interaction between adults and underage minors was not in our literature published before 1986, we came to the realization that during a transitional stage of our movement, from 1978 until 1986, there were cases when some minors were subject to sexually inappropriate advances ...
This book is used by the organization RAINN as a reference for child sexual abuse victims. Juliana Buhring: first woman to bicycle around the world and co-author of Not Without My Sister. Rose McGowan: film actress, described her TFI childhood in interviews with Howard Stern, People magazine and later in her book "Brave". River Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix, Rain Phoenix, and Summer Phoenix: actors, were members of the group (with their sister Liberty Phoenix) from 1972 to 1978.
In January 2005, Claire Borowik, a spokesperson for TFI, stated:Due to the fact that our current zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual interaction between adults and underage minors was not in our literature published before 1986, we came to the realization that during a transitional stage of our movement, from 1978 until 1986, there were cases when some minors were subject to sexually inappropriate advances ...
This was corrected officially in 1986, when any contact between an adult and minor (any person under 21 years of age) was declared an excommunicable offense. === The Family (1995–2003) === After Berg's death in October 1994, Karen Zerby (known in the group as Mama Maria, Queen Maria, Maria David, or Maria Fontaine), assumed leadership of the group. In February 1995, the group introduced the Love Charter, which defined the rights and responsibilities of Charter Members and Homes.
Members have typically cooperated with appointed authorities, even during the police and social-service raids of their communities in the early 1990s. == Reception == The group has been criticized by the press and the anti-cult movement.
. "30 Members of Children of God arrested" (September 2, 1993).
A05 "The Family" and Final Harvest" (June 2, 1993).
TFI's founder and prophetic leader, David Berg (who was first called "Moses David" in the Texas press), gave himself the titles of "King", "The Last Endtime Prophet", "Moses", and "David". He communicated with his followers via "Mo Letters"—letters of instruction and counsel on myriad spiritual and practical subjects—until his death in late 1994.
This was corrected officially in 1986, when any contact between an adult and minor (any person under 21 years of age) was declared an excommunicable offense. === The Family (1995–2003) === After Berg's death in October 1994, Karen Zerby (known in the group as Mama Maria, Queen Maria, Maria David, or Maria Fontaine), assumed leadership of the group. In February 1995, the group introduced the Love Charter, which defined the rights and responsibilities of Charter Members and Homes.
The Charter also included the Fundamental Family Rules, a summary of rules and guidelines from past TF publications which were still in effect. In the 1994–95 British court case, the Rt.
This was corrected officially in 1986, when any contact between an adult and minor (any person under 21 years of age) was declared an excommunicable offense. === The Family (1995–2003) === After Berg's death in October 1994, Karen Zerby (known in the group as Mama Maria, Queen Maria, Maria David, or Maria Fontaine), assumed leadership of the group. In February 1995, the group introduced the Love Charter, which defined the rights and responsibilities of Charter Members and Homes.
He found that by 1995 TF had abandoned these practices and concluded that they were a safe environment for children.
"Accommodation and Reformation in The Family/Children of God" , Nova Religio (Journal of the University of California) Shepherd, Gary and Shepherd, Gordon (Spring 2000)."The Moral Career of a New Religious Movement" The Oakland Journal. Wilson, Bryan and Jamie Cresswell, eds.
In January 2005, Claire Borowik, a spokesperson for TFI, stated:Due to the fact that our current zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual interaction between adults and underage minors was not in our literature published before 1986, we came to the realization that during a transitional stage of our movement, from 1978 until 1986, there were cases when some minors were subject to sexually inappropriate advances ...
cit. Shepherd, Gary, and Shepherd, Gordon (August 2005).
Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. Young, Shawn David, Hippies, Jesus Freaks, and Music (Ann Arbor: Xanedu/Copley Original Works, 2005).
A01 Goodstein, Laurie (2005), "Murder and Suicide Reviving Claims of Child Abuse in Cult", The New York Times, January 15, 2005, pg.
These beliefs are still generally held and practiced, even after the "reboot" documents of 2010. ==== Loving Jesus ==== This is a term TFI members use to describe their intimate, sexual relationship with Jesus.
The first episode premiered on January 30, 2018.
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