Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 109
Children of God
HBO Developing Documentary
HBO is developing a documentary on the Children of God, the international cultic group
prominent in the 1970s and 1980s — and still operating — accused of virtual enslavement
of women and children, prostitution, polygamy, rape, sexual abuse of children, and incest.
The co-producer is former member Noah Farr, who has spent many years helping his
siblings and second generation members escape the group. (Nellie Andreeva, Reuters in
Hollywood Reporter, Internet, 4/26/04)
Children, Now Grown, Tell of Raid Experience
Several young adults who grew up in the Children of God (COG, now called The Family),
some of whom are still associated with the communal organization as missionaries, recently
recounted their traumatic experience of 1992 police raids in the Australian states of Victoria
and New South Wales that took 128 children from six COG communities into temporary
custody.
COG was then infamous for sexual ―sharing‖ among couples, and literature which authorities
said was ―pervaded by lascivious and prurient obsession with matters sexual, with a
particular emphasis on young boys and pubertal girls.‖ COG was known for its ―flirty
fishing‖ doctrine, which encouraged female members to win recruits by offering sex. The
young adults say these COG sexual attitudes and practices may have characterized the
group in the 1960s, yet they saw none of it, having been born in the 1970s. But the director
of Community Services Victoria, referring apparently to the group‘s literature, said in 1992:
―These children appear to be being raised according to a number of norms and doctrines
which threaten long-term psychological damage and incapacity to perform as ordinary
members of adult society.‖
One of those taken in the raids as a youngster says the children were strip-searched for
signs of sexual abuse and asked whether they had had sexual contact with their parents or
other adults. He adds: ―They‘d ask: ‗Have your parents touched you?‘ And the kids are, like,
‗Yes.‘ What kind of question‘s that? And these guys are writing it down like its evidence.‖
Another says authorities asked her two-year-old sister what she was drawing on a slate.
―Are you drawing a man?‖ ‗Yes.‘ What kind of man? ‗Just a man man.‘ What else goes on
the man? And she‘s, like, ‗Er, eyes?‘ No, what else goes on the man? ‗Hands?‘ No, what else
...‘ It was stop, leave her alone.‖ The children were all released back to their parents after
a week in custody, although the court case to decide their ultimate fate, and the media
frenzy surrounding it, further traumatized them.
Today, the now grown up children say they were treated with suspicion for years because of
their association with The Family. One recalls her singing group being ushered out the back
door of a hospital in which they were performing when the heads of the institution found out
they were connected to The Family. ―They didn‘t want us to have any contact with the
children in the hospital. ..as if we were going to infect them.‖
In the years after the raid, said one, ―My brothers and sisters started wetting their beds.
When cars would come up the driveway, kids would run.‖ Many had nightmares, fear of the
future, and a loss of trust for authority figures. Many who tried life outside the group
returned, seeking a haven. (Peter Wilmoth, The Sunday Age, Internet, 5/9/04)
Children of Thunder
Found Sane in Murderous “War Against Satan”
A Contra Costa County, CA, jury has found Justin Alan Helzer [a member of the Children of
Thunder] sane following his recent conviction on murder and extortion charges. It was
Children of God
HBO Developing Documentary
HBO is developing a documentary on the Children of God, the international cultic group
prominent in the 1970s and 1980s — and still operating — accused of virtual enslavement
of women and children, prostitution, polygamy, rape, sexual abuse of children, and incest.
The co-producer is former member Noah Farr, who has spent many years helping his
siblings and second generation members escape the group. (Nellie Andreeva, Reuters in
Hollywood Reporter, Internet, 4/26/04)
Children, Now Grown, Tell of Raid Experience
Several young adults who grew up in the Children of God (COG, now called The Family),
some of whom are still associated with the communal organization as missionaries, recently
recounted their traumatic experience of 1992 police raids in the Australian states of Victoria
and New South Wales that took 128 children from six COG communities into temporary
custody.
COG was then infamous for sexual ―sharing‖ among couples, and literature which authorities
said was ―pervaded by lascivious and prurient obsession with matters sexual, with a
particular emphasis on young boys and pubertal girls.‖ COG was known for its ―flirty
fishing‖ doctrine, which encouraged female members to win recruits by offering sex. The
young adults say these COG sexual attitudes and practices may have characterized the
group in the 1960s, yet they saw none of it, having been born in the 1970s. But the director
of Community Services Victoria, referring apparently to the group‘s literature, said in 1992:
―These children appear to be being raised according to a number of norms and doctrines
which threaten long-term psychological damage and incapacity to perform as ordinary
members of adult society.‖
One of those taken in the raids as a youngster says the children were strip-searched for
signs of sexual abuse and asked whether they had had sexual contact with their parents or
other adults. He adds: ―They‘d ask: ‗Have your parents touched you?‘ And the kids are, like,
‗Yes.‘ What kind of question‘s that? And these guys are writing it down like its evidence.‖
Another says authorities asked her two-year-old sister what she was drawing on a slate.
―Are you drawing a man?‖ ‗Yes.‘ What kind of man? ‗Just a man man.‘ What else goes on
the man? And she‘s, like, ‗Er, eyes?‘ No, what else goes on the man? ‗Hands?‘ No, what else
...‘ It was stop, leave her alone.‖ The children were all released back to their parents after
a week in custody, although the court case to decide their ultimate fate, and the media
frenzy surrounding it, further traumatized them.
Today, the now grown up children say they were treated with suspicion for years because of
their association with The Family. One recalls her singing group being ushered out the back
door of a hospital in which they were performing when the heads of the institution found out
they were connected to The Family. ―They didn‘t want us to have any contact with the
children in the hospital. ..as if we were going to infect them.‖
In the years after the raid, said one, ―My brothers and sisters started wetting their beds.
When cars would come up the driveway, kids would run.‖ Many had nightmares, fear of the
future, and a loss of trust for authority figures. Many who tried life outside the group
returned, seeking a haven. (Peter Wilmoth, The Sunday Age, Internet, 5/9/04)
Children of Thunder
Found Sane in Murderous “War Against Satan”
A Contra Costa County, CA, jury has found Justin Alan Helzer [a member of the Children of
Thunder] sane following his recent conviction on murder and extortion charges. It was
