Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2006, Page 41
14. Note that Berg reviewed the topic of sexually transmitted diseases in the Mo Letter ―Afflictions‖
(Berg, 1976a:4188–4219). In the letter, he claimed that he had considered stopping the practice of
FFing because of the risks it posed to the women. As he contemplated the issue, however, he
concluded that Jesus likely had contracted a venereal disease at some point, too hence, there is no
shame in it. He argued that just as Jesus suffered disease and, more importantly, crucifixion, the
female disciples should continue to surrender their bodies, ―even at the risk of afflictions!‖ (Berg,
1976a:4219). When the reality of venereal diseases became evident, Berg finally ordered an end to
FFing.
15. Note that although Melton‘s book first appeared in Italian in 1997, this edition is published in
2004 thus, opportunities for revisions existed.
16. Noted sociologist Roy Wallis (who researched extensively both COG/The Family and Scientology)
commented on his Scientology research, ―Had I wished for an analysis of the content of the
documents, I would have conducted a content analysis. But something said only once in a body of
documentation may have as much influence on organizational and individual behaviour as something
said a thousand times‖ (Wallis, 1977:vii).
17. Other contemporary accounts comment also on the group‘s countercultural appeal to idealistic
youth when they discuss the group‘s early history and conversion motifs (for example, Chancellor,
2002:38–39, 41, 54 Williams, 1998:25), as have others in the past (for example, Bromley and
Newton, 1994:42 Davis with Davis, 1984, pp. 36–43 Wallis, 1981:98–100 Wangerin, 1993).
18. Miriam Williams Boeri is Miriam Williams‘ (1998) married name.
19. See Kent (1994b) for one perspective on Berg‘s own sexuality.
1 Note that Stephen Kent (2001b) integrated components of this article in his contribution to Zablocki
and Robbins‘ edited volume, Misunderstanding Cults: Searching for Objectivity in a Controversial Field
(2001a).
20. Prior research favourable to the brainwashing thesis includes Kent (2001a), Kent (2001b), Scheflin
and Opton (1978), Singer and Lalich (1995), and Zablocki (2001). For research critical of the
brainwashing model, see Anthony (1990), Anthony (2001), Bromley (2001), and Dawson (2001). For
a brief history of some key court cases in which brainwashing theory has played a role, see Melton
(2002).
21. Note that Chancellor (2000:180) rejects the brainwashing hypothesis and instead uses the term
―indoctrination‖ on several occasions (pp. 58, 210, and 244). He does not define indoctrination.
22. See http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_topic_collections/tpcol_acadialog.htm and
http://www.cesnur.org/testi/se_brainwash.htm for two different perspectives on the brainwashing
disputes.
23. Note that The Love Charter still includes some controversial material in terms of child sexuality.
For example, the Mo Letter ―The Devil Hates Sex!‖ is still ―priority reading‖ (The Family, 1995:205).
This publication contains a dialogue between Berg and his mistress, Maria, in which they discuss
societal taboos against incest. Maria states, ―Well, we‘ll just have to tell the kids that it‘s not
prohibited by God...‖ (Berg, 1980:7696). After a brief discussion, Berg adds, ―I DON‘T KNOW WHAT
THE HELL AGE HAS GOT TO DO WITH IT‖ (Berg, 1980:7697).
24. Likely a play on the word ―Christianity,‖ Berg coined the term ―Churchianity‖ as a derogative way
to refer to mainstream, traditional religion.
25. For a discussion of COG/The Family‘s early organizational structure, see Davis and Richardson
(1976).
26. From the earlier body of academic scholarship, Van Zandt‘s Living in The Children of God (1991) is
a comprehensive and balanced account. Van Zant spent a month undercover as a member in the
1970s, then spent several more months researching the group, with its permission.
References
Anthony, Dick. (1990). Religious movements and brainwashing litigation: Evaluating key
testimony. In Thomas Robbins and Dick Anthony (Eds.). In gods we trust (2nd ed.)
(pp. 259–344). New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers.
Anthony, Dick. (2001). Tactical ambiguity and brainwashing formulations: Science or
pseudo-science. In B. Zablocki and T. Robbins (Eds.). Misunderstanding cults:
Searching for objectivity in a controversial field (pp. 215–317). Toronto, ON:
University of Toronto Press.
Bainbridge, William Sims. (2002). The end-time family: Children of God. Albany: State
University of New York Press.
14. Note that Berg reviewed the topic of sexually transmitted diseases in the Mo Letter ―Afflictions‖
(Berg, 1976a:4188–4219). In the letter, he claimed that he had considered stopping the practice of
FFing because of the risks it posed to the women. As he contemplated the issue, however, he
concluded that Jesus likely had contracted a venereal disease at some point, too hence, there is no
shame in it. He argued that just as Jesus suffered disease and, more importantly, crucifixion, the
female disciples should continue to surrender their bodies, ―even at the risk of afflictions!‖ (Berg,
1976a:4219). When the reality of venereal diseases became evident, Berg finally ordered an end to
FFing.
15. Note that although Melton‘s book first appeared in Italian in 1997, this edition is published in
2004 thus, opportunities for revisions existed.
16. Noted sociologist Roy Wallis (who researched extensively both COG/The Family and Scientology)
commented on his Scientology research, ―Had I wished for an analysis of the content of the
documents, I would have conducted a content analysis. But something said only once in a body of
documentation may have as much influence on organizational and individual behaviour as something
said a thousand times‖ (Wallis, 1977:vii).
17. Other contemporary accounts comment also on the group‘s countercultural appeal to idealistic
youth when they discuss the group‘s early history and conversion motifs (for example, Chancellor,
2002:38–39, 41, 54 Williams, 1998:25), as have others in the past (for example, Bromley and
Newton, 1994:42 Davis with Davis, 1984, pp. 36–43 Wallis, 1981:98–100 Wangerin, 1993).
18. Miriam Williams Boeri is Miriam Williams‘ (1998) married name.
19. See Kent (1994b) for one perspective on Berg‘s own sexuality.
1 Note that Stephen Kent (2001b) integrated components of this article in his contribution to Zablocki
and Robbins‘ edited volume, Misunderstanding Cults: Searching for Objectivity in a Controversial Field
(2001a).
20. Prior research favourable to the brainwashing thesis includes Kent (2001a), Kent (2001b), Scheflin
and Opton (1978), Singer and Lalich (1995), and Zablocki (2001). For research critical of the
brainwashing model, see Anthony (1990), Anthony (2001), Bromley (2001), and Dawson (2001). For
a brief history of some key court cases in which brainwashing theory has played a role, see Melton
(2002).
21. Note that Chancellor (2000:180) rejects the brainwashing hypothesis and instead uses the term
―indoctrination‖ on several occasions (pp. 58, 210, and 244). He does not define indoctrination.
22. See http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_topic_collections/tpcol_acadialog.htm and
http://www.cesnur.org/testi/se_brainwash.htm for two different perspectives on the brainwashing
disputes.
23. Note that The Love Charter still includes some controversial material in terms of child sexuality.
For example, the Mo Letter ―The Devil Hates Sex!‖ is still ―priority reading‖ (The Family, 1995:205).
This publication contains a dialogue between Berg and his mistress, Maria, in which they discuss
societal taboos against incest. Maria states, ―Well, we‘ll just have to tell the kids that it‘s not
prohibited by God...‖ (Berg, 1980:7696). After a brief discussion, Berg adds, ―I DON‘T KNOW WHAT
THE HELL AGE HAS GOT TO DO WITH IT‖ (Berg, 1980:7697).
24. Likely a play on the word ―Christianity,‖ Berg coined the term ―Churchianity‖ as a derogative way
to refer to mainstream, traditional religion.
25. For a discussion of COG/The Family‘s early organizational structure, see Davis and Richardson
(1976).
26. From the earlier body of academic scholarship, Van Zandt‘s Living in The Children of God (1991) is
a comprehensive and balanced account. Van Zant spent a month undercover as a member in the
1970s, then spent several more months researching the group, with its permission.
References
Anthony, Dick. (1990). Religious movements and brainwashing litigation: Evaluating key
testimony. In Thomas Robbins and Dick Anthony (Eds.). In gods we trust (2nd ed.)
(pp. 259–344). New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers.
Anthony, Dick. (2001). Tactical ambiguity and brainwashing formulations: Science or
pseudo-science. In B. Zablocki and T. Robbins (Eds.). Misunderstanding cults:
Searching for objectivity in a controversial field (pp. 215–317). Toronto, ON:
University of Toronto Press.
Bainbridge, William Sims. (2002). The end-time family: Children of God. Albany: State
University of New York Press.
