Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2008, Page 53
misdeeds. Jesus Freaks, written by a renowned newspaper journalist well-versed in new
religious movements and fundamentalist religious groups, provides a detailed life account of
Ricky Rodriquez. Ricky, known as ―Davidito,‖ is the son of the leader of The Children of God,
David Berg. Davidito is also the second-generation member whose suicide/murder in 2005
was broadcast in media around the world. The book is recommended to anyone interested
in cultic studies.
The book chronicles the history of The Children of God. As a former member of this cult, I
found the details of the group‘s history and life inside the group accurate and revealing.
There were occasional inconsistencies with the names of characters, or perhaps the author
was asked to change some names and not others. However, in a group that required new
members to change their names on joining, encouraged name changes of members to
disguise identity, and enforced frequent name changes of the top leaders where Ricky lived,
it is remarkable that Lattin was able to keep pace with identities to the extent that he did.
More importantly, he unravels the intricate processes involved in constructing a worldview
that is as bizarre as it is hidden from all public scrutiny. Whereas lawyers and expert
witnesses have persuaded esteemed judges around the world to deny justice to its exploited
and abused members, Lattin exposes not only the moral atrocities but also the criminal acts
committed by its leaders. He does this through investigative research into every aspect of
Ricky‘s life. Some scholars claim that it is not an academic‘s responsibility to expose or
judge morality issues in his or her objective research. As noted earlier, it appears that the
scholars who have dominated in academic publications largely overlook or discount abuse
issues in these groups, especially in The Children of God. In a chapter devoted to these
scholars, called ―Expert Witness,‖ Lattin provides specific details of how much of their
research ignores or distorts the facts.
Lattin writes in primarily chronological order with occasional flashbacks that might be
difficult for a reader to follow. For example, when a new character is introduced, Lattin
revisits earlier history of the group that allows the reader to gain a more in-depth
understanding of the communal environment in which Ricky was raised. Lattin briefly
recounts the histories of some of the other young adults he interviews—most have horrific
stories of abuse.
The author acknowledges that not all children born and raised in The Family had childhood
experiences as damaging as did Ricky, who lived in the house of the leader, David Berg. For
example, near the end of the book, after having recounted story after story of unimaginable
abuse, Lattin informs the reader that all members and former members ―lived in the shadow
of David Berg‖ but of the 13,000 new members who were born into this group between
1971 and 2001, ―when they were born and where they were raised determine the darkness
of that shadow‖ (p. 207).
Despite remarking that some children fared better than others, Lattin states a few pages
later that he could not find one former member from the second generation who "rose
above it all and found justice and redemption‖ (p. 210). Such statements offer apologists
fodder for their arguments.
Miriam Williams Boeri, Ph.D.
When the Body is the Target: Self-Harm, Pain, and Traumatic Attachments
Sharon Klayman Farber, Jason Aronson Publisher, Inc. (an imprint of Roman &
Littlefield, Inc.): Lanham, MD. 2002. ISBN-10: 0765703718 ISBN-13: 978-
0765703712 (paperback), $55.00 ($49.20, Amazon.com). 616 pages.
Many years ago, before vacation periods, I would invariably get into an accident of some
sort. I had acquired an attitude about myself as someone who was just clumsy and
misdeeds. Jesus Freaks, written by a renowned newspaper journalist well-versed in new
religious movements and fundamentalist religious groups, provides a detailed life account of
Ricky Rodriquez. Ricky, known as ―Davidito,‖ is the son of the leader of The Children of God,
David Berg. Davidito is also the second-generation member whose suicide/murder in 2005
was broadcast in media around the world. The book is recommended to anyone interested
in cultic studies.
The book chronicles the history of The Children of God. As a former member of this cult, I
found the details of the group‘s history and life inside the group accurate and revealing.
There were occasional inconsistencies with the names of characters, or perhaps the author
was asked to change some names and not others. However, in a group that required new
members to change their names on joining, encouraged name changes of members to
disguise identity, and enforced frequent name changes of the top leaders where Ricky lived,
it is remarkable that Lattin was able to keep pace with identities to the extent that he did.
More importantly, he unravels the intricate processes involved in constructing a worldview
that is as bizarre as it is hidden from all public scrutiny. Whereas lawyers and expert
witnesses have persuaded esteemed judges around the world to deny justice to its exploited
and abused members, Lattin exposes not only the moral atrocities but also the criminal acts
committed by its leaders. He does this through investigative research into every aspect of
Ricky‘s life. Some scholars claim that it is not an academic‘s responsibility to expose or
judge morality issues in his or her objective research. As noted earlier, it appears that the
scholars who have dominated in academic publications largely overlook or discount abuse
issues in these groups, especially in The Children of God. In a chapter devoted to these
scholars, called ―Expert Witness,‖ Lattin provides specific details of how much of their
research ignores or distorts the facts.
Lattin writes in primarily chronological order with occasional flashbacks that might be
difficult for a reader to follow. For example, when a new character is introduced, Lattin
revisits earlier history of the group that allows the reader to gain a more in-depth
understanding of the communal environment in which Ricky was raised. Lattin briefly
recounts the histories of some of the other young adults he interviews—most have horrific
stories of abuse.
The author acknowledges that not all children born and raised in The Family had childhood
experiences as damaging as did Ricky, who lived in the house of the leader, David Berg. For
example, near the end of the book, after having recounted story after story of unimaginable
abuse, Lattin informs the reader that all members and former members ―lived in the shadow
of David Berg‖ but of the 13,000 new members who were born into this group between
1971 and 2001, ―when they were born and where they were raised determine the darkness
of that shadow‖ (p. 207).
Despite remarking that some children fared better than others, Lattin states a few pages
later that he could not find one former member from the second generation who "rose
above it all and found justice and redemption‖ (p. 210). Such statements offer apologists
fodder for their arguments.
Miriam Williams Boeri, Ph.D.
When the Body is the Target: Self-Harm, Pain, and Traumatic Attachments
Sharon Klayman Farber, Jason Aronson Publisher, Inc. (an imprint of Roman &
Littlefield, Inc.): Lanham, MD. 2002. ISBN-10: 0765703718 ISBN-13: 978-
0765703712 (paperback), $55.00 ($49.20, Amazon.com). 616 pages.
Many years ago, before vacation periods, I would invariably get into an accident of some
sort. I had acquired an attitude about myself as someone who was just clumsy and
