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CHILDREN OF GOD
THE FOUNDER, MOSES DAVID BERG The founder of the Children of God was a former Christian and Missionary Alliance minister, who began reaching out to Hippies. The group was fundamentalist in the beginning, but has since degenerated into the occult. Berg "retired" in 1970 and since that date this organization has been run by "letters" from their prophet, which they place on a par with the Bible.
THE APPEAL OF THE GROUP The recruiters from the Children of God (Family of Love) concentrate on lonely young people. They are especially looking for those disenchanted with the "establishment" and "organized religion". Many Bible verses are quoted in the beginning, and the recruit is made to feel guilt over being a part of a Satanic system. Destruction is foretold for the entire earth, with only the Family of Love surviving to rule over the earth. Soon the recruit finds himself or herself totally committed to the lifestyle of the group where total obedience to the leader of the family is stressed. The idealistic young person soon finds himself plunged into a world of sex coupled with the occult. To raise money, Berg encourages not only the selling of his "letters", but the selling of the bodies of his followers.
THE FLIRTY LITTLE FISHY In march of 1974, under the above title, a new recruiting tool was encouraged. Women in the organization were to become "hookers for Jesus" and religious prostitution became a way of life in the commune. Venereal disease is seen as suffering for the cause of Christ. Berg gives his nod of approval to homo- sexuality, lesbianism, and oral sodomy. Berg himself claimed to have sex with "spirits". Let's look at the word of God concerning some of these practices.
ADULTERY, FORNICATION, PROSTITUTION, HOMOSEXUALITY, LESBIANISM & WORKS OF THE FLESH The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it. (Proverbs 6:32). "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." (1 Corinthians 6:18). "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot (prostitute)? May it never be!" (1 Corinthians 6:15). "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire towards one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own person the due penalty of their error." (Romans 1:26,27). "The works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, of the which I tell you before, as I also told you in time past, that they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of of God." (Galatians 5: 19, 21.)
BERG AS A PROPHET Berg twice prophecied that California would slide into the ocean. (Larson's Book of Cults, p. 124). Missed both times! He likewise said America's destruction would be on or before January 31, 1974, but the comet that was to have done the job fizzled out. Christ's return has been prophecied for 1993.
IN CONCLUSION Although Berg's followers do display some counterfeit gifts (tongues, etc.), we have looked at their fruits (Matthew 12:33). Our hearts go out to those trapped in the Family of Love. We patiently help those desiring to come free from the various cult groups. Won't you write to us for help today?
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