2000

10-01-00 The Western Daily Press, p.5. 'My life as a call girl for cult' by Matt Holmes.

1999

22-09-99 The Sunday Mail (Australia), pp.14-15. Suffer the little children by Chris Griffith.

07-08-99 The Independent, p.4. Parent of the Year 'ran camp for cult' by Kim Sengupta.

13-06-99, News of the World, pp.22-23. This Girl was born into evil sex cult and taught to say 'Yes' to any man who wanted her.

11-05-99, The Mirror, pp.21-23. My Parents Let Evil Cult Use Me as a Child Sex Slave": Exclusive: Victim Kristina Tells Her Shocking Story.by Paula Robinson.

21-03-99 The Sunday Express, pp.32-33. Sinister cult that left a letgacy of misery. Susan Moran, The Secret World of Cults From Ancient Druids to Heaven's Gate. Godalming, Surrey: Bramley Books, 1999. Hbk. ISBN: 1841001325. pp.84-85.

1998

Richard Abanes, Cults, News Religious Movements, and Your Family. A Guide to Ten Non-Christian Groups Out to Convert Your Loved Ones. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1998. Pbk. ISBN: 0891079815. pp.161-183

1997

05-01-97, The Sunday Telegraph Magazine, pp.14-17. Family Values. Child Abuse, Prostitution, Promiscuity. Thqat's all in the past for the shiny, happy people of the Family of Love. Or is it? Hugh Muir reports.

1996

08-09-96, News of the World, p.31. Evil Sex Cult Targets Film Stunner. Liv Obsessed with SIck Children of God Sect. Hollywood's hottest starlet Liv Tyler is being enticed into a perverted religious cult that brainwashes women into becoming sex slaves. Sept-96, Cosmopolitan, pp. 36-40. Hookers for Jesus: The Children of God cult used sex to lure men intot he group. Few women escape to tell what it was like to be one of God's whores. Until know. Jocasta Shakespeare investigates. Long article features the stories of four women: Sylvia Padilla; Kristina Jones; "Jane Smith" and "Sarah Brown". Sylvia spent 18 years in the Children of God. Kristina was born in a cult commune in India and was a member until kidnapped by her mother when she was 13. She had her first sexual experiencwe within the group at the age of two. "Jane" (36) has 9 children and was in the cult 18 years. She never knew who was the father of her children and helped to produce soft-core pornographic videos for use by David Berg. She ran away from the group in 1993. "Sarah" (23) was sent to live in a cult commune by her mother at the age of twelve. At 13 she was sent to Mexico were she was part of the sex rota for males within the group. Denied medical attention until almost at the point of death she suffered numerous sexually transmitted diseases and became sterile as a result. Following Berg's death his wife Maria took over leadership and passes on David's messages from beyond the grave. "Sarah" says that she doesn't believe that Berg's teachings willl be renounced: "It would be the same as Christians renouncing Christ."

05-04-96, Daily Express, Why people believe in The Family. a letter from Rachel Scott for the UK Family, London. Rachel Scoot writes in the wake of the judgment by Lord Justice Ward and claims that the only difference between The Family and mainstream Christianity is its liberal attitude toward heterosexual relationships. She points out that the organisation is involved in many humanitarian works in SIberia and Bosnia and hopes that the new millennium will bring greater religious tolerance. David V. Barrett, Sects, "Cults" & Alternative Religions: A World Survey and Sourcebook. London: Cassell Plc., 1996. Hbk. ISBN: 0713725672. pp.111-117.

1995

25-11-95, Daily Express, An Awful Gamble.

25-11-95, The Daily Telegraph, pp.1, 3. Mother from 'free sex' cult wins right to keep son by Sean O'Neill, Caroline Davies and Victoria Coombe. Lord Justice Ward's decision to allow a 3 year old child to remain with his mother in the Children of God on the grounds that the group had renounced many of its 'free love' teachings. Ian Howarth of the Cult Information said that "he believed that the judge had been misledby experts 'less than critical of the cults. I think he has been led up the garden path.' " Spokeswoman for The Family, Rachel Scott, said that they were delighted with the judgement. This stipulated that the child was not to receive corporal punishment from anyone other than one of his parents, specified how long he might be left in a commune without his mother and required that the group renounce many of their founder's teachings. Lord Justice Ward described Berg's work "The Law of Love" (1974) as "a pernicious doctrine which robbed children of their childhood, leaving many emotionally damaged."

25-11-95, The Daily Telegraph, p.3. Children Think it is Club Med and we are Missionaries": The Reponse by David Graves.

25-11-95, The Daily Telegraph, p.4. The Sordid Truth About the Law of Love. Mothers Locked in Courtroom Confrontation. The Judgement published Yesterday is an Extraordinary Insight Into The Family cult's Worldwide practices by Caroline Davies

25-11-95, The Times, p.1. Boy, 3, to stay with mother in free-love cult by Emma Wilkins. Lord Justice Ward's decision to allow a child to remain with his mother within the Children of God against the wishes of his grandmother who was concerned about his welfare. "...the judgment , made public yesterday, ran to 136,00 words. In it, Lord Justice Ward said The Family must face up to the shameful period in the 1970s and 80s when child sex abuse was commonplace." Ian Haworth of the Cult Information Centre expressed his his surprise and concern over the decision, adding: "I am very worried that the judgeseems to believe there has been a major change in the group's behaviour. I am not aware of any change, except the change in their name." The judge ruled that the child must have regular contact with his grnadmother and not be left by his mother with other commune members for more than three days, three times a year. He was no longer to be physically punished and Berg's teachings must be renounced by his mother.

25-11-95, The Times, p.3. Communities live on love and Donations by Kathryn Knight. Interview with Gideon (Martin) and Rachel (Linda) Scott at the CoG show-home at Dunton Bassett (15 miles from Leicester). Scott claims that the Family have now abandoned Berg's teachings on child sex and describes how the community of 35 children and adults live together. "There are 165 other cult members in communities throughout Britain and thwo thirds of them are children. Other communities exist in Scotland, Ireland and Kent." "....Cult members are no longer allowed sexual contact with people outside The Family, but young people could readily find partners within the network of the group in Britain and abroad, Mr. Scott said."

25-11-95, The Times, p.3. Judge condemn cult's founder as perverted and malign influence by Emma Wilkins. Summary of Lord Justice Scott's 314 page judgement on The Family in which he refused a gradmother's request for custody of her grandson, aged 3, in favour of his mother - a member of The Family. The judge refuted claims that the grandmother was a dupe of anti-cult activists and described David Berg as "a man without judgment or scruple, and a malign and corrupting influence on his suseptible followers." "The judge condemned the practice of "flirty fishing; by which women members se- duced new recruits to the cult, as nothing short of prostitu- tion, the judge said, with Berg and his acolytes living off the proceeds. But he said: "I am satisfied that it has ceased and I judge there to be no substan- tial risk that it will be resumed." " .... "The judge said that the movement had now made determined and sustained at- tempts to eradicate child abuse, which had been wide- spread in the 70s and 80s. "It was a deplorable period of their history. They have been rightly vilified by the media and pilloried by the press," he said, but he was convinced that the movement could ac- commodate change. The cru- cial event in this process was ~the death last year of Berg, the judge said. "The original 'one- man band' dictatorship has become more democratic, ar- riving at decisions after consultation and by consensus." " "The judge expressed some doubts about the mother's ability to renounce Berg. "Her devotion to Berg is so total that it has drained her intel- lectual reserves and she, like most of those about her ... is blinded by love for him," he said."

25-11-95, The Times, p. 3. Cult Children Stable by Emma Wilkins. " The judge called on seven expert witnesses to advise him on the psychology of the commune and its possible effects on the boy. Professor James Richardson, Professor of Sociology and Judicial Studies at the University of Nevada.... Dr Susan Palmer, a part-time lecturer in the Department of Religion at Concordia University, Montreal.... Dr Gordon Melton, director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion.... The Rev Dr David Millikan, a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia.... Dr Lawrence Ulliston, a clinical child psychologist with 30 years' experience.... "Dr Michael Heller, a consultant psychiatrist and a frequent witness in the Family Division, was called by the mother... Dr Hamish Cameron, a consultant child psychiatrist who was called by the Official Solicitor — representing the boy — said he was a delightful child. His emotional ties to his mother were less intense than in a normal family, as they were shared around the group who care for him. While acknowledging that there could be future risks of abuse, Dr Cameron urged a "wait and see" approach."

24-11-95, Evening Standard, p.4. Evil Berg Still Leads Cult From Beyond the Grave by David McMillan & Gervase Webb.

24-11-95, Evening Standard, p.4. My Nightmare Years as a Chuild Sex Object

21-07-95, Birmingham News (USA),. New Home, Old Questions: Controversies of Past Follow Communal Group by Greg Garrison. "COG Founder Dies" The Cult Observer, Vol. 12, No.1 (1995): 8. "Australia: Says 'The Family' Gave Up Child Sex Years Ago" The Cult Observer, Vol. 12, No.1 (1995): 9. Fair News, (January 1995): 7-8.

1994

26-11-94, The Philadelphia Enquirer, p. 4. Berg's Followers say Death Report Won't Deter Them: His Wife Will Guide The Mysterious Sect, they Say. Not Everyone is Convinced He is Dead by William R. Macklin, Inquirer Staff Reporter.

25-11-94, Daily Mail, Sex Cult Founder is Dead,

25-11-94, Daily Telegraph, Children of God Cult Founder Dies,

25-11-94, The Independent, p.2. Cult Leader Dies

17-11-94Edinburgh Evening News, Sex Claim Cult Bids to Quash Rumours. Family Opens the DOoors of Its Lothian Mansion.

04-11-94, Derby Evening Telegraph, Saved from evil sect by Lucy Orgill. Valerie spent 15 years in the Children of God after being recruited at the age of 15 when cult members were invited to speak at her school's Christian Union. When she finalyy began to question the activities of the sect she was pushed out and managed to rescue six of her seven children. Her 18 year old daughter Kristina revealed that she had been sexually abused from the age of three until her mother rescued her when she was twelve [see also Cosmopolitan, September 1996, pp. 36-40]. The article demonstrates something of the control that Berg exercised over his followers. Valerie's eldest daughter Celeste is still a member of the cult. Doug Harris of Reachout Trust offers advice on how to avoid being sucked into such groups.

31-10-94, Daily Express, Thousand Children in Sex Cult by Paul Fuller.

31-10-94, Daily Mail, pp.1, 6, col. 1. 1,000 Children In An Evil Trap: Up to 1,000 British children are in the hands of an evil cult which sexually abuses and brainwashes them, police have revealed by Peter Burden & Peter Rose.

04-08-94, Croydon Guardian, My Families Cult Ordeal by Steve Roth. Describes in some detail the recruitment of Sylvia and Arnoldo Patilla and their family by the Children of God. Sylvia warns young Christians to avoid the group, which insisted that women members sleep with "needy brothers" and use sex to recruit new members (a practice called 'flirty-fishing'). Families were broken up when the children reached hte age of twelve. Her oldest daughter was abused from the age of nine. The Family denied their allegations.

27-07-94, Daily Express, My 18 years as a sex slave of cult 'Messiah' by Anthea Gerrie. The story of the Padilla family's 18 years with the Children of God. After being recruited in a meeting in Glasgow Sylvia and her husband Arnoldo became devotged followers of David (Moses) Berg. The group controlled every aspect of their lives, requiring that they sleep with other partners and use sex to recruit new members. Inset articles "Profits of Amageddon" summarises very briefly Berg's career, his flight from the police, his famous "Mo Letters" and his daughter Deborah's efforts to oppose his teachings.

27-07-94, Mirror Woman, Child of the cult . . and at seven I was taught that sex with adults was normal by Sue Malins. For 16 years 19 year old Victoria Padilla was a victim of the Children of God. One of her sisters died needlessly while in the cult and her mother became a 'flirty fisher'. While her school friends were reading comics Victoria had only the pornographic writings of David (Moses) Berg. Even at the age of seven she realised that something was seriously wrong. She was spanked regularly by members of the group and felt a continual sexual threat. Her 17 year old sister stopped taking antibiotics which were being used to treat a disease of the immune system and gave herself up 'to the will of God'. Her mother was so indoctrinated that she accepted the death of one daughter, the molestation of two others and allowed herself to be used by the male members of the group.

26-07-94, The Independent, Lost in the Brainwash: A Documentary About "Victims" of the Cult Known as the Family Does Not Tell the Full Story by Isabel Hilton.

23-07-94, The Independent Magazine, pp.16-19. It's A Family Affair. Once They were the Children of God. Later they became the Family - but by then, the accusations of child sexual abuse had begun. Today, this controversial cult is still under suspicion by Isabel Hilton.

01-02-94, Daily Telegraph, p.7. Cult Followers Told to 'Be Ready to Die Soon' by Hugh Muir.

11-09-94, Time, p.54. Family of Fear. A Raid in Buenos Aires uncovers a new scandal involving the worldwide cult Children of God. "Polish Opposition to Children of God" The Cult Observer, Vol. 11, No.8 (1994): 8 "State Will Monitor COG Children" The Cult Observer, Vol. 11, No.7 (1994): 8-9 "COG Regroups in Argentina" The Cult Observer, Vol. 11, No.7 (1994): 9 "Children of God Trying to Revise Image" The Cult Observer, Vol. 11, No.3 (1994): 3, 5. Syephen A. Kent, "Lustful Prophet: A Psychological Historical Study of the Children of God's Leader, David Berg," Cultic Studies Journal, Vol.11, No. 2 (1994): 135-188. Fair News, (October 1994): 13. Fair News, (Summer 1994): 5-6. Fair News, (January 1994): 6-7.

1993

25-10-93 Christianity Today, Sex Abuse Charges Disputed by Joe Maxwell.

04-09-93, Daily Express, pp.20-21. We Have Free Love in the Name of God. Our sex and prayer cult has no link to porn secst say Britons by Ashley Walton.

04-09-93, Daily Mail, p.12. Inside the Family house of free love by Anna Pukas.

04-09-93, Daily Mirror, p.11. We Swap Lives in the Name of Jesus. Bed-Hop Gospel of Raided Cult. British followers of a weird religious cult raided in Argentina claimed today: The Bible tells us to practice wife-swapping by Rod Chaytor.

04-09-93, The Daily Telegraph, p.4. Cult Children Checked For Sex Abuse by Hugh Muir.

03-09-93, Daily Mail, p.1. Yard Probe Into Child Cult by Peter Burden & Beatrice Goyoaga

03-09-93, Daily Mail, p.18. Flirty Fishers of Sex-Messiah. "Use Your Bodies to win souls for the cult, Berg Urged Women by Tony Burton in New York.

03-09-93, Daily Mail, p.18. House of Croquet and Free Love by James Golden.

03-09-93, Daily Mail, p.19. They told me abuse was normal by Edward Verity.

03-09-93, Daily Mail, p.19. A lonely hunt for my 'lost' children.

05-08-93, Sunday Mirror, pp. 20-21. Our love-swap rotas were pinned by the sink in the kitchen. The story of Sylvia (52) and Arnold Padilla and their two daughters Miriam (20) and Victoria. Another daughter (Claudia) died in the cult at the age of 17 because Berg forbade the use of medicines. "Sylvia and husband Arnold were both com- mitted Christians, but disillusioned with the established churches when they joined the sect. Arnold bad lost his job with an airline and was taking Bible classes. They met Berg's daughter and were quickly recruited. Arnold's father was prominent in Costa Rica and after a brief time in a sect house In Bromley, Kent, the Padillas were sent there.Sylvia and husband Arnold were sent there." The family describe their 20 years in the group, which included child abuse, drunken orgies and Sylvia bearing 7 children. They describe the Children of God as "just a sex machine. Seventy percent of Berg's teachings are about sex." and conclude: "We just want peolple to know how sick and dangerous the Children of God is. It is totally evil."

11-06-93, Daily Telegraph, Crackdown on 'Sex-Abuse' Sect.

19-03-93, The Guardian 2, Children of a Lusty God. Later this year, a British court is to hear the case of the Children of God, a Christian cult accused of sex abuse, brain-washing and prostitutiing children to receuit new members. Our Reporter spent two days witht he group and heard the confessions of nine-year-old. He was surprised by what he found... by Walter Schwarz.

03-02-93, Mirror Woman, p. 3. Lost Children of the Cult. The Mother Fighting to Free HEr Daughter From the Brainwashers. "River Phoenix and The Children of God" The Cult Observer, Vol. 12, No.4 (1995): 4-5. "Children of God Kids Taken into Custody, Then Released" The Cult Observer, Vol. 10, No.10 (1993): 8-9. "Children of God Returning to U.S." The Cult Observer, Vol. 10, No.6 (1993): 6. "French Father Meets Children of God" The Cult Observer, Vol. 10, No.2 (1993): 9. Fair News, (Winter 1993): 5. Fair News, (Autumn 1993): 6-7. Fair News, (Summer 1993): 4. Fair News, (Spring 1993): 5-6.

1992

17-05-92, The Sunday Times, Sex-cult Children Held. Australian Police Raid Sect Houses by John Huxley Sydney. "Children of God Regain Custody of Children" The Cult Observer, Vol. 9, No.9 (1992): 8. "Distress Over Children of God" The Cult Observer, Vol. 9, No.7 (1992): 8. Fair News, (Winter 1992): 4-5. Fair News, (Autumn 1992): 6. Fair News, (Summer 1992): 4-5. Fair News, (Spring 1992): 3.

1991

03-02-91, The Mail on Sunday, Police Raid houses of child sex group by Chester Stern (crime correspondent). In reponse to the Mail on Sunday's warning that the Children of God had returned in force to the UK police raided three 'safe houses' looking for evidence of child sex abuse. Jean Ritchie, The Secret World of Cults. Inside the Sects That Take Over Lives. Finland: Angus & Robertson, 1991. Pbk. ISBN: 020716990X. pp.11-31. Fair News, (Autumn 1991): 6. Fair News, (Spring 1991): 5.

1990 The Mail on Sunday, 18th November 1990, p.5. Secret 'Safe house' of the child-sex cult by Hugh Muir.

11-07-90,Daily Express, Briton Held as police smash child sex den by Edward Owen in Madrid.

21-03-90, The Croydon Post, Sex for sale gains cash for sick cult by Anthony Stone.

14-03-90, The Croydon Post, p.1. Church's sex secret is out by Anthony Stone. Shirley Harrison, Cults: The Battle For God. London: Christopher Helm, 1990. Hbk. ISBN: 0747014140. pp.117-127. Fair News, (Autumn 1990): 4.

1989

11-05-89, Kentish Times, Children of God cult veils sex with religion by Mark Bristow. Graham Baldwin of Bronley Christian Centre warns that the Children of God are planning to return to areas like Bromley in order to recruit new members. Counter-Cult worker Ian Haworth describes how cults recruit new members. He estimates that his work has brought him into contact with over 500 different groups. The article goes on to tell the story of Christine. After being recruited Christine broke all ties with her family and took on a new name - Keturah. Through love bombing and long teaching sessions Christine soon became a devoted disciple of David Berg and was put in charge of a commune in Brussels. Initially she was only required to raise money for the cult, but Berg's new teaching concerning 'flirty fishing' changed all that. From that point prostitution played a central role in the Children of God's work. Eventually Christine realised thatshe had been deceived by Berg and left the cult. She now works part-time as a therapist for those who escape the Children of God.

1985

Walter Martin, The New Cults. Ventura, California: Vision House, 1980. Pbk. ISBN: 0884490165. pp.143-201.

1982

Bob Larson, Larson's New Book of Cults. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1982. Pbk. ISBN: 0842328602. pp.159-165.

1980

Lowell D. Streiker, The Cults Are Coming! Nashville: Abingdon, 1978. Pbk. ISBN: 0687100704. pp.50-66.

1979

Jack Sparks, The Mind Benders. A Look at Current Cults. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1979. Pbk. ISBN: 0840756860. pp.155-183.

1978

13-02-78, The Sun, p.5. Moses and His Hookers' Harem. Godfather behind the girls who give their bodies for Jesus by Peter Bond.

1977

Ronald Enroth, Youth, Brainwashing, and the Extremist Cults. Exeter: The Paternoster Press, 1977. Pbk. ISBN: 0310242711. pp.35-55

1975

William J. Petersen, Those Curious New Cults. From Astrology to Zen, From Witchcraft to Jesus Freaks - A Searching, Quizzical Look at the Cult Explosion. New Canaan, Connecticut: Kears Publishing, Inc., 1975. Pbk. pp.144-160.

1974

Hobart E. Freeman, Every Wind of Doctrine. Warsaw, Indiana: Faith Ministries & Publications, 1974. Pbk. pp.46-48. Cosmopolitan