Talking with the Children of God

by Shepherd, Gordon; Shepherd, Gary

• ISBN13: 9780252077210
• ISBN10: 0252077210
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-06-05
• Publisher: Univ of Illinois Pr

Summary

Grounded in direct, systematic observation by neutral observers,Talking with the Children of Godis a unique study of the radical religious movement now known as The Family International. The book draws on extraordinarily candid interviews with the group's leaders and administrative staff. In revealing new information about the organization's history, beliefs, and use of prophecy, Gordon Shepherd and Gary Shepherd offer a highly detailed case study that is both an antidote to sensationalized coverage of the group and a means for understanding the transformational practices of new religious movements in general. One of the most controversial groups emerging from the Jesus People movement of the 1960s, the Family originally was known as The Children of God. Under leader David Berg, members proclaimed an apocalyptic "Endtime," shunned secular occupations, lived communally, and adopted unusual sexual practices that led to abuse scandals in the 1970s and 1980s. Following Berg's death in 1994, the organization began to dramatically alter its evangelization efforts and decision-making processes. Talking with the Children of Godbuilds a picture of a complex organization with ten thousand core members worldwide, including details on the lives, careers, and responsibilities of the second generation and their efforts to defend their faith. The authors summarize the Family's history and beliefs as well as its controversial past. In particular, they analyze the organization's use of prophecy--or channeled revelations from Jesus and other spiritual beings--for making decisions and setting policy, revealing how this essentially democratic process works and how it shapes Family life and culture. These remarkable insights are the result of sixteen years of surveys and field observations conducted in Family member homes in sixteen countries, plus four days of face-to-face interviews with Family leaders and organizational staff. The volume also includes condensed transcripts of the interviews with analysis by Shepherd and Shepherd.

Author Biography

Gordon Shepherd is a professor of sociology at the University of Central Arkansas. Gary Shepherd is a professor of sociology at Oakland University. They are the coauthors of Mormon Passage: A Missionary Chronicle.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. xvii
Prophecy and Change: The Children of God Become the Family International	p. 1
The Practice of Prophecy in the Family: A Roundtable Discussion with the GN Team, Part I	p. 21
The Role of Prophecy in the Family: A Roundtable Discussion with the GN Team, Part II	p. 45
Producing Prophecy for the Good News	p. 70
Illustrating and Laying Out Prophecy for the Good News	p. 87
Activating Religious Interest of Nonmembers	p. 108
Defending the Faith in the Cyber Age	p. 131
Managing the World Services Home	p. 153
Managing the International Flock	p. 173
World Services and the Contemporary Family International: Summary and Conclusions	p. 203
Notes	p. 215
Bibliography	p. 233
Index	p. 241
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