The Children of God/The Family.
The Legacy of the Cult.

Very Important note:

Caution: Publications by the Children of God/Family International may be unsuitable for minors as material by David Berg and The Family International may include racist propaganda, harsh demeaning terms, perverse sexual topics, illegal activities and various other directives and views which we, at First Plumbline Apologetics, do not in any form endorse.

In quoting them here First Plumb-Line Apologetics’ primary mission is to educate the public on the dangers of practices (or former practices), endorsements (or former endorsements), of The Family International which, at times, have been (and continue) to be practiced in secret.


We, at First Plumb-Line Apologetics, cannot be held liable for the controversial content of articles published by The Family
International, including material deemed expired in validity and recalled, or intended only for internal use. Such articles
represent the truth of their current, and past, core beliefs. As such, their reproduction here serves the public interest.

See Fund for Constitutional Government v. National Archives & Records Service, 656 F.2d 856, 866 (DC Cir. 1981).. Rushford v. Civiletti, 485 F. Supp. 477, 480 (D.D.C. 1980), aff'd mem., 656 F.2d 900 (DC Cir. 1981).

Founder: David Berg (also known as Moses David, Dad, Father, Grandpa), (1919-1998).

Founding Date:1968

Official Publications: Mo Letters; other tapes, books, and internal news magazines. Berg claims to be the end-time Prophet and his prolific writings are "continuing revelation." Mama Letters from Berg's common-law wife (mistress), Karen Zerby (Maria), are also considered authoritative.

Organization Structure: Maria maintains absolute authoritative control. Geographical areas around the world are broken into regions called Continental Reporting Offices (CRO's). Local communes, formerly called colonies, are called Homes and are run by Shepherds or Team Workers. Unique Terms: Flirty fishing (sexual proselytizing), systemite, revolutionary, witnessing or vidnessing, sharing (fornication or adultery). Other Names: There are many names which The Family has used. They tend to adapt to and adopt names to fit their area and objectives. Some names used are World Services, Family of Love, Heaven's Magic, Martinelli, Fellowship of Independent Christian Churches, Children of God.

The above document was written by Craig Branch.

David Brandt Berg - Founder of the
Children of God (1919 - 1994).
(Information required on David Berg
and not the group)

The History of the cult.

Media Archive.
(Please note the following material will show images of a disturbing nature caution is advised before viewing.)

The Mo Letters.

(Please note the following material will take you to external pages out site this web site, these will be displayed on a separate window, be aware that the material's are likely to show images of a disturbing nature caution is advised before viewing.)

Audio of David Berg.

Meet David Berg, his family and group Photo`s.

The CoG Past Members Photo Album.

DOCTRINES of The Family.

Testimonial Stories. (comming soon!!!!!!!)

Documents and Past Stories. (comming soon!!!!!!!)

Karen Elva Zerby - AKA Katherine Rianna Smith, Maria David, Maria Berg, Maria Fontaine, Mama Maria and Queen Maria, now current leader of The Family International after Berg's death. (comming soon!!!!!!!)

The Family Beliefs. (Comming Soon!!!!!!!)

List of Children of God Web Sites. (comming soon!!!!!!!)

People Partnered/Linked to the Children of God/Family International (comming soon!!!!!!!)

Songs Released by The Family International (Comming Soon!!!!!!!)