Something Somebody Stole

"The Children of God" were one of the most radical groups of Jesus Freaks spawned during the sixties. They later morphed into a headline grabbing cult known as "The Family" known for strange mixture of evangelism, doomsday prophecies and unusual sexual practices taught by their founder, David Berg. This book is the story of one person's journey into the movement, several decades of life within the movement, and the struggle to find a path to recovery in the decades since. The author spent over 20 years in the group (much of it in leadership positions), living in over 20 countries, while parenting 17 children with 2 remarkable women. Through personal reflection and reference to a great deal of research into thought reform and spiritual abuse, the author offers insight into the world of cults, and sheds light on the issues encountered upon leaving a totalistic group. There is a particular effort made to examine issues of personal responsibility and spiritual recovery. One reader comments "informative and entertaining, refreshing in its honesty... not what one comes to expect from a former cult member, and ultimately a message of hope in the midst of difficulty and tragedy. Rich spiritual wisdom available regardless of whether readers have been involved in a cult or not."