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Portrait of David Berg

Photo: CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United States · Nationality American — Religion / Children of God / The Family / sectarian governance / sexuality / child protection

David Berg

Religion, sects and spiritual movements

Documented profile covering 9 controversies, including “1970s–1995: corporal punishment and harsh educational environment — former members' criticism and subsequent judicial reform requirements” and “1990–1993: international raids and investigations into suspected abuse, kidnapping and exploitation — no convictions in cited operations”.

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Profile No. 1975 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of David Berg

Photo: CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
9Documented controversies+ 1 background event
14Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

années 1970–1995

1970s–1995: corporal punishment and harsh educational environment — former members' criticism and subsequent judicial reform requirements

No legal proceedings

Former members and investigations described severe corporal punishment, strict communal discipline and inadequate education in some homes. In 1995, Lord Justice Ward allowed a child to remain with her mother, who belonged to the movement, while requiring, among other measures, an end to corporal punishment and improvements in education.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Institutional responsibility

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    The IndependentGrandmother loses battle for 'child of God'PressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The IndependentFamily behind closed doorsPressHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    Centre for the Critical Study of Apocalyptic and Millenarian MovementsChildren of God / The Family InternationalAcademic publicationHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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02

1990–1993

1990–1993: international raids and investigations into suspected abuse, kidnapping and exploitation — no convictions in cited operations

Investigation

Police and child protection operations targeted Children of God/The Family communities in Spain, Australia, France and Argentina. In 1993, dozens of adults were arrested and hundreds of children temporarily placed under authorities' control in Argentina and France amid allegations of abuse and kidnapping.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    The Washington Post / Reuters30 Members of Children of God ArrestedNews agencyHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Los Angeles TimesDavid Berg; Founder of Controversial SectPressHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    Centre for the Critical Study of Apocalyptic and Millenarian MovementsChildren of God / The Family InternationalAcademic publicationHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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03

années 1970–1990

1970s–1990s: direct allegations of child sexual abuse by granddaughters and former members

No legal proceedings

Several former members and relatives accused Berg of personally sexually abusing them during childhood. Joyanne Treadwell stated in particular that he began sexually touching her when she was five; other witnesses gave similar accounts in the press and during civil investigations.

Attribution
Accused

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    Los Angeles TimesThe Shifting, Lurid History of The FamilyPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Los Angeles TimesThe cult was his unhappy homePressHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    The GuardianLife after a sex cult: 'If I’m not a member of this religion any more, then who am I?'PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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04

1977–1987

1977–1987: 'Flirty Fishing' — use of sexual relationships as missionary method

No legal proceedings

Berg devised and introduced 'Flirty Fishing', a practice whereby female members could have sexual relationships with men to evangelise them, secure their loyalty to the movement or obtain support. The practice spread internationally before being officially abandoned in 1987.

State of the evidence
Admitted by the person
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    DavidBerg.org / The Family InternationalThe History and Theological Premise of Flirty Fishing (1977–1987)Medium reliability
  2. [2]
    The GuardianLife after a sex cult: 'If I’m not a member of this religion any more, then who am I?'PressHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    Los Angeles TimesFringe Group at Center of DeathsPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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05

1980–1985

1980–1985: writings claiming permissibility of sexual activity involving children and relatives

No legal proceedings

Several writings attributed to Berg claimed that no form of sexuality was wrong if practised in love; a 1985 letter signed with his wife explicitly encouraged sexual experimentation among prepubescent children. These texts are central to allegations that the movement normalised dangerous sexual behaviour towards minors.

Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    Los Angeles TimesThe Shifting, Lurid History of The FamilyPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Family InternationalLetters of ApologyStatementHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    The IndependentGrandmother loses battle for 'child of God'PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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06

fin des années 1970–années 1980

Late 1970s–1980s: 'Law of Love' doctrine and pressure towards sexual sharing

No legal proceedings

Berg's 'Law of Love' taught that sexual acts could be morally acceptable when performed in God's love. Former members described a system in which the doctrine created obligations or pressure to share one's spouse or one's own body with other members.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    The GuardianLife after a sex cult: 'If I’m not a member of this religion any more, then who am I?'PressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Family InternationalLetters of ApologyStatementHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    The IndependentFamily behind closed doorsPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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07

années 1970–1980

1970s–1980s: antisemitic and racist writings and conspiracy theories

No legal proceedings

Berg's writings and statements accused Jews and Black people of conspiring against the world or Christianity and employed racist and antisemitic stereotypes. These positions contributed to the movement's extremist reputation.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Los Angeles TimesDavid Berg; Founder of Controversial SectPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Los Angeles TimesThe Shifting, Lurid History of The FamilyPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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08

1973–31 January 1974

1973–January 1974: prophecy of imminent US destruction linked to comet Kohoutek

No legal proceedings

Berg presented comet Kohoutek as a sign of God's judgement and predicted a catastrophe striking the United States before the end of January 1974. Followers were encouraged to leave the country. The date passed without the predicted event.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    Christianity TodayExercises in Exorcism — False Prophecy?PressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Christianity TodayThe Children of God: Disciples of DeceptionPressHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    Los Angeles TimesDavid Berg; Founder of Controversial SectPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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09

1968–années 1970

1968–1970s: building highly centralised movement around his 'Mo Letters'

No legal proceedings

Berg founded the Children of God in 1968 and, after going into hiding, governed the movement primarily through thousands of doctrinal letters. Former members and observers described a system in which his status as prophet and his directives strongly shaped communal life, sexuality, finances and discipline.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 3

  1. [1]
    Los Angeles TimesThe Shifting, Lurid History of The FamilyPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Los Angeles TimesDavid Berg; Founder of Controversial SectPressHigh reliability
  3. [3]
    The GuardianLife after a sex cult: 'If I’m not a member of this religion any more, then who am I?'PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

Add to this entry

II. Documented background

Documented biographical or institutional milestones (elections, appointments, foundings, acquisitions…). These are not controversies and are not counted as such.

  1. 1982

    1982: publication of 'The Story of Davidito', internal book sexualising Karen Zerby's son's childhood

    In 1982, the movement published 'The Story of Davidito', attributed in part to David Berg and his circle, concerning the upbringing of Ricky Rodriguez. Reports described passages and images depicting sexual behaviour involving the young child, adults and other children, used as internal educational models.

    Sources · 3
    1. WorldCat — The story of Davidito: chapters 1–85
    2. Los Angeles Times — The Shifting, Lurid History of The Family
    3. Los Angeles Times — Fringe Group at Center of Deaths

III. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)
  1. Karen Zerby3 documented references

IV. Has something changed?

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