The Family International

For the parachurch organization, see Teens for Christ.
Not to be confused with Family, The Fellowship (Christian organization), or The Family (Australian New Age group).

The Family International
AbbreviationTFI
TypeChristian cult
LeaderKaren Zerby (1994–present)
FounderDavid Berg
Branched fromThe Family
Other name(s)
  • Teens for Christ
  • The Children of God (1968–1978)
  • The Family of Love (1978–1982)
  • The Family (1982–2004)
Official websitethefamilyinternational.org

The Family International (TFI) is an American new religious movement founded in 1968 by David Brandt Berg.[1] The group has gone under a number of different names since its inception, including Teens for Christ, The Children of God (COG), The Family of Love, or simply The Family.

A British court case found the group was an authoritarian cult which engaged in the systematic physical and sexual abuse of children,[2] resulting in lasting trauma among survivors.[3] The group has also been accused of targeting vulnerable people.[4]

  1. ^ "The Children of God/The Family". International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA). Archived from the original on April 20, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Brocklehurst-Hell-2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ BURGARINO, PAUL (November 1, 2007). "Book explores what becomes of offspring of '60s 'Jesus Freaks'". East Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  4. ^ Gardner, Simon (March 13, 2016). "Children of God sex cult survivors come out of the shadows". CBC News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.