The Family International

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.