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‘A chilling account of life in the grip of a sinister madness.' Daily Mail.
Product Description
The bestselling, devastating account of three sisters, torn apart and forced to suffer abuse and exploitation at the hands of a community that robbed them of their childhood. They reveal three lives, separate but entwined, that have experienced unspeakable horror, unrelenting loyalty and unforgettable courage.
From as early as 3 years old, Julianna, Celeste and Kristina were treated by their 'guardians' as sexual beings. They were made to watch and mimic orgies, received love letters and sexual advances from men old enough to be their grandfather, and were forced into abusive relationships that barely went unhidden. They were denied access to formal schooling, forced to wander the streets begging for money, and were mercilessly beaten for 'crimes' as unpredictable as reading an encyclopaedia.
Finally, unable to live with the guilt of what had happened to her children, their mother escaped with Kristina, cutting herself off from her remaining children in a bid to save at least one child. Desperate to free her remaining sisters, Kristina eventually returned to the place of her torture to free Celeste and, after many years, Julianna, who was only able to break free with the knowledge that the child she was carrying would be subjected to the same fate if she could not find the courage to escape.
Now the three sisters have finally come together to reveal in full and horrific detail their existence within a group that has destroyed the lives of so many. Their stories intertwine throughout the years, revealing a community spread throughout the world whose legacy of anorexia, depression, drug abuse, suicide and even murder are impossible to erase. Lives that follow parallel paths are ripped apart and painstakingly mended with a shared strength that finally enabled the sisters to free themselves from the shadows of their past.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When we decided to write our memoir we were keenly aware of the controversy and notoriety that has surrounded the Children of God, now called The Family International. We endeavoured to produce an accurate account of our lives as children born into this evangelical breakaway group that started in the late 60's. As part of our research, we re-read through many of the Children of God's internal publications and watched the only remaining video footage of ourselves as children that was recovered only recently. The memories these images evoked were disturbing and painful. (Much of this information is now available at www.xfamily.org.)
As children we were always told what we should feel and think, and were never allowed to express our own emotions, thoughts and feelings. In order to tell our story we had to unlock painful memories, which we had kept long suppressed. The freedom we now have to speak our minds without fear and intimidation has been cathartic and has helped us come to terms with our past. Through writing the book, we saw clearly the full implications of the power that one human can hold over another - that one man - David Berg, held over the lives of thousands. The power of a narcissistic leader, that both created our family and destroyed it.
David Berg believed that he could mould the children of his followers into a form of his own choosing and often boasted that the second generation would turn out to be the "proof of the pudding." His attitude mirrored closely John B. Watson who said that given "a dozen, healthy infants" and his "own specified world to bring them up in", he could turn them into whatever he wanted. (Watson, 1930) If Watson's theory were true, then a group like the Children of God would be the perfect place to find the results to prove it, as the world we were raised in was completely controlled and cut off from everything but its own reality.
In the short term, it seemed like the approach was effective. As children, we didn't even question that Jesus was supposed to come back in 1993, riding out of the sky on a white horse to rescue us from the evil Anti-Christ's one world government. Twenty years on, however, statistics have shown considerable flaws in this line of thinking. An estimated three-fourths of all second generation over legal age are no longer part of The Family or believers in Berg's doctrines (see www.movingon.org). The present-day leadership are having to deal with the embarrassing truth of their past, exposed by their own children, and the disappointment of their unfulfilled hopes and dreams for the second generation who did not turn out as their prophet had promised they would.
Although it is true that we are partly the product of the social environment we are raised in, it is not what completely defines us. It was our inborn desire to seek out answers and listen to logic rather than accept unsubstantiated faith that ultimately freed us to think for ourselves and choose the way we wanted to live our lives. It is our hope that those who read our story, who are trapped by fear, whatever the circumstances- in an abusive relationship or organisation - will find their inner strength to break away from those who wish to control them, and build a new life for themselves and their children.
As children we were always told what we should feel and think, and were never allowed to express our own emotions, thoughts and feelings. In order to tell our story we had to unlock painful memories, which we had kept long suppressed. The freedom we now have to speak our minds without fear and intimidation has been cathartic and has helped us come to terms with our past. Through writing the book, we saw clearly the full implications of the power that one human can hold over another - that one man - David Berg, held over the lives of thousands. The power of a narcissistic leader, that both created our family and destroyed it.
David Berg believed that he could mould the children of his followers into a form of his own choosing and often boasted that the second generation would turn out to be the "proof of the pudding." His attitude mirrored closely John B. Watson who said that given "a dozen, healthy infants" and his "own specified world to bring them up in", he could turn them into whatever he wanted. (Watson, 1930) If Watson's theory were true, then a group like the Children of God would be the perfect place to find the results to prove it, as the world we were raised in was completely controlled and cut off from everything but its own reality.
In the short term, it seemed like the approach was effective. As children, we didn't even question that Jesus was supposed to come back in 1993, riding out of the sky on a white horse to rescue us from the evil Anti-Christ's one world government. Twenty years on, however, statistics have shown considerable flaws in this line of thinking. An estimated three-fourths of all second generation over legal age are no longer part of The Family or believers in Berg's doctrines (see www.movingon.org). The present-day leadership are having to deal with the embarrassing truth of their past, exposed by their own children, and the disappointment of their unfulfilled hopes and dreams for the second generation who did not turn out as their prophet had promised they would.
Although it is true that we are partly the product of the social environment we are raised in, it is not what completely defines us. It was our inborn desire to seek out answers and listen to logic rather than accept unsubstantiated faith that ultimately freed us to think for ourselves and choose the way we wanted to live our lives. It is our hope that those who read our story, who are trapped by fear, whatever the circumstances- in an abusive relationship or organisation - will find their inner strength to break away from those who wish to control them, and build a new life for themselves and their children.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I chose this book for some reason, from the army of others like these which are on the shelves at them moment. Not knowing anything about the 'CoG' or 'The Family' as I lived in South Africa, and don't think they had much or any contact there. On reading these very well written, and compelling life stories by three amazing woman, I can not help but be thankful for the up bringing I had.
I am truly relieved that they have been able to survive their past, and help others and each other. You girls deserve all the happiness that life can bring.
Thank you for your inspiring lives, and sharing it with us!!!
To those in the Family who reject what these woman say, God will have the final say!
I am truly relieved that they have been able to survive their past, and help others and each other. You girls deserve all the happiness that life can bring.
Thank you for your inspiring lives, and sharing it with us!!!
To those in the Family who reject what these woman say, God will have the final say!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Three brave girls questioned the beliefs they were brought up in and found the courage, despite horendous indoctorination, to figure out what feels right for them in life.
What shines through in this book is the tremendous love and loyalty these sisters have for each other, all their siblings, mothers, and the friends who suffered with them. They even show profound tolerance and forgiveness towards their father.
A thoroughably readable book which shows how controlling and manipulative a cult can be and the effects it has on innocent lives.
I wish these brave and resilient girls happiness and success with their lives.
What shines through in this book is the tremendous love and loyalty these sisters have for each other, all their siblings, mothers, and the friends who suffered with them. They even show profound tolerance and forgiveness towards their father.
A thoroughably readable book which shows how controlling and manipulative a cult can be and the effects it has on innocent lives.
I wish these brave and resilient girls happiness and success with their lives.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
great book
this book is a great book, it is hard to get into at first but when you get going with it it is really intersesting and although some parts may be a bit graphic with the way the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by samantha
Ok if into religion
I couldnt get into this book as im not into the religion aspect.
But for those who enjoy a heart warming read in this relation it is
proably brilliant.
But for those who enjoy a heart warming read in this relation it is
proably brilliant.
Published 16 months ago by Becky25
Not Without My Sister
"This is the story of three sisters who were raised in a cult, but separated at a young age. It tells their individual stories, and shows the dangers that can happen within a... Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2010 by John Harrison
Needed to be written; could have been written better.
I think there is a temptation to judge books like this, not on the basis of how well written they are, but on the extent to which we sympathise with the author's point of view. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2010 by John Williams
unbelievable strength
In a world filled with crime and death, war and poverty, many seek the salvation of religion to overcome. Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2008 by L. Dorward
Disturbing but Courageous
It is never pleasant to read some disturbing experiences that these young lady's have gone through. I kept questioning myself on why I was reading what I was. Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2008 by John McBride
disturbing
I didn't think I could finish this book. It really effected me that so much evil could still exist in the name of a God that despises child abuse. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2008 by Mrs. Ruth Dorrington
absolutely fantastic
this was the most moving, upsetting, yet amusing at times, book i have read in a very long time. These women are a total inspiration to me and I thank them for sharing thier story... Read more
Published on 27 May 2008 by B. Mitchell
not with out my sister
wow the most amazing book ever,and sadly these things are allowed to happend,know others say it is not as bad as that but sorry we all know what cults are,and these girls have told... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2008 by M. J. Crisp
powerful reading
In the past, I have read various stories and articles on 'the children of god' or 'the family', and it has always been a topic of interest for me. Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2008 by N. FREEMAN
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