Children of God: Lost and Found, Noah Thomson documentary on David Berg online
In January 2007, Noah Thomson, 35, released a documentary film depicting life in the cult Children of God (now known as The Family International) from the second generation point of view: Children of God Lost and Found. Noah Thompson was one of thousands of children born into the cult; he left the cult in 1999 and by 2001 began working on the documentary. The film premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah and was met with great reviews. The film is available for viewing in its entirety online.
Beginning with a look at the early days of the Children of God, Thomson exposes the cult’s origins, leaders and mix of religious doctrine, evangelism and sex. The film shows David Berg, who was the group’s leader until his death in 1994, and follows Noah Thomson as he searches for other young adults who’ve escaped the group. David Berg died on October 1, 1994 passing the reins of the cult to his wife, Karen Zerby. Karen Zerby is now remarried and continues to lead the cult.
In several interviews, including the documentary film Children of God: Lost and Found, one of the children who grew up in the cult and lived in David Berg’s home, Davida Kelley, not only alleged that she was sexually abused by David Berg, but also stated that she witnessed Karen Berg have sexual intercourse with her then 12-year-old son, Ricky Rodriguez, who was also known as Davidito. Though Karen Zerby has adamantly denied claims that she molested or had sex with her son, the Children of God cult officially took a stand against child sexual abuse and molestation in 1988. Numerous reports, testimonies, photos and publications graphically depicting child sex have been obtained from the Children of God throughout the years. On January 8, 2004, Ricky ‘Davidito’ Rodriguez killed Angela Smith, a close associate of his mother, Karen Zerby, and by January 9, 2004, his body was found deceased in his vehicle, the victim of suicide. Ricky Rodriguez left a graphically, disturbing video before the murder/suicide in which he express pure rage for the sexual abuse he encountered as a child.
The film “Children of God: Lost and Found” provides a comprehensive account at life in the cult, the control David Berg had over his members and the type of childhood those born into the cult endured.
To date there have been at least seven women who state that they were sexually abused by David Berg. These include David Berg’s daughter in law, Sarah Berg, David Berg’s daughters Deborah Davis and Faith Berg, David Berg’s granddaughters, Merry Berg and Joyanne Treadwell Berg, Davida Kelley, and a woman identified only as Armendria.
There is a website for former Children of God cult members that documents evidence regarding the sexual and physical abuse that transpired during the cult. Be forewarned, there is sexually explicit content at the site. You may access the XFamily.org website in the link below.
Mary Berg, David Berg’s granddaughter, has spoken publicly regarding the physical and sexual abuse she encountered at the hands of her grandfather. You may see a video interview with Mary Berg in the video player to the left. Mary was also known as “Merry” and “Mene” and in the second video to the left, Steve Kelly (who now leads the Family International with Karen Zerby) speaks about Mary Berg coming to live with David and how the group performed exorcisms on her. The Children of God: Lost and Found documentary contains several scenes that are disturbing so the film has not been included in this article. You may access the Children of God: Lost and Found documentary in the links below. You may see another video to the left where children sing to David Berg thanking him for finding them and sending the followers his ‘Mo letters.” You may also see a video of Deborah Davis, speaking about the practice of Flirty Fishing.
Important Links
The Family International (current website for the Children of God (aka The Family)
David Berg Official Website (The Family International keeps this site online with Mo Letters available for reading)
Children of God: Lost and Found Part 1
Children of God: Lost and Found Part 2
Children of God: Lost and Found Part 3
Children of God: Lost and Found Part 4
Children of God: Lost and Found Part 5
Children of God: Lost and Found Part 6
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