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| − | <p style="margin: 1.8em 0 1.8em 0; text-align: center; font-size: 125%; line-height: 1.3">Welcome to xFamily.org, a collaboratively edited encyclopedia about '''[[The Family]]'''/'''[[Children of God]]''' group.</p> | + | __NOTOC____NOEDITSECTION__ |
| − | | + | <h1 style="margin:18px 0; text-align:center; font-size:125%; border-bottom:0;">Welcome to [[xFamily - Children of God:About|xFamily.org]], a collaboratively edited encyclopedia about [[The Family International]]/[[Children of God]] [[cult]].</h1> |
| − | <div style="width:50%;margin:0px 0px 10px 10px;float:right;border:1px solid #c6c9ff;background-color:#f0f0ff;padding:.0em .4em .9em .9em;">
| + | {| cellpadding="2" style="background:#f0f0ff; width:100%; border:double #8080bc; border-width:4px 1px; margin-bottom:8px;" |
| − | <h3>Featured Pages</h3>
| + | |style="padding:0 8px;"|'''[[Spotlight]]: <span style="font-size:110%;">[[Michael Hawron]]</span>''' |
| − | '''[[Special:Newpages|New Articles]]''' - Most recently created articles.
| + | |style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Special:NewestPages/-/50|New Articles]]''' — Most recently created articles |
| − | <hr style="width:90%; color:#c6c9ff; background-color:#c6c9ff;" /> | + | |style="text-align:right; padding:0 8px;"|'''[[Featured Requests]] |
| − | <div style="float:left;margin-right:22px;">[[Image:Forum.gif]]</div>
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| − | *'''[http://xchildrenofgod.xfamily.org xFamily Forum]''' — xFamily.org's Forum is a place to request and contribute information as well as find out what our latest research is on.
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| − | <div style="float:left;margin-right:22px;">[[Image:Zerby_mug_s.gif]]</div>
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| − | *'''[[Karen Zerby]]''' — Info about "Mama Maria", current leader of The Family. Includes photos & audio clips.
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| − | <hr style="width:90%; color:#c6c9ff; background-color:#c6c9ff;" />
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| − | <div style="float:left;margin-right:22px;">[[Image:Doves released small.gif]]</div>
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| − | *'''[[Ricky Rodriguez Memorial]]''' <small style="color:red">new</small> — Video, photos and more from Ricky's Memorial on March 26<sup>th</sup> 2005.
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| − | <div style="float:right; padding-top:15px;"> | |
| − | <div style="float:right;margin:5px 5px 0px 5px;">[[Image:Rickyvidthumb_s.gif]]</div>
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| − | *'''[[Ricky Rodriguez video]]''' — Full video created by [[Ricky Rodriguez]] before his [[Angela Smith's death|murder]]–[[Ricky Rodriguez's death|suicide]].
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| − | *'''[[Ricky Rodriguez Video Transcript]]'''
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| − | </div>
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| − | <br clear="all" style="line-height:0px;" />
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| − | <hr style="width:90%; color:#c6c9ff; background-color:#c6c9ff;" />
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| − | {| style="background-color:#f0f0ff"
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| − | |- style="vertical-align:top"
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| − | *'''[[:Category:Video Archives|Video Archives]]''' <small style="color:red">updated</small> — TV coverage of The Family, & other video.
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| − | | | |
| − | *'''[[Merry Berg]]''' — Info about "Mene", granddaughter of [[David Berg]].
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| − | *'''[[Berg on Incest]]''' — Positions on Incest.
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| − | *'''[[FBI]]''' — Contact information for FBI investigations on The Family.
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| | |} | | |} |
| − | </div>
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| | | | |
| − | Due to the [[secrecy]] that shrouds many of The Family's activities we [[Contributing Information|work together to collate and divulge information]]. | + | Due to the [[:Category:Secrecy|secrecy]] that shrouds many of The Family's activities, we [[Contributing Information|work together]] to collate and divulge information. We are currently working on '''{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}''' articles. |
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| − | The position of this website is neither for or against The Family as it is a collaborative work that is aimed at supporting contributions from diverse individuals. Individuals contributing to this project might have taken up a favorable or unfavorable position on The Family but through peer review we maintain objectivity. If you have a factual correction to make, feel free to [[Contact Us|contact us]]. While we may not agree with the facts as you see them we will take your suggestion into consideration and present the information here as fairly as possible.
| + | {| style="margin-top:15px;" |
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| | | | |
| − | ==Categories== | + | |style="width:30%; border:1px solid #e2b4af; background:#fff0e9; padding:1em;"| |
| − | ===Beliefs and Practices===
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| − | *[[:Category:Beliefs|Beliefs]] — Beliefs held by The Family
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| − | **[[:Category:Spirit World|Spirit World]] — Beliefs about the "spiritual realm" and "[[spirit helper]]s"
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| − | *[[:Category:Practices|Practices]] — Practices in The Family
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| − | **[[:Category:Abuse|Abuse]] — Abuse that occured in The Family
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| − | **[[Secrecy]] — Secrecy within The Family
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| − | **[[:Category:Finances|Finances]] — Finances within The Family
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| − | **[[:Category:Education|Education]] — Education within The Family
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| | | | |
| − | ===History and Events=== | + | <h2>Featured Pages</h2> |
| − | *[[:Category:History|History]]
| + | <div style="float:left; margin-right:10px; border:1px solid #e2b4af;">[[Image:Forum.gif|xFamily Forum]]</div> |
| − | **[[:Category:Timeline|Timeline]] — Articles that contain lists of events for a particular year
| + | [[Image:Icon_star.gif|Featured page icon]]'''[http://groups.able2know.org/xfamily/ xFamily Forum]''' — A place to request and contribute information, and find out what our latest research is on.<br clear="all"> |
| − | **[[:Category:Legal Action|Legal Action]] — Information on any legal action currently or previously taken against The Family International
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| − | **[[:Category:Deaths|Deaths]] — People who were current or former members at the time of their death
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| − | ***[[:Category:Suicides|Suicides]] — People who were current or former members at the time they committed suicide
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| | | | |
| − | <div style="float:right;margin:15px 0px 15px 15px;">__TOC__</div> | + | <div style="float:left; margin-right:10px; border:1px solid #e2b4af;">[[Image:Zerby_mug_s.gif|Karen Zerby]]</div> |
| | + | '''[[Karen Zerby]]''' — Info about "Mama Maria", current leader of The Family.<br clear="all"> |
| | | | |
| − | ===People=== | + | <div style="float:left; margin-right:10px; border:1px solid #e2b4af;">[[Image:Rickyvidthumb_s.gif|Ricky Rodriguez video]]</div> |
| − | *[[:Category:Current and Former Members|Current and Former Members]] — Information about people who are or have been members of the Family
| + | '''[[Ricky Rodriguez video]]''' — Full video created by [[Ricky Rodriguez]] before his [[Angela Smith's death|murder]]–[[Ricky Rodriguez's death|suicide]].<br clear="all"> |
| − | **[[:Category:Abusers|Abusers]] — Collecting information about abusers
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| − | **[[:Category:Leaders|Leaders]] — Here you will find the pages for the leaders of The Family
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| − | **[[:Category:Pseudonyms|Pseudonyms]] — Pseudonyms used by Family members
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| − | *[[:Category:Non-Members|Non-Members]] — People who never were members of The Family but are involved in some way
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| | | | |
| − | ===Documents and Articles===
| + | *'''[[:Category:Video Archives|Video Archives]]''' — TV coverage, documentaries and more |
| − | *[[:Category:Documents|Documents]] — Documents about The Family International | + | *'''[[Story of Davidito]]''' — Book on [[Ricky Rodriguez|Ricky Rodriguez's]] upbringing |
| − | **[[:Category:Legal Name Changes|Legal Name Changes]] — Documents of court orders for legal name changes | + | *'''[[Flirty Fishing]]''' — Formerly practiced religious prostitution |
| − | **[[:Category:Testimony|Testimony]] — An archive of testimony relating to The Family | + | *'''[[Loving Jesus]]''' — Doctrine concerning sex with Jesus |
| − | ***[[:Category:Testimony#James Penn|James Penn]] — Articles by James Penn | + | *'''[[Merry Berg]]''' — Granddaughter of [[David Berg]] who has spoken out against abuse |
| − | **[[:Category:Press|Press]] — An archive of press relating to The Family from around the globe | + | *'''[[Berg and Anti-Semitism]]''' — Collection of writings |
| | + | *'''[[Berg on Incest]]''' — Writings on incest |
| | + | *'''[[Japan Persecution Notices 2005]]''' — Internal documents in reaction to media attention in [[Japan]] |
| | + | *'''[[Spotlight|More featured articles…]]''' |
| | | | |
| − | ===Multimedia Archives===
| + | <h3>Featured Forum Discussions</h3> |
| − | *[[:Category:Video Archives|Video Archives]] — Archive of TV coverage of The Family, and other video found on this site | + | *[http://groups.able2know.org/xfamily/topic/149-1 xFamily Publications Database launched!] |
| − | *[[:Category:Photo Archives|Photo Archives]] — Archive of photos found on this site | + | *[http://groups.able2know.org/xfamily/topic/147-1 New book 'Not without my sister'] |
| − | **[[:Category:Photos of Family Leaders|Family Leaders]] — Photos of [[Karen Zerby]], [[Steven Kelly]], COs and other Family Leaders
| + | *[http://groups.able2know.org/xfamily/topic/48-1 Give me a chance!] |
| − | **[[:Category:Photos of WS Members|WS Members]] — Photos of Family members working in Creations and World Services
| + | *[http://groups.able2know.org/xfamily/topic/770-1 How does one get over the guilt?] |
| − | **[[:Category:Photos of FCF Directors|FCF Directors]] — Photos of Directors and Staff of the Family Care Foundation | + | |style="padding:1em; border:1px solid #b4b4e2; background:#f0f0ff;"| |
| − | **[[:Category:Photos of Deceased Members|Deceased Members]] — Photos of former members who have passed away
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| − | **[[:Category:Photos of Current and Former Members|Current and Former Members]] — Photos of current and former Family members
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| − | *[[:Category:Family Media|Family Media]] — An archive of multimedia published by The Family
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| − | **[[:Category:Family Videos|Family Videos]] — Videos published by The Family
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| − | **[[:Category:Family Music and Audio|Family Music and Audio]] — Audio published by The Family
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| − | **[[:Category:Family Publications|Family Publications]] — Publications by The Family
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| − | ***[[:Category:Family Art|Family Art]] — Includes scans of Family publications and images contained therein
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| − | **[[:Category:Plagiarism|Plagiarism]] — Plagiarism in Family media
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| | | | |
| − | ===Operations=== | + | <h2>Categories</h2> |
| − | *[[:Category:Places|Places]] — Articles that connect events to places
| + | {| style="background:#f0f0ff;" |
| − | **[[:Category:Family Centers|Family Centers]] — Information about Family homes
| + | |- style="vertical-align:top;" |
| − | *[[:Category:Fronts|Fronts]] — Organizations behind which The Family has operated or currently operates
| + | |style="width:50%; padding-right:5px; border-right:1px solid #e3e3f9;"| |
| | | | |
| − | ===Miscellaneous===
| + | <h3>Beliefs and Practices</h3> |
| − | *[[Glossary]] — An index of definitions for terminology particular to The Family | + | *[[:Category:Beliefs|Beliefs]] — Beliefs held by The Family |
| − | *[[:Category:References|References]] | + | **[[:Category:Sexuality|Sexuality]] — Beliefs and practices regarding sex |
| − | *[[:Category:Links|Links]] — Here you will find external links categorized | + | **[[:Category:Theology|Theology]] |
| | + | ***[[:Category:Spirit World|Spirit World]] — Beliefs about spiritual beings and the supernatural realm |
| | + | *[[:Category:Practices|Practices]] — Practices in The Family |
| | + | **[[:Category:Abuse|Abuse]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Child Abduction|Child Abduction]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Discipline|Discipline]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Education|Education]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Finances|Finances]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Proselytization|Proselytization]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Secrecy|Secrecy]] |
| | | | |
| | + | <h3>Documents and Articles</h3> |
| | + | *[[:Category:Documents|Documents]] — Documents about The Family |
| | + | **[[:Category:Press|Press]] — Archive of press relating to The Family from around the world |
| | + | **[[:Category:Testimony|Testimony]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Opinion|Opinion]] |
| | | | |
| − | [[Special:Categories|All Categories]] — Alphabetical listing | + | <h3>History and Events</h3> |
| | + | *[[:Category:History|History]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Deaths|Deaths]] and [[:Category:Suicides|Suicides]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Legal Action|Legal Action]] — Legal action currently or previously taken against The Family |
| | + | **[[:Category:Timeline|Timeline]] — Lists of events for particular years |
| | | | |
| − | ==Children of God/The Family== | + | |style="width:50%; padding-left:5px;"| |
| | | | |
| − | '''The Children of God''' (COG), later known as '''The Family of Love''', '''The Family''' and now '''The Family International''', is a [[new religious movement]] that started in [[1968]] in [[Huntington Beach, California|Huntington Beach]], [[California]], [[United States|USA]]. It sprung from the [[Jesus Movement]] of the late [[1960s]] and early [[1970s]].
| + | <h3>Multimedia Archives</h3> |
| | + | *[[:Category:Family Media|Family Media]] — Archive of multimedia published by The Family |
| | + | **[[:Category:Family Art|Family Art]] — Images contained in Family publications |
| | + | **[[:Category:Family Music and Audio|Family Music and Audio]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Family Publications|Family Publications]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Family Software|Family Software]] — Software for internal use |
| | + | **[[:Category:Family Videos|Family Videos]] |
| | + | **[[:Category:Plagiarism|Plagiarism]] — Plagiarism in Family media |
| | + | *[[:Category:Photo Archives|Photo Archives]] — Archive of photos found on this site |
| | + | *[[:Category:Video Archives|Video Archives]] — TV coverage of The Family, and other video found on this site |
| | | | |
| − | ===Criticism===
| + | <h3>Operations</h3> |
| − | The group has been often and heavily criticized by the press, the [[anti-cult movement]], and the [[Christian countercult movement]]. In [[1972]], an organization called [[FREECOG]] was founded by concerned family members of followers to "free" them from their involvement in the group.
| + | *[[:Category:Fronts|Fronts]] — Organizations behind which The Family has previously or currently operates |
| | + | *[[:Category:Places|Places]] — Connecting events to places |
| | + | **[[:Category:Family Centers|Family Centers]] — Info about Family Homes |
| | | | |
| | + | <h3>People</h3> |
| | + | *[[:Category:Current and Former Members|Current and Former Members]] — Info about people who are or have been members of The Family |
| | + | **[[:Category:Abusers|Abusers]] — Collecting info about abusers |
| | + | **[[:Category:Leaders|Leaders]] — Leaders of The Family |
| | + | **[[:Category:Music Artists|Music Artists]] — Musicians in The Family |
| | + | **[[:Category:Pseudonyms|Pseudonyms]] — Pseudonyms used by Family members |
| | + | *[[:Category:Non-Members|Non-Members]] — People who were never members of The Family but are involved in some way |
| | | | |
| − | | + | |- |
| − | ===[[Statistics]]=== | + | |colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| |
| − | According to the Children of God, there were 130 communes or "[[colony|colonies]]" in 15 countries in [[1972]]. In [[1993]], 7,000 of the 10,000 members were under 18 years of age. Recent statistics by The Family International puts full-time and fellow members at just over 11,200 in over 100 countries (around 4,000 adult full-time members and 4,000 children). Some estimates have placed the total number of people that have passed through the group at 35,000.
| + | <h3>Miscellaneous</h3> |
| − | | + | *[[:Category:Glossary|Glossary]] — Definitions for terminology particular to The Family |
| − | ===Programs, projects, and productions===
| + | *[[:Category:Links|Links]] — External links categorized |
| − | The Family International (as the group calls itself today) has various programs through which it operates. The main ones include [[Family Care Foundation]] (FCF), [[Aurora Production AG]], and [[Activated Ministries]]. However, the group has many other local foundations and projects in various countries throughout the world. The following are a few examples (note: some may no longer be active):
| + | *[[Statistics]] — Recent and historical Family demographics and statistics |
| − | * [[World Services]] — location of WS centers are closely guarded secrets; they can be contacted through a Post Office box in [[Zurich, Switzerland]] that has been open for over two decades, with the mail handled by the European regional office ([[EURCRO]])
| + | |} |
| − | * [[Family Missions Foundation]] in Zug, [[Switzerland]]
| + | |- |
| − | * [[Heaven's Magic]] | + | |colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| |
| − | * [http://www.sunny-sideup.com/ Sunny-Side Up Entertainment, LLC.] in [[United States|USA]]
| + | [[Special:Categories|All Categories]] — Alphabetical listing |
| − | * Fellowship of Independent Christian Churches | + | <font style="color:#aaa;">'''|'''</font> |
| − | * Donate Car for Charity in [[Spring Valley, California]], USA
| + | [[Special:Randompage|Random Page]] — Read a random xFamily.org article |
| − | * Teaching, Education and More (TEAM) Foundation in [[Dallas, Texas]], USA (EIN 75-2790783)
| + | |} |
| − | * East European Christian Correspondence Center in [[Hungary]] (previously the "MM Home")
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| − | * Asia Vision in [[Thailand]]
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| − | * Los Angeles Missionary Base (LAMB)
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| − | * [http://kekmadar.org/en Blue Bird Family Foundation] in Hungary
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| − | * [http://goldensp.com/eng/ Golden Sunrise Productions Co., Ltd.] in [[Taiwan]]
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| − | * Spiritual Retreat and Missionary Training Program (SRMTP) in USA
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| − | * Mission Support and Humanitarian Services Program (MSHSP)
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| − | * [http://www.familycare.org/network/idr.htm Immediate Disaster Relief] in [[India]]
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| − | * New Horizons – Student Interchange in [[India]]
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| − | * [http://www.familycare.org/network/f08.htm Action In Focus] in Nairobi, [[Kenya]]
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| − | * Helping Hands
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| − | * [http://mexcitymission.org/ Mexcity Mission] (formerly called Milk for Many)
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| − | * [http://www.kidzvids.com/ KidzVids International], based in [[Humble, Texas]], USA
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| − | * [http://www.theextramile.org/ The Extra Mile]
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| − | * The Family Singers (they have performed at the White House for Christmas on several occasions)
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| − | | |
| − | ====[[Aurora Production AG]]====
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| − | Aurora Production AG, based in [[Zug]], [[Switzerland]], is the copyright holder and owner of all of The Family International's revenue-producing productions. These include publications, music, and videos (i.e. ''Countdown to Armageddon'' and ''Treasure Attic''). Although ultimate control over this company is in [[Steven Kelly]]'s hands, on paper the following people are listed as running this company [http://www.hrazg.ch/]:
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| − | * Claes Furusjö (Director; Johanneshov, Sweden; former [[World Services|WS]] finance manager)
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| − | * Richard Müller
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| − | * Barbara-Maria Buzzi
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| − | * Ernst Steiner (Hünibach, Switzerland)
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| − | * Michael Andrew Darley ([[Houston, Texas]])
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| − | * Alconsa Finanz AG (Auditor)
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| − | | |
| − | ====[[Family Missions Foundation]]==== | |
| − | Family Missions Foundation, based in Zug, Switzerland [http://www.zug-branchenbuch.com/soc175499/sozialwesen-page1.htm], receives and processes the tithes of members. The board has many of the same names as for Aurora Production AG. The two key people are:
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| − | * Christopher Smith (aka [[Steven Kelly]]; registered in Luzern, Switzerland)
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| − | * [[Thomas Mestyanek]] (registered in Los Angeles, USA; also Finance Manager of The Family International)
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| − | | |
| − | ====[[Activated Ministries]]==== | |
| − | A Family International–operated charitable foundation in Escondido, California (EIN 33-0857142). All the Directors are Family International members. Thomas Hack, a high-ranking Family International officer and former director of FCF, is the President. Activated Ministries is a licensed distributor of Aurora products worldwide, including the magazines ''Activated'' and ''The Wine Press'', both of which promote Family International beliefs and practices. It is The Family International's largest outreach operation. Activated Ministries openly acknowledges its support of The Family International and links to The Family International website. Activated Ministries has also made at least one cash donation to FCF. [http://www.activated.org] [http://www.activatedministries.org]
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| − | | |
| − | ====[[:Category:Family Media|Productions]]====
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| − | Family productions include the following:
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| − | * ''[[Activated]]''
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| − | * ''[[The Wine Press]]''
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| − | * ''[[Treasure Attic]]''
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| − | * ''[[Kiddie Viddie]]''
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| − | * ''[[Cherub Wings]]''
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| − | * ''[[Countdown to Armageddon]]''
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| − | | |
| − | ===[[:Category:Places|Active areas]]===
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| − | Areas where The Family International have remained active for many years and are generally active today include:
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| − | * [[Tateyama, Japan|Tateyama]], [[Japan]]
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| − | * [[Budapest, Hungary|Budapest]], [[Hungary]]
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| − | * [[Lima, Peru|Lima]], [[Peru]]
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| − | * [[Bangkok, Thailand|Bangkok]], [[Thailand]]
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| − | * [[Washington, D.C.]], [[United States|USA]]
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| − | | |
| − | ===[[:Category:Leaders|Leadership]]===
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| − | The leadership of The Family International is headed by:
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| − | * [[Karen Elva Zerby]]
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| − | : - spiritual leader of The Family International
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| − | : - American
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| − | : - legally changed her name ''to'' Katherine Rianna Smith, 4-Nov-1997
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| − | : - Aliases: Maria David, Maria Berg, Maria Fontaine, Mama Maria and Queen Maria
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| − | * [[Steven Douglas Kelly]]
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| − | : - head-leader of The Family International
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| − | : - American
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| − | : - legally changed his name ''to'' Christopher Smith
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| − | : - Aliases: Peter Amsterdam or King Peter
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| − | * [[Samuel Charles Perfilio]]
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| − | : - senior leader under Karen Zerby and Steven Kelly (less officially Grant Montgomery)
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| − | : - American
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| − | : - legally changed his name ''to'' Kevin Anthony Brown, 29-Sep-1993
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| − | : - Aliases: Matthew or John PI
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