Bible name

From XFamily - Children of God
Revision as of 02:45, 28 May 2005 by Monger (talk | contribs) (added Charter clause stating legal names must be burned)

"Bible names" are pseudonyms used within the group. A Bible name is chosen, or assigned, when a new member first joins – a practice derived from the Christian tradition of taking a new name at baptism. In the group's early days, some members were instructed to open a Bible and point randomly, adopting the first name they came across.

Taking new names within The Family International is also done to obscure members' system names, as system (legal) names are treated as selah information. The following is from The Family's governing charter.

E. Selah trash is to be burned or shredded regularly (recommended daily).

Be very sure that no confidential materials or papers or identifying envelops, etc., bearing names, addresses, or other selah information is ever placed in trash containers which are emptied by the System! Burn or destroy these separately in your own wood stove or fireplace (ML #155:51).

(The Love Charter, Home Life Rules, E.; p. 264)

It is not uncommon for group members to change their Bible name on occasion, usually to reflect a spiritual rebirth.