Second generation

From XFamily - Children of God
Revision as of 02:58, 12 March 2005 by Monger (talk | contribs) (fixed link)

Karen Zerby's practices and teachings have alienated many second-generation members of The Family International, who have left in large numbers to pursue secular careers. There is a great deal of anti-Family sentiment among many of those who have left, including threats to legally pursue alleged physical and sexual abusers, whom, it is thought, may have been shielded from prosecution by the group's leadership.

The generational divide is significant and some second-generation exmembers find it more prominent that a shared ideological base. This often results in wholesale rejection of the first-generation, even those who left and who have the same qualms with The Family that they do.

As former missionary kids, this second generation of former members have now become adults. Many have returned to the country of their citizenship and have, thus, become Third Culture Kids (TCKs).

Many of these former second-generation members have kept in communication with each other. A notable example of this is their use of the site MovingOn.org. The Family prefers to call these former members who speak against them "apostates", but many resent this label, as most never chose to join the group in the first place (they were born into it) and, thus, can not rightly be called apostates.