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<h3>Beliefs and Practices</h3> *[[:Category:Beliefs|Beliefs]] &mdash; Beliefs held by The Family

...ust be moulded into an ideal follower, an incarnation of their beliefs and practices. His upbringing was [[Story of Davidito|exhaustively documented]] and highl ...ining people's lives by propagating false doctrines and advocating harmful practices in the name of God, and as far as I can see, show no regret or remorse." [h

...aid the groundwork for this rejection and revolt. These policies, and the practices that resulted from them, made many of the group’s younger members feel ab Sixth, the beliefs and lifestyle of the group had a dramatic, and negative, impact on children

...e, while leading different lives and adhering to often radically different beliefs on the inside. [[Category:Practices]][[Category:Secrecy]]

...heir communes, they have stayed away from some of their most controversial practices. Contrary to their claims however, the group has not changed. They recently ...benefactors from ever finding out about its most controversial beliefs and practices. They try to hide instead behind their missionary facade and their good wor

...ve their God, and their religion to cling to -- the same God and religious beliefs that they placed above their children." ...upuy emerged as a leading defector and source of information about abusive practices inside the Children of God, which by then was calling itself the Family.

...e Bible, but the "New Wine" that I was reading started to conflict with my beliefs in the Bible. 87. In April of 1992, the "Statement on Attitudes, Conduct, Current Beliefs and Teachings Regarding Sex" was published. Here are excerpts from that doc

...] group ([[FREECOG]]), and the unconventional [[:Category:Sexuality|sexual practices]] which soon followed within the Children of God solidified its place among ...es, and Beliefs Regarding Sex#Part 3|The Family’s History, Policies, and Beliefs Regarding Sex&mdash;Part 3]], [[GN]] 1236 [[FD]]/[[MM]]/[[FM]], ML 3673, [[

...ge is leveled against those who speak out about manipulative and unethical practices witnessed during their time in the organization. ...he children of group members when they choose not to follow their parents' beliefs is misleading. Many former members charge that The Family has historically

[[Category:Beliefs]] [[Category:Practices]]

...l of which is terribly illegal & dangerous today! You can't engage in such practices. ...d it up, crewed up sex and screwed up man's attitude towards sex and man's beliefs about sex to where the Devil's made it seem to prove hate rather than love&

...st explosive subjects that we had to address were the Family doctrines and practices concerning sexual contact with minors. I eventually became the WS in-house ...what arose as a result of it. Among other things, we acknowledge that his beliefs and teachings led to the setting aside of ordinary taboos and restraints, p

...otivational speeches or testimonials conducive to the group's ideology and beliefs. Usually held first thing in the morning, immediately before or after [[dev [[Category:Practices]]

...tivated]] and the [[Wine Press]], both of which promote Family beliefs and practices. Activated Ministries is The Family's largest outreach operation, and in a

...invaluable assistance. The Plaintiff's has voiced her anxieties about the practices of the Children of God because the group has, over the years and on several ...it caused them, has an ironic edge to it considered against certain Family practices I have heard so much about. This marriage was not a happy one. The Plaintif

...missionaries around the world who endorse the cult's "bizarre beliefs and practices." ...r children" in 1986. Other members insist the cult has long abandoned past practices and has since enacted new policies.

...One of the the most detailed examinations of Berg's prophecies and sexual practices is contained in a voluminous 1995 court judgment in a British child custody ...d time in life," she said. "I wasn't attracted by the born-again Christian beliefs, but I liked the commitment to social causes. They were trying to change th

...ps, maintaining that such literature accurately reflects the lifestyle and practices of our membership. Nothing could be further the truth. Therefore, we feel i ...r Position and Policy Statement [April 1992]: "Attitudes, Conduct, Current Beliefs and Teachings Regarding Sex.")

The Family's persecution complex has influenced their everyday practices and life since their earliest years, but heightened criticism by [[second g [[Category:Beliefs]]

Religious cults are characterised by extreme beliefs and practices not generally shared by mainstream churches. Having separated themselves, m

...he Word. In ridiculing the Word, they’re ridiculing God and you and your beliefs, and we won’t stand by while they do that. ...stioning minds in a broader sense--that rather than only questioning their beliefs and foundations, they would instead question those who seek to undermine th

...ics. She calls The Family a "pseudo-Christian cult" that dabbles in occult beliefs and sanctions adultery. "They don't understand biblical Christianity apart ...group takes "strong exception" to the claim that it is not Christian. Its beliefs are "fundamentally rooted in the New Testament," he says, comparing Berg's

...15). The purpose of this newsletter is to expose the heretical beliefs and practices of the Children of God cult aka The Family and of its present leader Karen ...ractices had indeed stopped. They have not. Those interested in the latest beliefs of the COG/Family are invited to go to their David Berg idol web site at ht

...The purpose of this study is to show that despite several changes in their practices, there has not being a real and fundamental change in the group. I am prese ...lking of efforts of "identifying those Letters that still represent Family beliefs and teachings and those that need to be seen in their historical context."

...of lives it may still potentially infect with its poisonous doctrines and practices. ...death, Berg's lover and top zombie Zerby has "introduced even more debased practices into the group such as masturbating while praying to Jesus." That by the wa

...was trying hard to show itself as becoming more conservative in its sexual practices, the rule of no sex between members of different communes was done away wit ...ld-adult sex and immediately did all they could to stop and eradicate such practices from ever happening again. Saying that there were some, meaning few, instan

...d the risk of harm to the child in light of the organization's beliefs and practices. ...cations|writings]], [[:Category:Beliefs|doctrines]], [[:Category:Practices|practices]], [[:Category:Leaders|leadership]] and the group's treatment of children w

...other controversial [[:Category:Beliefs|doctrines]], [[:Category:Practices|practices]], and policies. In [[1991]], members were also instructed to destroy any p [[Category:Practices]]

In describing the cult's incredible beliefs and perversions, I am actually describing a part of my own life, for I myse I pity the poor parents who dare to rebel against these practices, because rebellion against the group's thinking, or against the leadership'

...side world and operated with minimal scrutiny, despite highly questionable beliefs. ...e other side are current members of the organisation who say that if these practices did go on, they were isolated; they have never seen or experienced abuse. T

Officially, such practices were banned-under penalty of [[excommunication]] -in 1985. But [[Ed Priebe] ...ld be different if the sect didn't conceal its identity and soft-pedal its beliefs.

many Family members are sincerely proud of all the Family’s present-day beliefs and practices?” I, for one, am. I am more than aware of how odd some of our

practices in our Family, he was perfectly happy and content during the years people are so ashamed and embarrassed about our beliefs that they’re no longer

Family beliefs, as well as his impressions and </p> and beliefs which I was confronted with which I </p>

deceive some and lure them into my (the Devil’s, that is) words and beliefs. I in it, and she practices it, and makes sure those who live and work with her do

...mily]] aka the [[Children of God]] (COG) have shocked the world with their practices of [[:Category:Sexuality|free sex]], [[Flirty Fishing|prostitution]] and [[ ...ave being presented a sanitized version of the Family’s past and present beliefs we should help them see the true picture. I am convinced that contrary to t

[[:Category:Sexuality|Sexual practices]] in The Family continued to become more and more extreme until the end of ...le for the general public. These materials hide or mask the group’s true beliefs. In general, this material deals with benign subjects such as prayer. The c

...the [[Children of God]], an apocalyptic [[cult]] accused of extreme sexual practices such as [[:Category:Incest|incest]] and rape. ...ategory:Discipline|discipline]] and commitment to cult [[:Category:Beliefs|beliefs]], which included total devotion to cult activities on the part of children

...amily]] as their parents (it wasn't so much that they didn't have the same beliefs as their parents, they probably did, but they didn't share the same enthusi [[Category:Practices]]

...would-be supporters. The Family still holds and tries to hide its bizarre beliefs, said Craig Branch, director of Watchman Fellowship in Birmingham. "We beli ...Mrs. Spain said they oppose abortion and do not use birth control. Berg's beliefs

The cult's beliefs were described by an American Jewish organisation, the Anti-Defamation Leag ...lieves The Family is the Children of God cult hiding its true identity and practices from "mainstream society" by isolation and the mind control of its children

Dr Millikan describes himself as the world authority on the history and beliefs of the Family, formerly known as the [[Children of God]]. ...om cultural isolation and their parents' religious, educational and sexual practices.

...s has found, whenever the cult attracts unwelcome attention, its professed beliefs change. ...rs of the sect, leaders of the cult declined to talk in detail about their beliefs, saying they were too complicated. However, this week, cult members did mak

Meanwhile, efforts of former cult members to expose the cult's beliefs and practices, continue. Kathy Hansen, de­programmed four years ago, now pub­lishes a n

...ld be to move the cup toward the plate. But given their current views and practices in a host of areas, they had virtually no chance of getting on the plate. ...aspects of the Family’s more unusual and provocative sexual beliefs and practices, Peter suggested we take a break. He looked over to the assistant and aske

...ey describe a scary, sex-obsessed, doomsday sect which abuses children and practices mind control. One practice in particular - 'flirty fishing,' or winning new ...about beliefs of a group, but we are particularly concerned about harmful practices. And with this group, and with many others like them, you see such an explo

Good evening. We begin tonight with a disturbing look at the practices of a [[cult]] that viewed itself as a church. Only this church was no sanct ...s through writings called "The [[Mo Letters]]," volume after volume of his beliefs dictating every facet of the group's life from prayer to marriage. The husb

was outside the cult, but these practices also went on own beliefs were, and I was willing--thinking that it

...of God, later renamed itself The Family. It's known for its bizarre sexual practices involving children and adults. Now China and her husband John left the grou ...rents with children of their own and the right to practice their religious beliefs. The Family has clearly codified statutes in place since the mid '80s to pr

...|conversion]], [[:Category:Beliefs|beliefs]], [[:Category:Sexuality|sexual practices]], mission strategies, the sacrifices of membership and the [[second genera

...erything and had higher ideals and spiritual ideals and they had spiritual practices… ...unique things about the Family. Ah…for instance…um…our…our sexual beliefs. We…we do have a…a positive outlook about sex. We believe it’s a…a

...970s]] for unorthodox [[:Category:Sexuality|sexual]] [[:Category:Practices|practices]] and radical communal lifestyles is moving back into the United States und ...sent a deadly mix of evangelical terminology and a perversion of Christian beliefs."

...strate the group's [[:Category:Beliefs|beliefs]] and [[:Category:Practices|practices]] and show its preparedness to deal with questioning from authorities in ti ...e best way to spread the word of God is to have sex with non-believers, in practices known as [[flirty fishing]] and [[escort servicing]]. ("The biggest problem

...tween children and adults]] no longer forms part of the sect's [[:Category:Beliefs|theology]]. They also point out that after years spent living in fear of th ...in [[1987]], partly because of the fear of [[AIDS|Aids]], other unorthodox practices such as "sharing" (but only between married adult members) are still practi

...with sexuality and the group became very controversial because of its many practices," says Kent. He believes that in some cases, sex may have been used to recr ...he materials' content," says Kent. "It's one thing to describe [[:Category:Beliefs|doctrines]] and [[:Category:Family Publications|publications]]. It's anothe

...e former members are entitled to their personal perspectives, outlooks and beliefs. However, we believe that we also are entitled to a response, particularly ..., Ms. Williams states that The Family condones abusive physical and sexual practices with minors. This is unequivocally false. Any form of [[:Category:Abuse|abu

...rayal of him as a self-serving outlaw, practically void of true ideals and beliefs, rather than the Christian idealist and spiritual founder of an internation ...srepresentations constrain us to respond and clarify our theology, present practices and belief system.

...children being taught at an inappropriate age of sexual contact and sexual practices, and this can lead up to other forms." ...-old child was considered to be an adult and now allowed in indulge in sex practices, then that would be inappropriate."

...three well-conducted Christian communities which don't teach any abhorrent practices. ...ies of community households as if they were one community holding the same beliefs".

...ds. The literature details the structure of the cult, its organisation and practices. ...questions by authorities in relation to their welfare or the practices and beliefs of the organisation".

...use]] of children and a link to the group's unorthodox [[:Category:Beliefs|beliefs]]. "Historically it's true that this group adhered to practices that were utterly wrong, but the case exposed the group to the closeness of

...d Abduction|kidnapping]] and [[brainwashing]], bizarre [[:Category:Beliefs|beliefs]], and unusual [[:Category:Sexuality|sexual behavior]], including [[Flirty ...ing back to Australia several years ago and claimed to have renounced past practices. They have dropped the name Children of God, prefering to use [[Family of L

...TERPRETATIONS</u>''. And as a result there's a vast body of differences of beliefs and interpretations of the Koran and Mohammed and the whole works. There ar ...c countries have become much more modern and their jurisprudence and their practices at law and justice have become a little more liberalised along the lines of

<br><br>       ''A Look at Some Contemporary Belief, Practices and Phenomena'' <br><br>       ''<u>A LOOK AT SOME CONTEMPORARY BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND PHENOMENA</u>''

....--The first Sunday of every month usually. It was a part of the religious beliefs of the Church of Christ denomination that it had to be done <u>every Sunday ...TH ME</u>:'' I'm pretty hard to take, & some of my doctrines & teachings & practices may be pretty hard to take, but you can't think of anything better to belie

...ot do a rite without a firm knowledge of astrology. It is the base for all practices in Witchcraft, & one of its teachings is that you are born a set personalit ...undamental churches around the United States. They train them in Christian beliefs. The newest form of blasphemy by a witch towards the Christian God is to si

...l of which is terribly illegal & dangerous today! You can't engage in such practices. ...T UP, SCREWED UP SEX & SCREWED UP MAN'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS SEX</u>'' & man's beliefs about sex to where the Devil's made it seem to prove <u>hate</u> rather tha

...an to them to read to get their indoctrination & basic education in Family beliefs as well as order extra copies for Gifts. Use the enclosed Lit Order Blank f

...scouraged to try to read'm! But there's a kind of a summation of our basic beliefs & faith & doctrine & expectation of our people! ...WE SET THE STANDARD SO HIGH</u> that when you compare with what the church practices--not what they <u>preach</u> but what they <u>practice</u>--our preaching m

...y they're in, its customs, its culture, its laws, its mores, its religious beliefs & what to expect of these various kinds of people, etc., as well as maybe l ...T IN THE USA! He had a whole course called "cults" & you learned the basic beliefs of Catholics & Jews & the various common religions of the U.S. & what to sa

...against the church of His day. So thank God for our doctrines & beliefs & practices which make us totally distinct & separate from the Churches & unacceptable

...tters & they don't receive the <u>new</u> wine & these new doctrines & new practices. Dear old Stephen David is using somebody's garage & a mimeograph to reprin ...revealed so much to, particularly as far as what you would call doctrinal beliefs in the Endtime. Well, maybe I'll put that second, I'd say soul-winning firs

...ligions, that's all! I can find every one of our pet doctrines & beliefs & practices right in the Bible & prove'm to you, PTL!

...re <u>wrong</u> & some of their doctrines were downright <u>wicked</u>, or practices they'd gotten into. The Latin Vulgate Bible is a fine Bible, it was a good ...e Protestants became even <u>more</u> fanatical & radical in some of their beliefs than the Catholics!

...ls of men by her doctrines & her churches & her evil practices & her false beliefs, especially in making men love her & love her things & worship her, to make

...etc. But then when some guys began to disagree with him & his church & his beliefs & his new orthodoxy, his new system, he stood by while his friends burned t ...they rejected the new wine, they rejected new doctrines, they rejected new practices that went against their grain & against their personal preferences & agains

...ent? But their recent ravings that we are a false cult engaged in "bizarre practices" are nothing but trumped-up charges to cover the <u>real</u> reason why the <br><br>       ''<u>(QSTR:)</u>''<u> WHAT ARE YOUR BELIEFS REGARDING THE HOLY TRINITY?</u>

...xperience & testimony of the Word</u> & experience of others & some of the beliefs of people I respect & who know the Lord, like my Mother & Father, I've come ...costal, filled with the Spirit, etc., still ape the same things & the same practices & the same methods & the same churchianity & church worship & go-to-church-

...ality, Man's many religions have offered him a wide variety of beliefs and practices. By means of those religions, Man reaches out for supernatural assistance, ...f meeting those needs. A brief look at some of the most common beliefs and practices makes this evident:

...ally grounding our new babes in the Word & in the doctrine & the beliefs & practices of our Revolution</u>.--The countless hours we spent praying with them & en

...or the Family's use. In these new pubs we're codifying & consolidating our beliefs so that the Family will be better able to speak with one voice & give a cle ...& preach is in direct opposition to almost everything the World believes & practices, & they can't stand the discomfort of exposure, so they attack us. But it's

...d. (For more ideas on how to answer personal questions about your beliefs, practices & lifestyle, see "Wise Witnessing Replies".)

...World quite quickly.--Their trends, their attitudes, their products, their beliefs, their religion. And unfortunately, there is more bad than good that is bei ...fight for their lives, and the lives of their children and their Christian beliefs.

...iscernment. Many people who don't totally agree with some of our beliefs & practices will have many points on which they <u>can</u> agree, & it is certainly wor ...didn't even know you existed!--But we <u>still</u> got persecution for our beliefs & lifestyle.)

...to believe those lies since they already know we have some liberal sexual beliefs. ...minal to spank a child in many countries of the World.--Not to mention our beliefs about the AC Conspiracy, our stand against the Sodomites, our communal life

...im God's Truth through His Word. To answer any of the questions on our sex beliefs, we have to go back to the fundamental issue as to what is basically wrong ...ar. Society today is accepting Sodomy, the worst & filthiest of all sexual practices! They're even persuading governments to <u>legitimise</u> Sodomy, to <u>rew

''<u>OUR BELIEFS CONCERNING THE LORD'S LAW OF LOVE!</u>''       DO 2858        ...    <u>1. One of the topics discussed at Summit '93 was our beliefs & practices regarding the Lord's Law of Love</u>. Before going into the details of our

...Islam" literally means "to surrender to the Will or Law of God," & one who practices Islam is a Muslim</u>. The first requirement is the profession of faith tha ...ennium for that. So in many ways we are very similar to the Muslims in our beliefs, & Mohammed loved Jesus! ''(See page 7 for some verses from the Koran on Je

...to what lengths our enemies go with all these little tiny details about my beliefs, opinions & theories. The Lord must want them published & publicised! <br>       ''25.'' <u>Could you have ever imagined that my set of beliefs should become a World issue</u>? I can hardly believe it! It must be the Lo

...s it used to ship its oil. This, together with other questionable business practices -- criticized as "ruthless" by opponents -- forced many smaller oil compani ...s fervor and dedication to its missionary goals, and for its controversial beliefs on hot issues like sexual freedom, communicating with the dead, and the soo

...elation. Likewise, the author of this paper was wholly unfamilar with such beliefs and experiences as recorded by others. Thus, the corroborating testimonies ...ual matters. The Family's official statement regarding sexual policies and beliefs states:

...ese beliefs may be. They have a right to believe the way they do, so these beliefs should not be mocked or maligned. It isn't necessary for you to "deliver yo ...loving and Christian spirit, you'll find that you do share a lot of common beliefs, experiences and interests--so capitalize on those!

...e beliefs may be.'' They have a right to believe the way they do, so these beliefs should not be mocked or maligned. It isn't necessary for you to "deliver yo ...loving and Christian spirit, you'll find that you do share a lot of common beliefs, experiences and interests--so capitalize on those!

...t or member of a recognized religious denomination in which the tenets and practices of the religious denomination conflict with immunizations.' We, of course, ...a 'recognized denomination' (and by whom?); and b) whether our 'tenets and practices ''&#91;DELETED]'' conflict with immunization'? We might yet be able to some

...ng of the Family, Dad and the Lord laid down key foundation principles and beliefs that set the Family apart,'' and unfortunately, in many Homes and your pers ...r many have become selfish, self-centered and distant regarding the pillar beliefs or the foundation of the Word--the "old landmarks." ''(End of excerpt of me

<br>       ''36. If through <u>rejection of the fundamental Family beliefs</u> on the part of either the man or the woman,'' if through doubt and unbe ...membership, one of which is to "believe and teach the Family's fundamental beliefs, both Biblical and revealed, as published in our 'Statement of Faith,' or o

...NG IN A SHORT, READABLE STORY FORM ABOUT OUR BEGINNINGS, HISTORY, BELIEFS, PRACTICES, ETC. SO ''SURVIVAL'' WAS THE RESULT!--But even this they wouldn't print, s

...ells its members to stay above ground and fight for their rights and their beliefs in order to publicise them as long as it's possible, until their enemies ma ...point the finger at you for being a coward, ashamed of your name and your beliefs!

...ng in a short, readable story form about our beginnings, history, beliefs, practices, etc. So ''"Survival"'' was the result! But even this they wouldn't print,

...horrify Americans but are common elsewhere. There are many activities and practices which are perfectly legal in the Western world, but unlawful in the Orienta ...necessary as any other'' generally accepted normal physical activities and practices and enjoyments! This they have had to do against the howls of protest and c

...urs. Neither have I by any means tried to enforce my ideas and beliefs and practices upon you. I have no right to do so any more than you have a right to force ...>exactly</u> what our motives and purposes are and <u>exactly</u> what our beliefs are and exactly what our goals are, and <u>nothing</u> is concealed from th

MORRISON: (Voiceover) Was it that pressure and the strange [[:Category:Beliefs|theology]] of the Children of God that eventually twisted the beautiful boy ...f this where all the experimentation began, where much of the very unusual practices with the children were initiated.

...lly independent, that what they do have in common are the same beliefs and practices. The group to which the declarant belongs does not have any type of obligat

...d the The Family's [[:Category:Beliefs|beliefs]] and [[:Category:Practices|practices]], its history in Argentina and [[:Category:Legal Action|legal action]] inv

...hildren's tawdier side. "I'm not going to go into details about what their beliefs are, because I'm not a specialist. But I just know what I experienced was a

...ining people's lives by propagating false doctrines and advocating harmful practices in the name of God, and as far as I can see, show no regret or remorse. I c ...f 2000 (referenced above), Ricky had some strong criticisms of her and her practices, which he told her clearly and directly about. If Ricky could stand up to a

...thin the [[cult]] as a rhetorical bludgeon to rebuke undesired beliefs and practices.

...:Sexuality|sexual]] [[:Category:Practices|practices]] into its [[:Category:Beliefs|religious doctrine]]. ...yself and others, they began to incorporate the children into those sexual practices.

'''Eamonn Holmes:''' And what sort of practices are we talking about here? '''Eamonn Holmes:''' Life surely just wasn’t all about sexual practices. Tell me about life within the cult.

...was a member for the next 10 years and participated in Berg’s free-love practices, such as wife-swapping and orgies. By then, the Family had dispersed into s ...rge]]d much of their explicit literature and doctrine and outlawed deviant practices that had become widespread, according to previous media inquiries into the

...Family International from a secret location and the organisation no longer practices the abusive and socially unacceptable elements of Berg’s doctrine. Activ “Despite being indoctrinated into radical sexual beliefs, I was disgusted,” she writes in the book. “I did not want my baby sist

...ic and popular debate due to, among other things, its controversial sexual practices. In this article, I examine one such practice, namely, Flirty Fishing, in w ...g placed upon sexual relationships contributed to the adoption of specific beliefs in terms of the human body, especially for the women in the group. Critical

...roup's well-known [[:Category:Pedophilia|child sex]] [[:Category:Practices|practices]], Cooper said, "Well, that has nothing to do with Jesus!" ...lief in one's faith. It's the new iTestament, where you can customize your beliefs so you can stand out among your friends.

Jane alerted her child's school, having discovered the unsavoury practices of the cult on the internet. Laura went on a school trip to Spain in July, ...ebrities are involved. It may be difficult for them to distinguish between beliefs such as the fashionable and ostensibly harmless Kabbalah, an esoteric offsh

....xfamily.org/docs/fam/ml/ml-3671.pdf The Family’s History, Policies, and Beliefs Regarding Sex - Part 1] <small>(28 pages, 691k)</small> &mdash; GN 1234, ML ==The Family's History, Policies, and Beliefs Regarding Sex &mdash; Part 1==

...xuality|sexual]] and [[:Category:Beliefs|religious]] [[:Category:Practices|practices]], [[Gideon Scott]] , of the Family liaision office in [[South Africa]] tal ...y for Berg to use or misuse scripture, in the process distorting Christian beliefs.

...ndoctrination of the cult's [[:category:Beliefs|beliefs]] and our leader's beliefs, David Berg. Then there's the, some uncomfortable memories, very confusing ...n't agree with it, as opposed to something wrong with the doctrines or the practices. And because of that, I started to harm myself, tried to kill myself a coup

...abuse and isolation imposed upon them by the cult's structure, beliefs and practices. Some of them had a thirst for knowledge that led them to defy the cult's ...s time in the group with no reference whatsoever to its name or its sexual practices. In an email to me, he says, “I am afraid that I cannot be of much assist