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Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2007

A Response to James D. Chancellor’s Life in The Family: An Oral History of the Children of God

Abstract

James D. Chancellor’s book is considered by some to be the best academic overview of The Family to date. Chancellor’s stated purpose was to provide a “clear, self-portrait of an intriguing and unique community.” However, he acknowledges that his work is not the whole story and that The Family requires a broader assessment from academics as well as former members. This article attempts to provide part of that broader assessment by challenging some of Chancellor’s conclusions and interpretation of facts, and by considering some of the more important omissions from his account of The Family’s history. Chancellor’s methodology necessarily omits from his portrait important details concerning The Family’s authoritarian leadership and the direct role of past and current leaders in the abuse of numerous children and adolescents. Furthermore, by documenting The Family’s practice of deceiving outsiders, including scholars and legal authorities, as to its true nature, this article provides direct evidence that The Family is not entirely as Chancellor and his interviewees make it out to be.

Full text available through ICSA E-Library. Also available in e-Library: James Chancellor's response and Perry Bulwer's reply to Chancellor.

Other contributions by author(s)

Bulwer, Perry - profile
Bulwer, Perry, LL.B.: "A Response to James D. Chancellor's Life in The Family: An Oral History of the Children of God" - abstract

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