MAKE-BELIEVE REVOLUTION: A STUDY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
Item
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Title
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MAKE-BELIEVE REVOLUTION: A STUDY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
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Identifier
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AAI8212220
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identifier
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8212220
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Creator
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WANGERIN, RUTH ELIZABETH.
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Contributor
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June Nash? (illegible)
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Date
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1982
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Anthropology, Cultural
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Abstract
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The history of the 5000-member Children of God is traced, from its beginnings in southern California in 1968, through its expansion into approximately 80 countries, to its radical restructuring in 1978. Its ideology is analyzed as a syncretism between the dominant Pentecostalism of its founders and elements drawn from the counter culture which had influenced many of the recruits. The group socialized its children and new recruits using strict methods drawn from the conservative religious tradition. Children of God educators modified the Montessori method of early childhood education in such a way as to make the children more obedient and to prepare them to make an economic contribution at an early age.;Long-term socio-economic changes have made reproduction of middle class youth increasingly problematic in the post-Vietnam War period. Those youth who became leaders in the Children of God were able to reproduce themselves as a "middle class" only by structuring the Children of God as a class society in miniature. That was how they could ensure "middle class" roles for themselves analogous to teacher, manager, social worker, etc. It was also the way that they were able to marry and have large families. Opportunities for leaders came at the expense of the unmarried followers, who contributed cash and labor to the support of the leaders' families. Marriage for leaders depended on celibacy for disciples, particularly since birth control was taboo. When the Children of God became more democratic and sexually free, the leaders and the parents of large families were forced to find other means of support.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Anthropology
