Opposition
'All that live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.' --2 Timothy 3:12, The Bible
It is a sad commentary on the world today that believers of many faiths are subject to intolerance, discrimination, and persecution. Such problems also exist for adherents of new religions, popularly labeled as "sects" or demonized as "cults." The Family International, being a non-traditional Christian group, has been no exception.
David knew this would happen and prepared the Family accordingly. He often quoted Jesus' words reminding The Family that persecution was promised to all who truly follow God...
"The servant is not above his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept My sayings, they will keep yours also." (John 15:19,20)
Opponents of The Family —including apostates, anti-"cult" organizations, and media factions—made sensational allegations about The Family which even led to civil authorities in several countries carrying out violent raids on Family communities in the early '90s. In some instances members and their children were brutally mistreated and children forcibly separated from their parents and placed in government institutions.
However, after extensive physical, psychological, and educational testing, each and every child was returned to the care of his or her parents, the courts decisively concluding that all had been well cared for.
Subsequent investigations exonerated our members, indicating clearly that the allegations were false. Some courts went further to decry this unwarranted horrific treatment of Family members and the violation of their rights.
The Family has won every single judicial action that has ever been levelled against it.
