« Updated the Comics listings | Main | I just got interviewed by NPR! »
Flirty Fishing
Okay, this is really funny. Apparently there was this cult in the 70s/80s called "The Family", and they believed in evangelization through "spreading Jesus's love" in a very literal sense known as "Flirty Fishing". Basically, female members of the cult were encouraged to sleep with strangers as a form of witnessing. They were also told to ask for contributions to the cult afterward. Basically passing the collection basket around, I guess. Cult leaders eventually busted for running a prostitution ring (shocking!).
Found a website devoted to exposing them or something like that, and it includes this hilarious little pamphlet about "flesh fathers" and "real fathers" to help explain to the "Jesus Babies" why none of them had daddies who were around. It's amazing how stupid some people can be.
August 8, 2005 | Permalink
Comments
So, Will was trying to witness to the dog?
Posted by: Finite at Aug 9, 2005 9:08:15 AM
Dude--that's funny.
"The Lord's really given me a special burden to love him and help him find Jesus!"
What a way for a woman to say she's horny. ;)
Posted by: J.A. Cook at Aug 9, 2005 9:22:53 AM
There was a long article in a recent, i.e. July or so Rolling stone on the family cult. Scary, scary stuff.
Posted by: Bob at Sep 21, 2005 10:37:35 PM
Metz, update your fucking blog. You need to be online more so I can bitch to you about life and shit.
Posted by: Finite at Nov 10, 2005 6:11:32 PM
Actually in the 70s and 80s they were doing exactly that while called "Children of God". Today they're very much an active religion/cult, only renamed to "The Family", and while they 'supposedly' condemned and quit the whole "flirty fishing" practice, many branches still practice it today. Of course now they keep things much quieter and there are no more accusations of prostitution or child molestation as in the 80s, but from what I can tell it still happens to this day.. Even their website seems to condone it now, albeit in a more confusingly worded way. reachouttrust (A different church organization) emailed "The Family" about this and the response is at: http://www.reachouttrust.org/articles/othergrp/familyff.htm
Also, you can look directly at their "flirty fishing" beliefs on their webpage: http://www.thefamily.org/ourfounder/tribute/trib_21.htm ..shocking stuff..
Posted by: Tom at Jan 4, 2006 10:37:40 PM
"Life in the Family" by James Chancellor is a decent "inside" look at the cult.
Posted by: Blandus at Mar 7, 2007 6:01:44 PM
As a current member of this organization I can tell you that no, we definitely do not practice any remote form of this whatsover. It was a stage that the group went through after the sexually free 60's and 70's (Think Austin Powers) and now that the children have grown up and all but taken over, things have drastically changed. Thought you'd might like to know. :)
Posted by: Tina at Apr 3, 2009 9:38:00 AM
eh... informative
Posted by: ReutleTut at May 23, 2009 7:26:50 AM
hh... love it
Posted by: Blonde Fucked at Jun 28, 2009 7:50:20 PM
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity, where the scriptures often describe "evangelism" as "spreading the Gospel".
Christians who specialise in evangelism are known as evangelists whether they are in their home communities or acting as missionaries in the field. Some Christian traditions consider evangelists to be in a leadership position; they may be found preaching to large meetings or in governance roles. Christian groups who actively encourage evangelism are sometimes known as evangelistic or evangelist.
The communication of Christian faith to new geographical areas and cultures is often referred to as evangelization, or specifically, world evangelization.
Posted by: buy viagra at Jan 13, 2010 12:24:42 PM
day they're very much an active religion/cult, only renamed to "The Family", and while they 'supposedly' condemned and quit the whole "flirty fishing" practice, many branches still practice it today.
Posted by: buy generic viagra at Feb 11, 2010 2:48:21 PM
Basically, female members of the cult were encouraged to sleep with strangers as a form of witnessing.
Posted by: ace cafe at Feb 12, 2010 3:08:07 PM
Basically passing the collection basket around, I guess.
Posted by: buy penegra at Feb 12, 2010 3:08:43 PM
Simply very great blog. I would like to
read few more pot from you. keep posting
such a nice post.
.....Alex
Posted by: buy viagra at Jul 19, 2010 5:43:33 AM
