# What's up with "The Family"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 13, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284 "2009-08-13T14:09:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/1 "2009-08-13T14:09:53Z")
[The Family](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family_(Christian_political_organization)) is a secretive fundamentalist-Christian political organization established in 1934 to oppose the New Deal. Last year I posted a [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=460527) about a story that Hillary Clinton was connected to it. There wasn’t much interest and I haven’t thought much about it since. But just yesterday I caught two interviews with journalist [Jeff Sharlet,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Sharlet) author of a new [expose book.](http://www.amazon.com/Family-Secret-Fundamentalism-Heart-American/dp/0060559799) on the Family. One interview was on the left-wing radio news show [Democracy Now!,](http://www.democracynow.org/2009/8/12/sharlet) the other on [_The Daily Show._](http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-august-12-2009/jeff-sharlet) On both, what he has to say is fucking **scary.** According to him, the Family: 1. Is a training ground for future politicians, and has ties to many very powerful ones, including foreign dictators. 2. Worships power. Their interpretation of the New Testament is that it’s all about power, not love. They admire (though they condemn as evil) figures such as Hitler, Lenin and Stalin. I guess the issue for debate is: Is this anything to be worried about? Or is Sharlet blowing it out of proportion? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/2 "2009-08-13T14:36:47Z")
I’ve seen Sharlet on sevceral different shows now, and I’ve been meaning to pick up this book. I can’t tell if it’s something I really need to be afraid of. It looks like they’re skirting lobbying laws, and Inhof admitted to using taxpayer money to evangelize in Africa. At the least, they sound like a bunch of colossal douchebags who have invented their own brand of power-worshipping Christianity. Sharlet (who lived at C Street with them for a while) says that they believe there are two different standards of morality – one for the regular folks, and one for those in power. They believe that those in power are chosen by God and are excused from moral standards that apply to the peons. They also think that Hitler, Stalin and Lenin best exemplify the teachings of the New Testament and set them as standards to emulate. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/3 "2009-08-13T14:57:06Z")
FWIW, [Doonesbury](http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html) has been running toons about them for the last week or two. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/4 "2009-08-13T15:16:30Z")
These guys think god chooses all leaders. They feel Hitler, Stalin and Mao were in position because God wanted it that way. It does not matter what a pol does with his personal life. We have no right to judge them. God put them there for one of gods mysterious ways and man should never question. Sanford should keep his position .His transgressions are mere peccadilloes when compared to god putting him in that position. The Family runs a 5 million house in Washington DC where they allow certain chosen leaders to stay for free. It is a perversion of religion that they have twisted into a justification for anything the powerful do. They have a budget of about 11 million a year. It is run by Doug Coe who is Hillary’s religious adviser. To them Unions are satanic and ungodly. They say Jesus did not come to take sides, he came to take over. Some residents and backers are Grassley, Prior, Sanford, Enign.and Brownback. It is not just America. They backed Slad Barre in Somolia. They have access to powerful pols and were instrumental in getting his military aid doubled. America had to turn its eyes away while he took care of the dissidents brutally. Barre said he would accept Jesus under these conditions. He lied. They claim Jesus is pro privatization of roads, water, and as much of the government as possible. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/5 "2009-08-13T15:17:49Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Sharlet (who lived at C Street with them for a while) says that they believe there are two different standards of morality – one for the regular folks, and one for those in power. Sounds like they have some ideological common ground, there, with [Straussian neocons.](http://www.lacosapizza.com/shorris.html) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/6 "2009-08-13T15:18:57Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > They have a budget of about 11 million a year. I wonder if they have a church’s tax-exempt status? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/7 "2009-08-13T15:36:38Z")
My understanding is that their dormitory in Washington DC is classified as a “church”, hence, not subject to the usual vexations. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/8 "2009-08-13T16:01:10Z")
Hey, I can walk up and check it out at luchtime…maybe I can spot a congressman going in for a nooner or something… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/9 "2009-08-13T16:07:57Z")
Y’know, a **lot** of apparently powerful/influential/well-connected RW organizations are also very secretive: The Family, the [Council for National Policy,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_for_National_Policy) the [Federalist Society](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalist_Society) . . . You have to wonder, what do they think they need to hide?! ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/10 "2009-08-13T16:11:40Z")
They are a colossally fucked up cult that, among many bizarre ideas, includes the notion that incest and pedophilia are ok. > [@](#): > > THE ONLY WAY TO GET FREE OF [Satan] AND HIS LIES AND HIS PROHIBITIONS AND GUILT COMPLEXES ABOUT SEX is to get rid of his lies and his lying propaganda, his anti-sex propaganda, and believe the Lord and His Word and His Creation and God’s Love and His freedom! That there’s nothing in the world at all wrong with sex as long as it’s practiced in love, whatever it is or whoever it’s with, no matter who or what age or what relative or what manner! And you don’t hardly dare even say these words in private! If the law ever got a hold of this, they’d try to string me up! They’d probably lynch me before I got to the jail! > > \ > > THEN I TURN TO TECHI, & SHE TOO IS DREAMING OF ME—her dear old Grandpa-lover! She had always said that when she grew up she only wanted to marry me & have my children! Of course, as there are no longer any such thing as Man’s legalistic laws against incest in the loving Kingdom of God, everyone loves everyone & is completely free in His all-encompassing Love! So I make wonderful, sweet, precious love to my now beautiful teenaged Techi! She seems thrilled & delighted with having this wonderful love-dream with Grandpa, excited & satisfied that she has some time, even in her dreams, with her long-beloved Grandpa! > > SOURCE: [http://www.xfamily.org/index.php/Berg\_on\_Pedophilia](http://www.xfamily.org/index.php/Berg_on_Pedophilia) Reading their notions truly is nausea inducing. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/11 "2009-08-13T16:19:17Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > They are a colossally fucked up cult that, among many bizarre ideas, includes the notion that incest and pedophilia are ok. > > Reading their notions truly is nausea inducing. !!! Are you **sure** this is the same organization as the one discussed in the OP? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/12 "2009-08-13T16:26:20Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > They are a colossally fucked up cult that, among many bizarre ideas, includes the notion that incest and pedophilia are ok. > > Reading their notions truly is nausea inducing. This from the founder of a California cult called [The Family International](http://www.xfamily.org/index.php/The_Family_International). Different group. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/13 "2009-08-13T16:38:28Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > This from the founder of a California cult called [The Family International](http://www.xfamily.org/index.php/The_Family_International). Different group. Hmm…I have seen the link made elsewhere but nothing I’d consider worthy of citation. Seems a mistake made by others as well and I apologize for the misinformation (I should have delved a bit further to verify). That said I recall an interview with Sharlet on The Rachel Maddow Show where he related a conversation where one of The Family was talking about how they should view one of their members being found to have had sex with an underage person and they opined that while it seems bad the rules are different for those in power making it somehow ok. It was this that led me to go with my earlier citation. I am paraphrasing a lot but that was the general upshot of it. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/14 "2009-08-13T16:48:50Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > That said I recall an interview with Sharlet on The Rachel Maddow Show where he related a conversation where one of The Family was talking about how they should view one of their members being found to have had sex with an underage person and they opined that while it seems bad the rules are different for those in power making it somehow ok. It was this that led me to go with my earlier citation. > > I am paraphrasing a lot but that was the general upshot of it. [Here ya go](http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f18_1249263277). This is not from The Rachel Maddow Show but rather Bill Maher’s show where he is interviewing Jeff Sharlet who wrote a book on The Family. At 3:20 in the video Sharlet talks about how a member should be viewed if they raped three little girls. From that I think you can see how I was willing to go with my earlier cite. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/15 "2009-08-13T17:58:31Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > [Here ya go](http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f18_1249263277). This is not from The Rachel Maddow Show but rather Bill Maher’s show where he is interviewing Jeff Sharlet who wrote a book on The Family. > > At 3:20 in the video Sharlet talks about how a member should be viewed if they raped three little girls. > > From that I think you can see how I was willing to go with my earlier cite. I see. The Family International wants sexual license, up to including pedophilia and incest, for everybody. The Family wants it, up to and including rape, only for the elite. Big difference. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/16 "2009-08-13T17:59:36Z")
The author is Jewish and he lived in the Family home for a while. When he asked about him being a Jew and being allowed in there, they said a persons religion is irrelevant if they follow the rules. That is that leaders are gods chosen people and above criticism from mere people. But you can do whatever you want against public morality. It is not their place to be critical of gods chosen leaders. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/17 "2009-08-13T18:06:50Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > The author is Jewish and he lived in the Family home for a while. When he asked about him being a Jew and being allowed in there, they said a persons religion is irrelevant if they follow the rules. That is that leaders are gods chosen people and above criticism from mere people. But you can do whatever you want against public morality. It is not their place to be critical of gods chosen leaders. Does that include Obama? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/18 "2009-08-13T18:14:37Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Y’know, a **lot** of apparently powerful/influential/well-connected RW organizations are also very secretive: The Family, the [Council for National Policy,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_for_National_Policy) the [Federalist Society](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalist_Society) . . . You have to wonder, what do they think they need to hide?! Huh? The Federalist Society is wide open as organizations go - they go so far as to seek out prominent dissenting views to invite to their conferences so as to ensure a full debate. And if you are criticizing secrecy for secrecy’s sake, you should include the Council on Foreign Relations, which enforces this requirement pretty strictly and cannot be characterized as right wing at all. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/19 "2009-08-13T18:19:53Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > Huh? The Federalist Society is wide open as organizations go - . . . They keep their **membership** secret. The [CFR](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_on_Foreign_Relations) doesn’t, AFAIK. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284/20 "2009-08-13T18:20:51Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > They keep their **membership** secret. Okay. So? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-family/506284.md?page=2)