Intention, comparisons, abuse issues.

Although many western countries may have differing statutes as to what specifically constitutes child sexual abuse,( or a child at risk and need of protection) , most have laws against such abuse that are reasonably coded.

After many years in the area of child protection I have come to the conclusion that the family and the sexual doctrines they believe and practice make for a unique and particularly destructive form of abuse. No matter how anyone tries to apply or distinguish statutes specifically regarding the family's sexual doctrines the intent to abuse was/is present in berg's/M&P's doctrines.

The intent of the family sexual doctrine,( via berg's own abusive actions and his legacy that many still believe in and practice), has always been that child/adult sexual contact is OK. No matter how the family shapes sexual doctrines to avoid prosecution, the exploitation and abuse of others, much of it criminal, has been the result. Berg's application of the law of love itself seems very much rooted in the mistaken or devious logic of a criminal pedophile. It is not uncommon for pedophiles to claim that they acted out of "love" for the children they manipulated and abused.

Motive is important in law. Was a criminal action deliberate and a decision made in the mind to perform the action before carrying it out? Berg and others preached that that child/adult sexual contact was acceptable. They taught, practiced promoted and demanded it of their disciples. Berg meant to have sex with children, taught others to do so and they did it. The sexual doctrines in the family were carried further by deliberate decisions made in the minds of members to actively apply the sexual doctrines on themselves and others. The combination of both elements, the cognitive decision to apply the abusive sexual doctrines on children and the physical following through on that decision, makes that action a crime.

I believe the intent of the family is to continue with the sexual doctrines where possible. I think child sexual abuse, religious prostitution and all the other stuff will continue wherever it is possible to do so without legal consequence. Maria has not changed in her position and I doubt top leadership has.

I do not think it is advisable for any of us to forget the spirit and intent behind these doctrines. They were devised by a pedophile and supported within a structure that viewed his sexual doctrines as being given to him by God. He used that perception to teach, preach and practice his perverted beliefs without hesitation. Whether by design or intention, berg gradually tuned the whole family into accepting and acting on these views. I think we all really know that is the heart of the problem. The collective intent of the family, through their actions, has resulted in a wide range of abuse . The abusive actions run through all areas of the family.

In actuality the family became a religious structure created by a criminal pedophile for his own pleasure and domination. In addition, berg also had a number of other serious personality problems that led to a wide variety of offences both legal and moral. I have spent the majority of my social service career helping others to deal with the effects of abuse. As most of you know I also was a victim of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. In caomparison, I see the level of the family's abuse as being a great deal more complex and bizzare in many ways. Most Catholics and clergy are appalled by what has happened regarding child abuse. The political will to cover up the issues was accomplished by a political machine in the church run by a group of leaders who were stupid, small minded and more interested in preserving the structure of the church than in caring for the actual members of the church.

I hear so many opinions on the nature of the Catholic church abuse scandals, both in and out of the church that it would take days to put them all on paper. What I know from research and discussion with the church is that there is a core of Catholics, members and clergy, who are appalled at the depth of the coverup and determined to end the problem of clergy abusing children. This group will eventually reach maturity and become the next cadre of leadership within the church.

As evil as any child abuse is, no matter how few the victims, I think the family's practices really are about as bad as they come. When I was abused,( physically and sexually multiple times), I was thrown into confusion and fear but deep down I knew that what happened to me was a bad thing. The abusers in the clergy were secretive and threatening regarding disclosure by us in any form. The horror for me regarding the family is that berg's doctrines took young adults and children and indoctrinated them to the point that everything regarding sex with children was acceptable, if the prophet said it was. I also am very concerned that without appropriate exposure and dismantling of the family there will be no real justice , validation and potential closure for surviving victims. Although the method on how, where and when exposure should happen is an ongoing debate I do think most of us recognize and agree on the true intent of family doctrines. Abuse is a messy, painful and dirty issue to deal with and I do not expect it to stop being so for the forseeable future regarding the family.

In many ways I do not think the case of the family can be compared to "typical" abuse cases. I think it will take many years, perhaps generations, to legally and therapeutically resolve the nightmare legacy of berg's criminal folly.

Sincerely,

Rocky