Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The system, man. Yeah, the system, dude. That's what's keeping us down, bro." — Ben Kessel
"And when Mama Berg finally died, David was 50 years old and he said that at that moment his bitterness turned into a voice for revolution." — Ben Kessel
"The idea is that at some point society looks at someone who's in their thirties and says like, you should have a family, you should have a house, you should have some semblance of a career going together. And a lot of times serial killers have nothing. So it almost is like, it becomes their new job." — Henry Zabrowski
This episode delves into the foundational history of the Children of God cult, tracing its lineage back to the founder, David Berg. The narrative highlights Berg's upbringing and his family's involvement in various religious movements, including Pentecostalism and fringe Christian sects. His mother, Virginia Brandt, was a radio evangelist, and his father, Helmer Berg, was involved in a traveling menstrual show. The podcast emphasizes how David Berg, described as a "failed charismatic preacher," emerged during a period of societal unrest in the late 1960s, capitalizing on the disillusionment of the hippie movement. The episode details Berg's early life, including troubling accounts of his childhood behavior and his mother's extreme disciplinary methods, suggesting these experiences may have contributed to his later manipulative tendencies.
The discussion explores how Berg and his early followers exploited the counterculture's search for meaning and belonging, initially offering community and simple comforts like peanut butter sandwiches. The podcast draws parallels between Berg's methods and those of other notable cult leaders like Charles Manson and Jim Jones, emphasizing the common tactic of isolating followers from established societal structures and authority figures. The episode touches on the cult's evolving names and messaging, from "Teens for Christ" to "Children of God," and how they strategically positioned themselves against societal norms, including parental authority, to draw in vulnerable individuals.
The narrative progresses to Berg's early organizational efforts, including forming the "Berg Family Singers" and later "Teens for Christ," which served as recruitment tools. The founding convention in Quebec, where Berg declared himself "Moses David," is presented as a pivotal moment in solidifying the cult's structure and eschatological beliefs. The episode highlights the cult's nomadic lifestyle, moving between locations like Arizona and Texas, and introducing key figures like Karen Zerby, who became Berg's second wife and a significant player within the organization. The episode concludes by setting the stage for further exploration of the cult's more disturbing practices in subsequent episodes.