J. Gordon Melton
Reverend James Gordon Melton, Ph.D. is an academic listed as an "expert" on The Family International by said group, and has defended the group for years.
Melton has been called a "cult apologist" by many, as he often works for such groups (including criminal groups like Aum Shinrikyo) through cult-funded research projects and books or as an expert witness.
Melton has also earned a reputation in some circles for largely rejecting the testimony of former cult members.
In 1986, however, J. Gordon Melton wrote the following regarding The Family International, or the Children of God as they were then known:
"The sexual manipulation in the Children of God has been so thoroughly documented that it is doubtful whether the organization can ever, in spite of whatever future reforms it might initiate, regain any respectable place in the larger religious community." — J. Gordon Melton, "Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America" pg.158 (1986). ISBN 0824090365
Fees received from The Family International
A payment of USD $10,065.83 from The Family to James Gordon Melton during the year 2000 is documented on page 38 of the following Family Care Foundation 990 Form.
- FCF 990 Form - 2000 (PDF; 1,007 KB)
Additionally, The Family funded and edited Melton's 1994 book about The Family, Sex, Slander, and Salvation, and advertise it on their website. [1]
External links
- J. Gordon Melton: Why he is considered a cult apologist — Apologetics Index
- When Scholars Know Sin — Stephen Kent and Theresa Krebs
- J. Gordon Melton — Wikipedia
- Cult Apologists?: Gordon Melton — A set of media articles on Rick Ross website
Books on The Family by J. Gordon Melton
- Sex, Slander, and Salvation ISBN 0963950126
- The Children of God ISBN 1560851805
