About the Christian Research Journal Article: "A Matter of Bias? Examining the Response of Growing Families International to Criticism"

In the April-June 1998 issue of the Christian Research Journal , the Christian Research Institute, a nationally recognized Christian authority on cults and apologetics, published a cover story on Growing Families International (GFI) titled "More than a Parenting Ministry? An Evaluation of Growing Families International". This meticulously researched article concluded: "GFI has provoked unprecedented public censure from Christian leaders because, although it is not a cult, it has consistently exhibited a pattern of cultic behavior, including Scripture twisting, authoritarianism, exclusivism, isolationism, and physical and emotional endangerment."

The GFI response to this article, according to CRI, was "a 16,713-word (not including attachments) public critique of our 10,696-word article, questioning our motives, accusing us of duplicity and demagoguery, characterizing us as wicked liars, and challenging the accuracy of our statements, sources, and quotes, even to the point of debating minutiae." [The response from GFI was distributed via their Community Perspectives newsletter and also was posted on their website.] Now, in the latest issue of the Christian Research Journal, Terner and Miller not only address and disprove, in their typically meticulous way, the false accusations made by GFI, but they show how this sort of response to criticism is part of an alarming pattern that only offers further evidence of the seriousness of the issues raised in the original article.

In addition, they cover some new ground in terms of offering evidence for their concerns: quotes from Chuck Smith, a VP at Focus, and John MacArthur (who publicly supports CRI's conclusions about GFI); more information about the splinter church associated with the Ezzos; the church in New Hampshire that asked Gary Ezzo to step down; and the couples who left GFI due to the issue of integrity and the content and impact of the program; and information on how the Ezzos have mischaracterized Terner.

Their conclusion:

It is clear that there is significant controversy surrounding GFI. We have provided a thorough response to GFI's concerns about our original article. The conclusions we have reached are too well documented and have been shared by too many other respected Christian organizations and leaders simply to represent a bias on everyone's part. Even the Ezzos must acknowledge that there is division in the Christian community surrounding their programs and actions.

Yet they have responded to us, as well as to many other critics, by questioning our motives (are we all really wicked, lying, attachment parenting fanatics bent on destroying GFI?), debating minutiae (does questioning the placement of the adverbial phrase "even the night before the wedding" really address the concerns we raised with their sex education program?), misrepresenting what we said (yes, we did provide the context for the Ezzos' "no debate" and "do not initiate" class rules), and even making misleading and false statements (no, Focus is not neutral in its stance on GFI). These tactics obscure the real concerns in our article, and their response did nothing to allay those concerns; instead, it further demonstrated them.

...At some point, readers need to consider how much evidence must be dismissed or explained away, and how many respectable critics must be doubted, in order to believe GFI.

Those who have found the original CRI article helpful will probably want to read this one as well, especially if they have been told by GFI adherents that GFI has "explained everything" in their response.

The original article ("More than a Parenting Ministry? An Evaluation of Growing Families International") is available for free by calling 949-858-6100. Anyone interested can get a copy of the most current article, "A Matter of Bias?" out now in the current Journal at their local Christian bookstore or by calling CRI at 1-800- 2- JOURNAL (It is important to not forget to dial the "2" or you will get the Wall Street Journal). People may order the Journal as a single issue for $7 or three copies of the same issue for $13 -- both these prices include shipping and handling. Single issues are mailed out bulk rate. If someone is ordering the single issue only, they MUST specify which issue or CRI will not know which issue to send. The latest GFI article is in Volume 21/Number 2. You can order by credit card over the phone or send a check or money order made to Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 7000, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688. CRI does not give any electronic or Internet reprint or posting permission. Please do not have anyone scan or retype the article and post it on their websites.

The above article offering a synopsis of the CRI article is not copyrighted; feel free to distribute it wisely.

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