Danny Jones Podcast #353 - Doomsday Cult Leader: Children of God, Sexual Evangelism & Having 17 Kids | Ray Connolly
Dec 5, 2025
Ray Connolly, a former high-ranking member of the Children of God cult, shares his harrowing journey through a world of radical beliefs and abuses. He dives into the cult's brainwashing techniques and the infamous 'flirty fishing' recruitment strategy, revealing the dark underbelly of its sexual practices. He discusses the tragic stories of members, including the heartbreaking case of Ricky Rodriguez. Ray also reflects on his path to recovery, embracing Christianity after years of manipulation, and the ongoing intersection of faith, trauma, and modern spirituality.
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Instant Conversion Led To Communal Bootcamp
- Ray Connolly describes joining Children of God after a dramatic conversion at a Jerry Rubin rally and immediately entering intense communal life.
- He recounts bootcamp-style training, public evangelism, and the “second floor purge” initiation that sealed recruits' commitment.
Emotion And Scripture Hardened Commitment
- The group used scripture memorization and emotional highs to harden commitment and suppress doubt.
- Ray explains that constant praise, holy fervor, and peer surveillance create rapid personality shifts toward group identity.
Flirty Fishing Became A Recruitment Tool
- Ray traces how David Berg gradually introduced sexual liberation and then the tactic called “Flirty Fishing” to recruit and fundraise.
- He recalls manuals, comic illustrations, and the role of women in using sexuality as outreach.
