The Cult That Raised A Star: Unpacking Joaquin Phoenix's Childhood In The Children Of God

Few Hollywood origin stories are as complex and shrouded in mystery as that of Joaquin Phoenix. The Oscar-winning actor, known for his intense and transformative roles, spent his earliest years immersed in one of the world's most controversial and secretive religious groups. As of December 2025, the focus on Phoenix's unique upbringing continues to provide a crucial, yet rarely discussed, context for his life and career, raising questions about the lasting impact of his time in the Children of God cult.

This deep dive explores the millenarian Christian group that shaped the Phoenix family, the controversial teachings of its founder, and the courageous decision by Joaquin’s parents to break free, ultimately setting their children on a path to stardom.

Joaquin Phoenix: A Family Born on the Road

To understand the actor's start, one must first look at the journey of his parents, John Lee Bottom and Arlyn Dunetz (who later adopted the surname Phoenix). They were seekers of a more spiritual and communal way of life, a common aspiration during the counter-culture movement of the 1970s. This search led them to the organization known as the Children of God (COG).

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The Phoenix children—River, Rain, Joaquin, Liberty, and Summer—were all born during their parents' time as missionaries for the group, traveling across South America.

Joaquin Phoenix: Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (originally Bottom)
• Date of Birth: October 28, 1974
• Place of Birth: San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Parents: Arlyn Phoenix (formerly Bottom, née Dunetz) and John Lee Phoenix (formerly Bottom)
• Siblings: River Phoenix (deceased), Rain Phoenix, Liberty Phoenix, and Summer Phoenix
• Cult Affiliation: Children of God (COG), now known as The Family International (TFI)
• Years in COG: From birth until approximately age 3 or 4 (around 1977)
• Notable Awards: Academy Award (Oscar), Grammy Award, two Golden Globe Awards
• Activism: Dedicated vegan and animal rights activist since childhood.

The Children of God: A Millenarian Movement

The religious group that the Phoenix family joined in the early 1970s was the Children of God (COG). It was founded in 1968 by David Berg, a former Christian minister who styled himself as "Moses David" or "Mo."

Initially attracting hippies and young people looking for an alternative to traditional religion, the Children of God quickly evolved into an international communal movement. The group’s core belief was a millenarian view—the conviction that the world was nearing its end and that their community was God's chosen final remnant.

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The Controversial 'Mo Letters' and 'Flirty Fishing'

The COG became notorious for its increasingly radical and controversial doctrines, which were disseminated through Berg’s prolific writings known as the "Mo Letters." These letters served as the cult's primary source of authority and introduced practices that would later lead to widespread condemnation and accusations of abuse.

One of the most shocking practices was "Flirty Fishing" (FFing). Introduced around 1974, this was a form of sexual evangelism in which female members, referred to as "Fishers," were encouraged to use sexual intimacy to attract new male members and secure financial support for the group. This practice, often justified by Berg as a way to "share" God's love, drew immense criticism and was a major factor in the group's descent into infamy.

Furthermore, the group faced numerous, serious allegations of child abuse and sexual misconduct, which survivors claim were often enabled or even encouraged by the doctrines laid out in the Mo Letters.

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The Phoenix Family’s Escape and New Beginning

Joaquin Phoenix was born in 1974 in Puerto Rico while his parents were serving as missionaries, and the family later lived in Venezuela.

According to Joaquin, his parents, Arlyn and John Lee, were initially drawn to the cult because they believed they had found a community that shared their ideals of love, peace, and spirituality. As Joaquin himself has stated, "Cults rarely advertise themselves as such. It's usually someone saying, 'We're a community that's going to share all this love.'"

However, as the Children of God’s practices became more extreme and the doctrines shifted toward sexual manipulation and control, the Phoenix parents grew disillusioned. They made the brave decision to leave the group around 1977, when Joaquin was about three or four years old.

Joaquin has consistently defended his parents' motives, asserting that they realized they had made a mistake and acted quickly to protect their children. "I think my parents thought they'd found a community that shared their ideals. My parents got out when things got rough," he explained in a candid interview. "They didn’t know what they were getting into."

The Symbolic Name Change

Upon leaving the Children of God, the family made a powerful symbolic gesture: they changed their surname from Bottom to Phoenix. The name "Phoenix," of course, refers to the mythical bird that rises from the ashes of a fire, symbolizing a new beginning and resurrection. This change marked a definitive break from their past and a commitment to starting a new life free from the cult's influence.

They moved back to the United States, settling in California, where Arlyn began working as a secretary for NBC. It was there that the children—River, Joaquin, Rain, Liberty, and Summer—were encouraged to pursue acting, a path that quickly led to the family's unexpected rise to Hollywood prominence.

The Lasting Impact on Joaquin and His Siblings

While Joaquin was very young when the family left, the experience has undoubtedly shaped his worldview, his intense acting style, and his fiercely private nature. The foundational years of communal living and the later family struggle for a new identity instilled a unique perspective.

The early life in the Children of God is often cited as a key factor in the intense bond between the Phoenix siblings, particularly Joaquin and his late brother, River Phoenix. Their shared, unconventional upbringing created a powerful, protective unit.

The Family International Today

The Children of God has undergone several name changes and reorganizations in an effort to distance itself from its controversial history, now operating as The Family International (TFI).

While the group claims to have reformed and renounced its most controversial practices, including "Flirty Fishing," it continues to face scrutiny and legal challenges from former members and opposition groups focused on historical child abuse claims. The organization maintains a global presence, though its membership and influence are significantly diminished from its peak in the 1970s and 80s.

For Joaquin Phoenix, the story of his childhood cult is not one of personal trauma from within the group, but a testament to the vigilance and love of his parents. His life is a powerful example of a family rising from a deeply flawed community to achieve extraordinary success, proving that a difficult beginning does not define the final chapter.