Flirty Fishing (FFing) was a form of personal evangelism involving sexual attraction, practiced by the new religious movement, the Children of God/The Family, from 1974 until 1987 (abandoned because of the AIDS scare). It involved the use of sexual attraction and sex itself to show God's love and win converts. "Flirty fishing" has been described as religious prostitution but that definition is disputed by members of the sect. A new religious movement or NRM appears as a religious, ethical or spiritual grouping that has not (yet) become recognised as a standard denomination, church, or body, especially when it has a novel belief system and when it is not a sect. ... The Children of God (COG), later known as the Family of Love and The Family and now The Family International, is a new religious movement that started in 1968 in Huntington Beach, California, USA. It sprang from the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. ... The Children of God (COG), later known as the Family of Love and The Family and now The Family International, is a new religious movement that started in 1968 in Huntington Beach, California, USA. It sprang from the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s. ... 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ... 1987 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Red Ribbon symbol is used internationally to represent the fight against AIDS. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, rarely written Aids) is a disease characterized by the destruction of the human immune system. ... Religious prostitution, the vulgar epithet for hieros gamos, is the practice of having religiously motivated sexual relationships. ...

The term "flirty fishing" has to a limited extent made its way into contemporary culture. See, for example, Love Bomb and Other Contemporary Pieces.

See also

• Love bombing

Love bombing is the practice of using extremely warm and caring body language, facial expression, words and voice to manipulate someone. ...

References

• Lattin, Don (February 14, 2001). "Escaping a Free Love Legacy: Children of God sect hopes it can overcome sexy image" San Francisco Chronicle.
• [1] Tribunale Penale di Roma (Criminal Court of Rome), November 15, 1991, In re Berg and others, unpublished decision in the collection of CESNUR (Center for Studies on New Religions, Torino, Italy) and in the archives of the Criminal Court of Rome (RG 3841/84)