My name is Michael Saunders and I have been born and raised in the Family International. At age 25 I’m living in Europe working in a Family International office. Like everyone I know who has been made aware of the recent events concerning Ricky Rodriguez and Angela Smith, I am appalled at what happened. I don’t personally know Angela, but I know and live with a number of people who do know her. The events that took place are tragic and in my opinion are nearly incomprehensible, even more so committed by someone who grew up in a supportive and godly environment such as the Family International.

To me there is no possible or plausible explanation or reason to justify the murder of Angela. I know that Ricky had voiced a lot of bitterness and rants against the Family International in recent years. I know that he claimed he had been abused and his life destroyed by his upbringing in the Family International. I don’t believe that that was the case, but even if it was, I don’t accept it as an excuse and I don’t accept that any excuse would justify such atrocious behavior.

I am a member of the Family International because I want to be, because I love the Family International, because I believe in the Family International and because I think that it’s the best place in the world for me. I accept that there are those who have made the decision to no longer be part of the Family International and I admire those who have moved on with their lives. I don’t attack their decision and don’t appreciate attacks on my decision to remain in the Family International, nor do I appreciate attacks on the Family International as a whole.

I believe that I was blessed to be born into the Family International and by God’s grace I will always remain a member. If however, at some point I decide to no longer remain a Family member, but choose to pursue secular interests, I firmly believe that the training and upbringing that I have received would enable me to adapt well to my new life. I think that this is evidenced by the many thousands of ex-Family members, including many who were born and raised in the Family International, who are now living happy and productive lives

I am not naïve in thinking that it would be easy or that it would not be an adjustment, but I daresay that such adjustments, to varying degrees, are experienced the world over as people change locations, professions, religions, cultures, and so on. In fact I would go so far as to say that varied experiences I have partaken of and the training I have received in the Family International would help me with any such adjustments.

The thing that I don’t understand is how people can use this event against the Family International or as “proof” that the Family International is evil or malicious. How dare someone imply that I or those with similar upbringings who I know and love, both in and out of the Family International, could or would premeditate and commit the act of murder in cold blood of an innocent victim. The Family International’s beliefs are Christian and Bible-based, and as a group we abhor violence especially when committed in such a gruesome and perverted manner.

To me, the fact that Ricky Rodriguez had it in him to commit such acts should prove to discredit what he has said against the Family International. Would you believe a murderer whose passion in life appears to have been to kill his mother? What kind of credibility is that?

Michael Saunders is a second generation member of the Family International, currently residing in Europe.