My name is Megumi Kitano. I was born and raised in the Family International. I am 18 years old, and am living in Japan.

Upon hearing that there are those who are claiming that the Family is a harmful and abusive environment to grow up in, I wanted to share a bit about my life, and how I view the way I was—and am continuing to be—brought up.

First of all, I want to say that I think I have the best parents in the world. They love me and care for me, and especially in my turbulent teen years, they always reassured me of their love, and never ceased to be there for me. That sample meant a lot to me, and is something that I will never forget. They always did their best to pour into me and give me the best opportunities possible.
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My name is Joy Yonan-Renold, 20 years old, born and raised in the Family International.

With such a statement, it would seem many people would immediately feel pity, disgust, fear or the like. I mean, wasn’t I raised in an abusive and unhealthy environment? Hasn’t my brain been bombarded by lies, manipulation and coercion, and is therefore barely functional? Aren’t I trapped inescapably in a “cult” that enslaves my will through religious indoctrination?

I say: THERE ISNT ANYTHING FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH! Not only am I a free-thinking individual, but, I also voluntarily decided to COME BACK and REJOIN the Family, after an absence of five years! And, I have a daughter, whose welfare means more to me than anything. I daresay as a mother, I would not willingly subject my child to any abusive environment. But here I am, smack-dab in the middle of one of today’s most controversial religious groups; a group that is regularly accused of child-abuse, brainwashing, etc.

I am here to refute that.
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Hi! My name is Hitomi. I am 17 years old and am living in Japan, and have lived here all my life. After hearing the lies of our enemies I wanted to attest to how life in the Family has affected me. They say that children have been abused in The Family. I have never been physically abused by either my teachers or parents. Though I did get corrections here and there, it has never been abusive in any way.

Hitomi is a second generation member of the Family International.

Age:15
Ministries: Maintenance work & Performing/Shows

I was born in the Family, was raised in the Family, was taught in the ways of the Family and was educated in the Family; I love this Family. But don’t get me wrong I’m not by any means in this Family just because I was born here. I’m not here because my family and friends are here, neither am I here because I don’t know any other way, I’m here because I want to; because I want to live the life of a missionary. I want to live the verse Mark 16:15 “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”. And the Family is the only movement that is doing this to the extent that I want to.
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My name is Angela Marie Jones, and I am a teenager who is a member of The Family International in Japan. I’m writing this because of the recent tragedies regarding Pete and Angela. I was saddened to hear of the news, for the murder and suicide of any human being is heartbreaking.

I know that there are many people who may try and use Pete and Angela’s death to their advantage, claiming that this happened as a direct result of outrageous accusations such as child abuse received on Pete’s part, or on account of his upbringing in the Family. There may be some who have already declared this, and in response I ask, where is the proof? Concerning the allegation of child abuse, all official charges that have been taken to court have been acquitted. It has already been proved time and time again that The Family International does not abuse their children, emotional, mentally or physically. Some may retort to this by saying “Well, if it has been brought up so many times, isn’t there some truth to it?” Well, so what? Just because a lie is stated repeatedly, it doesn’t make it any truer.
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Age: 17
Country: Japan, moving to Mexico in a week.
Ministries: Childcare, Cooking, Performing/Shows

This is addressed mainly to those of you who feel as if it is your job to completely destroy and disrupt my way of life in any way you possibly can. This is to those of you who are telling me that I am living in a community that “abuses their children mentally, emotionally, and physically,” to those who are insisting that my way of life is a hazard to this society, to those who are telling me that my life is being “controlled” by others, to those who are blaring out not only to me, but to thousands of others, that Angela deserved to be murdered.
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To whom it may concern,

Let me begin by extending my heartfelt sympathies to Ricky Rodriguez’ mother, sister, and wife. Having at one time lived with each of you, knowing you, and counting you as my friends, I can’t help but feel your pain and suffering. Such tragic events are the source of great sorrow, which I share with you at this time. I pray the soothing balm of Heaven will touch your hearts, heal the pain, and comfort you.

I have been horrified as I’m sure you have been, by the reaction of some of our former members who have spewed forth such a fermented and twisted dialog as to suggest that Ricky’s mother is in some way responsible for or contributed to his criminal act of murder. And I have been further disgusted by the news media which has taken their “journalism” to a new depth of sensationalism by capitalizing on someone’s sorrow and suffering and lacking the sensible judgment of character to know where these terrible fabricated tales of abuse are coming from.
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(From Chalsey T., 30, second-generation member of the Family International)

Some say it’s the unique way I live that caused my friends’ lives to be violently ended. If truth still interests you, read on.

A newly married 30 year old, I’ve been with the Family International from birth. Looking back on my childhood, teenage and young adult years, I vividly remember the unconditional love I daily received. I have had the privilege to lead a full and rich life. Enviable.

You’d think I was celebrity-to-be. Imagine this: constant attention, very caring and dedicated parents, plenty of childish joys, every kind of outing or excursion a child could wish for, good education, vocational training by professionals, opportunities to learn anything I wished to, visiting locations around the globe that many only dream of, living in spacious houses with beautiful gardens, all my physical needs met, health care adequately provided for, abundant gifts and presents, and most importantly, an opportunity to know Jesus personally. My parents, and those I lived with, gave me their best. Angela was one of them who stepped into my life when I was 16.
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