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.

My view on how the Family raises and cares for their children is slightly different from those who would beg to differ that all children in the Family “are abused.” And one would think that I would know better than anyone, since I was born and raised in The Family.

I have lived in The Family for my entire life, and I have never been subject to any abuse, emotionally, mentally or physically. My view on how children in the Family are being raised now, and from what I remember when I was being brought up, is that the teachers, caregivers, and parents of the Family try to the best of their ability to give us a solid Christian Bible-based education; not only academically, but vocationally and socially as well.

To back up my view on how I “think” children in the Family are being raised, I will list some things that I have learned and experienced in the Family that I probably would not have gotten a chance to experience, had I been born and raised outside of the Family. At the age of 15, I have been on a one month humanitarian aid trip to India in 2003 with a group of 14 other teens and adults, bringing aid to slum children and assisting in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy. I have participated in countless shows consisting of originally choreographed dance numbers and singing not only for charity at old folk’s homes and institutions, but have been paid to perform at hotels, parties, and concerts. Some may consider this an “exploitation” of a child’s skill, but this was something I wanted to do and not only enjoyed, but learned from. I have also been taught how to take care of children, ages two to nine, and this is my main ministry that I am involved in when I am not studying. There is so much that is obtainable for me to learn in the Family from people who actually possesses the skills I am hoping to acquire, and the hands-on experiences that are available. I am now on my way oversees with my family to help with the work in Mexico.

The report of one person amongst thousands may not count for much, but for what it’s worth, here it is. You can either believe it, and accept the fact that not only is The Family void of all and any forms of child abuse, but that it is one of the best places a young person, like myself, could ever possibly live; or you can decide that what I have said is a bunch of lies and continue on with your lies and “allegations.” The choice is yours.

Angela Marie Jones is a second generation member of the Family International.