How some of you have used this incident of Angela’s murder as a platform to base your anger and judgment of the Family on, completely amazes me, even when looking at this from a non-spiritual standpoint this goes against all ethics and morals of human life. How can you use this tragedy to base your reasoning on? Does this not mark up points against what you stand for? “It is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out.” These words speak so true to every walk of life. You alone can choose the manner of man you will become, regardless of circumstances.

I myself left the Family a few years ago and found that whatever it was I set my mind to believe, that is what I was going to believe and become. And this is what led me down the same bitter road that many have fallen to. How foolish and biased our minds are to think we ourselves can give perfect judgment. Just look at what this kind of logic and reasoning has done to the world; can you honestly say it’s a better place now? After being in the Family for a time, I found that the only thing worth believing and living for was love for God, and love for others. I found the freedom and ability to do this in the Family.

It’s upsetting and shocking to see how some who have left are so bent on destroying this way of life – that I admit is quite different in that, unlike the world, we choose to live unselfishly and sacrificially, preferring others to ourselves. Yes, we are only human. But I would say; this is a much higher goal to attain to than that of pursuing a life for my own personal gain. We do not attack your way of life and what you have chosen to do. But I know that because we are not of the world, the world will find something to hate us for.

I can honestly say that my experience in the Family has been one that I would not trade anything for. I would caution any out there who judge us to take a moment to look at their lives and see if they are spreading love, peace, or a purpose for life by their actions.

I’ve chosen to believe in the word of God; I believe there is a war going on for our souls and our spirits. Whether those of you out there believe this or not is your own personal choice. It’s one thing to want to experience life out of the Family. I’ll admit it is a sacrificial lifestyle and at times may not be that easy. But please take careful consideration lest you find yourselves fighting against God. And please remember that you only strengthen our efforts of winning the world with the love of Jesus through your attempts to derail us by motivating and provoking our spirits forward. I hope you realize that we do not take these attacks lying down, but we will take action. The action we will take will be through prayer; prayer for you, and prayer that this situation will work out for good in the lives of those it has affected.

My heart goes out to both Angela and Ricky, and I pray for all those involved to search their hearts rather than look for some source to place the blame.

Justin is a second generation member of the Family International.