I didn’t know Ricky or Angela personally, thus I am not able to say that Ricky was not abused, or make any statements about Angela’s personality and how she treated Ricky when he was growing up (though none of that changes the fact that he murdered her.). But I do know about life in the Family, and I do know what it’s like to grow up in the Family, what discipline is like in the Family, what rules are like in the Family, and I know what it is like to know that where I am is exactly where I belong.

My name is Masaya L. Rider, born on the 27th of July 1988. I was born and raised in Japan. I’ve been in the Family all my life. And throughout the 16 years of my life I have never once felt like I was ever neglected, unloved, used, or abused. Though at times I would blame my parents of such things when things didn’t turn out exactly my way, especially when I got to be 14-15 years old (“mom and dad don’t even care about me, why is it such a big deal for me to go to bed whenever I want?? I’m not a kid anymore!!”). In my heart, of course, I always knew and I still know that my parents love me and are doing what’s best for me.

I am so thankful for my life in the Family and what it has made me. Not only is it a wonderful group to serve the Lord in, but it’s a great place for bringing out the best in individuals, especially children.

I can read and write in both English and Japanese (I haven’t learned all the kanjis yet, but by God’s grace I will). I can play guitar, drums, Japanese taiko, and piano, and I am learning how to produce music. I have danced and sung in show groups since I was 4 or 5 and it doesn’t look like it’s ever going to stop. I know how to cook meals for 14-30 people. I know how to take care of kids, and regularly teach my two nieces and two nephews (who also live with me, so I get to see their smiling faces every single day ). And I’m working to get my high school diploma this year.

How many sixteen year-old kids do you know like that? Well I’m nothing special. I have so many friends who are just like me. You see I’m only what my parents and teachers poured into me. All that time, love and patience has turned me, and other Family kids just like me, into what we are today. It says in the Bible, “By your fruits ye shall know them” so if the kids and teens (the fruit) of the Family are bright, loving, talented and healthy, that goes to show that the parents and the Family as a whole (the tree) is good and healthy too. (I guess by going by that philosophy it doesn’t say too much for a lot of secular parents and schools today, look at all the problems that their so called “normal” teens are causing.)

But more than all the other things mentioned above. I am in a place where I truly feel I belong. I have full faith that this is where I should be. I’m living what I believe (can you say that?). I am here for a reason and with God’s help I’m going to help make a difference in a cold, harsh, abused world.

I’ll sum it all up with 5 simple words: I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABUSED. I challenge anyone to disprove this statement.

Thanks for hearing me out.

P.S. Why did Ricky do what he did? I don’t know. There is NEVER a good reason kill another human being. At least you who are enemies of the Family can agree with that. I believe that it was not his parents or anybody else that abused him but instead he abused his freedom of choice and let the little anger that was inside of him become so big in his mind that it literally drove him insane. It’s a bit like the movie STAR WARS, Darth Vader decides to let anger rule him. And in the end he becomes the very thing he always hated. He’s not fighting the good guys because they abused him, but just because he is insane with anger and hate. And he does end up killing himself, just to realize he was wrong all along.

But love is stronger than hate can ever be. And I believe that the Lord has forgiven Ricky and he’s up in heaven, he’s going to have to learn a lot of lessons for all the hurt he’s caused, but the Lord still loves him as much as he loves me.. or you.

And He does love you. Believe me, He does.

Masaya L. Rider is a second-generation member of the Family International.