A tragedy occurred, emotions are thriving, and my initial reaction was one of bewilderment. Why would Ricky let lies saturate him till it changed his entire perspective on things entirely? Why would he allow false bitterness to be rampant in his live and cause him to kill another? The Bible states, “Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” Was Ricky duped to believe he was doing God a favor by attempting to stamp out The Family? Or was this all supposed to be more like a premeditated murder that would initiate another war? There were many questions and I couldn’t find logical answers for.

Then as time passed, bewilderment turned to righteous anger and rage…and then sorrow. Yes, for Ricky and Angela, but more towards you, the media. Why is it that you readily condone a murderer, trample a giving and loving woman, and slander everything I live for?

There is no legitimate reason why a murderer is innocent. There’s no law that condones murder.

So bluntly, what you’re stating is that it’s forgivable to be a man(woman)slayer. Don’t live a life of unselfish giving and love because that will definitely get you killed. And finally, don’t permit yourself to a good upbringing because that’s the beginning of your downfall.

Halt the rhetoric because you know it isn’t like that.

I was born and raised in The Family but never once was I the victim of child abuse. Instead, I was raised in an environment where I was taught the morals of love, a respect for life, unconditional giving, using your talents to the full, and a bunch of fun flashcards.

I never lacked anything. But hey, I didn’t yearn for anything either. I was content growing up knowing there was always someone who loved me. Yes, if you put all the hardships that occur when growing up aside, life was that simple.

As a part-time childcare assistant since I was 12 and a fulltime childcare worker from 16 to 17, I have experienced a lot of what goes in to taking care of children.

It’s a fact that there is a lot planned in the care of children to ensure that they not only have a good upbringing, but the best that we as The Family can offer. We dedicate our time, energy, and talents to not only bring them up in an excellent environment, but to expand their horizons and bring out the best in them. You could say that we carefully plan to spoil them with a godly Christian upbringing.

I could expound more but after reading the transcripts of the CNN interview, maybe you don’t care to hear our side. Maybe you’d rather cut all of us off like you did Clair Borowik and instead choose to listen to some apostates because their cooked up lies sound sleazy and have a vile tang.

It disgusts me to think that you, the media of all people, would assist in trying to tear us down. Yes you can broadcast the news, but I implore that you tell it as it is. Stop further disgracing yourself.

And as for you apostates…….I have plenty of other words for you. If it weren’t for my Christian upbringing, I’d readily unleash it upon you.

Many of us verbally acknowledged, accepted, and respected your decision to no longer stay, but please, get a life and move on. Why do you have to cause yourself anguish by attempting to tear down everyone who has respected your choice?

We respect your decisions, why not accept ours?

Maybe you think that through this all, you can eventually stamp us all out. You know what? You’re wrong. We know what’s right and we’re not afraid or ashamed to state it.

You can try to bring us down and diminish our flame, but with God’s help, our fire will never die!

Emi Mizuta is a second-generation member of The Family International